Crimson Noon

Chapter Four

Vera blocked Sir Eric’s blow, metal singing as their swords slid off one another. He sidestepped her attempt to take a foot from underneath him, bringing his blade around once more. She ducked the swing and thrust up, the tip of her blade meeting the armor covering his stomach.

“Very good, Princess.”

“Again.”

And so they went again. They’d been at it for hours, and the sun had begun to set, casting the world in a red glow. All of her pent up emotions flowed from her with her movements.

She was so frustrated with James - with him wanting to be closer to her and her not desiring closeness from him at all. She felt as if she were living a lie, though she knew she was simply doing her duty. But duty did not dull the ache from having to choose a man that she did not want.

And logically, she knew she needed to make him believe that she wanted this marriage as much as he did. She knew he needed to believe that she trusted him and desired him. But knowing it and feeling it were two completely different things.

When she had Sir Eric at the end of her blade this time, Kenneth got her attention. She departed from Sir Eric and joined her cousin, walking with him on his way into the castle.

“What can I help you with?” She asked him.

“Mother says that once the report of the Zanzans arrives that Ainestown is safe that we will be returning. I nor Maisie desire to return and leave our dragons.”

“Have you tried talking to her about this yourself?”

“I’m not sure that there is any talking to her about it. Losing the king as we did has taken its toll on her.”

“Her plans are different than before.”

“Precisely.”

“But if I had a use for the two of you here, then she would need to allow you to stay.”

“I know it’s a lot to ask, but I’m asking it.”

“Before all of this treachery really got moving, your mother told me that I would need allies to keep the crown. She made it clear that she and your father are some of those allies. I am sure that I can come up with something from that promise for you two to remain here. But only under one condition.”

“What do you need?”

“It’s not what I need. It’s Maisie. I’ve had enough conversations with her to know that she wants the freedom to train as I have, in ways that other ladies are not. If I do this, you allow me to have her taught and trained as she desires.”

“Our father would never approve.”

“Your father would not be the man responsible for her if you two remain here.”

“He would never forgive me.”

“How can he support me if he won’t allow his own child the same liberties?”

“It’s easy to agree when it’s not your daughter being the difference.”

She smirked at his words. “This has been a discussion with him before?”

He sighed. “Many times. Maisie has always been curious. When she was younger, she didn’t hide that curiosity.”

“Until she was taught to do so.” They came to a stop outside of Vera’s chamber door, and she faced him directly. “You realize that if something happens to me then you are next in line?”

“Mother has mentioned it.”

She saw the look in his eyes. “You don’t want it.” It wasn’t a question.

“I’m not thrilled about being lord of Ainestown, let alone being king of Rune.”

“And your father would give the lordship to Horatio if you had to step into that role. But if Maisie is properly trained, I can name her my successor until I birth an heir. Assuming of course that I’m not assassinated for being a woman with the crown in the coming months. I wouldn’t endanger her that way.”

“You’ll be married soon. Heirs will come.”

“Even so, our lives are unpredictable, regardless of our plans and efforts.”

“I still don’t understand what you’ll be gaining from this arrangement.”

“Something that is very rare these days - people that I can trust within my court. And if Maisie is trained and I do give an heir, pushing her out of the succession line, then I can place her elsewhere knowing that she is capable of running the territory.”

She could see the thoughts flitting through his eyes. “You still haven’t said what you will get from me. A trusted ally in court, yes, but what else?”

“You will owe me a favor. And one day, I will need it. And if that day never comes, well, that’s fine, too.”

“That day will come, I’m sure. There’s too much happening for it not to.”

She shrugged.

“Okay.”

“I’ll talk to Aunt Elizabeth later this evening about it.”

His eyes searched her face. “Are you ready for your coronation?”

“No,” she admitted honestly. “I’m not ready to take my father’s place because to me, it still belongs to him. Yet, here I am.”

“Hope are you always so confident in it all?”

“I’m not. But I can’t show that. Why are you asking?”

“Because I seem to lack the confidence in gaining a title that others in my position possess.”

“Don’t let them fool you, cousin. None of us are confident in any of it. We merely have what we’ve been taught and we utilize it to the best of our ability.”

“I have one more question before I leave you to it.”

“Yes?”

“How did you decide that James was the one?”

She arched a brow at that. “He is the most logical decision in regards to the crown.”

“So it’s not a love story?”

“There’s attraction there, as well as curiosity and care. But no, I haven’t just fallen in love with him. I will grow to love him, but it’s more practical than romantic. Why?”

“There’s this girl, and I’m not betrothed, but I’m also not sure about pursuing the possibility of this girl. If she even likes me back.”

“You don’t know yet?”

He shook his head by way of answer.

“May I inquire who she is?”

“Not yet. If it’s one-sided, I’d rather save myself the embarrassment.”

“That’s fair. But if it’s not…” she trailed off, smiling.

He grinned back. “You’ll be the first to know.”

“Good. I’ll need to make sure that she’s good enough for you.”

He let out a real laugh at her statement, the first she’d heard from him in days.