Sky and Storm ( Warriors of Vis #1)(2)
A curse: marrying him was a curse. Yet impressionable young maids and adventurous bachelors had been throwing themselves at the Dragon ever since his return. The Dragon had refused them all. He apparently had someone in mind. And that someone was… me? Why?
Taking one more deep breath and kissing his sister’s cheek, Sky turned left on the main corridor on the ground floor and came upon the main entrance where seven of the Dragon’s elite warriors were waiting for him.
“Sky Moonborn,” their leader started in a booming voice that made Sky cringe, “You are hereby summoned to the royal castle by his highness, Storm Thunderborn, the Prince of Vis, known throughout as the Dragon. You will be wed on the next full moon and become next consort in line to rule the land with your royal spouse.”
All hope had been crushed. Sky sighed deeply and nodded his consent. Not that it was needed, they would have dragged him there by force anyway. Sky turned to look at his parents. His mother stood tall and proud, a half-smile wrinkling the side of her face. A lone tear ran down the cheek of his father, yet the man did nothing, looking all dignified. No one was going to stand in the way of the Dragon.
“When should I be there?” Sky asked, arching an eyebrow and tightening his grip on his little sister.
“Please gather what treasured possessions you might have, my lord. Everything else can be replaced. We leave at once.” The commander turned to leave. His soldiers followed, lining up and waiting outside.
Sky kissed his sister one more time and placed the sobbing child in his father’s arms. His mother was already scolding her for not acting like a lady. He made his way back into his room. He expected some sort of fallout. Tears, running to hide and yelling. Instead, Sky was numb. He entered his bedchamber and looked around, then walked into his study and finally out on his beloved balcony. There was nothing he wanted to take with him. He wanted this entire place, his life, his freedom, his family.
Sky picked up a small pouch and stuffed all his journals inside, then returned downstairs. He embraced his father and sister, nodded to his mother and was out the door and into the bright light of the midday sun. A horse had already been prepared for him, but a high court servant came, bowed deeply and motioned to the chariot that was apparently part of his summoning squad.
Sky looked at the commander, but the man shrugged and had one of his warriors pick up the reins of the horse and take it away. Sky reckoned the journey would be more pleasant that way, so he stepped inside.
A young lady with moist eyes smiled brightly at him. “Sky,” she yelped and threw herself in his arm. He stiffened in her embrace, so she moved back. “I’m sorry, you obviously don’t recognize me. Sit, please,” she said giggling, then proceeded to follow him on the velvet covered bench and took his hand in hers.
The lady scrunched her nose and tucked one of her dark brown locks behind her ear, and Sky immediately recognized her. “Cloud? It can’t be!”
Just his luck, Sky supposed. He’d have to start making nice about his impending doom right away.
“Yes, of course it is.” She chuckled and hid her blush, placing her hand over her mouth and nose. “It’s so good to see you again, Sky. I’ve missed you.”
Sky swallowed hard and gave her a weak smile. Storm had sent his sister to fetch Sky. The sickly little girl had grown into a beautiful woman, but that cruel look was still vividly painted on her face. He could see it in her cold stare and the disgruntled twitch of her lips.
“They’re making you marry that brute. I cried for days, but father has decided. Storm agreed. He’s taken what I love once more.” She pressed her lips together, her eyes narrowing. “Gods only know what he’ll do to you, he’s always been jealous of how close we were.”
Sky’s eyes widened, his hands growing cold. Close? Had they been close? Yes, he had been one of Storm’s companions in his childhood. Cloud was nothing but a nuisance. Sky would smile at her, pat her head, and give her little tasks to do to keep her occupied. He supposed she could have considered his sneakiness a sort of affection.
“I can’t believe you’re forced to keep him company again,” she hissed, interrupting his thoughts.
“It appears I’ll be spending the rest of my life with your brother,” Sky said in an even voice.
“My poor, poor Sky,” Cloud said, fake compassion painted on her face. “I can’t stop this, but I’ll always be your friend. I’m on your side, don’t you ever forget that.”
Was it a test? Was that warm glow in her eyes a trick? It went away as quickly as it came.
“Thank you, Cloud. I appreciate you worrying for me. You have nothing to concern yourself with. I am to marry our future king.”
Sky was surprised by how steady his voice was. No cracks, no tears, no desperate calls for help. Maybe his mother’s lessons were finally paying off.
They stopped at a small inn for the night. The warriors bearing the Dragon’s seal had the top floor cleared for him and the princess. The best food, the best wine, the constant, overbearing company of Cloud, Sky was about ready to jump through the nearest window. He smiled instead and chatted with the princess, watching as the land’s warmongering elite ate, but skipped on the drinking. Sky smiled to himself, remembering Storm’s plans of never allowing his warriors to drink themselves silly while on missions. How could a twenty-two-year-old have such power over these hardened soldiers?