“I am glad to have you home, daughter.” The undercurrent of emotions in her voice made tears pricked Saieke’s lids.
She smiled at the small gathering. Almost as one, they curtsied and greeted their welcome.
The man from Nuria stepped forward executed a sharp bow. Saieke tried not to gape at his height; he towered over all that stood in the gathering.
“Princess, I am the high chancellor of the King Ajali of Nuria. We are most pleased that you are at home and look forward to hearing what has transpired.” His voice was menacing.
Her queen’s eyes flicked to the high chancellor and the more than fifty warriors he had organized behind him like an indomitable wall.
“We are all longing to hear what has transpired with the princess, my lord,” Queen Izumi murmured. “However, my daughter must be tired from her journey and will need to refresh herself. We will retire and meet your king in the council room shortly.” She gave him an icy smile and clasped Saieke’s arm.
Saieke glanced at Lachlan’s impassive face.
“My lieges, I have an emissary with me whose presence will be required.” Saieke turned to the several servants and palace guards that were standing at attention, awaiting their command. “Please escort this man to the inner throne room. My mother and father will wish to meet with him shortly,” she commanded and swept away with her queen.
Her stomach tightened as she held her breath. She could feel the judgmental gaze of her king. She had just issued a command and expected it be obeyed as if she enjoyed the same trust and privileges as before. Her stomach clenched tighter when she heard no response to her order. Saieke hoped h
er king did not countermand it and strip her of her rights, here, in front of the gathering. She prayed for the opportunity to explain behind closed chambers what had transpired.
“You heard the princess,” her father said. He swept ahead of them and she slowly exhaled as attendants rushed to obey her orders.
All was not lost yet.
***
Emotions churned inside of Izumi. Her daughter was alive and well. She had almost fainted when warriors flashed in and sought council with them, reporting the princess sighting, and that she returned of her own volition. Izumi prayed that it counted for something that Saieke returned on her own, and hoped it meant she had not fled as was previously believed. In her absence she had been tried and condemned for her actions and her kingdom had handed her over to Nuria for justice, for the breach of a blood-oath she had not consented. The elders had stated that once the princess was made aware of the provisions in the contract by her sovereign king, she then became party to the oath and contract. Binding. Unbreakable.
The head of the Princes’ Council had represented Saieke and he had argued that the princess being missing was not proof that she had broken the blood-oath. The Nurian king had listened with what appeared to be calm to Izumi, but twin flames of fire had danced in his eyes, betraying his rage. His ten King’s-blades had formed a semi-circle at his back, with hands that rested at ease on their swords sheathed at their sides, along with dozens of warriors, and they had all stood battle ready. Izumi desperately wanted to be alone with her daughter to inform her of the judgment that had been leveled against her. She was willing to work with her child to fabricate a tale as to why she had been missing for days from her kingdom.
Still, Izumi was relieved Saieke was with them now and was not hurt. She had expected to see her daughter in a frightening state, but Saieke radiated with life and vitality, and was riveting in the caftan she wore. Her armband glistened and her hair rippled like fire, cascading down to her hips. Wherever her daughter had been, she had been treated as a princess.
Izumi glanced at the mysterious emissary. They would never question her in front of the gathering, but she was anxious to know how this man came to be with her daughter at such a delicate time.
There was something wrong with the man, but she could not identify what it was. He was dressed in grey and black trousers and a coat cut like royalty. His eyes were the color of tawny gold set in a beautiful face. His black hair was a shocking contrast to his pale skin.
He was kingdom less.
She faltered at the realization. He wore no insignia.
“Mother?”
“All is well, come.”
It had to be.
***
Saieke sat in the drawing room. Her parents were present along with several council members. She smiled fleetingly at Sir Hugh, the only member of the prince’s council that was present.
“Do you wish to refresh and have something to eat?” Her mother signaled for wine.
Saieke swallowed tightly. “No.”
“Are you well?”
She wanted to sit with her mother in private chambers and atone for the pain she could still feel tunneling from her. “I am well, my queen,” Saieke answered formally. “I would request that the council convene so that I can bring to light what has transpired over the last few days. The man I arrived with…I request his presence at the council, my king, as he is central to what I must say.”
Saieke met the king’s gaze as a princess and not as his daughter. It was a cold gaze which, oddly, did not disturb her as it once would.