Treason Keep

Guard. They waited outside, not permitted to sully the sacred temple with their pagan presence. The only familiar face she saw during her interminable walk down the aisle was Vonulus, standing with the other priests at the front of the temple, dressed in his elaborate ceremonial robes and clutching his precious staff. The priest shook his head faintly as she caught his eye, as if scolding her for her defiance.

She turned her attention back to the altar and the somewhat aghast figure of Prince Cratyn. He wore black, from head to toe, the severity of his outfit relieved only by a thin golden coronet on his head and a gold and silver pendant in the shape of the star and lightning bolt of the Overlord. His expression was as close to anger as she had ever seen it, in her limited acquaintance with him. To the Seven Hells with him, she decided. To the Seven Hells with all of them.

The ceremony was blessedly short, requiring little more from her than her agreement to obey Cratyn in all things and be a good and upstanding Defender of the Faith. Almost before she knew it, she was married. The High Priest, who had spent the entire ceremony trying not to see the considerable amount of bare flesh she was displaying, declared them man and wife and then prostrated himself on the floor of the altar. Carefully instructed by Vonulus, Adrina knew this was coming, and with Cratyn at her side, followed suit. Biting back a gasp as her bare skin touched the icy marble floor of the temple, Adrina momentarily regretted her impulse to wear her own gown. She had forgotten about this part of the ceremony. Every person present was required to prostrate themselves before their god and by the sound of the muffled grunts and groans behind them, some were finding the task easier than others.

They lay prone on the floor of the temple for a full ten minutes, the entire temple hushed, as each member of the congregation examined their conscience and contemplated their service to the Overlord. Adrina spent the time wishing she could get up. That floor was freezing.

Finally, the High Priest climbed awkwardly to his feet, and the congregation followed. Adrina turned to Cratyn and smiled, deciding to be gracious, at least in public. He took her hand uncertainly and led her through the temple to the muted, and rather unenthusiastic applause of the wedding guests.

When they reached the entrance, she was relieved to find Tristan and her Guard, once again in their glorious dress whites, waiting to escort them back to the castle. He smiled at her encouragingly, his men holding back the crowd, as Cratyn handed her up into the open carriage for the ride through the streets.

She sat down and smoothed her skirts before glancing at her new husband. He was not looking at her, but back at the temple where a sobbing Chastity had just emerged into the rare sunlight. Adrina frowned. How did one compete with such an insipid rival?

“You could smile, you know, husband. Getting married is supposed to be a joyous occasion. At least in Fardohnya, it is.”

“We are not in Fardohnya now,” Cratyn pointed out, as they moved off with a jerk. “You would do well to remember that.”

Startled by his icy tone, Adrina retorted without thinking. “You would do well to remember who you married. Chastity will just have to stay that way, I’m afraid.”

Cratyn glared at her, but did not reply. Despite the unusually warm day and the waving crowds, the ride back to Yarnarrow Castle was thoroughly unpleasant.

Had she been married in Fardohnya, the rest of the week would have been spent feasting and dancing to celebrate the occasion of her marriage. In Karien such revelry was considered wasteful and unseemly. On reaching Yarnarrow Castle, Adrina was escorted to the royal apartments to meet the Karien King – not to celebrate her marriage, but to formalise the treaty between Fardohnya and Karien.

Jasnoff proved to be a more rotund version of his son, with the same brown eyes and hair, although his was flecked with grey. He also wore the same shocked expression when he saw what she was wearing. He made no comment about it, however, and simply rose from his small throne and accepted her curtsy as was his due.

“You will sign here,” Jasnoff ordered, as soon as the pleasantries were taken care of. He pointed to a parchment scroll waiting on the small, slanted desk, a tonsured scribe holding out an inked quill expectantly.

“Certainly, your Majesty. What exactly is it that I’m signing?”

“It is a letter to your father,” Cratyn explained behind her. “It informs him that you are married in accordance with Karien law, and that we have kept our side of the bargain. On receipt of this letter, he will send your dowry and begin preparations for the invasion of Medalon.”

“My dowry? Ah, you mean he will sign over sovereignty of the Isle of Slarn, don’t you?”

Adrina took the quill from the scribe. There was something vaguely degrading about being traded for a lump of rock. She signed the letter with a flourish and handed the quill back to the scribe.

Jasnoff nodded with satisfaction and turned to his son. “Your mother and I will look forward to seeing you at dinner. And your wife, of course,” he added as an afterthought.

Cratyn bowed to his father and Adrina dropped into another low curtsy as the King and his scribe strode from the room, leaving them alone. Adrina turned to Cratyn questioningly. Vonulus and Madren had spent a great deal of time instructing her on the Karien wedding ceremony, but had barely mentioned what was supposed to happen afterwards.

“So what now, Cretin?” she asked. She waited for him to blush. This was the first time they had ever been alone, and she had no doubt the poor boy was probably dreading his marital duty. That, or he’d rather be doing it with Chastity.

The slap, when it came, took her completely by surprise. Her head snapped back and his signet cut her cheek, leaving a thin smear of blood on the back of his hand.

Cratyn was not blushing, he was furious.

“Fardohnyan whore!” He slapped her again, this time even harder, and she staggered under the blow. “You will never disgrace me or the Royal House again by such a wanton public display!”

Adrina quickly decided to forgo trading blows with him. Cratyn might be a fool, but he was stronger than she was. Such rare common sense was the last rational thought she had as her own anger exploded.

“You will never lay a hand on me again, you gutless little turd! How dare you hit me!”

“I dare what I please, your Highness,” he told her, his voice a quiet rage. “I am your husband!”

“That remains to be seen! I seriously doubt your manhood is going to be up to the task. Perhaps if I simper and pout and let you call me Chastity, it will be easier for you?”

Cratyn raised his hand to strike her again, but this time she was ready for him. She had her delicate and wickedly sharp Bride’s Blade at his throat, faster than he could credit. With eyes wide, he slowly lowered his arm.

“That’s better,” she said, holding the thin blade to his neck with her outstretched hand. “Husband you may be, Cretin, but if you ever lay a hand on me again, I will slit your miserable throat. Do we understand each other?”

Cratyn nodded slowly and she lowered the knife. He rubbed his neck where she had jabbed him, fingering the small bead of blood that came away on his finger. He stared at her, but his expression was far from apologetic.

“I should not have hit you,” he conceded. “It was unworthy of me. But don’t play me for a fool, Adrina, or think your threats and a table dagger have me cowed.” He moved to the side table and poured himself a generous cup of wine before he turned back to her, his anger replaced with quiet certitude. “Did you really believe that we knew nothing of your reputation? Of your lovers? I have known since we first met what you are. Your sister’s wanton behaviour in Talabar merely played into our hands.”

The admission stunned her. “What are you saying? You actually wanted to marry me?”

“I married Hablet’s eldest legitimate child,” Cratyn corrected coldly. “Any issue of yours will be heir to the Fardohnyan throne.”

“Not if my father has a legitimate son. And I have fifteen bastard half-brothers. Father could legitimise one of them any time he wanted to.”

“If he does, they will die. The Overlord has willed it. Fardohnya will become the Overlord’s through the ascension of a Karien king to the throne.”

“You are out of your mind if you think I will aid you in this!”

“You are my wife, Adrina,” he insisted stubbornly, as if there was nothing further to be discussed on the