I woke up to the feeling of warm arms wrapped around me protectively. The weight of another behind my back was a comforting presence against the disorienting spin of my head. Against all odds, I’d managed to fall asleep during the horseback journey to Ribnica. I turned to face the rider, expecting to see Leander’s dark hair and mischievous golden eyes smirking down on me. But it wasn’t Leander whose arms I’d fallen asleep in, and how could it have been? He was gone, and the eyes that met mine were green.

  I’d missed miles of farmland and forest, unable to resist the exhaustion that pulled on every fiber of my being. I’d been tired enough that I’d allowed myself to find comfort in Soren’s embrace, and it left a sour taste in my mouth. I sat up straighter, trying to cause his arms to fall away and put some distance between us. It didn’t work.

  He clicked his tongue and pulled me back to rest against his chest once more.

  It was dark when we reached Ribnica’s city gates. The packed dirt transitioned into well-worn cobblestones as the city guards allowed our passage through. Soren’s body shielded me from the prying eyes of the guards as we passed. Guards could be just as gossipy as children when their watches were uneventful. I was sure to be the topic of tomorrow just for arriving with the soldiers, even if they didn’t realize who I was or why I was there.

  Our company passed through the main plaza and I took notice of an ornate fountain at its center. I squinted in the dark at the mass of shapes that constructed it. Stone sculptures of animals climbed up its sides while water cascaded down both wings and claws to fill the large basin at its base. Soren turned north of the fountain, and the further we went, the larger the buildings became. Shops gave way to estates. The road split, and a large shadowed structure stood alone to the right. Flickering specs of light twinkled through the windows invitingly.

  We continued to the left instead.

  Another mile and we approached another fork in the road. An ornate fence prohibited entry to the road on the left. A lush garden thrived on the other side of it, and in the distance I could almost make out a couple of twinkling lights from a distant palace. In front of the gates two guards kept watch and as we approached the split, we slowed.

  “Are you taking her to the Gold Palace, sir?” Sergeant Bowman asked, coming alongside us.

  Soren appeared to be contemplating as his head moved between the left and right paths. “I’m wondering if it would be best to leave Daelyn in your protection at the Sapphire Palace, so I can meet with the emperor first.”

  The sergeant’s horse shifted impatiently while the majority of our party continued to the right, barely slowing as they rode out of sight.

  “Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer to take her to the Ruby Palace with the rest of the nobles?” I could feel his attention on me, even in the dark. “I dare say no noblewoman would ever enjoy being surrounded by the soldiers of the Sapphire.”

  “No, I don’t suppose they would.” Soren chuckled. “Though I don’t believe the princess would object, would you dearest?”

  Years of etiquette tempered my tongue. “If I could be permitted to bathe, you shall find me most unobjectionable.”

  “Then it’s settled.” He said, nodding to his sergeant. “I shall return as soon as I am able. Until then, see that she is placed in the officer’s barracks.”

  I was starting to wonder if there would ever be a point when I wouldn’t be sore again, as they both had to help me dismount. I still managed to stumble. With me safely under the sergeant’s supervision, Soren left. No words of care or promises of return assured me, but he didn’t seem the type to waste time on such things regardless.

  I had no desire to pay attention to the road as we followed the rest of the soldiers down the right path. We passed through thick stone walls of what could only be described as the bailey of an old castle fortress. We moved past training fields and patrolling soldiers. We passed off the reins to one of the stable hands before he led me into the keep.

  It was surreal being in such an old structure. I’d read about the Sapphire Palace’s history before. It was the original castle of the kingdom that occupied this land hundreds of years ago. When the continent united, the first emperor had deemed the structure unfit for his new seat of power, and had the Ruby Palace constructed. After several more generations, that too was deemed inadequate for the emperor’s family, and the Gold Palace was built.

  I would’ve assumed that the towers were crumbling with age, but seeing the Sapphire Palace in person? It was clearly well maintained.

