Minstrel's Serenade (31 page)

When the ship had traveled a safe distance away from Scalehaven, a knock sounded at her door.

Danika wrapped the sheets around her undergarments. Was it Bron? “Come in.”

A servant girl with a tray of bread and cheese bowed before her. “You must be hungry, my lady.”

Disappointed, Danika nodded. “Thank you. Leave it by the chest.”

Movement stirred in the corridor behind the servant. A healer came in with a tray of ointment and bandages. “Come to check on you, Your Highness.”

“My goodness, you only tended to me this morning.”

The old woman smiled. “Aye. You’re the princess, love. I can’t have you getting an infection. Do you not want to be healthy when you greet your people?”

Danika laid back on her bed in acquiescence. “That will be some time, though, won’t it?”

The healer unwrapped a bandage around her arm and winked. “It will be sooner than you think. The minstrels have sent out carrier pigeons to alert Brimmore of our victory and our arrival.”

“You mean there will be a crowd to greet us when we dock?”

“A crowd unlike any other, love.” The healer leaned over her and spread ointment upon her lips gently.

Danika squirmed under her sheets. What would Valorian say to his father? Would the crowd suspect a newly flamed discord between Ebonvale and the House of Song? Were they forever cursed to slight each other one way or another?

“Are you in pain, Princess?” The healer gazed down at her with compassionate eyes.

“No, no. I’m fine.” Danika breathed to calm herself. For now, she had to catch some rest. Who knew what the future would bring.

* * * *

Days passed, and Danika gazed out her window at the endless horizon of sea. Bron didn’t come to her and she’d never felt so alone. Was he as dead to her as her father? Was she cursed to follow in her mother’s footsteps? Would she end up an old woman, scorned and alone?

“Land ho!” The call roused her from her dreary thoughts.

They’d reached Brimmore’s Bay already? Danika scanned her room. She’d left all of her gowns aboard Valorian’s ship. All she had to wear was her battle-scarred armor. That was fitting, wasn’t it? She’d much rather her people and the people of the House of Song see her as a fierce warrior, not some dainty princess to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Such notions would have resolved this dispute in the first place.

A knock sounded on the door and she jumped. “Who is it?”

“Lefina Squires.”

Danika breathed easy. It was only the girl servant. “Come in.”

Lefina walked in, bearing a tray of eggs and bread. She immediately looked away and closed the door as Danika was in her undergarments. “I have news from our sister ship.”

Danika’s heart sped. She’d heard nothing the whole journey. What could Valorian want other than to disgrace her?

“My lady?” The servant girl stood, tapping her toe.

Danika must have been gawking. “Perhaps you can help me strap this armor on?”

“Of course.” Lefina walked to the bed. She looked just a bit older than Nip. Suddenly homesickness tightened in her chest. She hoped the boy had fared well with Muriel. He didn’t seem to enjoy castle life with all of its tea parties and politics. But she had other worries at hand.

Danika handed Lefina the breastplate. “What is the news?” She tried to keep her voice even as her heart skidded.

“Prince Valorian wishes to speak with you before you address the crowd.”

Danika froze. The time of reckoning had come. Her hands shook, and she balled her fists. “Oh, he does?”

“Yes, my lady. He wishes for you to visit his ship when we dock.”

She’d have to face him. Alone. Danika shuddered. What words could he have for her that weren’t angry or hurtful? She’d betrayed him. If he’d done it to her, she would have surely let him have it.

Lefina clasped the armor behind Danika’s neck. “Your hair, my lady?”

Danika glanced in the mirror. A rat’s nest sat on her head. “It could use a brushing, yes.”

As Lefina brushed and braided her hair, Danika slipped on her boots. She steeled herself, knowing she had to face the consequences of her actions. Even if it meant disgracing herself in front of everyone. She only hoped she wouldn’t bring down Ebonvale along with her, losing everything her father had achieved.

“There. You are ready.” Lefina brought the mirror from the desk.

Danika looked at her reflection. Her cheeks were still burned and red, but her lips had healed well, and Lefina had braided her hair in a natural crown, like a true queen.

“You look well rested, my lady.”

