“My lady Aerity, I give you my parents, Lord Daan and Lady Hanna Alvi.” Lord Daan was a beefier, thinner-haired version of Lief, and he gave her a lazy grin that had probably swept many women off their feet for years.
“We finally meet,” said the senior Lord Alvi.
“It is a pleasure, my lord and lady,” Aerity said. “Our kingdom owes much to your brave son.”
Lady Hanna, a formidable woman, smiled proudly up at Lief, who finally sat and sent Aerity a grateful look. The coldlanders dug into their breakfasts without further ado. Aeritytried to eat. Between small bites of eggs and sausage she sent furtive glances down the table to Wyneth and Harrison, who seemed as alert as her, not eating much. Same with Vixie at her side. Her sister was being uncharacteristically quiet, which was good.
Aerity was glad that one of the officers had been willing, and even slightly eager, to take Furball out to the gardens for a bit of exercise. She wasn’t ready to spring that surprise on their guests.
Once they’d finished their meals and the plates had been cleared away, King Dagur smoothed down his beard and crossed his hands over his belly. He eyed her closely.
“Shall we speak in front of everyone, then?”
“Aye, King Dagur. I would prefer it, if you don’t mind.”
“Fine. Any word on your parents?”
She forced strength into her voice. “Nay, sir. Not a word.”
King Dagur looked around at the tapestries that told of Lochlan history.
“Our fathers were good friends,” he murmured. “Your grandfather and my father, that is. Your papa and I used to play in this castle when we’d come to visit. He never wanted to break the rules, your father.” King Dagur grinned mischievously. “But I made him. While the kings worked, we explored every inch of this castle and beneath it. . . .”
His eyes glazed, remembering. Aerity wondered what he meant by beneath it. Surely he wasn’t speaking of the tunnels. She’d only just learned of them herself.
He sighed heavily, disrupting her thoughts. “My sourcessay that Kalor means to take over Lochlanach in less than a week’s time. Days, perhaps.”
Days? She tried to hide her surprise. Her own military spies had not been able to give an estimated time, but she didn’t want to admit that.Dayswas not good.Breathe, Aerity, breathe . . . bluff your way through this.
The king rested his elbows on the table, tenting his fingers. “I daresay your army is not prepared.”
“They are preparing as we speak.”
A slow smile came to his lips. “You put on a brave face for a young woman, but surely you must be terrified at the prospect of war.”
Responses vied in Aerity’s mind, but she chose not to say any of them.
“Would it ease your mind, Princess, if I told you my troops are ready to move on your behalf? To fight alongside your army?”
Oh, great seas, yes!Aerity wanted to press her hand to her heart and laugh at the sweet relief coursing through her, but she remained steady. She glanced at Lief, who watched her with an oddly remorseful expression of seriousness.
“Any forces you would be willing to offer against this foe would be much appreciated.”
“Good. That is good.” King Dagur sat up and leaned forward on his elbows, his fingers linked. “I can make that happen just as soon as our kingdoms are properly united.”
Aerity went very still as she stared into his calculating eyes. She dared not look away or show weakness as shefought to keep her breathing even.
“You speak of my marriage to Lord Alvi?”
“Exactly. With your father currently . . . out of the picture, I would hate for our agreement to be put aside much longer.”
Hot, rigid fury filled Aerity. She felt her spine straighten as she sat up taller.
“I intend to honor my father’s proclamation whether he is on the throne or not. Our wedding will go on this spring, as planned.”
Again he smiled slowly. “I had heard it was moved up to this winter.”
Curse it!
