The Viking's Chosen by Quinn Loftis (6)

“At least he does not resemble the back-end of a boar,” Dayna whispered.

I shot my sister a quick nod of agreement then covertly turned to peer at my future husband, who was conversing with my father. After our morning ride, my sister and I had found a hiding spot behind some large drapes just to the left of the room now occupied by our guests. It afforded us the surreptitious ability to listen and watch the two kings interact. Thomas had taken his leave, but not before he informed me what he thought about our childish behavior. I did not care if I was being childish. I was not yet ready to meet King Cathal.

“He’s not ugly,” I murmured back, “but his handsomeness is marred by that tight-lipped frown. He looks cruel.”

I had been surprised to learn my future husband was not nearly as old as I thought he was. If I had to guess, I would put him at eight and thirty, or, at the very oldest, two and forty. His hair was dark and short, and he had deep green eyes, a hawkish nose, and thin lips that seemed frozen in a perpetual scowl. Standing at a little over six feet, King Cathal was lean but obviously muscular. Yes, he was handsome, but the cold, detached look in his eyes ruined any favor I might have felt for him.

“Do you think it hurts to hold his face like that?” Dayna asked.

I bit my bottom lip to keep from laughing. “Perhaps he was just born that way.”

“Tis a shame to be so handsome and yet such a pompous ass.”

“Hush.” I chastised. “That pompous ass could have your head if he felt your offense warranted it.”

“Father would not allow it, Allete.” Dayna assured me. “I am his favorite.”

I made a motion with my hand to quiet her so we could hear what our father was saying to the king of Tara.

“She has to know by now that I have arrived,” King Cathal said, his words clipped.

“Allete tends to have her own mind about things. I am sure she will join us when she is ready,” Father replied, attempting to placate our irritated guest.

“And who allows such independent thinking?” Cathal challenged. “A woman should know her place.” His pointed look was aimed at the queen, who stood quietly next to King Albric.

I was sure my mother was going to smack the rude man, but a subtle touch to her wrist from my father held her in place.

“I understand your frustration, Cathal, but please be considerate of Allete’s situation. She is to be courted by a man she has never met and is expected to leave in a month’s time and travel to a place that is not her home, where she has no friends—no family. She deserves time to adjust.” King Albric, ever the diplomat, attempted to ease the king of Tara’s temper, but judging by Cathal’s pinched lips, his efforts were wasted.

“Could you at least send for her,” King Cathal asked in a more civil tone, “Please?” He added, albeit a bit begrudgingly.

I gently tugged Dayna’s sleeve, indicating it was time for us to go. Like mice being hunted by a cat, we scurried from our hiding place and snuck to my bedchamber. We had barely made it inside when there was a knock at the door.

“Enter,” I said, attempting to keep from sounding breathless.

Lidia entered, the look on her face one of trepidation.

“The king requests your presence,” my handmaiden said softly.

I smiled at the girl. “Chin up, Lidia. All is well.”

Lidia let out a huff, her manners momentarily forgotten. “You have not met the man. He is positively awful.” Her hand flew to her mouth and her eyes widened. “Forgive my frankness.”

Dayna laughed. “Allete would never punish you, especially not when you’ve told the truth.” She lowered her voice conspiratorially. “We already saw him—we spied on them.” Dayna winked, completely unrepentant.

Lidia lowered her hand and made an O shape with her mouth.

I straightened my dress and pulled my shoulders back. “Might as well face the music. I doubt he is going to turn around and sail back home without me.”

“We could make him go away.” Dayna offered. “I am sure we could afford an assassin.”

Lidia gasped, and I shot my sister a warning look. “Bite your tongue. The walls have ears. Words like that would make it impossible for Father to protect you.”

Dayna shrugged. Petulant child. I worried my sister’s mouth would get her in more trouble than she thought possible. Our father’s crown could only protect her so much.

I made a motion for Lidia to lead the way. The atmosphere turned somber, as if we were headed to a funeral instead of an introduction to my future husband. Imagining how we must have looked made my mouth twitch upward just a smidge.

As we approached the sitting room, I could feel tension rolling in not so subtle waves. I took a deep breath, and then I walked past my sister and Lidia. As I entered the room, my eyes met my father’s first. My heart broke at the look of regret I found there. I gave him a small smile, hoping to assure him I would be fine. I understood my duty to the kingdom and stood ready and willing to do it. At least that’s what I told myself. The truth was much more complicated.

“King Cathal,” my father said loudly, stepping forward and reaching for my hand, “this is my daughter, Princess Allete.”