“Thanks to you.” Danika smiled at the girl and handed her two rolls from the tray. “You may go back to your quarters and prepare for docking.”

“Yes, my lady.” She curtsied then left Danika with her turbulent thoughts.

Instead of mulling her destiny over, Danika decided to meet fate head on. She climbed the steps to the upper decks. The fresh air hit her face with a cool, misty breeze. She’d never take clean air for granted again.

The city of Brimmore stretched before them. People stood on ladders, removing the boards from the windows, and a crowd gathered at the docks, waving Ebonvale’s purple and green pennants, and music played from the House of Song. Joy danced in the air and spread across their faces. If only they knew how many had died, and the precarious place Ebonvale stood with the House of Song.

The crews of both ships worked hard on the rigging, using the sea gusts to steer the boats toward the dock. Bron stood on the stern, flanked by his men, his gaze set upon the city. Danika wanted to go to him, but she knew their docking in front of the crowd would be the worst possible time. Valorian had requested her, and she owed him one conversation.

They set anchor, and the crew laid down the planks to the dock. Danika took the first steps off the ship, eager to set foot on her homeland. After so many days aboard the boat, the dock felt solid and comforting under her feet.

Her moment of respite was short-lived. Valorian had already walked ashore. He waited for her by his ship. He stood with arms crossed, wearing the fine minstrel clothing he was accustomed to. Seeing him brought a fresh wave of remorse. But, she did not love him. That was more clear now than ever before. She would not have his hand for their kingdom’s unity or she’d be living a lie. She’d only ever give herself for love and there was only one man who had it, whether he followed his heart or not.

She summoned her courage. If she could confront the She-Beast, then she could talk to the Prince of Song one last time. Danika adjusted her helmet as if for battle then took long strides toward Valorian.

Valorian bowed at her approach. “My lady.”

“Your Highness.”

His lips tightened. “I trust your voyage home was enjoyable.”

Shame heated her cheeks. Did he think she slept in Bron’s bed the whole ride home? “Enjoyable, no.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“Valorian.” She took a deep breath. “I harbor great remorse for what happened. I could think of nothing but what I’d done. I was wrong to lead you to believe--”

He placed a finger to her lips. His face softened as he cupped her elbow. “Come, let us speak in private before our emotions unravel us both.”

Valorian led her to a quiet alcove where the other minstrels carrying their supplies off the ship wouldn’t overhear.

“I’ve had a lot of time to think these past few days.”

Danika swallowed hard, listening carefully and expecting the worst.

Valorian glanced at the gathering crowd then at Bron’s ship. Her ship. Her choice. “Like I said before, I do not see what is not there. Your actions have showed me enough.”

Danika shuddered, thinking of Valorian alone in that dark cave. “I cannot imagine what you’ve been through.”

“Please, do not trouble yourself any longer on my account.” His words came out bitter.

Danika cringed and Valorian’s face softened. For her, his anger could only go so far.

He watched the minstrels unpacking the boat. “Only a hard-hearted fool would keep you from love.” He gazed at her wistfully. “Even though this might come back to haunt both our people, you are not bound to me or the House of Song.”

Valorian scanned the people congregating at the docks and then their mingled army disembarking from the ships. “We have proved together we provide a much stronger united front. So many have died, why start a civil war between us? We would be foolish to fight amongst each other when necromancers awaken armies of undead and beasts that breathe fire still roam this world. Let us unite not by marriage but by treaty.” He knelt before her, offering her a scroll. “While I rule, you will always have the House of Song’s army, should you need it.”

Danika unfurled the scroll. He’d written a peace pact in beautiful, calligraphed letters between both kingdoms, to be signed by the King of Song and the King of Ebonvale, whomever that should be.

She stood speechless, every wish of hers coming true. They had their unity and their victory, and she had the option to choose Ebonvale’s rightful king. “And you shall have Ebonvale’s army in return.”

Valorian stood and smiled sadly with acceptance shining in his eyes. “That is all I can ask for. Who knows? Maybe the next generation will have better luck.” He winked, looking more like himself than he had since he’d come back from the dead. “Come, let us provide a united front to our people to usher in a new, golden age.”

