Veil of Mist Read online

  I heard the doors of my room spring open, and I turned to find Lurel skipping toward me, smiling wide, and carrying a large box in her arms. “I have the best news, Your Highness!”

  The tears streaming down her cheeks made me question the validity of her statement. I wasn’t sure whether to comfort her or bounce on the balls of my feet. “Oh, and what news is that?”

  “I am to be your chambermaid! I get to accompany you to Ridine!”

  “And you’re happy about that?”

  “Of course I am. I’ve never been outside of Sele.”

  “Then why are you crying?”

  She set the box at her feet and wiped her eyes and cheeks. “I’m just so excited, Your Highness. I thought I would have to say goodbye to you after how fond of you I’ve grown. I wasn’t keen on returning to Mareleau’s service, although I really shouldn’t say that—”

  I laid a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “I understand. I’m happy to hear you’ll be joining me. But won’t you miss your family?”

  “My father will be there. Although I’m sure Mother will remain home—”

  I held up a hand. “Who is your father?”

  “Lord Kevan, of course.”

  “Lord Kevan is your father? Wait…you and Mareleau are cousins?”

  Lurel nodded, frowning. “Probably why she hates me so. Although, I shouldn’t say that either. She has always treated me well. She just prefers when I’m quiet.” Her smile grew wide again. “But you’ve never reprimanded my speech before, have you, Your Highness?”

  I laughed, although beneath it was a slight apprehension. Was Lord Kevan a man to be trusted? If he was anything like Verdian, I doubted he had strictly pure motives.

  Lurel gasped, bringing my attention back to her. “What am I doing talking about myself? I brought you something.” She bent over the box and removed the lid. “The seamstresses finished some of your garments.”

  She pulled the first item out of the box: a cloak of deep-blue wool with rich, brown leather running along the front seams and bottom hem. “It’s your new riding cloak. Do you love it?”

  I took it from her and draped it over my shoulders, securing the silver clasp. With a gasp of surprise, I realized the clasp was in the shape of a mountain—Kero’s sigil. It had been years since I’d seen the symbol of my kingdom. “Yes, it’s perfect.”

  Lurel went to the wardrobe. “Can we throw this one out then?”

  I took the tattered cloak from her hands. As sentimental as it made me feel, there was no sense in keeping it. “I suppose.” I folded it in my arms and began to hand it to Lurel when I felt something hard beneath my palm. “Wait.” I reached into the cloak for the source. When I pulled it free, a large, purple crystal was in my hand.

  “What is that?” Lurel’s eyes grew wide.

  I froze, and the old cloak slipped to the floor. “Oh, it’s nothing.” I stooped to retrieve the cloak, and in the same move, shoved the crystal into an inner pocket of my new garment. How could I have forgotten Morkai’s crystal all this time?

  Lurel titled her head, looking for what I’d held in my hands a moment before.

  “Here. Do what you will with it.” I pushed the cloak into her arms. “What else is in the box?” I was less curious and more hoping to distract her from asking about the crystal.

  The diversion worked. She dove back into the box and withdrew a gown of royal blue silk. “This is amazing. You have to wear it for dinner.”

  “Tonight?” I looked out the window at the sun beginning its descent toward the Verlot Mountains. Dinner would begin before the next bell. I looked back at the gown. “It’s too elegant for a simple dinner.”

  Lurel blushed and giggled behind her hands. “I think Prince Teryn would like it.”

  I felt heat flush my cheeks. “I take it you heard about our engagement.”

  She nodded. “I also heard he’ll be leaving tomorrow. You might as well put this dress to good use. Besides, do you really want to keep wearing Mareleau’s hand-me-downs?”

  I couldn’t help but smile at Lurel’s innocent sass. I looked from the silk gown to the modest taffeta dress I was wearing. “You’re right. I’ll wear it.”

