No one waited outside the doors for Layala. Not Piper or Sunshine or Fennan. Layala found it odd but fell into step beside Talon. She paused only a moment; Thane told her not to go outside, but what harm could there be? There was a guard around every corner it seemed.
Talon chatted on and on about how fun the games were in previous years, and how many foreign nobles always came. Talon couldn’t wait to find a certain male she stole a kiss from the last gathering but didn’t know the name of.
They stepped outside onto a dais with several waiting guards. The guards dipped into shallow bows as they passed. A long stone staircase lined with an intricately designed railing, led to the waiting crowds and bustle of the games below. Everything was so green, from the grass to the trees to the hillside in the distance. It was beautiful. The regal swans both white and black, slipping over the nearby pond added to the enchantment. They started down the stairs when a smooth voice cut in, “I thought I asked you to wait for me.”
Talon and Layala both turned to find Thane with his arms crossed, and leaned up against the doorframe. Talon rolled her eyes and then raised her hand high, waving wildly. “Oh, look, it’s my friends. I better go.”
Layala sighed and shifted toward Thane. “You did ask. I simply didn’t listen.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “I asked as a courtesy from you so we could arrive together. Besides, I’m much better company than Talon and her gossipy friends.” Thane stepped to her side and looped his arm around hers and started down the steps.
Layala weakly tried to tug away from him, but the guards stared at them, and she stopped struggling. “What in Maker’s name are you doing?”
“Taking the arm of my betrothed. I should think it was quite obvious.”
“I know what you’re doing. Why are you doing it? We’re not actually betrothed.”
“Oh, but we are, whether you like it or not. Or are you angry I haven’t gotten down on one knee?”
“Would you? Get on your knees for me?” she drawled, holding back an eye roll.
“For you? Oh, absolutely,” he purred.
She glared up at him. “When are we leaving for the mountains?”
He cleared his throat. “I thought you wanted to see the games. There is a tug-of-war match over there.” Thane pointed to the left. A group of maybe a hundred elves gathered with much shouting and grunting rippling from the area. Through the throng of people, she spotted thick twisting rope being fought over a pit of mud. “But there are also archery tournaments, sword matches, horse races, and the team sport of Vandastu. I think there might be a drinking contest, as well. Mother thinks that should be outlawed because it’s in her words, ‘disgusting’.”
“I’m not going to drop the issue.”
“I promise we’ll talk about that later.”
Why was everything always on his time? “Fine. What is Vandastu?”
Thane pointed to the right to teams lined up opposite of each other wearing different color sashes over their chests. One red, one green. “The basics of the game is to hit the ball past the two posts there, only using the stick. It can’t be moved by hands or feet. It can be rather violent. They’re not allowed to outright punch each other but many elbows are used and lots of hip checking.”
“Do females participate in any of these?” After looking around, she couldn’t find a single girl doing anything other than peacocking in their gowns and spectating.
“Occasionally one or two will compete in archery, but it’s not common.”
“And do you compete in anything, High King?” her tone dripped with sarcasm. She doubted he’d lower himself to mingle with the common folk or risk getting his boots dirty. “Or is there a cushy chair somewhere reserved for you?”
“I sense some challenge there.” He grew a slow smile, tucking dark hair behind his ear. He wasn’t wearing his crown anymore and his hair was half pulled back again. “What would my lovely betrothed wish me to participate in so I can win her fair heart?”
“It would take much more than a game to win my heart.” But Layala lifted her hand toward tug-of-war. What she would give to see him face down in the mud, but she knew he wouldn’t participate. “But if you wanted to make me laugh, tug-of-war would be entertaining enough.”
“I don’t think I’ve heard your laugh, so I guess I can’t pass up on the opportunity, can I?” He steered her toward the tug-of-war match.
Her eyebrow raised in surprise. “You’re actually going to do it?”
“You’ll find backing down from a challenge isn’t in me. Actually, challenges give me life. That’s why I enjoy your company so much. I never know what you’re going to say or do. You might stab me or kiss me.” He turned to her with a wicked smirk.
