Fireblood (Frostblood Saga #2)(71)
I smoothed clammy hands over my skirts. My gown had once belonged to the queen but had been altered to fit me. Embroidered roses, leaves, and vines trailed over the crimson fabric in a masterpiece of gold thread. Each stem sported perfect little thorns that looked so sharp, I was almost afraid to touch them lest they draw blood. A thick gold necklace had the appearance of lace. Several bracelets clanked together as I moved, and a gold filigree crown—a humbler version of the queen’s—was pinned in my upswept hair.
Kai stood next to me wearing a doublet that matched my gown, red with gold thread. White cuffs peeked out at his wrists, and black breeches blended with polished black boots. A ruby earring winked from his ear. Queen Nalani and Prince Eiko stood to his right.
At the queen’s signal, Kai squeezed my arm and drew me forward to the railing. Queen Nalani addressed the crowd. “My loyal Sudesians, seventeen years ago, I lost my younger sister. She left our kingdom with her infant daughter, never to return. I have been searching for my niece since that day. A few weeks ago, our loyal friend, Prince Kai of Isle Tuva, found my niece and brought her home.”
She held out a hand to me and I curtsied as gracefully as I could. She smiled approvingly and turned back to the crowd.
“You may have heard the hardships she faced in Tempesia, how she was imprisoned, how she fought to survive in the Frost King’s arena, and how she ultimately prevailed and melted their throne, the symbol of Frostblood tyranny. I am proud, so very proud and happy, to welcome my sister’s child back home again and to reward her sacrifices. Not only has she returned, but I’m pleased to announce she has passed her trials and will be initiated as a master.”
A cheer went up from the crowd.
The queen smiled beatifically. “I invite all of you to welcome her and to treat her with the same warmth and loyalty you would show to me. I present to you Princess Ruby Otrera Elatus, daughter of Rota, descendant of Tollak, and my dear niece and heir.”
Another cheer erupted from the crowd. I flinched unconsciously. All those voices joining to create a buzz of noise that couldn’t be shut out. I itched to put my hands over my ears.
Kai seemed to sense my discomfort. His hand came to my lower back, his shoulder pressed against mine. He leaned down and whispered in my ear. “Smile.”
I took a shuddering breath and did as he said. The cheer swelled. I finally looked at the people, saw them as individuals rather than a mass of spectators. Babies were cradled in arms and small children sat on the shoulders of their parents to better see us. Some people waved colorful scarves. There was an air of real celebration. Joy. Something inside me softened and lightened. They were genuinely happy because of me, because of my presence, my existence. I blinked away moisture as the image blurred.
Then I saw a familiar face and my smile became wide and genuine. “There’s Aver,” I told Kai, waving frantically. “And Jaro!”
“I see them,” he said in a kind but rather dampening voice that made me realize maybe a princess wasn’t supposed to flap her hands in such an undignified manner. I settled for nodding and grinning at them instead.
“It is my greatest hope,” the queen continued, “that our princess finds happiness in her new home, and that one day, she will rule in my place. To that end, she will need a partner who was raised in our ways, and who will guide her as she learns her new role. I am overjoyed to announce that I have given Prince Kai permission to ask for my niece’s hand in marriage. And she has joyfully accepted.”
As the crowd sent up yet another cheer, my eyes were drawn to the queen. She looked genuinely happy. No, not just happy. Elated.
No wonder they adored her. She was all beauty and strength, lovely strong features and perfect dark skin, her eyes and teeth gleaming with health, her crown sparkling gold in the sun. Her expression was a blend of affection and mischief as she said, “Prince Kai, give the people what they want. Give my beautiful niece a kiss.”
“As my queen wishes,” said Kai with a crooked grin, his hands curving about my waist as if we were preparing to dance a waltz. It wouldn’t be our first kiss, but it made my heart jerk unpleasantly to think of this as being part of the performance. I shoved my misgivings aside to be sorted through later.
He raised a brow in silent question and I tipped my chin up in answer. He pulled me close and his warm lips met mine in a thorough kiss. Despite my nerves, my skin heated, my blood rushing in my veins. It seemed that he was showing the crowd that he meant it, that he wasn’t unhappy about the marriage, that he wanted me for my own sake and not just for my crown. Well played, I thought dimly.
When he pulled back, I realized one of my hands had found its way to his nape. He turned back to the crowd, grinning at their jovial hurrahs.
As I came out of my stupor, my attention was drawn to a tall, hooded figure, clearly a man by his size, that moved against the crowd. While everyone else jostled to get closer to the balcony, he was carving a hurried path through the tightly packed bodies in an effort to get away. There was something fierce, almost desperate, about the movements.
I stared at his coarse cloak and hood. It was a warm day and most people were dressed lightly. There was no need for either… .
Someone screamed. Heads jerked toward the sound and shock rippled through the crowd. Kai stiffened and the queen leaned over the balcony for a better look. In the voice of a seasoned general, she ordered her guards below to calm the crowd. Meanwhile, the screams spread like a contagion, passing from one person to the next.