I hear my door creak open. I lean around the wall and peer into my bedroom. Dain’s smile catches my eye and I scramble to my feet. “Dain,” I cry, running towards him.
His smile broadens, his eyes glittering. “Verity, darling, what’s the matter?”
“The book,” I stammer. “I can’t read it any longer.”
“Is that so?” He murmurs. He steps back, out of arms reach just as the door opens again.
My brows furrow as I take in the strange woman who slipped into my room. Her blonde hair is almost white, her skin an alabaster shade. Her pale blue eyes are cold despite the smile pulling at her lips. “Who are you?” I ask warily. My gaze darts towards Dain as my heart pounds. “Dain?”
The woman strides towards me, her petite frame swaying. I stumble backwards as she closes the distance between us. The last thing I see are her eyes, pale blue.
Chapter 17
Altair
Flying cleared my head from my meeting with Verity. It seems every time I leave her, I’m left angry, confused at best. I take a seat in my council room, ready to continue with our business for the day. After Verity left, I postponed the meeting further to give myself some time to breathe. It shouldn’t be this way. It shouldn’t be such a struggle to be with the woman I love.
I drum my fingers on the heavy table. Love. I haven’t told her how I feel, and if she pulls away further, I doubt there would even be a point. Someday my feelings will fade if there’s nothing there to feed them. I’m pulled from my thoughts by Thal, who clears his throat pointedly.
“Altair?” He cocks a brow. “Are you ready?”
I sigh and straighten in my chair. “My apologies, my mind is preoccupied. Verity has made a decision on a wedding date.” The councilors murmur happily at the news. I wait for them to fall silent. “She wants to be wed six days from now.”
The councilors’ eyes widen with surprise as they sit in shock. “That’s impossible, we need more time to ensure our allies and trade partners can arrive comfortably,” one of them blusters. “We must ask the Curse-Breaker to reconsider.”
“Impossible,” I say. “I’ve already tried. On this, she won’t be swayed.”
“Then we need to spread the news immediately,” Thal says.
I nod. “I will go myself; I can cover the distances in a day.”
The councilors mutter at my announcement, pursing their lips. They aren’t pleased that I’ve kept the ability to change into my beastly form. They find any reminder of Maaz’s power over us unpleasant. But if I have the power, I say why not use it.
Thal leans forward, clasping his hands together. “I’ll go, I can be your emissary to at least a few of the kingdoms. Send out your fastest ships and ambassadors to the rest.”
“You? Taking on a responsibility?” I cock a brow teasingly and grin.
He shrugs, chuckling. “What can I say? You’ve inspired me.”
I press my lips together, considering his proposal. “You would likely only make it to Canes and Mensa, perhaps Stellium.”
Canes and Mensa are important trade partners, our politics are different, but they are peaceful neighbors. It’s vital that their ruling family can enjoy the wedding. Stellium is our greatest ally and has been since my father’s rule. An island kingdom, they’re lands are filled with sands and tropical trees. They rely on trade and a fair relationship with us for the rest of their goods. In return, we get exotic spices and a powerful naval ally. Stellium’s ruler, Queen Haru, must be at the wedding.
“I will make it to all three,” Thal assures me. “Lend me the Wind-Singer.”
I bark out a laugh. The Wind-Singer was my father’s personal sailing vessel. It hasn’t seen the open ocean since his death, though I’ve kept it in good condition. “You want my father’s ship?” I chuckle.
Thal looks at me seriously, and I know he isn’t joking. “It’s the fastest ship in Alnembra.”
I purse my lips thoughtfully. “If you wreck it, if there’s even a small scratch on the hull, I’ll cut off your most prized possession, Thal.”
“I spent almost a century at sea.” Thal grins. “I’ll be gentle.”
I shake my head, a smile pulling at my lips. “Go now.” I wave my hand to the door. “Bring a scribe with you, have them draw up invitations on the journey.”
“As you will,” Thal says, rising. He flashes me a grin from the door and bows his head sharply.
I trust Thal more than any of my councilors combined. My cousin was spoiled rotten for most of his childhood and adolescence. In the end, as the youngest of his brothers, he had no claim to a position of leadership. So, he carried on his carefree ways and eventually no one expected anything of him at all. But I’ve always known how loyal he can be to someone he thinks deserves it. I trust him to get my allies here in time for my wedding.
“This meeting is adjourned,” I say to my councilors. “I need to meet with the scribes and ambassadors.”
Without waiting for my councilors to disband, I stride from the room. I climb the staircases to the south tower where the scribes do their work near the messenger doves. I take the stairs two at a time, my heart pounding with excitement. Finally, Verity and I will be wed. Finally, the curse will be permanently removed. The marriage might even save Verity from herself and the Bloodbane clutches.
I push open the warped wooden door at the top of the stairs and step into a brightly lit room. It’s scantily decorated, every surface covered in books, papers, quills, and ink. A lone scribe sits in the middle of the room, the scratching of his quill on paper filling the silence. I approach. He doesn’t look up. A smile tugs at my lips as I