Danika took his arm and together, they walked to greet the crowd. People cheered, throwing their hats. Little boys played with wood carvings of knights and dragons, and maidens swooned over the incoming army. Hope shone in their faces where despair and fear had been, heartening Danika. Ebonvale would rebuild, and her kingdom would move on. Her father would have been so proud. As for what her mother would say, Danika would have to ask her. She looked forward to their reunion with a renewed sense of love.

Valorian spoke first. During his speech, Danika’s gaze wandered over to Bron. As always, his stoic face showed no emotion, but she could have sworn she saw hardness in his eyes, turning her heart cold.

Had guilt and disgust eaten away at his love until there was nothing left? She wanted to throw her arms around him and tell him of Valorian’s forgiveness. Most of all, she wanted to ask him the question she’d been longing to ask ever since she kissed him at her father’s grave. Every heartbeat seemed an eternity.

Finally, the speeches ended. As people greeted the returning soldiers, Danika said her goodbyes to Valorian and his minstrel army and made her way to Bron and the Royal Guard.

The Chief of Arms stood alone on the pier, his gaze searching the sea. The ships bobbed with the incoming tide, and seagulls stood on the beach, cracking open oyster shells. Danika approached him. This time he did not seem to hear her footsteps, dismaying her even more.

“Bron?”

The warrior turned and smiled sadly when he saw her. “A lovely day for unity, is it not?”

“Aye.”

Bron put his hand on the pier, idly scratching lines in the wood with his fingernail. He didn’t meet her eyes. “You and Valorian have made up, then?”

Danika tried not to smirk. The jealousy in his eyes raised her hope. He did still care. “No, he’s offered a peace pact between our kingdoms. Marriage was not part of the bargain.”

A shocked expression came upon Bron’s face. “You speak the truth?”

Warmth spread through her. “Every word of it. Valorian forgave me He let me go. I can follow my heart as I wish.”

Bron shook his head and gazed at his boots like a flustered schoolboy. “I didn’t expect this. I don’t know what to say.”

She took his hand, running her fingers over his callouses. She’d had a long time to think about what she’d say, and to renew his honor, it had to be good. “My choice wasn’t your fault. I know you told me your feelings back there on the boat. But, the truth is, what you said had no bearing on my decision.”

She took his face in her hands. “The truth is, I’ve loved you all along.”

Bron blinked as if in disbelief. Pain, desire, then joy swirled through his gaze. He shook his head. “I cannot marry a princess. I’m a farmboy with no land or title to my name.”

“You’re a hero who’s saved not only me, but our kingdom.” Danika pulled him close, not caring who saw or the gossip to follow. She touched his breastplate, running her fingers along Ebonvale’s crest whimsically. “Tell me, what are your thoughts on becoming king?”

Muriel opened a velvet sack and pulled out a long string of pearls. “My mother bestowed me with these on my tenth birthday. She claimed my father took them from the sea and stranded them together.” She wore Danika’s pink silk gown instead of her plain handmaiden’s cottons. Danika had insisted her half-sister dress like an equal.

Muriel smiled. “We both know the truth behind that tale.”

Danika touched the cool, smooth surface of the large center pearl. The oily white sheen glistened in the rays of sun filtering through her triangular chamber windows. “They’re beautiful all the same.”

“Which is why I want you to have them.” Muriel opened the clasp and held each end to Danika’s bare neck. “As a wedding gift to wear when you walk down the courtyard.”

Warmth spread through Danika’s heart like a rising sun over Ebonvale’s now-peaceful lands. She smiled and shook her head. “I cannot accept such a keepsake.”

“Nonsense. I want you to have some part of me with you. We’re sisters, remember? Besides, you’re not traveling to any distant kingdom anytime soon. I’ll still see them on your lovely neck.”

Danika smoothed her wedding dress, humbled with gratitude. If her destiny had taken another course, she’d be standing at the House of Song and marrying Valorian. “Thank Helena for that.”

Muriel fastened the necklace around Danika’s neck. “You are content with your choice?”

Danika thought of Bron’s eyes widening in surprise as a trace of a smile worked its way into the corner of his lips after she asked him to be her king. His gaze had smoldered as he drew her close. His response still sent a tingle down her arms and legs, “
If it means being with you, then yes.”