18. Haldric

eighteen

Haldric

Haldric had no idea what had come over him when they'd run into Benjin. Seeing the apprentice like that must've just caught him by surprise, leaving him feeling even more out of sorts than he already did.

Thankfully, Katalin didn't call him on his poor behavior. Despite his lingering broodiness, the rest of the afternoon passed pleasantly enough. Katalin made for great company so long as he didn't dwell too much on the real reason for his visit.

The gardens were spectacular. Knowing they were only possible through magic erased none of their charm or beauty. The interior of the Galax estate proved equally impressive, if for different reasons. Though nowhere near as garish as the bright colors and decorations favored by the Sanjarkan merchants, the marble and gold still put the more austere trappings of the palace in Revesole to shame.

Seeing the sort of wealth even a minor noble house in Khordan possessed only served to highlight the importance of his mission here. Such an ally could prove vital over the coming years, halting and perhaps even reversing his kingdom's gradual decline.

And the sole cost was his heart. Was that too great a price to pay for Ilthabard's future?

Yet, as the day wore on into evening and Katalin left to go freshen up for dinner, it was Benjin who plagued his thoughts. He'd struggled to get the accursed apprentice out of his head all afternoon. Seeing Benjin and Katalin together had made him feel almost…possessive.

Which didn't make any Goddess-spurned sense! Benjin was no threat when it came to the princess. His father had already made the arrangements for their union. This visit was more a formality than anything else.

So…what had Haldric's heart so tied up in knots? And why had he simultaneously wanted Benjin to stay and to leave?

You know why.

His chest tightened as he buttoned up the fine crimson coat he'd brought specifically for this occasion. Whatever fondness he might or might not be developing for Benjin was irrelevant. All that mattered was securing this alliance for the future of his people.

Though small compared to the banquet hall in Ilthabard's palace, the Galax's dining room more than made up for it with its stunning array of decorations. Beautiful tapestries depicting heroic scenes of good triumphing over evil covered the walls, and glittering crystals gleamed from the hanging chandeliers above.

Haldric stopped to gawk at one, its multihued facets carved into the shape of a soaring eagle. Blue and gold lights shimmered across each crystal's surface in fluctuating waves, lending it the illusion of rippling feathers streaming in flight.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Katalin said, stepping up beside him with a grin. She watched the eagle carving with open wonder. "It's made from song crystals harvested in the Korvanthan Mountains to the far north. It cost Mother a fortune to acquire it at auction, but she insisted." Katalin rolled her eyes. "According to her, every self-respecting noble house in the Empire must possess at least one piece of song crystal as a matter of pride."

"Is it enchanted?" Haldric asked, studying the eagle with keen interest. He didn't sense any magic, but that didn't mean it wasn't there.

"After a fashion. My understanding is that the crystals grow naturally. Artisans use sound to configure a unique pattern, then carve them once the pattern is set."

"Well, it certainly is exquisite." Blinking, he tore his gaze away from the piece to glance over at Katalin. She'd exchanged her comfier sun dress for a flowing gown and styled her golden hair into a woven braid. "As are you," he added.

With a tinkling laugh, she offered her arm, waiting for him to clasp it before she continued toward their table. "I assure you, Prince Haldric, such flattery isn't necessary. I have already committed myself to this arrangement."

Despite her words, he could tell by the faint blush coloring her tanned cheeks that she appreciated the compliment. She really was quite beautiful, not to mention smart and witty—an extraordinary woman who would undoubtedly make a fantastic queen.

Then, why does the thought of wedding her fill me with nothing but despair?

He was still mulling the question over when he took his seat beside Katalin. She quickly distracted him with a tale of when she'd accidentally knocked over the local priest's cairn of water as a girl.

"I thought myself so clever for replacing it with water from the well before he noticed," Katalin said with a rueful smile, shaking her head. "Except, it turns out that water had been blessed with dawnflame. When the priest discovered what I'd done after a botched ritual, he was furious. Mother forced me to help him with his daily duties for a month to ‘imbue a proper respect for the Dawn Virtues into me.'"

Haldric chuckled even as he kept an eye peeled on the doorway to the hall. From their earlier discussions, he'd learned Katalin wasn't a particularly devout follower of the Church of Light, which had been a relief. While he had no issue with Khordanite faith in the Dawn Virtues, he'd worried about potential conflict between the Church of Light's stricter practices and his people's more general worship of the Goddess Allaria.

It wasn't until Haldric glimpsed Benjin, dressed in his own finest robes with his curls at least partially tamed, that he finally relaxed in his seat, his mood settling. He attempted to catch Benjin's eye as a servant guided the apprentice to his seat at another table near Marshal Fendrel and those two Order knights, but Benjin either didn't notice or ignored him.

Haldric clenched his jaw and forced his attention back to Katalin and the others seated with him at the head table. Let Benjin act however he pleased. Haldric would not let a pointless distraction disrupt his father's carefully laid plans.

His earlier impressions of Lord and Lady Galax proved apt. Lord Galax was kind enough, if a touch boisterous, especially as the night wore on and he got some drink in him. Lady Galax, however, made him nervous with her too-shrewd eyes. He made a point to agree with her comments on trade and promised to convey her notions to King Roland upon his return to Revesole.

