“I did not want to burden you with this, Father,” I told him as he took a step back. “You already have so much to deal with.”
“You are my daughter. What could possibly be more important than my own children?” he asked. “I realize that asking you to marry a man you do not love, and leave your homeland, seems cruel, but I did not realize the man was a monster. Do you believe me to be of so poor character that I would approve such an arrangement?”
“Of course not,” I answered quickly. “But what other choice do I have? I know the nature of our kingdom’s finances. I know defending against the Viking raids have depleted our resources. I understand we do not have the manpower to repel another attack from outside invaders. We need Cathal’s protection, and we most certainly could not withstand his wrath. I have to marry him,” I declared with a conviction I didn’t feel. I had to make my father see reason.
He shook his head. “No. We will find another way. I will not give you over to a butcher like a lamb to be slaughtered. I would never forgive myself, and I’m quite sure your mother would kill me.”
I glanced around him to her. She stood, stoically quiet, but her eyes were filled with unshed tears. She looked strong and fragile all at the same time. It hurt me to see my kind mother in such a state, but I could not change the past. My father was correct, however. If he let me marry Cathal, she would kill him, or worse, leave him, which would cause him great shame.
“You can’t,” I pleaded. “His men are already inside our castle. He could attack us, kill our friends and their families. I couldn’t let that happen, Father.”
“Perhaps we wait to make a move,” offered my mother. “At least until the morning of the wedding. Then his men will be packed, their weapons and equipment loaded on the ships.”
“She cannot spend any more time with him,” my father growled.
I huffed. “It’s only two weeks. I can manage.”
“And what if he takes things further the next time he manages to get you alone? What if he attempts to rape you or succeeds at it? I cannot put you in that kind of danger.”
“I will be extra vigilant to keep from being alone with him. I will keep my own guards with me always, and I will wear the thigh sheath and dagger that Thomas gave me for my birthday two years ago. I will be fine, Father.” I attempted to reassure him but I could tell from his narrowed eyes that he wasn’t buying it.
“I don’t like it,” he snapped.
My mother stepped closer to him and placed her hand on his shoulders. I could see him visibly relax. “I don’t like it, either. However, I trust our daughter. And she is right. We need the element of surprise, making our move when he is least expecting it. Her strategy is a sound one, and you know it.”
“The gods were cruel for not granting me one son so that I would not be outnumbered by females,” he grumbled.
I couldn’t help but laugh. I stood up and wrapped my arms around my father and king. He bore the weight of an entire kingdom on his shoulders, and yet he maintained the humility of a man who did not wield such power. Yes, I had been angry at him for setting up an arranged marriage. But I had always known it would happen one day. And I knew it wasn’t because he was seeking more power; it was because he knew we needed protection. My father was not a selfish man, but like any king, he often found himself faced with difficult circumstances—situations when none of his options were good. This was one such situation. And it broke my heart to see him blaming himself.
“This isn’t your fault, Father. You could not have known that Cathal was a beast. Please do not take on the responsibility of his actions.”
“You are not a parent, dear one,” he said as his hand ran down the back of my head and hair. “One day you will be, and you will understand that any time your child is caused pain, you cannot help but feel as though you could have done something to prevent it. I would never wish such a fate on any of you, and yet it has happened. I beg your forgiveness, Allete.”
To my utter shock, my father, the king, knelt before me and bowed his head. My heart broke, and for a moment I was speechless.
“There is no need for forgiveness, Your Highness,” I said formally. “You have not wronged me. But if it will make you feel better, I will forgive you, though I feel no ill will toward you, and I never will.”
After several silent moments, he stood and leaned forward, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Promise me you will not be alone with him,” he demanded, though not cruelly.
“I promise I will do my best to keep that from happening.”
He stared at me for at least a minute before finally nodding. “That will have to be enough, I suppose.”
He turned to Dayna and bowed his head. “Thank you for being brave, Dayna. Your courage and loyalty to your family will not be forgotten.”
She smiled at him. “I wanted to be sure you knew ahead of time that there was a strong possibility someone would call for my head. If he touches her again, I will do everything in my power to slit his throat.”
My mother shook her head and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Dear child,” she mumbled.
“Please attempt to refrain from committing murder. At least until after you have spoken with me first,” Father said.
“I make no promises, but I will try to control my urges.”
“Then we are surely doomed,” I teased. “Controlling your urges isn’t exactly your strong suit.”
“We all have minor flaws, sister mine,” she cooed. “Some more tragic than others.”
“We will leave you to rest,” our mother said as she grabbed Father’s hand. “We love you both.”
Dayna and I spoke at the same time as we repeated the sentiment. When they were finally gone, and it was only Dayna, Lidia, and myself, I let out a slow breath. “I cannot believe you went to them.”
“Somebody had to. What he did could not go unpunished or ignored. He assaulted you, a princess, and his future wife. I was not about to let that go, Allete.”
I was grateful for my sister, but I worried for her. She was as in as much danger from his wrath as I was now that she’d threatened him. Dayna would not keep quiet if he confronted her again. Though I did not think myself any less brave than her, I did know that she was much more impulsive than me, and I was better at thinking things through. Dayna would simply act. Despite what her actions might provoke, she would simply lash out and consider the consequences later.
“You need to avoid being alone with him, too,” I told her. “He will consider your confrontation as a direct insult to him. Even though he cannot kill you, he will do what he can to punish you.”
“I am not afraid of him,” she said. “He is nothing but a coward.”
“Even cowards can be dangerous. Please be smart about your actions, Dayna.”
“I will try to think before acting. I need to tell you one more thing,” she said.
I held in the groan, knowing by the hesitation in her voice that I was not going to like what she had to say.
“I might have mentioned to Thomas what happened with Cathal.”
“You what!” I nearly shouted.