7. Sorcha

Chapter seven

I paced a hole in the floor, waiting for the meeting to start. It had been a week of Zarios and I sneaking off together, flirting, and making sure we were seen doing it. Word had begun to spread amongst the Lords and Ladies milling around the castle. The rumor mill was abuzz, exactly the way we wanted it.

My mothers had yet to say anything, but I'd been avoiding them, not wanting to break under their scrutiny. Sage and Sybil were less easy to doge, making their interest known in other ways. Sage asked me every time we crossed paths, and each time, I was sure to seem a bit more bashful than I was before. Sybil was much less straightforward, asking how my day was and inquiring about my plans, which she never had before.

But tonight was the night. There was a final meeting scheduled before Zarios left, and that was when would tell them. I wasn't sure how things were going to go, how my mothers would take it, but I had to be confident and sell this. Not only would it help save Valcor, but saving a whole kingdom would show them I could handle being a knight. A real one .

After Zarios and I discussed how the meeting would go, I went to my room to pack. He told me I didn't need much. I'd thrown in a few dresses and undergarments, my toiletries, my armor, my sword, and at the last moment, a few pairs of pants and tops. Though I knew next to nothing about Valcor, I knew generally what was expected of women. I still grabbed them, however, just in case.

When I was done, I shoved my few bags under the bed. I didn't want anyone to find out my intentions too early.

I checked the clock. It was almost seven. I wiped my hands down my navy skirt. It was time.

I took one final glance at my room. It had been my room for so long, and I was leaving it. Maybe when I came back, I wouldn't be here anyway. I would live in the barracks with the knights. The thought brought a smile to my face.

With that, I set off. The trip to the meeting room was much too slow but also too quick. When I got there, Zarios stood outside, leaning against the wall. He was in a pair of maroon trousers and no shirt. It seemed all male minotaurs went shirtless.

I approached, feeling a bit uncomfortable about it all. I was about to announce my engagement. To a minotaur, no less. Though we'd been cordial with them as far as I could recall, I didn't think any human had ever married one, at least not that I was aware of. I could only hope they would go along with it.

He held out his hand. "Ready?" he asked.

I looked down at his long fingers before placing mine between them. "Let's go sell this thing. "

He pushed the door open. Everyone was there, Mother, Mama, and Sybil sat on one side of a large desk while Sage sat on the opposite end, filing her nails, ignoring everyone else. Damyr and Kiaza sat on the other side, Kiaza looking over her notes and Damyr looking at Sage in a way I didn't appreciate. Many men looked at her that way, and I'd beaten a few of them up for it. Kendrix stood behind them, and he was the first one to notice us walk in.

His eyes moved down to our joined hands and widened, though he said nothing. I guess the rumor mill hadn't quite made it to him yet. Soon, more eyes were on us, all with some form of interest.

"Sorcha," Mother spoke first. "What's going on?"

I looked to Zarios for a moment, who gestured for me to continue. I cleared my throat. "After some thought, I—we—have decided we want to get engaged."

The silence around us was deafening. I clenched Zarios's hand, hard.

It wasn't broken until Sage started laughing. "You take interest in one guy and want to shack up already?" she asked.

"Shut it," I scowled at her, and she lifted her hands in mock surrender, a smirk still on her lips.

Mother stood. "Zarios, could you excuse us for a moment?"

He looked to me to see what I needed. Though this was all fake, I appreciated the support. I gave a small nod.

Zarios released me. "Of course."

I followed my mothers out of the room, my heart in my throat. We only got to the edge of the hall before Mother turned. "What are you doing?" she asked. She didn't sound harsh, but she had her typical no-nonsense tone.

I crossed her arms. "We've been spending a lot of time together this past week, and I like him. It seems a minotaur's engagement courting is fairly long, so I want to go with him."

Her gaze bounced around my face that I was sure to keep neutral. If there was one thing I learned from all my time in those damned etiquette classes, it was to never show my true feelings.