  * * *

  I stood before the mirror, and this time I could call myself anything but modest. The silk fabric shone like a deep-blue sapphire, the neckline plunged, and the tight bodice of blue and gold brocade forced my bosom into two visible mounds. The sleeves opened at the elbow and trailed halfway to the hem of my skirt. The skirt itself bloomed away from my hips, sweeping down to my feet like a shimmering waterfall. My hair had been pulled up and away from my face, secured with pins and pearls. Brown, curling tendrils framed my face and spilled to the nape of my neck. I’d thought I’d looked ravishing the first time I’d been dressed at Verlot, but now I knew what a dress made specially for me looked like.

  I felt my chest tighten and stepped away from the mirror. “I can’t wear this. It’s too much. I should be going to a ball or something, not dinner.”

  “Princess, you must wear it. You look amazing! All eyes will be on you.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of. I don’t need anyone looking at me.” I sat at the vanity and raised a hand toward my hair to remove the pins.

  Lurel stopped me before I could succeed. “Your Highness, please don’t make me tell you. I’m already terrible at keeping secrets.”

  “Tell me what? Lurel, if there’s something—”

  I was interrupted by a knock and turned as the doors opened to reveal Mareleau.

  Lurel sighed. “Just in time.”

  I looked from one girl to the other. “What’s going on?”

  Mareleau strolled into the room, hands on her hips. She was dressed in a lavish gown of shimmering gold damask with an overflowing bosom that put mine to shame. I no longer felt overdressed. “Your presence has been requested,” she said with an air of indifference as she approached me. The way she swayed her hips when she walked reminded me of Luna and Ciela, and I was struck with a sudden aching for the Forest People.

  “Who requests my presence?”

  Lurel rolled her eyes. “She’s very difficult to surprise. I nearly had to tell her.”

  Mareleau popped her hip to the side. “Just play along, all right?”

  I raised an eyebrow but stood from my chair.

  “One more thing.” Lurel scurried to the box and pulled out the remaining item. It was a lightweight cloak in a cream color with gold stitching lining the hems. She draped it over my shoulders. “You might need this.”

  “Why?” Before Lurel could answer, Mareleau linked her arm through mine and pulled me from the room.

  As we walked arm-in-arm down the halls of Verlot, taking leisurely steps, my heart began to quicken. Who was she taking me to? My stomach churned, imagining me in my gown in front of King Verdian.

  The silence grew heavy between us. I was beginning to think we’d walk the whole way without saying a word, until Mareleau finally spoke. “I never properly introduced myself,” she said in a disinterested tone, staring straight ahead. “I’m Princess Mareleau of Sele, daughter of King Verdian and Queen Helena.”

  No kidding. I imitated her formal introduction. “I’m Princess Coralaine of Kero, daughter of King Jeru and Queen Tiliane.”

  “Yes, the woman who almost married my husband.”

  I turned toward her and scowled. “I wouldn’t say I even came close to marrying your husband. However, you very nearly married my betrothed.”

  Mareleau smirked but didn’t meet my eye. “I hope you aren’t too disappointed. We can’t all get our first choice.”

  I stopped and pulled away, putting my hands on my hips as I looked up at her. “Larylis wasn’t my first choice, Teryn was. I was only considering my duty to my kingdom.”

  Mareleau walked on, forcing me to trail in her wake. “Good. That’s what I needed to hear.”

  My mouth fell open. “You could have asked. We aren’t enemies, you know. It’s clear we’re bot
h pawns in this. We should be able to be honest with each other.”

  Mareleau shrugged but gave no response.

  “Look, I didn’t ask you to accompany me to Ridine, but it looks like neither of us can get out of it. Can we at least be friendly toward each other?”

  “I didn’t ask for a friend.”

  I stared, dumbfounded. “Have it your way, Your Highness.”

  “We’re here.” Mareleau tossed her hair over her shoulder as we came to a stop before a door opening to the palace gardens. “Walk straight. You’ll find him.”

  “Find who?”

  Mareleau ignored me and turned in the other direction. I frowned after her, and then looked down the garden path.