She narrowed her eyes. “Bastard,” she murmured. There was no need to remind her that she’d kissed him and stabbed him.
He chuckled in that way that made her spine tingle. They passed groups of gathered ladies in their extravagant gowns and hairstyles. She noted that each of them either beheld a blind disdain for her or they’d all eaten something sour. The looks of jealousy, shock, and frustration clear on their faces. Many whispered behind their hands to one another but they weren’t quiet enough.
“Who is that with the High King?” One girl’s chocolate brown hair contrasted with her porcelain skin in a bright, yellow dress.
“I don’t know, but it looks as though you have some competition, Vyra,” the other replied.
Another said, “The king never openly courts anyone.”
“Who could she be?”
“I thought he’d pick someone prettier,” one girl sneered.
“And thinner. You can tell she likes sweets.”
“Maybe he likes her big breasts.”
Layala glanced down at herself. She never considered herself big breasted or overweight, but she wasn’t as thin as many of the she-elves she now saw. She had hips and soft curves to her frame. Her arms and shoulders showed light muscle definition from training, but she thought it was normal for a female. Was it fashionable to be so frail?
Thane leaned closer; his lips grazed her ear and sent a jolt down her body. “Don’t listen to them. You’re the most beautiful female here by far. And… I do so adore your breasts.”
Layala smacked his arm gently and would have hit him harder if they weren’t in public for everyone to see. “You shouldn’t even be looking at them.” The females were jealous she was the object of the king’s attention, but their comments still stung, despite what Thane said.
He chuckled, “They’re hard to miss.”
“They aren’t even that big.” She couldn’t believe they were having a conversation about her breasts.
He looked at his open palm and then to her chest, then lifted his eyes to her face. “I think they’re the perfect size.”
“I’m not above punching you in the face again.”
He grew a feline smile and swung around the crowd toward where a group of seven males gathered, waiting to take up the rope. They turned and stared when they saw who approached. Some dipped into bows and many, “Greetings, your highnesses,” trailed in their wake. They didn’t appear to be surprised he was there.
A brute-looking elf slapped Thane on the back. The sun, moon, and stars tattooed on his face, among others, made him stand out, as did his fire-red hair tied into braids. His deep-brown skin brought out his light-blue eyes like stars. The mud up to his knees and a fair amount on his hands and splattered on his chest said he competed already. “Who’s the lady?”
“A friend,” Thane said and dropped Layala’s arm to grasp the forearm of the elf. She liked the brown leather bands on his wrists with rune marks etched into them. They were different from the typical gold or silver. The sleeves of his deep red tunic were rolled to his elbows showing them off.
“Oh, a friend?” He looked Layala up and down. She couldn’t quite place his accent, but he had more roll to his “r’s”. The other elves nearby examined Layala’s form as much as he was. As if she was a prized horse on display. Were they inspecting her because she was with the king or because they just liked to ogle females? She shifted a little, uncomfortable, but raised her chin to meet their stares. She was used to staring down large males after so much time in the training yard with the men.
“Well, if she’s but a friend, you don’t mind if I—’’ the elf reached for Layala’s backside and Thane knocked his hand away as fast as a snake strike.
“I’ll break your hand if you try that again, Leif.” Thane was firm but not overly aggressive. Were they friends?
The burly elf burst into laughter and grabbed Thane’s shoulder. “She’s a lovely one, I’ll give you that. Looks rightly proper for a High King. Child-bearing hips, too.”
Layala rolled her eyes and looked him up and down as he had her, so he would know what it was like to be inspected. She frowned a little. “You’re lucky it was your king that stopped you from grabbing my ass or you’d have a broken nose as well as a broken hand.”
Thane glanced down at Layala with a smirk. Leif and the other males, also with brown skin and tattoos on their faces, looked amongst each other and then they all laughed. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard a lady use the word ‘ass’ before, at least not outside brothels,” Leif said.
“A place I’m sure you frequent since you’d only be able to get a lady to touch you if you paid for her, no doubt.”