"But why?" Mama asked. "I thought you had other aspirations?"

I flinched internally. "They were just a silly dream, it wasn't that serious. And I like Zarios. I think he'll treat me well."

Mama took my hands, her tender gaze almost making me break. "Is he making you?" she asked. "Or is it something else? This seems so rash."

I smiled. "This happens all the time. Didn't you and Mother get married quickly?"

They looked at each other. "Yes, but that was different." Mother said.

"How?" I asked. "Zarios and I like each other. We're of the same class if that was your problem. Is it because he isn't human?"

Mama shook her head quickly. "It's not about that. We just want you to be happy. "

"I think he will make me happy." Though I didn't plan to stay with him, something in my tone rang true, even to me.

We all stood in a tense silence. I was all but holding my breath.

"This is truly what you want?" Mama asked.

I squeezed her. "Truly. It feels right."

"It still feels too rushed," Mother said.

I crossed my arms. "Not only is this what I want, but I'm sure it would help things."

"What do you mean?" Mama asked.

"I know what's going on between our nations," I said. I wasn't sure if this would work, but I was going for all or nothing at this point. "I know the magestones went missing, and I know the money we get from that trade does a lot for our nation. A marriage between us could help solidify the trade."

They looked at each other, communicating without words. As a child, I used to ask how they did that, but they always said it was from years of marriage.

"Even if you don't care about how I feel, you have to know this is for the good of everyone." I knew I was pressing all the right buttons, but I wasn't sure if it would be enough.

Mama's eyes got watery. "Of course we care about how you feel."

They did the no talking communication thing once again before Mother sighed. "I accept, then. I know Valcor has their own engagement rituals, but I would appreciate you planning on having your wedding here."

I reached for them both, hugging them tightly. "You have my word."

Mama was fully teary when I pulled away, which I should have expected, but Mother looked faintly pleased. Like I thought, she was probably glad I stopped pursuing the knighthood. I ignored that. When I came back, it would all be different.

We went back to the room. My parents took their place behind the desk, and I stood back with Zarios. "I will allow you to court my daughter," Mother said.

"Thank you," Zarios exhaled, bowing slightly for the first time in the entire trip. His group looked shocked by the action, and so did my Mother.

"On the condition she can return if things don't work out," Mother continued. "And there will be a wedding held here."

"Agreed," he said. "But I plan to make her very happy."

Moons. I had to resist my eye roll. He was really milking it.

"Turning to what we came here to speak about," Mother said, "we would like to continue looking into the issues going on before the next magestone shipment. I know because of the engagement plans that will probably be pushed to the side. Are you in urgent need?"

I squeezed Zarios' hand tightly. Even after an intended union she couldn't be honest? I had to believe she had her reason, but it was baffling to me. And I was slightly upset on his behalf.

Zarios, for his part, didn't show any true reaction. "That would be acceptable. Though we did send payment as negotiated, so no other payment will transfer until we receive the shipment."

"That's fair."

"Do you still plan to leave tomorrow?" Mama asked.

"Yes," I said. "We want to do this as soon as possible."

My mother looked at me one more time, and at my nod, she sighed. "Very well. We will leave you so you can pack."

I nodded and followed Zarios out of the room. The door clicked shut behind us, no one following us out. My hands were shaking, so I held them together behind me.

We took a few steps down the hall before facing each other. Zarios didn't show much emotion, the way he always was. "It worked," I said in disbelief.

"I knew it would," he said casually.

I snorted. Though there was something different about his tone that told me he was also pleased the plan was working. "Whatever. Now what?"

"Now, we prepare for tomorrow and set off early. I want the tour to begin as soon as possible. I'll send word tonight to let everyone know."

I nodded. "See you tomorrow?"

He gave my hand a light squeeze, reminding me we were still holding them. It felt strangely comfortable. "Tomorrow," he confirmed.

Zarios released me, and I turned down the hall towards my rooms, my face ablaze.

