You’ve killed the kingdom, and for what? Pure stubbornness? Concern for yourself?
Oh, seas!Aerity wanted to chase them, to fall at their feet and beg forgiveness, to tell her staff to ready High Hall for a wedding and do what she must to save her kingdom. Why had she made such a rash decision? She should have told King Dagur she needed time to discuss the matter with her council! She could have put them in comfy guest quarters, given them Lochlanach’s finest wines, and loosened them up a little.
“I’ve ruined everything,” she whispered to herself.
“Aerity.” She blinked up into Vixie’s pale face. Wyneth and Harrison were right beside her, looking aghast. She turned her head and saw Lief on her other side.
She whispered to him, “What have I done, Lief? That was awful!”
And to her utter surprise, Lief palmed her cheek and gently said. “No, Princess.Thatwas incredible.” And then he began to laugh.
Chapter
34
Had Lord Alvi lost his mind? Leif bent at the waist, holding his stomach, and laughed with all his might, one hand gripping the edge of her chair.
“It’s hardly funny!” Aerity shouted.
Vixie let out a laugh of her own, but covered her mouth when Aerity leveled her with a frown.
“Never in all my years”—Lief stood, wiping tears from the corners of his eyes—“have I ever seen my uncle so irate.”
“Yes, highly amusing,” Aerity said without humor.
“Princess.” Lief laid a heavy hand on her shoulder and looked her in the eyes. “He liked your father but never respected him. Not fully. And you may have just injured his pride, but, I assure you, you’ve also earned his respect.”
Aerity felt the fury from earlier rise inside her at thememory of King Dagur’s attitude. “Well, a fat lot of good his respect will do as he watches from the coldlands while we’re slaughtered by Kalor!”
“I hardly believe they’ll allow it to go that far,” Lief reasoned. “You may have angered him, but anger is temporary. His hatred for Kalor is long-standing.”
Aerity looked at Wyneth’s and Harrison’s sober faces. They appeared as worried as she. After watching King Dagur storm off, there hardly seemed room for hope of his help.
“We in the coldlands are hotheaded,” Lief said simply. “Don’t expect an apology in words, Princess. His way of apologizing will be something more substantial.”
“I cannot imagine receiving an apology of any sort after that,” Aerity said. “I think you’re assuming quite a lot. Are you not offended as they were? About my refusal to marry you today?”
He patted her shoulder. “Perhaps I’m just as uneager for marriage as you are, Princess.” And with those loaded words and a wry look, he walked from the room.
Harrison ran a hand through his hair, then followed Lief. “I’m going to see that they’re sent off with due respect.”
Aerity nodded as he left. She was horrified that the king and queen of Ascomanni had come all that way only to turn around and leave after a single meal. No, she did not share a speck of Lief’s positive outlook about making any sort of amends after that.
“I don’t think I’m going to enjoy this whole being-queen thing,” she said to Vixie and Wyneth.
“I could not have handled that the way you did,” Vixie said. “I had to keep myself from shouting and cheering. I’ve never been prouder. You’re doing a grand job!”
Aerity pressed the heels of her hands into her eyes. “Nay, Vix. This is the worst job ever. I feel as if every response is a wrong response. I cannot win.”
Wyneth snorted. “I’m not going to lie. I fully expected you to give in. I’m still somewhat in shock.”
Aerity collapsed into her father’s chair. “I should have sought counsel before I responded.”
“Perhaps,” Wyneth said. She and Vixie sat on either side of her. “But there will be times, like today, when you need to make a decision from your gut. You heard what Lief said. He seems to think it was a good move to stand your ground.”
Aerity let out a laugh and rubbed her eyes again. “I’m going to need cake today.”
“I can make that happen,” Vixie said. She stood, grabbed her skirts, and ran for the door.