  Sergeant Bowman led me through drafty halls, up a winding staircase, and down a long hallway. The doorways were spaced evenly apart as we passed them, and tiny plaques listed the name of the squads in residence to the side. I was expecting to stop somewhere along the hallway, but instead we went up another staircase. We kept going until we were at the top of a tower, and the staircase ended at a door labeled First General’s Suite.

  The door was unlocked as the older man turned the latch. The only light came from a large window, which illuminated haunting figures and masses around the room.

  “This is the First General’s suite.” He explained, as if I hadn’t seen the sign.

  I waited in the threshold as he walked the room, finding the wall sconces and bringing the room to life. He grabbed at the corner of one of the masses, and yanked, revealing pristine furniture.

  I sneezed as he went from piece to piece, revealing the hidden chairs and tables, and kicking up small amounts of dust as he did so.

  “Blessings, Your Highness.” He apologized. “As you can imagine, General Cassemir continues to live in the Gold Palace with the rest of the royal family. These rooms have remained unoccupied since General Tomlin’s death. No one will bother you here.”

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  I frowned. “I suppose not. But isn’t the Ruby Palace where the nobles normally reside?”

  “All the noble houses, including your own, contain suites there.” He agreed. “And they would likely be far more comfortable for you and the accommodations you’re accustomed to.” He shook his head. “I won’t pretend I’m privy to the prince’s thoughts, but I imagine that his highness is looking for discretion for the time being.”

  “I see. Thank you for humoring my curiosity.”

  “You’re very welcome, Your Highness.” He said, taking a quick step into a connecting room. The bathing room, by what little I could see of it at this angle.

  Again with ‘Your Highness.’

  I didn’t know how to feel about the title. I should’ve been pleased, or excited. Instead I felt ashamed and undeserving. Like I was an imposter who didn’t belong.

  A faucet turned, and I could hear water gush inside a tub basin. The sounds stopped as the soldier shut off the faucet and returned to the living room.

  “I’ll have servants bring a meal up for you. The bathing room is through there. Hot water takes a minute to reach it from the kitchen, but otherwise I’ll leave you to rest until the prince returns.”

  “Did Lord Leander say where he was going?” I fought against the panic of having asked the question out loud. Whatever I asked, the sergeant would likely pass along to Soren. The general. “It’s just that I wouldn’t have expected him to depart without another word. It’s... perplexing.”

  “No, Your Highness, though I’m sure he had his reasons.” The sergeant gave the room one more cursory glance before nodding to himself. “Do you require anything else?”

  I shook my head, still not feeling quite comfortable. “No, I think I’ll be fine. Nothing to do but wait.” I forced a laugh, wishing that I felt more at ease. “Thank you, Sergeant Bowman.”

  “You’re quite welcome.” He said, bowing at the waist in one last sign of respect before leaving me alone in a room much too cold for the early summer heat.

  I shut myself in the bathing room, and washed quickly.

  I was too nervous over Soren’s inevitable arrival to enjoy the warmth of the water. I was finally given a chance to properly scrub away the weeks at sea, and the remnants of the attack. Under normal circumstances, I would’ve spent hours soaking in the luxury of hot water. But all I could think about was that I had to hurry.

  Washing my long hair without assistance was still somewhat of a challenge. Figuring out how best to position my not-quite-broken hand without pinching the nerves, was proving to be nearly as challenging as the splint was. The act of bringing my fingers closer to my thumb sent a shock of discomfort up my entire arm as I tried to comb the soap through the tangled mess.

  Things were easier when I had Alexia’s help.

  I dried off quickly, mournfully draining the tub of the ruddy, but pleasantly hot water. I felt slightly better at least. Wrapping myself in a towel, I kicked the ruined blouse and trousers out of the way as I left the bathing room. I paused in the living space, listening carefully for the sounds of another presence, and relaxing when I didn’t hear them.

  Soren wasn’t here yet.