About an hour later, there was a knock on my door. When I opened it, Sage stood on the other side. I was surprised, she was normally out at this time. "Can I come in?" she asked.

I held the door open further, letting her pass. "What's up?" I asked.

She looked at my bags. "So you're getting married? I didn't think it would be you." Her laugh was faint.

I sat on the bed. "Me either, but I'm happy."

"Are you?" she asked. "You've never been one to make a quick decision like this."

I crossed my arms. "What do you mean?"

"I guess I'm just wondering…is this for real or another one of your plans?"

"Plans?" I asked.

Her brow quirked. "Since we were children, you've been scheming to get into the knights. I'm sure that's what you're doing now, but I can't figure out how."

She plopped down next to me. "No scheming," I said. "Zarios is kind, and I'd rather him than some other noble I'd be set up with."

Sage scoffed. "You know our mothers wouldn't let that happen."

I shrugged. "You never know, and I just wanted to have this choice." I felt terrible lying to her. Sage and I had always been the rebels, thicker than thieves. Though we did it in very different ways, we were always in on it together. I would help her sneak out to parties and let her back through my window when she returned. She would make excuses to our instructor about why I wasn't in class while I was off training for my practicals. As much as I wanted to tell her, I couldn't risk it. If she told anyone, the whole plan would be ruined. Expecting her to keep a secret that big wasn't fair .

She narrowed her eyes but then shrugged. "Whatever. It would have been nice if you told me earlier, but springing it on me with everyone else was what I deserved, I guess."

I pulled her into a hug. "I'm going to miss you too."

She took a deep breath and hugged me back. "You're coming back, right?" she asked quietly.

"Of course. We already promised to have a wedding here, and when this is all over, you can come to visit me whenever."

She scoffed, pulling away. "You know I hate traveling, but maybe."

Another knock sounded. Sage and I looked at each other, knowing who was there.

I opened the door to find Sybil, still in her dress from the day, her hair neatly tucked behind her head.

"Oh," she said, looking at Sage. "I didn't realize you had company. I can—"

"Come in," I said, pushing open the door.

She looked between us. "I'm sure Sage already grilled you about being certain?"

"More like roasted," I said with a snort.

Sage bumped my shoulder. "I just had to be sure."

Sybil looked at me, all humor gone. "And you are? Sure, that is?"

"Yes," I said without hesitation. Sybil could sniff out a liar anywhere. I needed to be extra careful with her.

"Very well," she said, sitting on the edge of the bed with us. Though she was letting it go, I could tell she still had her doubts. As long as she'd keep it to herself, however, that was fine with me. Her back remained perfectly straight, her ankles crossed. Always so perfect. "It sounds like we should celebrate."

From the satchel on her side, she removed a small packet I recognized anywhere. I snatched it from her hands before she could react. "Are these juneberry candies?" I asked with excitement.

I fished one out and popped it in my mouth. It melted on my tongue, the sweet and sour taste filling my senses. "Where did you get these?" I asked. "They're not in season."

Sybil reached for one of her own before Sage did the same. "Unlike the two of you, I prefer savoring these things. My bag usually lasts until a month before they come back. But I thought since this was a special occasion, they were needed."

I looked at her as if she'd lost her head. "How? They're so good, I suck down a full bag in an hour."

"It's called self-restraint," she said with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes. "Boring," I said as I shoved a few more in my mouth.

"Be nice," she said. "Or else I'll take them back."

She went to reach for them, but my reflexes were faster. I hopped from the bed and moved out of reach.

She gasped. "You little…"

I laughed, running around the room as she chased me. Sybil cornered me, but I sealed the bag and tossed it to Sage before she reached me.

Sage caught it and ran to the other side. It felt like we were children again, Sybil without the weight of the crown looming over her, Sage without her rebellious charm .

Me without an engagement.

I smiled. I wished I could tell them I would be back to stay sooner than she knew, but instead, we spent the time we could together, running around and sharing candy.