Father stood and patted me on the back. “We’ve been at this for long enough today.”
“Am I improving?” I asked, sheathing my weapons.
“Immensely. You’re doing great.” He nodded toward the castle and walked side by side. “Any word from Aric?”
I shook my head. No one had heard anything from Collweya about Aric since the attack. Mother didn’t dare inquire about him, afraid it would set off Kyria and start a conflict with the north. It was insane to me that alliances between kingdoms were so fragile. That an ill-chosen phrase could start a war. That romances between royals could break peace or enforce it.
“How is Zyacus?” Father asked, sparing me a glance. “I still think I need to speak with King Enden about the future with you two. He’ll want a betrothal for Zyacus soon, whether it’s you or someone else.”
Ugh, not this again. We’d gotten into an argument when I first got home about my relationship with the prince. “Zyacus is… probably fine.”
He slowed and turned to me. “Probably fine?”
“It’s been two weeks since I’ve heard from him.” I hoped Father didn’t hear the hurt in my voice. It had been a little over three months since I’d seen Zyacus at the academy. We’d exchanged letters the entire time apart until he suddenly stopped replying. After I’d sent him three and didn’t get one in return, I quit sending. Yet I still waited, hopeful, like some love-sick imbecile. Pathetic.
“We spoke with King Enden yesterday,” Father said. “The academy is set to reopen with his kingdom. Nothing appeared to be amiss.”
Which was why Zyacus had consumed nearly every thought because of his silence, making it ridiculously hard to concentrate on anything. I worried that he would forget about what we shared. Was it another girl? Had Jennika weaseled her way back to him? Or had his father played a part in it? I couldn’t stop speculating on why he wouldn’t contact me. What if the distance had changed his mind and he realized being with me was more trouble than it was worth.
Legacy said I was being ridiculous to worry he no longer wanted to be with me. I wasn’t so sure. After all, we’d hated each other for years.
Father looked down at the grass for a quiet moment then back up to me. “You’ll see him in a week.”
A week. I didn’t know if I could wait another week. It was driving me mad. I grew more frustrated by the day. But what bothered me most? His birthday was the following day and I hadn’t received an invitation to a party. He always had a party.
Father continued, “I’m not trying to sound insensitive, my dear but I’m in no rush for you to marry. Perhaps it’s for the best.”
“Father,” I groaned. “I’m not rushing off to marry. We haven’t even spoken about it.”
He ran a hand through his long dark hair. “And I know I already said this but unless we can find a way to extend his life, it would be a hard relationship to maintain in years to come.”
I already knew this. I’d thought about it so many times, and was about to say as much but Father held up a hand. “But a union and child between the kingdoms would unite us in a way no written or verbal treaty ever could.”
“Then why is King Enden against it? He wishes for Zyacus to marry an Entari’s daughter.”
My grandmother strolled up beside us, joining in the conversation as if she’d been there all along. “If the situation was reversed,” Madison began, “if he’d assassinated your brother and king, Boaden, and then someone like Daelyn tried to marry into the royal house of Delhoon as a spy and with the intent to bring the kingdom down, would you allow the relationship?” Neither of us replied. “It’s a personal grudge, not a political one. Peace between our kingdoms was a political move that greatly benefited him.”
“His son marrying Visteal would also greatly benefit him,” Father argued.
“Would it?” Madison asked. “Visteal is magic-born, Zyacus is not. If they married, and when he dies before her, would Visteal not rule Hesstia? Even if the succession legally went to their son, he would be a half Delhoon boy with the influence of his still young, powerful mother. At that point Hesstia could become Delhoon because Visteal will one day rule here. This is certainly what Enden fears. The end of his kingdom taken by Delhoon. War isn’t the only way to lose it. Of course, I see nothing wrong with this.” A devious smile followed.
She’d certainly given the future a lot more thought than I had. And holy phoenix she was right. “Have you seen this in a vision?” I asked.
Madison shook her head. “No. I don’t see that far into the future.”
My father shook his head. “A union between the kingdoms wouldn’t mean the end of Hesstia. We would make sure they remained apart from us in traditions and country. I have no desire to change that.”
“Neither do I,” I agreed.
Madison shrugged. “I’m only speculating the Hesstian King’s thoughts on the matter. Perhaps you should ask him, Boaden.”
“No,” I blurted out. “I don’t want there to be any betrothal negotiations at this time.” Especially not when Zyacus wouldn’t even speak to me.
“There is no rush,” Father said to the both of us. He turned his eyes to me. “You may go. I have some matters to attend to.”
I gave him a small bow. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I started for the palace with wild but completely rational, er, at least to me, thoughts surfacing. I glanced at the sun now hanging low in the sky, dinner would be soon but I had other plans. As classes had ended for the academy year, my days were open aside from training with my father in the evening.
I could go to Hesstia. If a birthday party
