Apprentice (The Black Mage, #2)(101)

I did a double take when I realized who was still missing.

Two seats down from me I heard Priscilla complaining to one of Ruth's factionmates. "I told him not to go anywhere but did he listen to me? Of course not. Well, when Blayne finds out he is off with that trollop again-"

The chamber door swung open to reveal a red-faced Darren and Princess Shinako clinging steadfastly to his arm. My pulse stopped. Dear gods, no. I was so close to being free of him. Couldn't he just wait until tomorrow to proclaim his love for her? Even on my happiest day he had found a way to ruin it.

King Lucius looked up at his son and the crown princess of the Borea Isles, startled. Blayne was clutching his wine goblet, his face tight with rage.

Darren cleared his throat loudly. "Everyone, please stay where you are." The whole room fell silent. "Princess Shinako and I have an announcement to make and I want all of you to bear witness."

No. No. No. Why was he doing this now? My eyes sought Darren's but his attention was focused on the king.

"Father." Darren took a deep breath. "You promised if I secured a dowry equal to Priscilla of Langli I would be free to break off my current engagement in favor of that opportunity. You have said that Jerar is our utmost concern, and its strength triumphs all."

Priscilla's face went white as a sheet.

Prince Blayne pushed back his chair, spitting wine as he cried: "He did not give you permission to steal my future wife, you ungrateful, power-mad-"

Darren held up his hand. "I am not stealing her, brother."

Blayne sat down, eyes suspiciously fixed on the non-heir. "Then what is the meaning of this ridiculous speech?"

"Princess Shinako and her father have been kind enough to guarantee us the sum of her dowry and a pledge of support – equal to what the two of you would receive once wed - in exchange for the same pledge from us and a dissolution of your intended marriage. We received a signed letter from Emperor Liang just this morning."

"Father, this is madness!" Blayne turned to the king in horror. "Tell him to put an end to this!"

The king scowled at his oldest. "Let him speak, Blayne. I must admit even I am intrigued."

"Not only have I secured Jerar more wealth than any daughter of Langli, I have also given my dearest brother the opportunity to marry a princess from Pythus and amass an even greater dowry and support for this great country."

"The king of Pythus would never marry one of his daughters to me!" Blayne's face was as red as his venison.

"Perhaps you haven't tried hard enough to please him." Darren didn't look perturbed.

"Father!"

"Silence, Blayne!" the king snapped. "Your brother has done a great thing for us. Foolish, but great. I will not be so blind as to deny it would benefit us greatly, and you most of all." The man turned to Darren. "Very well, your previous engagement has been ceded in favor of this new proposal. Pending the signed pledge, of course."

The door slammed shut and I realized Priscilla of Langli had left the room. The king chuckled and indicated for Darren and Shinako to take a seat.

"That is not all, Father."

The king stopped laughing to stare at his son, his eyes narrowing. "Isn't it?" His tone held a warning.

"No. It's not."

My heart began to slam against my chest - so loud and so fast I was sure the whole room could hear it. Ryi-ah. Ryi-ah. Ryi-ah.

What if it hadn't been a dream?

Darren's eyes found mine.

My fork clattered to the floor.

"I wish to secure a new engagement with the dowry Princess Shinako has so generously bestowed."

"I gave you what you wanted." The king's eyes were furious. "You are free of that Langli girl. Anything more and you have overstepped your-"

"I wish to marry Mage Ryiah of Demsh'aa."

Several people exclaimed at once. My brother choked on his water. Ella grabbed my arm. The king clutched his knife so tightly his knuckles went white.

"Absolutely not!"

I just sat there, motionless. This isn't real. It can't be real. It's a dream. I watched Darren, standing there in front of his father with his back erect.

"I believe Master Byron just deemed Ryiah one of the most powerful mages in this room," Darren said slowly, "and if we all know Byron, he is nothing if not stingy in his praise where women are concerned..."

The training master's face went up in flames. Somehow I knew his praise was anything but voluntary.

"…In fact it was Shina, excuse me, Princess Shinako's only stipulation that the dowry she so generously bestows go to Mage Ryiah specifically, was it not?"

The princess nodded demurely, smiling. "Yes, it is the least I can do. Darren and I are good friends. Nothing would please me more than his happiness."

"So you see, Father, there is absolutely no one who would benefit me – or Jerar - more than Ryiah of Demsh'aa. As you said, strength triumphs all and Ryiah's dowry and status would certainly bring the Crown strength." Darren pulled out a scroll tucked into the sleeve of his robe. "Your advisors have already given this union their full blessing, here is a letter stating their support…"

"This is ridiculous!" Blayne shrieked. "Father, do not let him marry that lowborn!"