As the carriage rolled away, I took one last glance through the window to see my cousin.
Davin’s arms were crossed and his features were pinched. I knew Iiro insisted he stay behind so I wouldn’t be tempted to run off, but I was grateful for it all the same.
If I was heading to my death, that wasn’t something I wanted him to see.
I wanted him to remember me like I was last night, and I sure as stars didn’t want him to do something stupid and get himself killed right along with me.
The massive carriage jostled and creaked more and more as we pulled further away from the castle. The roads went from being smooth and even, to dipping in and out in a more rugged terrain.
Everywhere I looked, there were villages nestled into hillsides, small farms that looked more brown than green. The crisp colors of autumn were on full display on the many trees, casting everything in red and gold hues.
Though we were a mountain pass away from home, this place felt like an entirely different world.
“So,” I began, turning away from the window and breaking the silence of the small space. “Tell me about this Summit.”
Duke Iiro raised his eyebrows imperiously, but he did eventually lower himself to explain.
“The leaders of all nine clans will convene on neutral territory to decide your fate, as we discussed before. Now, some of them are our allies.” He nodded in his wife’s direction. “We have a marriage alliance with Viper, and they with Eagle. They will likely side with me, though nothing is certain where Lochlann is concerned. Socairans have long memories, and resentment of your people runs deep.”
I bit my tongue to refrain from mentioning that it was they who had invaded us.
“Lynx and Ram are mostly neutral. They rarely let anyone influence their votes. It is Bear that offers the most difficulty,” Iiro went on. “They are the largest, and are allied with Crane and Wolf and have recently been in talks with Bison as well. They are our biggest threat.”
Theo cleared his throat across from me, and Iiro nodded for him to speak.
“Do you truly believe that Duke Aleksandar would vote against her when he himself has a Lochlann bride?”
I glanced sharply at him, though I wasn’t sure why that bit of news surprised me. Before the war, it must have been common to marry into Socair. It just hadn’t been done in my lifetime.
“Aleksander would side against us just to spite us.” Iiro’s eyes narrowed. “And you know Evander would do the same. He is just like his father.”
Theo looked thoughtful, maybe even disappointed, and I couldn’t resist the urge to needle at him. It was as good a distraction as any.
“Who ever would want to spite someone as charming and affable as the two of you?” My expression was politely interested.
A sharp gasp rang out from Inessa, and Theo raised his eyes skyward.
“Well, she isn’t winning anyone’s favor like this,” he muttered.
“She is right here,” I reminded him.
“She doesn’t know when to remain silent.” Theo looked at me pointedly.
I opened my mouth to respond, even knowing it would prove him right, but Iiro cut in sharply. “Then she can take the next several days on the road to learn how to behave as a proper Socairan woman. After all, I wouldn’t like anyone to be embarrassed at the Summit.” He finally turned to address me. “What do you say, Princess Rowan? Can you be as amicable and accommodating as you swore to be?”
I bristled at the not-so-subtle reminder of Davin’s life being in his hands, and nodded.
“Of course, Sir Iiro. I can be a great many things.” I smiled sweetly.
Iiro glared at me, and Theo held out a hand. “There is still time, Brother. I’m sure she will have gotten this out of her system by the time we get there.” He shot me a warning glance.
“I am trusting you to make sure of it.” Iiro glared at me, but his words were for his brother. “I will be busy with the Summit, so her behavior will be your responsibility.”
“I will see that she’s ready,” Theo said, his tone brooking no argument. He turned to me. “Right, Princess Rowan?”
“Of course,” I said again, my tone on the sarcastic side of demure.
I turned to stare out the window once again, mostly to hide my irritable expression. Just past the guards on our side of the carriage, a family walked along the roadside.
When the mother caught sight of my hair, she stepped backward, pushing her child behind her and making the same sign Venla had to ward off evil.
Theo sighed, yanking the curtain closed and cutting off their view.
“And we’ll need to cover her hair.”