Leif furrowed his brows at her and he let out another bellow. “She even makes jokes. You better wife her immediately, King Thane or I might.”
“I’d leave her be or you really might end up with a broken nose. Unpredictable that one,” Thane said, rolling up the long sleeves on his black top. He pushed through the group to take hold of the rope at the very front. “Let’s get on with the match. You rabble from the west are lucky I’m here or you’d surely lose against Dynadar.”
“We’ve won three matches in a row,” Leif boasted and picked up the rope behind Thane.
The Dynadar team smiled as if the king joining the other side only encouraged them further. Thane’s team appeared confident until an ogre, at least eight feet tall with a potbelly, wearing only a brown loincloth and vest came from behind a tent. He grinned, bearing his huge, crooked yellow teeth and grabbed the end of the rope. Many in the crowd gasped and murmured, pointing at the huge creature. Layala saw an ogre once while out traipsing around the Redcrest Woods behind her home when she was thirteen. It was terrifying then and even now she wanted to reach for a weapon, the dagger she had strapped to her thigh. Since when did high elves commune with lesser creatures like this? And was he allowed to compete in this game? Thane and the males from the west with tattooed faces all laughed.
“You must have an ogre on your side to win?” Leif mocked.
“They’re afraid of a little dirt on those pristine uniforms,” another on Thane’s side shouted, and the crowd laughed. The other team did have clean matching uniforms of white and navy blue. More white than blue. They must be confident.
Thane looked over the massive ogre. “Last I checked it was against the rules to have any race besides elves compete, but I’ll allow it.” He looked along the crowd. “Makes it more interesting, doesn’t it?”
Many shouts of “yes” and more laughter ensued. Layala stepped back in the front row with the other spectators. “You must want to get dragged into the mud.” She was surprised that Thane picked the front given that he’d be the first in the mud pit.
“You underestimate my team and me, sweetheart. Mostly me.”
Layala folded her arms, wishing she hadn’t spoken. Now everyone looked at her again. And although he said “sweetheart” in a long drawl, the term of endearment wasn’t lost on anyone in the crowd.
Leif shoved Thane lightly in the back. “His highness is a beast trapped in a tiny elven body.”
The elf beside Layala cackled.
They really put on a show at these events, Layala thought.
“Tiny?” Thane shot a glare behind him. “Is that what you call six foot four and two hundred thirty pounds of pure muscle?”
Leif looked to Layala as if she was the only spectator. “He likes to boast, too.”
“As well he should!” someone from the crowd shouted. “He is our Warrior King!”
A massive burst of cheers and whistles rose up from the spectators. She didn’t know why but she was surprised at how well-liked Thane was. They appeared to adore him and if he was such a terrible elf, they wouldn’t. If he only ruled by fear like his father before him, he wouldn’t receive such high praise.
Thane only offered his devastatingly handsome smile this time. Both teams took a firm grip on the rope. The ogre in the back raised one massive fist in the air and let out a booming roar that sent a smelly gust of wind rushing past Layala despite being several yards away from him. Disgusting.
An elf off to the side let out a whistle. The jerking and tugging started, both sides grunting with their efforts. Layala expected one big wrench from the ogre would send Thane and his team soaring into the mud, but… it didn’t happen. Neither of them gave an inch as they pulled, faces scrunched with effort.
“Pull harder!” Leif hollered.
The team was clearly pulling hard. Now it seemed it would be who tired first. The ogre bellowed. Thane’s forearms bulged with veins and taut muscles. He also mouthed a steady stream of curses which brought a smile to her lips. As much as she wanted to see Thane flat in the mud, she couldn’t help but silently root for him and his team. Come on. Come on, Thane, pull!
The crowd around her shouted and cheered on their side. Getting caught up in the enthusiasm, Layala stuck her fingers in her mouth and let out a shrill whistle. “Come on, Thane! I thought you were a beast!” she shouted, and then slammed her mouth shut, astonished she actually said that out loud. She laughed at herself; after she despised him for so long, now she encouraged the elf king. Rooted for him, even.
