“It’s Caylyn. I’ve been waiting for her.” I was startled that they knew each other—and obviously well. Leticia never traveled to Orkney with Arik and me. “We had a lovely time picking out our dresses for this evening.”
I had no time to say anything. Someone at the doorway caused a commotion. When the crowd cleared and gave us a view, Maximillian—the Grand Master—and his wife, Ellyn, entered with their daughter, Rebeka.
“They arrived while you were napping,” Leticia whispered. “Mother’s been excited for months getting the lake cottage ready for them. She told me some of the old stories of how they were close friends. Isn’t it wonderful that they’ve decided to live here?”
Fendrel and Dimia’s relationship with the Grand Master and his family were well known. The Grand Master’s scrutiny was unnerving during training, but now I had graduated. I was not certain I wanted him watching my every move. I preferred my privacy.
We made our way to Fendrel, Dimia, Arik, and Logan as the Grand Master and his family approached.
“Are you all unpacked and settled?” Dimia asked Ellyn, the excitement obvious on her face.
“Yes, but only because you sent an army of people to help us,” Ellyn said. I was taken aback when I realized the icy sorceress was as enthusiastic as Dimia. It was a side of her I had never seen or suspected.
“If you need anything all you have to do is ask.” Fendrel spoke out. He was full of pride. It was a coup to have the Grand Master in residence.
Somewhere, a house boy pounded a staff on the floor. The room went quiet. Fendrel took to the dais. “Welcome. Tonight we celebrate…the winter solstice.” The room erupted in shouts of approval. “The coming year,” Fendrel roared above the quieting noise, which sent the room into more shouts. “The safe return of my boys.” He motioned to Arik and me. I dropped Leticia’s arm. Arik and I took our places on either side of Fendrel. He gathered up our hands and lifted them to another wave of shouts. “I have something for each of you that will please you,” he said to us quickly, then stepped forward.
“Our portions?” I asked Arik.
He bent his head to me and whispered, “No. Now quiet. There is more. He’s planned to draw this out as long as he can.” I was adrift not knowing what to expect but there was no help for that now.
When the room quieted Fendrel added, “And a betrothal.” Silence was followed by loud whispers.
“Has he asked to marry her?” the woman standing in front of us questioned her friends. They all seemed to be clucking like mother hens. Did Fendrel guess my plan? I glanced at Leticia who once again stood next to Radulf, and my stomach went into turmoil.
“Tonight, my son Arik will fulfill his destiny. You will join me in witnessing the betrothal of Arik and Rebeka, daughter of Maximillian and Ellyn.” Once again the room was abuzz.
“Did you know?” I asked Arik.
“I did. Father, Maximillian, and I spoke about the betrothal this morning. I tried to wake you but you chose to sleep. So you’ll have to wait to find out the rest.” Arik appeared almost as tickled as Fendrel with the mystery.
“Perhaps we will have a double betrothal,” I muttered to Arik.
“That’s very possible, indeed.” Arik’s words startled me. I hadn’t spoken to anyone about my plan. I had to thank the Great Mother. She must have acted on my behalf.
“Yes—Leticia and me.” I stared straight ahead. Arik said nothing for several minutes. His face held no expression. I tried to press my mind against his and got a mental slap in exchange. I knew it was inappropriate, but I wanted the information.
“Don’t ever try that again, Bran.” His fury lay just below his skin.
“All right,” I answered, trying to soothe him. “I wanted—”
“If you wanted to know you should have answered your door. I’ve told you before, I don’t want you in my head. I thought we were clear on that.” There was ice in his voice—more than I had ever heard. His harsh words set me in a mild panic. I had been wrong but we’d played this game before and he’d never responded so heatedly. I was still trying to understand his reaction when it occurred to me. His anger was a smoke screen. What did he hide? I put the idea aside for the moment.
“Yes, yes, you’ve told me before. I shouldn’t have done it.” I’d say anything to appease him. Right now I wanted his support in my pursuit.
I glanced at Fendrel. He laughed openly with Maximillian, Ellyn, and Dimia. Warning signals were going off in my head. Together the four were powerful. Feelings of insecurity that plagued me for years surfaced. In the vast room filled with people I’d known for years I was alone. I didn’t belong here. Had I ever? I quieted the nagging voice in my head, determined to prove it wrong.
Arik raked his hand through his hair. “I didn’t know you had any interest in Leticia. You’ve never said anything about her.”
“Arik, we’ve spoken about this for years.” I put on my best face to cover my internal turmoil. He was my rock, the only one I could count on.
“Yes. But those were childhood fantasies. Surely you see that.” The concern on his face was genuine.
“You’re a practical man. Surely you understand it will take more than you stepping aside for me. Marrying Leticia will cement my position and our families.” Deep lines of concentration marked Arik’s face.
“Marriage should be more than that.” We came down from the dais.
“And your betrothal? Is your betrothal ‘more than that’? Look at her.” I gestured in Rebeka’s direction. “She’s barely a woman.” He wasn’t marrying her because he loved her. How could he?