I turned to the king and curtsied, though I really wanted to stomp on his foot—behavior that was oh so befitting of a future queen.

“My Lord,” I said as I rose and looked up at him. It took everything in me not to take a step back at the look of lust and longing in his eyes. I had never been in a relationship, or even fancied a man, but I was no stranger to the attention Cathal was giving me. It made my skin crawl, feeling as though I was covered in a thousand ants.

He reached for my hand, and, after the briefest hesitation, I complied. When his large hand closed around mine, I felt like an animal caught in a hunter’s trap and I struggled to suppress the violent urge to riot against my restraints. He leaned down and placed a kiss on the back of my hand, lingering a little too long. When he rose, I attempted to pull my hand away, but he only tightened his grasp.

“You are more beautiful than I expected,” he said, his deep voice sending a chill down my spine.

“Thank you,” I responded, earning a toothy smile in return.

“I wonder if you would join me for a walk before the banquet?” Cathal requested.

I looked at my father, hoping he could see the pleading in my eyes to refuse the king’s request. I knew it would be an insult to refuse, but I could not help but hope.

“I can’t think of anyone better to show you around the castle, King Cathal,” my father replied in my stead, “with a chaperone, of course.”

Cathal looked irritated at the caveat, but there was no way King Albric would allow me to be alone with any man before I wed, regardless of his status.

“Of course,” Cathal said.

“Lidia,” King Albric called, knowing she would not be far from me. The young girl hurried in, followed by Dayna. “You and Dayna please accompany King Cathal and Allete on a walk of the grounds.”

Lidia curtsied and came to stand behind me. Dayna quickly joined her, not bothering to introduce herself to the king.

Cathal took my hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm, effectively drawing me closer to him. Our shoulders brushed, and I wanted to gag from the proximity. I let him lead me from the room, wishing an opening in the floor would suddenly swallow me whole.

“You seem nervous.” Cathal pointed out.

Really? Because I feel so incredibly comfortable.

“I apologize, my Lord. I admit, the idea of becoming the queen of a kingdom I am not familiar with and marrying a man I do not know is a bit daunting.”

“Surely you were prepared for such a fate from an early age.”

“I was, but preparation and experience are vastly different from each other.”

He seemed to consider my words before he spoke. “I suppose, but you will have to learn to adapt. Being a queen is not easy. My people will look to you as an example. You must not show weakness.”

Pompous ass. Who was he to tell me how to behave? He would be my husband, but that did not make him my master. “I’m sure I am up to the task,” I said through gritted teeth.

I felt his stare as he looked down at me. He continued to lead me down the hall until we reached the large front doors of the palace. “Have I offended you?” Cathal asked.

“Forgive my brusqueness, King Cathal.” I managed to respond in a cordial voice. “I did not sleep well and find myself in a foul mood.”

“I like a woman who has a little fight in her, Allete. Breaking you in will be much more interesting.”

He had spoken so softly that I knew my sister and Lidia could not have heard him. I clenched my free hand into a fist and slowly counted to ten. Otherwise, I would have smacked the smug look off his face. I had no response to his comment, at least not one that wouldn’t jeopardize the prospect of my upcoming nuptials and, thereby, the fate of our entire kingdom.

“Where are the gardens?” he asked after we had stepped outside in silence.

I pointed to the left. “Just around the corner.”

Cathal turned in that direction, his large strides difficult to for me to keep up with. He did not seem to notice.

“Do you have gardens on your palace grounds?” I asked him, attempting to engage in conversation.

“Of course.” He snapped. “A man should take pride in the land he owns. Having pride in something requires making it shine. Speaking of,” he said as he looked down at me again, his gaze wandering over my form. “We will have to do something about your clothing—it is much too plain for a queen of Tara. I expect you to look like the prize you are.”

Dayna’s gasp indicated she heard his words. I glanced over my shoulder at my sister, giving the younger girl a warning glare. The last thing I needed was for my sister to anger the king.

When we reached the gardens, he paused, scrutinizing them as his eyes roamed over the area. “Tis a bit small, isn’t it?”

“What the grounds lack in size, they more than make up for in beauty,” I offered, working to keep my voice soft and my tone light.

“I am not taking you as my bride so I can hear your opinion on the appropriateness of castle grounds.”

I could not hold my tongue any longer, consequences be damned. “Pray tell, my Lord, what do you need from me?”

His lips quirked in a smile, though there was no warmth in it. “I need you to warm my bed and bear my heirs.” The hunger in his eyes as he looked over me awakened an intense need to take a scalding bath with several bars of soap. “You have perfect birthing hips and breasts that should be more than adequate for nourishing my children.”

