Many thanks to my advance readers and to user LaRascasse for their assistance with editing!
Content warning
: references to sexual assault
***
Amali was riding Pranitsa, wearing an embroidered gold gown, galloping through the grassy hills of eastern Berenul. Her father was astride his white stallion ahead of her, which disappeared into a cloudy flock of sheep. She stopped and looked around, trying to see where he had gone. "Father!" she called, but heard only the bleating of sheep. "Father!"
She opened her eyes, and above her the prince's face blurred into view. She blinked, feeling a tear run down her temple.
"I heard you crying out in your sleep," he said, frowning with worry.
"Father," she whispered. "I lost you again."
The prince's frown deepened, his eyes storm-gray in the dark of morning. "Is that who you were calling,
garadsash
?"
"He was right in front of me," she murmured, closing her eyes, trying to remember before it slipped away like water through her fingers. "But then I lost sight of him."
Amali felt the prince's arms tighten around her, felt him kiss her tear-stained temple.
"You must bury him next to my mother," she said, opening her eyes and turning to face him. "Please,
garadin
."
He gazed into her eyes, then kissed her forehead. "As you say,
garadsash
."
Amali closed her eyes and snuggled closer. His body was warm and hard, and she felt secure in his arms. Idly she stroked his chest, his stomach, admiring how solid he felt beneath her hand. She heard his breath hitch, and she froze.
"You shouldn't go any lower, princess," he said, voice thick, "or else you'll touch something you don't want to."
Amali pulled away and sat up, face burning. The prince sat up after her, eyes glinting in amusement and something else she recognized -- lust.
He put a hand to her warm cheek. "You look lovely when you blush,
garadsash
."
She turned away, blushing even more, and made to leave the bed.
"Wait, princess," he said, catching her hand. "Give me a taste, at least, to last the day."
She turned back to him, confused. "What do you mean?"
"I need time to myself this morning," he said, voice low. Amali blushed yet again, understanding his meaning. "But first,
garadsash
, I need a taste of you."
His gaze flicked down to her lips, and she realized he wanted to share another kiss. Hesitantly she leaned down, opening her mouth, and he kissed her deeply, hungrily. His taste was making her warm again, heat that moved and pooled between her thighs. He reached up and cupped her breast in his hand, then pinched her taut nipple as he had done the night they first met. Amali moaned at the feeling, nearly falling on top of him.
He broke off the kiss and pushed her away gently. "Get off the bed now," he said huskily, "or else I won't be able to keep my promise to you."
Amali blushed anew and slipped onto the floor. She called for Gilda, who was followed by the other serving-women. As they washed her, Gilda discovered she was bleeding and went to fetch the cloths among her belongings that had been brought from Lirean. This accomplished, she was dressed in her
koslom
and the overdress from her new chest of winter clothes. Gilda informed her it was raining, so Amali donned the hat and gloves she had discovered the night before and stepped out into the drizzling morning. She was led to an awning where she ate breakfast with the rest of the women, waiting for the prince to emerge.
When he finally did so, he had a spring in his step that made the serving-women giggle. Amali ignored their curious glances, saving the crust of her day-old bread for Pranitsa, who was being led toward her. The mare snuffled her great lips against Amali's flat palm, chewing the treat contentedly. She pet her a little while, then mounted up. The prince rode up beside her with a grin, making her flush and look away.
The rain dampened the spirits of the imperial soldiers, though Horan's armsmen were used to the wet. Amali worried this put them at a disadvantage, though they had surely encountered similar weather in the past few years it had taken them to conquer Tauria. Compared to that time, this must be as easy as a spring breeze for them, she supposed. With her at the prince's side, there was little chance of fighting.
Amali realized this pleased her, not only because her people would suffer heavily in a war, but also because it kept her husband safe from harm. Unless the emperor had further plans for him, to the east or the south. She frowned, glancing over at his large frame. He was only here to marry her at his father's command. Was she his reward, perhaps, for conquering this edge of the continent?