An hour into the meal, Katalin leaned in, her cheeks reddening slightly as she licked her lips. "Perhaps you'd like to get out of here and find somewhere more private? Where we could discuss our…arrangement."

If her nervous words hadn't made her intentions clear enough, the hand she rested on his knee certainly did. She was so close that he could smell her flowery perfume and feel her fluttering breath on his neck.

An unpleasant shiver coursed down his back. "That…um…"

Swallowing nervously, he let his gaze wander the chamber. As his sight settled on Benjin as if drawn to him, he found the apprentice already staring right at him, his posture tensed and his face a scowl. Abruptly, Benjin rose, muttering something to his table before departing the chamber without a backward glance.

Haldric's gut roiled as he fought the urge to chase after him and apologize…though for what, precisely, he wasn't sure.

Beside him, Katalin delicately cleared her throat. "Unless you'd rather stay here a while longer." He glanced back to find her smiling at him. She dropped her hand from his knee and raised an eyebrow. "Though if so, I warn you that it's your turn to regale me with embarrassing tales from your youth."

Haldric's hesitation firmed to resolve. He stood, offering her his hand. "Privacy sounds perfect, my lady."

She bit her lip, studying his hand. "Are you sure? I don't want to take you away from the banquet if you'd prefer to stay."

Glancing at the empty spot Benjin had vacated, he forced a smile. "There's nowhere else I'd rather be right now than at your side."

Technically true, even if it was duty to Ilthabard that compelled him.

Katalin grabbed his hand with a small smile and allowed him to lead her away. Haldric caught Lady Galax watching their departure with a satisfied look as she sipped her goblet of wine.

A faint blush colored his cheeks. Clearly, Lady Galax had her own ideas about what would happen next. And she approved.

Haldric struggled to tamp down his growing nerves as he followed Katalin to an unfamiliar part of the estate that he assumed housed the family's private chambers. Sure enough, Katalin stopped before a door with a rose carved into it and led him inside.

The sitting room within was more austere than he'd expected, the shelves and chairs chosen for comfort rather than appearance. He grinned when he spied a shelf containing clay figures of dragons, hippogriffs, and other magical creatures. It fit the adventurous, inquisitive spirit he'd seen her display today.

He settled onto a two-person seat beside Katalin. Her hip pressed against his, and his smile faded, the fluttering nerves in his gut multiplying.

Desperately searching the room for anything to focus on other than the beautiful woman beside him, his gaze settled on a decanter of golden liquid on a nearby table.

Katalin reached for him, resting a hand on his arm, and he jerked to his feet, striding over to the table. His heart pounded as he picked up the decanter.

"Perhaps a toast," he said with forced cheer. "To…to celebrate our fledging union."

He unstopped the container and grabbed a glass from beside it. The amber liquid smelled sweet, of honey and other herbs. A hand rested on his back, and he jumped, sloshing a bit of it. He spun to find Katalin standing there.

"Perhaps I was too brazen to suggest we come here," she said gently. "We don't have to do anything tonight you're not comfortable with."

His grip on the decanter tightened. "I assure you, Lady Katalin, I am committed to this alliance."

A slight furrow marred her brow. "As am I. But we've only just met. No matter what Mother intends, we decide the pace of our engagement, not her, your father, or anyone else." She gestured at the bottle in his hands, her grin resurfacing. "So, why don't you set that golden clove tea down and relax?"

His face flushed as he looked down at the bottle. That explained the smell. So much for alcohol to numb his senses—not that that had been a particularly good plan to begin with.

Sighing, he returned the bottle to the table. "Apologies, my lady. I did not mean to ruin your night."

"You have nothing to be sorry for." She gripped his hand. "Today is only our first meeting. No doubt we'll have plenty more over the coming months as proper arrangements are made." She raised an eyebrow, her blue eyes twinkling. "After all, I've heard royal weddings are no small affair."

He managed a weak chuckle. "Indeed, they are not. Still, you deserve better than a hesitant groom. Hey!"

He stared at her in shock as she withdrew the hand she'd just yanked from his grip and used to swat him. Her eyes narrowed on him playfully.

"Why don't you let me be the judge of what I deserve? Trust me, I have no illusions about why either of us are doing this. Your family desires funds and a closer connection with Khordan while my family yearns for increased legitimacy to bolster our standing among the other noble houses. Neither love nor romance need factor into it…at least, not yet. We'll have plenty of time for that over the coming years. After all, we'll have a lifetime to learn to like one another."

Her coy grin made it clear she'd intended that last part as a joke. Nevertheless, the notion stole Haldric's breath.

A lifetime…

The crown had seemed a heavy burden ever since he was named heir, but suddenly, it felt like a prison sentence, stretching out infinitely ahead of him.

Sketching a hasty bow, he pressed a chaste kiss to the back of her hand. "Excuse me, my lady, but I think it best I retire to my own chambers."

Her smile faltered a fraction even as she nodded. "Of course. It's been a pleasure spending today with you, Haldric. I'll see you tomorrow ere you depart."

Jerking a nod, he strode to the door with the most dignity he could muster and, with one final muttered apology, fled into the night.