  Cautiously making my way towards the second doorway off of the living space, I hesitated at the door. Pressing an ear against the wood, I strained to hear the sounds of breathing, shuffling, or even the tiny sounds of a mouse. Nothing. I exhaled another relieved breath. I was hopeful this room was the bedroom, and I could dig around for something to wear. I didn’t want to wash the garments on the floor with my hand the way that it was.

  Thankfully, it was the bedroom. A lone window illuminated the tiny space and its few pieces of furniture. A large bed sat against the far wall with a tattered canopy draped between four posts. I walked up to it and nearly went weak at the knees.

  A real bed.

  I’ll never take beds for granted again.

  I forced myself away from the bed to walk up to the armoire. The top drawer was empty, except for a few mismatched socks. The next two were similarly barren, but tucked into the corner of the fourth was a rolled up bundle that I pulled out and shook open. A long sleeved and well-worn linen shirt had been abandoned in the drawer. I shut the drawer and stood up, holding it against myself. It came down to mid thigh, and this close smelled strongly of must and mildew. At least it was clean. I fought the urge to sneeze as I pulled it over my head.

  Knock, knock.

  “Your Highness?” A male voice I didn’t recognize called out.

  “Coming!” I shouted, trying to quickly flatten the wrinkles as I nearly jogged to the door. I was careful to stand behind it to hide my legs as I opened it.

  The sergeant had made good on his promise of food, and a servant waited with a lidded tray. He gave me a polite nod of the head before coming into the room. In a few quick strides, he set the tray down on the table and removed the covering to reveal a steaming hot plate. My stomach gurgled in response. If the servant heard it, he didn’t say anything as he bowed again and left.

  I ate quickly, clearly ravenous. How long ago was my last proper meal? Outside of the apple Leander had shared the previous night, and the dried meat Soren had given me on the ride to the palace, the last time I’d eaten a full meal had been on the Caerus. And that was at least two nights ago. No wonder I was starving. I could hardly distinguish between the different parts of the meal as I devoured it. It was something other than stew or mush, and for me that was enough.

  I couldn’t help the continued glances I made towards the door as I ate.

  I didn’t know how long I would have until Soren appeared. If he’d come alone, with guards, or worse...with the emperor himself. Everything about the circumstances leading me here felt wrong. Or at least painfully unusual. Nobility tended to do what they pleased, and royalty was no different, but marrying into the emperor’s family? I still couldn’t wrap my head around that it was Soren’s solution to my... unique position.

  I’ll have to keep my binding a secret indefinitely.

  My heart squeezed in my chest at the thought. I’d just argued with Leander over the unfairness of that very suggestion, and here I was doing just that. I felt like an imposter, a viper hiding in the emperor’s own house. It’d be stupid to put all my faith in Soren, but at this point I had no choice but to trust in his decision.

  He would keep me safe from the emperor, and he’d train me. I certainly wouldn’t be defenseless again.

  But I couldn’t imagine that the most powerful man on the continent would welcome Soren meddling in his arrangements. The emperor would probably be furious, especially when the intended ceremony was three days away. Somewhere in the city his true betrothed was probably sleeping, blissfully unaware that I’d stolen her crown.

  Selfishly, I hoped we’d never meet.

  Who knew what the intended union would have provided for the empire? Royal marriages were almost always strategic. Was it a new trade agreement? A small militia? Enough gold that it would take multiple ships to carry it? I didn’t even know what Vasilisa De Eloria’s dowry had been when she’d married the crown prince, and I didn’t know enough about the Bronze Isles to properly theorize.

  I struggled against the weight of my eyelids as I finished the meal and watched the door. If Soren was going to come for me, it wouldn’t do either of us any good if I couldn’t walk without stumbling.

  Surely he’d forgive me if I was asleep when he arrived? Besides, I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold out before the choice was no longer an option. He’d either find me at the table, or he’d find me in the bed, and at least if I was in the bed I wouldn’t wake up with a sore neck and back.

  I was too tired to be anxious anymore.

  Having decided, I made my way back into the bedroom and peeled the covers back. I didn’t sneeze as my body launched dust back into the air, and I was barely aware that my head hit the pillow as I lost consciousness.