  I walked through the door and planted my feet on a flat circle of white marble. The stepping stones lined the way before me, weaving through rose bushes, shrubs, statues, and fountains. The marble stones branched off the main path to other directions in the garden. I followed the path straight, as Mareleau had directed. It turned slightly left and then opened into a circular courtyard with a shimmering marble floor surrounded by glowing lanterns. At the center of the courtyard was a raised pond.

  At the edge of the pond sat Teryn.

  5

  Farewell

  Teryn

  I stood from my seat on the ledge of the pond but found myself unable to move any further. Cora stepped into the courtyard, and the sight of her took my breath away. I’d never seen her look more elegant. “You…look incredible,” I managed to say.

  Her rouge-painted lips stretched into a wide grin. She walked toward me, stopping a few steps away and turned in a circle. “Better than tangled hair and hunting pants?” The hem of her cloak and gown twirled around her.

  When she was again facing me, I took her hand and pulled her a step closer. “I liked you even with tangled hair and hunting pants.”

  Cora laughed. “I find that hard to believe.”

  “It’s true. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was fascinated by you from the first time I saw you, tangles, pants, and all.” I smirked and acted out a sentimental sigh. “Even at knife point, I knew you were beautiful.”

  Cora rolled her eyes.

  My face straightened into a more serious expression as I put my hand on her cheek. “Truly, though. I liked you from the first night we talked. I was drawn to your passion and your bravery. You are the strongest woman I have ever met, and beautiful in all your forms.”

  Cora swallowed hard, her cheeks flushing pink. Our eyes locked, and it felt like every inch of space between us was too much. My heart raced as I considered moving in for our third kiss. Why did each one feel like such a momentous feat to execute?

  Sudden movement startled me. The two of us pulled away and turned toward the courtyard’s entry as several hall servants filed in. Two brought in a modest table, two more brought chairs, and the remaining held covered plates.

  “What’s this?” Cora asked.

  “Did you think I brought you here for a stroll?”

  Her eyes went wide as our dinner table was set up in front of the pond and piled high with plates of food, candles, and two goblets of wine.

  Once our dinner was set, the hall servants directed us into our chairs, then stepped to the perimeter of the courtyard.

  Cora looked over the expanse of the table, then lifted her eyes to meet mine. “This is beyond anything I’ve ever experienced.”

  “That’s a good thing, I hope.”

  “It is. I’ve just…I’ve never had a…”

  I cocked my head to the side and watched her cheeks turn pink. “A what?”

  “A courtship. I was very much at home with the Forest People, but I only had one other person besides Salinda that I was truly close to: Maiya. She was like a sister to me. She was the only person I opened up to, yet I never let her know my secrets. I loved my people, but I kept them at a distance to protect myself. Before I was with them, I was a child. I’ve never had the opportunity to experience anything like this.”

  “So, you are impressed.”

  She laughed. “What I’m trying to say is, thank you. This means a lot to me.”

  “This means a lot to me too. I nearly lost my head when Verdian said I’d be leaving tomorrow. Nothing can change how soon we must part, but we can at least make the most of the time we have.” My voice sounded calm and collected, but inside, the words made my chest feel tight. I still couldn’t believe I’d be leaving her.

  Cora lowered her eyes under my gaze, making me wonder how long I’d been staring.

  I broke the tension. “I have another surprise for you.”

  “Another?”

  “You’ll be riding Hara tomorrow.”

  Her mouth fell open. “Hara? She’s…here?”

  I nodded. “Hara, your bow, saddlebags, quiver, arrows. I hadn’t the chance to tell you before, but I made sure we brought her back with us from Centerpointe Rock.”

  Her eyes brimmed with tears. “Teryn, how do you keep doing this?”

  “Doing what?”

  A corner of her mouth lifted. “Impressing me.”

  “Just wait until you try the food. I can’t take credit for making it, but I figured it was something you needed to try before you left.”

  She looked at the plates before her. “I can already tell this is a far cry from what they served me in the dungeons.”

  “Trust me, it’s a far cry from anything you’ll ever taste again.”