Dayna was not the only one to gasp that time.

“Sir, such comments are not appropriate.” I desperately wanted to fold my arms across my chest to keep him from looking at me.

“I am a king, and I am your husband—”

“Beg your pardon, My Lord, but you are not yet my husband.”

He tightened his lips into a straight line. I could tell he wanted to snap at me but was trying remain composed. “There is time for you to learn your place,” he said, and it almost seemed as though he was reassuring himself.

I continued to walk with him in silence, only bothering to nod my head when he asked me questions, or giving him curt, one-word answers. By the time we returned to the palace, I was ready to put a quarrel into the man I was destined to marry.

“Shall I accompany you to your room and help you ready yourself for this evening?”

Dayna stepped forward, unable to hold her tongue any longer. “Your highness,” she said in a syrupy tone, “that will not be necessary. Lidia and I have spent half our lives preparing my sister for royal events. We are certainly capable of the task.”

Cathal did not look happy with the offer but did not press the issue.

“Given the state of her, some might disagree,” he said in a clipped tone, “but your backward ways will have to do for now.” He leaned down to me and pressed his lips against my cheek, and I fought the urge to gag. I was screaming inside, and now I would have to scrub my face until the first layer of skin peeled away.

As soon as he stepped back, I turned on my heel and hurried away, with Lidia and Dayna only a step behind me. I was so very thankful for their presence, and I dreaded the moment I would have to be alone with the king.

We reached my room, and I slammed the door shut and locked it the instant we all clambered inside.

“That insufferable pig!” Dayna growled. “How dare he treat you in such an awful manner? Who the hell does he think he is?”

“He is the king of his nation.” I pointed out. “Who is there to stop him?”

“You cannot marry him, Allete.” Dayna pleaded. “Tell Father how awful King Cathal is; he could not possibly expect you to marry such a person.”

I walked to the window and looked out over the kingdom I called home. I still yearned for adventure but not with Cathal. Certainly, a life with him would be miserable. I was beginning to believe it was a mercy that his previous wives died rather than having endured a life with him. Still, it was odd that a king so young had already been married three times, and each of those wives had met their untimely demise. Regardless, Father could not stop the wedding now. Agreements had been made, plans laid, and treaties signed. It would be seen as an act of war to withdraw the transaction. I would not be the reason our country went to war.

“I could not ask such a thing of him.”

“So, you are just going to marry him?” Dayna challenged. “What will you do when he loses his temper with you and lets his hand fly? He will not put up with any amount of argument or opinion. What will you do then?”

I knew what my sister said was true. Cathal was the kind of man who believed it was okay to strike a woman to keep her in her place.

“If I want to keep peace for our father and our kingdom, I have to marry him.”

“Then you are not going with him alone,” Dayna declared. “I will go with you.”

“And I,” Lidia added.

“I cannot ask that of either of you,” I said, shaking my head, even though my heart swelled with love for the two women in front of me.

“You, dear Sister, are not asking,” Dayna said. “We are telling you—there is no way you are going to live with that abomination of a man without us.”

Lidia nodded her head, her lips set in a tight line—the face of determination.

“Out of the question.” I continued. “I, at least, will be the queen, affording me at least some protection. You two will have even less, especially you, Lidia. There is no predicting what could happen to you.”

“But we know what will happen to you.” Dayna countered. “And we will not allow it. I am going. I don’t care if I must sneak aboard his ship or if I have to seduce one of his guards and convince him to bring me along.”

I gasped. “You wouldn’t.”

“You know she would.” Lidia interjected. “And I will go with her. She is your sister and, if I may be so bold, you are like a sister to me—one of the only friends I’ve ever had. I’ve lived my entire life, not just in your family’s service, but in your service. I shan’t stop now.”

I sighed, knowing further argument was pointless. Lidia was right about Dayna. When the girl had her mind set on something, all the armies of Hell couldn’t dissuade her. “I suppose I need to get dressed for this evening,” I said after a long pause.

“About that,” Dayna said, heading toward the wardrobe. “I have a particular dress in mind that would be perfect for the occasion—the one Mother bought for you last year.”

Lidia frowned. “That thing is awful… no offense,” she added, looking at the ground.

“Yes, well, Mother did not think so. It was in fashion, at the time,” Dayna said.

I crossed my arms in front of my chest and cocked an eyebrow at my sister. “What are you up to?”