Then suddenly the momentum shifted, as if Thane’s team caught a second wind. He took a step back, and then another and his team followed. The ogre’s side was wide eyed in surprise; the crowd grew wilder. They were actually going to pull this off. She knew Thane was strong from how easily he picked her up, and how he handled her the night she attacked him, but could he be the factor to win against an eight-foot-tall ogre? The creature must weigh four hundred pounds, and add seven other elves to that. It should be impossible for Thane and his side to win.
The first elf in the white uniform slid into the mud, shin deep. Then the next. When the ogre let go of the rope the whole team toppled to the pit on top of each other and Thane’s team fell backward in victory.
Layala laughed and clapped along with everyone else. Thane rolled onto his side and found her in the crowd. “A laugh, as promised.” She read his lips more than heard with the cheering so loud.
She ran a hand through her hair. He did get her to laugh. Slowly shaking her head, she started for him. A flash of yellow passed by her, something snagged around her ankle and Layala tipped forward, heading straight for the mud pit. She almost caught herself but then she was pushed on her back and fell hands and knees into sticky, thick mud.
The whispers and gasps from the crowd around her made her face burn with embarrassment. If she was home in Briar Hollow, she might laugh and start a mud fight but here, that wouldn’t be acceptable. The silence of the crowd said enough. A few giggles and snickers followed as she struggled to get up in her fancy purple dress. When she got the courage to lift her head, one of the girls she saw earlier stood with her arms crossed wearing a smug smile. The one in the yellow dress called Vyra.
A black boot sunk into the mud beside her, and a big warm hand wrapped around Layala’s arm. She looked up to see Thane above her. The mud squished loudly when he tugged her up. “I didn’t see what happened. Are you alright?” He didn’t laugh like some in the crowd. He looked embarrassed for her, angry even.
“Someone pushed me.” Her fiery gaze shot toward the yellow bundle of joy.
“Who?”
“I didn’t see.” It wasn’t an outright lie. She truly hadn’t seen, but she knew who did it and it was something she could deal with later on her own.
“I’m sorry. That shouldn’t have happened.” With everyone staring after them, whispering, Thane led her to where the team was gathered around a trough.
She dipped her arms into the water scrubbing off the mud. Leif handed Layala a towel. “Sorry your pretty dress got ruined.”
Layala patted her arms dry and brushed at the mud on her dress. “Reina and Pearl will be more upset than me.” Leif and the others looked confused. “My maids.”
Thane scanned the crowd around them. “Did the girl in the yellow dress push you?”
How did he know that? Layala patted herself with the towel. “Why do you think that?”
“Call it a hunch.”
“And if she did?”
“Then she’ll be dealt with. You are the future Queen of Palenor. No one touches you. Ever.”
Leif’s eyebrows raised. The other males on the team stared at Layala like she was some rare jewel. “So, she is more than a friend,” Leif said. “And would your name be Layala Lightbringer?”
Layala fidgeted with the towel in her hands. There was a connotation with that name and the way he said it. Lifting her head, Layala met Leif’s stare. “It is.”
“The last mage,” one of the males said, and they glanced between each other.
Thane grabbed Leif’s bicep and then looked around at the others. “Keep quiet about it. I don’t want to draw any unnecessary attention for now.”
“Of course, sire,” the group muttered one after another.
“By unnecessary, you mean dangerous, don’t you? Because there are groups of people who want me dead. For the sign at my birth. That’s what Piper said.”
Leif rubbed the back of his neck and found other things more interesting. Thane set his jaw and those green eyes pierced hers with unnerving connection. “Yes. But you don’t need to be afraid. I’ve taken many precautions on who is allowed on the castle grounds. Any who have shown or are connected to the fanatics will not be permitted past the gates.”
“I’m not afraid.” She knew he would protect her. His life depended on it.
“Come. Let’s get us a change of clothes and dinner. I’m hungry after that match. It wasn’t easy to battle an ogre even if I made it look so.”