She ruminated on this as she ate her midday fare, troubled by the thought of being nothing more than a war prize, as well as by the cramps that accompanied her bleeding. The prince must have noticed her discomfort, for he asked if she needed to rest, but she turned this down. She wanted to reach Caranog as soon as possible, before the dark rolled in early with the storm clouds. Still, he walked with her a while, and she finally found the courage to ask him.
"Why did your father order you to marry me?"
The prince was silent for so long, she thought he had failed to hear her. "I intended to march on Berenul this time last year," he said at last, "but my father recalled me to help my uncle subdue Kisht."
Amali remembered how the imperial army had suddenly pulled back. At first her father's advisers thought they were simply waiting for the spring, subdued by Tauria's wet winters. But then they hadn't returned by summer, and the whole of court had breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the empire had no interest in Berenul.
"While I was away, my father heard that the former prince of Filis intended to seek your hand. This defied the terms of his surrender, and he was easily dissuaded," the prince continued, with a wolfish grin that made Amali shiver. "But my father was intrigued. He obtained a portrait of you, and in so doing learned of your people's particular custom regarding female heirs to the throne. Such that when I returned victorious from Kisht, he told me he had found a different method by which to complete our conquest of Tauria."
Amali frowned. So she really was just a tool to the emperor.
"Of course," the prince added, "he also told me it was high time I be married and father heirs of my own. I was skeptical at first, but then I saw your likeness."
"You must have been disappointed, then, to see me in person," she said, remembering her tear-stained face and unbound hair.
"On the contrary, princess. You're more beautiful than any painter could draw." She blushed and looked away. "Though I was disappointed in the manner by which we met." She glanced back and saw he was wearing the same dark expression he'd held when she first set eyes on him.
"I thought you were displeased with me," she said softly.
"I was displeased that any man had dared treat my betrothed like a calf meant for slaughter," he growled, and Amali felt her heart quicken in fear.
"Is there nothing you wish to know about Caranog?" she asked, to change the subject.
"Trying to be helpful, princess?" He smirked at her, and she flushed, but carried on, determined.
"Lord Kowel knows me. His brother is -- was -- one of my father's advisers."
The prince nodded. "What else?"
"House Pirian governs most of Sairea, save for that held by House Riotaz and House Jorgen. They guard the fork of the Aldis River, and the largest bridge in the south."
"That much I already know, princess," he said, and she bit her lip. She had meant to prove her worth, even just a little.
"What manner of lord is Kowel Pirian?" he asked her.
She considered a moment. "He is stern but fair, and slow to anger, except when it concerns loyalty to the crown." She frowned. "But that may have been for my father's benefit."
"And how is he likely to react when he hears his king is dead?"
Amali shivered. "He'll want to know how. And if he finds out the truth, he will call for Horan's head."
"Even in my presence?" the prince asked.
"Most especially," she replied. "His honor demands it."
"And will he take up for your honor as well, princess?"
She glanced over at him. His tone had been light, but his frown gave away his worry. "He is not fool enough to challenge you... but he will demand that you marry me."
He was quiet awhile, then said, "I don't trust Horan's men to stay silent. You must speak with Lord Kowel yourself and explain the matter."
She looked at him, surprised. "Alone?"
"Within view, but yes."
"I didn't think you trusted me so much," she said.
"We both know that if you flee to Caranog, princess, it will only delay the inevitable."
She looked away. Of course he was right, but it still grated on her.
They continued in silence until Caranog came into view. The outskirts lay deserted save for a few stray dogs, though Amali thought she could make out smoke from some of the chimneys. As they neared the city gates, the bulk of the convoy spread out to make camp, while the prince's entourage continued their slow approach.
"Who goes there!" shouted a man from the watchtower.
"I, Kirilos Underen, seek hospitality this night for myself and for your princess!" the prince bellowed back.
The man disappeared a moment. "What proof have you that our princess is among you?"
"Let Lord Pirian himself ride out and speak with me!" Amali shouted.
They waited a few minutes, and then the gate groaned open and a lone rider walked out.
Feeling her heart beating in her throat, Amali kneed Pranitsa forward. As she approached, she could make out Lord Kowel's features through the drizzle. He must have recognized her too, for he sidled up to her, their knees nearly touching, though he kept his eyes on the prince.