“I just do not see any reason for you to go through great lengths to look your best for him like you care what he thinks. Maybe if he finds you unattractive, he will change his mind.”

I wished that were the case, but I had seen the determination in King Cathal’s eyes. He saw me as a challenge, and he wanted nothing more than to break me. Do your best, wretched king. Whatever he did, I refused to break. It was not a part of who I was.

“I doubt it will work, but I certainly have no desire to encourage his advances.” I rubbed my hands together. “Ladies… do your worst.”

Lidia and Dayna both jumped into their work with excitement. It made me laugh to see how eager they were to make me as unattractive as possible. Lidia began by coercing my hair into a ghastly number of braids. She then coiled each one on top of my head so it looked as though I had tiny birds’ nests all over my head. I was almost embarrassed to be seen by the court, but I did not really care what they thought of me. Because of my magic, they had refused to accept me. What did it matter if they disapproved of me being less than beautiful?

“If this was not for a worthy cause, Sister, I would be embarrassed to be seen with you,” Dayna admitted. “Although, your face is still much too pretty. Maybe we should overdo the rouge and powder.”

“Good idea,” Lidia responded.

“Dayna, I don’t want to look like a rosy-cheeked specter,” I argued.

“You will be considered less if we cannot dissuade Cathal,” she countered. “Have at it, Lidia.”

There was a knock at the door. Before I could respond, Dayna hurried to answer it. She pulled the door open a crack, peered through, and the opened the door fully, allowing Lizzy to enter.

Her eyes were so wide it was comical as she looked me over. “What have you two done to her?” Lizzy asked as she began to circle me.

“Have you met her future husband?” Dayna asked.

Lizzy shook her head. “I have been out all morning tending to the sick in the village.”

Now it was my turn to look at her with surprise. “Since when do you nurse the ill?”

Lizzy shrugged. “I decided I should take more of an interest in helping others.”

“And you decided this just about the same time our guests arrived? Why?” Dayna asked.

“Because we have so much and they have so little. And having another kingdom come in showing off all their wealth just made it more apparent that I should be helping.”

“I think that is very noble of you,” I said as I smiled at my younger sister, but I could not help but wonder if there was an ulterior motive for Lizzy’s actions.

“Yes, yes.” Lizzy waved my comment off. “Now, explain to me why you look like you are attempting to win the ugliest princess contest.”

“Dayna and Lidia are attempting to put Cathal off his pursuit of me. They think if they make me unattractive, he will not want me.”

Lizzy frowned. “Word around the palace is that he is exceedingly handsome.”

“Handsome or not, he is the biggest horse’s ass I have ever had the displeasure of meeting,” Dayna said, clenching her jaw so tightly it looked as though it might break.

“Allete, is this true?” Lizzy questioned.

I nodded. “She speaks the truth, I’m afraid. Cathal was awful. He desires nothing more than a brood mare to break and bear his offspring, which he made perfectly clear.”

Lizzy’s expression reflected the horror I felt. Dayna recounted the events of our morning walk around the grounds with my future husband. Lizzy’s face burned brighter and brighter with anger as Dayna continued.

“You have to tell Father.” Lizzy pleaded.

“That is what I told her.” Dayna agreed.

I shook my head, once again explaining why that could not happen. “I will not cause him guilt over what cannot be changed. If Father backs out of the arrangement now, his actions would be a declaration of war, which our coffers cannot afford.”

“How can you sacrifice your happiness for us?” Lizzy asked. “Allete, your life will be one of anguish if you marry this fool.”

“Duty above all else.” Lidia interrupted. “She is so much like Father.”

My heart clenched painfully in my chest as I considered all I would be giving up by marrying Cathal. I would never see beyond the Tara castle walls, I would never fall in love, and I would probably never truly be happy again. Shaking off the fear and disgust, I pulled on the strength instilled in me by my royal parents.

“I will do what is necessary. Now,” I pulled my shoulders back and lifted my chin, “we have a banquet to attend and my future husband to embarrass. Let us take joy where we can.”

Dayna laughed and clapped her hands like an excited child. “I cannot wait to see his face when he lays eyes on you.”

Lizzy shook her head and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Tis sure to be an interesting evening. Lead the way, dear Allete. Lidia, please sing a funeral ballad. Our sister is walking straight into the arms of the devil, himself.”

“Always a ray of sunshine, Lizzy.” Dayna huffed. “I am sure your presence among the sick lifted their spirits immeasurably.”

I coughed to cover my laugh. If nothing else, the night promised to be entertaining. My sisters would make sure of it.