Page 11 of A Kingdom's Heart
A few moments later, the captain reined in his horse beside me. His armor bore the royal crest, its edges damp with rain. He dismounted swiftly and bowed his head.
“Princess Iris,” he said, his tone measured but firm. “The king has been worried sick. We have searched all night.”
“I imagine he has,” I murmured, though I couldn’t keep the weariness from my voice.
The captain’s eyes flicked to the road behind me, to the faint outline of the house across the field. I straightened my posture, hoping he wouldn’t ask questions.
“His Majesty will want to see you at once,” the captain said. He extended a gloved hand toward me. “Please, allow me to assist you.”
I hesitated only a moment before placing my hand in his. His
grip was steady, firm but respectful. He guided me toward his horse and helped me up onto the back of the saddle.
As I settled behind him, I cast one last glance over my shoulder. The small house stood quiet in the distance, the smoke from its chimney rising faintly into the morning air.
For a brief moment, I thought I saw movement at the window. A shadow, maybe. Or perhaps it was just wishful thinking.
Then the captain urged the horse forward, and the fields began to blur around us.
I sighed again, quieter this time. I knew what waited for me at the castle. My father’s fury would be worse than any storm.
CHAPTER FOUR
IRIS
The ride back to the castle felt endless. The sun was up, and the air was damp from last night’s rain. My cloak clung to my shoulders as we passed through the fields and up the long winding road that led to the gates of Elarion.
The castle rose before us, gray and vast against the dull sky. Its towers pierced the clouds, their tips crowned with banners bearing my family’s crest, a white rose over crossed blades. The stone walls were slick with rain, darkened by age and strength. It looked unshakable, eternal, yet to me it had never felt more like a prison.
The drawbridge lowered with a groan of iron chains. The sound echoed through the courtyard as we entered. Guards lined the steps, their armor gleaming, their faces unreadable. I felt their eyes follow me as the captain helped me down from the horse.
No one spoke as they led me through the corridors. The floors were cold beneath my boots, and the air smelled faintly of smoke and damp stone. Every step echoed off the walls, joining the faint ring of metal and the faraway clang of a closing gate.
At last, we reached the throne room.
Two guards pushed open the tall wooden doors. The sound rolled through the chamber like thunder. I stepped inside with my head bowed, my heart thudding painfully.
My father sat upon the high throne, his crown of iron glinting under the torchlight. King Henrik of Elarion. His presence filled the room before his voice did. The guards who had brought me in fell to one knee, bowing deeply.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Raven standing near the far wall. Her dark hair was tied back, her healer’s robe marked with the silver hawk of Valebran. Her eyes met mine for only a second before she looked away.
“Your Majesty,” the captain said, his voice steady but careful. “We found her near the eastern woods. She appears unharmed.”
My father rose from the throne. His movements were sharp and heavy with fury.
“Unharmed,” he repeated, his voice echoing through the hall. “You brought me great scare, Iris.”
I lowered my head. “I am sorry, Father. I—”
“Sorry?” His voice rose, filling the hall. “Do you think sorry erases the danger you caused? Do you think sorry restores what could have been lost if something had happened to you?”
He descended the dais, each step striking the stone. The firelight caught in his eyes, and they burned with anger.
“We are already on the wrong side of two neighboring kingdoms,” he said. “A war could start at any moment. I need you whole, safe, obedient. Because, as I have told you before, once you turn eighteen, a year from now, you will be married to secure
an alliance that will protect this throne.”
My eyes fell to the floor. The words struck harder than his tone. Of course. It had never been about me. Never about love or family. Only power. Only duty.
