The Bridge Kingdom (The Bridge Kingdom, #1)(15)

Lara sat down across from the princess, taking in the full wall of windows, which she expected showcased an impressive view in the light of day. “Where is everyone?”

Ahnna took a long mouthful of wine, then picked up the bottle on the center of the table and filled Lara’s glass and her own, the act making Lara blink. In Maridrina, only servants handled a bottle. One did not pour for oneself. She rather thought that her countrymen might perish from thirst before ever breaking with the custom.

“This is my parents’”—Ahnna broke off with a wince, then corrected herself—“my brother’s private residence, so there isn’t anyone here right now but us three, plus the cook and two servants. And I’ll be gone tomorrow once my hangover wears off.” She lifted her glass. “Cheers.”

Lara dutifully lifted her own and took a swallow, noting the stemware was also from Valcotta, the wine from Amarid, and unless she missed her mark, the silverware from her homeland. She catalogued the details away for later consideration. Ithicana made the market for most goods, buying at Northwatch, transporting the products through their bridge, then selling them at a premium at Southwatch, only to reverse the process with the southern kingdoms’ exports. Merchants who traveled the length of the bridge paid stiff tolls for the privilege, and they were always kept under guard by Ithicanian soldiers. Ithicana itself exported nothing, but it appeared they had no compunction against importing products from other places.

“Is the entirety of this island the king’s private domain, then?” Lara asked, wondering when or if the man in question would make an appearance.

“No. My father built this home for my mother so that she would be comfortable during the times of the year they were here.”

“Where were they the rest of the time?”

Ahnna smiled. “Elsewhere.”

Secrets.

“Are there others living on this island whom I should be aware of?”

“Aren’s honor guard is here. You’ll meet them at some point, I imagine.”

Frustration bit at Lara, and she took another sip of wine to soothe the sensation away. She’d only been here a matter of hours. No one—not even Serin and her father—could expect her to find a way through Ithicana’s defenses in the space of a day. “I look forward to meeting them, I’m sure.”

Ahnna snorted. “I doubt that. They’re a little rough around the edges compared to what you’re used to, I expect. Though you are something of a mystery.”

The princess was doing her own digging. Lara smiled. “What of you? You say that you will be leaving tomorrow? Is this island not your home?”

“I’m the commander at Southwatch.”

Lara choked on her mouthful of wine. “But you’re a—”

“Woman?” Ahnna supplied. “You’ll find we hold to a different way of life in Ithicana. What’s between your legs doesn’t determine the path you’ll walk in life. Half the garrison at Southwatch is made up of women.”

“How liberating.” Lara managed to get the words out between coughs even as she envisioned the horror on her father’s face should he discover the island he’d failed time and again to beat in battle was defended by women.

“It can be for you, too, should you want it to be.”

“Don’t make promises we can’t keep, Ahnna,” a male voice said.

The King of Ithicana strode into the dining room, his dark hair damp from bathing, though she noted his face was still rough with stubble. It gave him a roguish appeal, but she stamped the thought down the moment it rose.

“What’s wrong with her learning how to wield a weapon? Ithicana’s dangerous. It would be for her own safety.”

He eyed the table, then sat at the end of it. “It’s not her safety that I’m concerned about.”

Lara shot him a look of disdain. “You’d fit in well in Maridrina, Your Grace, if the thought of your wife knowing how to wield a knife puts such fear in your heart.”

“Oh my.” Ahnna filled her glass up to the brim and leaned back in her chair. “I misjudged your wit, Lara.”

“You’re wasting your breath, Ahnna,” Aren said, ignoring the comment. “Lara believes weapons are the domain of common soldiers and not worthy of her time.”

“I said no such thing. I said I was trained to be a wife and a queen, not a common soldier.”

“And just what did that training entail?”

“Perhaps fate will favor you and one day you’ll find out, Your Majesty. Although as it stands, you’ll need to content yourself with my flawless needlework.”

Howling with laughter, Ahnna poured herself yet another glass of wine and then filled one up for her brother. “This might help.”

Aren disregarded them both in favor of the servants who appeared bearing trays of food, which they set down on the table, disappearing only to return again with more. There were fresh fruits and vegetables, all brilliantly colored, as well as large fish still in possession of their heads. One fish sat on a bed of steaming rice, which Lara eyed and then dismissed, her attention snapping to the herb-crusted roast beef, the question of its origins tamping down her anger at the excess of food. Food that could’ve gone to Maridrina.

She waited for one of the servants to serve her, but they all departed. Then the royal siblings began helping themselves, loading their plates with salad and fish and beef all at the same time with no regard to the order of things. “This is more diverse fare than I’m used to,” she said. “I’ve never had fish before, although I suppose it’s a staple here.”