  * * *

  Cora

  Once we’d finished eating, the hall servants took our plates, cleared our table from the courtyard, and we were again left alone. The sun blushed behind the Verlot Mountains in a darkening sky.

  Teryn picked up a lantern and extended his free hand to me. “Shall we?”

  I placed my hand in his, feeling the warmth of his fingers entwined with mine as we left the courtyard. At first, I thought he was leading us back toward the palace, but after a few twists and turns down the garden path, it was clear we were heading deeper into the maze of greenery. Good. I’m not ready for goodbye.

  With the summer sun no longer high in the sky, I was grateful Lurel had made me wear my new cloak. It was much lighter than my riding cloak would have been, but perfect for an evening stroll.

  We walked along the path in silence, rarely meeting anyone else. I struggled to find something to say, but no word seemed more satisfying than our quiet closeness.

  After many twists and turns, our path opened to another courtyard. This one was much smaller than the first, but with the same circular, marble floor. It was lined with miniature, ivory statues in the likeness of forest critters. An immense white statue stood at center, towering over the courtyard. I raised my eyes. Teryn lifted the lantern, illuminating a unicorn with a golden horn, rearing on its hind legs.

  “There it is,” Teryn said. “I knew we’d find it.”

  I was stunned by the beauty of the statue.

  “It reminds you of Valorre, doesn’t it?”

  I nodded, eyes unable to pull away.

  “You must miss him a lot.”

  “Every day.”

  “Do you know where he is?”

  I looked toward the silhouette of mountains surrounding the palace. “Close. He’s somewhere at the bottom of the Verlot Mountains.”

  “You’ll see him soon, won’t you?”

  I smiled. “He says he’ll follow me wherever I go. I can feel his nearness every day. He’s waiting for me. But sometimes, I wonder if he’d be better off…” I lowered my head, unable to finish my sentence.

  Teryn set the lantern at our feet and folded me into his arms.

  I pressed my forehead into his chest and bit back tears. “I’m still not sure I made the right choice. Coming here, reclaiming my throne. Leaving the Forest People behind without a word. Leaving Valorre.”

  Teryn tensed but continued to hold me close, and I realized my words had brought him pain. I’d said I wasn’t sure I’d made the right choices; he wa
s one of those choices. I could almost hear his thoughts as if he’d spoken them out loud: Are you uncertain about me too?

  I lifted my eyes and met his beneath a furrowed brow. “I don’t doubt being with you, Teryn. You know that, right? You’ve been the biggest, most surprising blessing in my life since Valorre.”

  His expression softened. “And you’ve been the same for me. I’m going to find a way to come back to you as soon as I can. You know that, right?”

  “I look forward to it already.” Our eyes locked. Aside from our quickening breaths, we were frozen. I wanted nothing more than to shatter the stillness by bridging the gap between us. Finally, I reached my hands toward his waist. Before I could press him closer to me, his lips were on mine. The sweetness of our first kisses was eclipsed by the fierceness in this one. His fingers ran thought my hair, sending pearls and clips clattering to the floor. My hands pressed into his lower back.

  We stayed like that until I knew the experience would be etched into my memory forever, until the words goodbye seemed stripped of meaning.

  6

  Coronation

  Mareleau

  I dropped to my knees before the altar in the Godskeep at Dermaine Palace and lowered my head. The hem of my white dress spread out before me in elegant, ivory folds. My hair draped over my shoulders and down my arms, grazing my hands folded in my lap.

  Unlike my unceremonious wedding, a Godspriest conducted this ceremony, and Dermaine’s court was welcome to witness our vows.

  The old Godspriest placed his wrinkled hand over the top of my head. “May the Gods who watch over Lela cast favor upon Mareleau, daughter of King Verdian and Queen Helena, so she may rule Mena as queen through peace. May our land grow fertile, and may our people grow fruitful.” He placed a finger under my chin and allowed me to meet his eyes. “Do you swear your obedience, your servitude, and your fidelity to the kingdom of Mena and the land of Lela? To serve and protect her people?”