Cora spoke up then. When I came here, I was told that Stonehome was a place of safety for anyone who needed it, not just those with magic. Was that a lie?
Silence greeted her words, and Emeline could guess what the answer would be even before Vincente gave it.
You forced us into one fight, he said. We will not willingly choose another. We will let this pass, and we will rise from the ashes. We cannot help you.
Will not, Emeline corrected him. And if you wont, then Ill do it myself.
We will, Cora said.
Emeline nodded. If you wont help, then well go to Ashton. Well see Sophias baby safe.
Youll die, Asha said. You think you can go up against an army?
Emeline shrugged. Do you think I care?
This is madness, Asha said. We should stop you leaving for your own safety.
Emeline narrowed her eyes. Do you think you could?
Without waiting for an answer, she stood and left the circle. There was no point in debating any longer, and every moment they waited was another in which Sophias baby was in danger.
They had to get to Ashton.
CHAPTER FOUR
Sophia hadnt been able to talk anyone out of a lavish wedding party, even though it sounded like the kind of thing that the nobles before her might have thrown. Looking around the lawn of the palace, though, she was grateful that she hadnt been able to call it off. Seeing so many people there, feeling their enjoyment, only made her buzz with happiness.
There are a lot of people who want to congratulate us, Sebastian said, his arm around her.
They do know that Ill know if they mean it, right? Sophia replied. She rubbed her lower back. There was a deep ache there that made her want to sit down, but she also wanted to be able to dance with Sebastian, just a little.
They mean it, Sebastian said. He gestured to where some of the noblewomen of the court were standing, or dancing along to the music of strings and pipes. Even theyre happy for you. I think they like living in a court where they dont have to pretend all the time.
Theyre happy for us, Sophia corrected him. She took his hand, leading him out onto the patch of lawn that was serving as a dance floor. She let Sebastian take her in his arms, the musicians at the side taking their cue from the two of them and slowing the pace of the dance a little.
Around them, people whirled together, far more energetically than Sophia could manage right now. The ache from her back had spread to her belly now, and she took that as her moment to step back from the dance. Two chairs, two thrones, had been set up by the side of the lawn for her and Sebastian. Sophia took hers gladly, and Sienne ran up to curl at her feet.
It reminds me a little of the dance where we first met, she said.
There are differences, Sebastian said. Fewer masks, for one thing.
I prefer it like that, Sophia said. People shouldnt feel that they have to hide who they are just to have fun.
There were other differences too. There were ordinary people here as well as nobles, a clutch of merchants talking off to one side, a weavers daughter dancing with a soldier. There were people there who had been indentured once, now free to join in the festivities rather than having to serve there. Several girls Sophia recognized from the House of the Unclaimed were off to one side, looking happier than they ever had there.
Your majesties, a man said, approaching them and bowing low. His red and gold robe seemed to shine against the darkness of his skin, while his eyes were so pale they were almost lavender. I am High Merchant Nka of the Kingdom of Morgassa. His glorious majesty sends greetings on the occasion of your wedding, and has bid me to travel here to discuss trade with your kingdom.
Wed be happy to talk about it, Sophia said. The merchant started to say something, and a look at his thoughts suggested that he was planning to negotiate an entire treaty right then and there. After my wedding day, though?
Of course, your majesty. I will be in Ashton for some time.
For now, enjoy the celebrations, Sophia suggested.
The merchant offered a deep bow and slipped back into the crowd. As if his approach had given permission to everyone else, a dozen more people came forward, from nobles seeking advancement to merchants with goods to sell and common folk who had grievances. Each time, Sophia said the same thing shed said to the merchant, hoping that it would be enough, and that they would enjoy the rest of the evening.
One person who didnt seem to be enjoying the festivities quite so much was Lucas. He was standing in a corner with a goblet of wine, surrounded by an assortment of pretty young noblewomen, and still there was no smile on his face.
Is everything all right? Sophia sent over to him.
Lucas smiled in her direction, then spread his hands. I am happy for you and Kate, but it seems that every woman here has taken that as an indication that I should be married next, and to them.
Well, you never know, Sophia sent back, perhaps one of them will turn out to be perfect for you.
Perhaps, Lucas sent, although he didnt feel remotely convinced.
Dont worry, well be trekking after our parents across dangerous terrain soon enough, Sophia promised, and you wont have to deal with the scary business of royal celebrations.
In answer to that, Lucas said something to one of the women near him, extending a hand and leading her out onto the dance floor. Of course, he did it perfectly, dancing with the kind of elegance and grace that probably came from years of instruction. Official Ko, the man who had raised him, would have seen him trained in that as carefully as in everything else.
Kate and Will were already there, although they seemed to be so wrapped up in one another that they were mostly ignoring the music. It probably didnt help that her sister was better with a sword than she was at dancing, while Sophia doubted that Will knew many formal court dances. The two of them seemed happy enough just in one anothers arms, whispering to one another and occasionally kissing. Sophia wasnt entirely surprised when they slipped off together in the direction of the palace while no one else was looking, doing it so smoothly that Sophia doubted anyone else even noticed.
A part of her wished that she and Sebastian could do the same; this was their wedding night, after all. Unfortunately, while the new head of the army might be able to avoid peoples attention for a while, Sophia suspected that they might notice if their queen and king left the party early. The best thing was to enjoy the moment while it was there, accepting that all these people had come here because they wanted to wish her and Sebastian the best.
Sophia stood again, heading over to one of the tables where food was laid out on great platters that could have fed hundreds more. She started to pick through the partridge and the roast boar, the sugared dates and the other delights that she could never have imagined when she was a child in the House of the Unclaimed.
You know that you could have a servant bring you food? Sebastian said, although he did it with a smile that told Sophia he already knew what her answer would be.
It still feels strange commanding people to do things for me that I could do for myself, she said.
As the queen, Id say you should get used to it, Sebastian said, except I think that its probably good that you arent. Maybe the whole kingdom would be better if people remembered what its like not to be the one giving orders.