(Azriel POV)
My brothers had announced a picnic today at the lakeshore. I wondered how much they knew of the Blight in the mines of Andora. If they did, how could they not be planning a war council instead of picnics. I was aghast at their behaviour and realized that my father had no choice. Even his own sons were not ready to help safeguard the mines or Andora. They had grown up to be spoilt princes and that's exactly what they were.
It was not just a matter of the money alone. If Andora sealed its mines, it would of course lose its main income, but more than that, it would lose its autonomy. Many miners would lose their jobs and their families would starve. Andorans had no other skill, and how long would the wealth last? These were the dark thoughts in my mind as Arma put the finishing touches to my attire for the day. I sat patiently as she tied my plait with a ribbon. I had opted for breeches as opposed to a gown today. Mother hated them, but they were comfortable and perfect for a day outside. My breeches had been specially crafted by the finest leather carvers of Andora. They were a soft brown in colour and cinched at my wait. On top, I wore a dark blue tunic, with an applet of white stars on the right breast, the colours and symbol of our house. Little mother of pearl buttons held the tunic together, and also adorned my collar and cuffs. I ended the look with brown lace-up boots. If the Northern men wanted a plaint woman, they were in for a surprise!
Father would already have sent word to our guests on my acceptance of the proposal, and my heart was sinking when I thought of meeting them today. I was terrified of Duke Ashdeer and I didn't know what to feel about Ashmeer. His touch was gentle, but when he came near me, I felt all sorts of emotions within. My stomach churned, and my heart beat faster. Yesterday, at the dance he had held me close a few times, and I could inhale his scent. He smelt of woods and snow and something else, I could not place. My pulse had quickened and I had felt warm all over all through the dance. Then, there was his scar. When I looked at his face, that was all I could see. It was repulsive, yes, but also fascinating.
I joined my mother and sister in the carriage. Eva was grinning at me slyly, and I knew she knew all about the betrothal. Today she wore a forest green gown, again cut a little too low for an unmarried woman. Her hair was held up by a forest green fan, decked with emeralds. She wore a single ruby teardrop on her neck. She looked beautiful as always. Mother had chosen to wear the house colours and was in a dark blue gown, very similar to my tunic. She took one look at my breeches and looked away out of the window, refusing to look at me again.
"Sister, you have already bagged your first proposal and you haven't even made a debut yet. Congratulations."
I smiled back and wondered how foolish she was. I saw no merit in winning a proposal. Every noblewoman did eventually. Was there no more to life than court intrigues and marriage? Especially now, when our very existence was in jeopardy? I almost felt a kinship with those rough Northerners in this matter. The rest of the ride was in silence till we reached the picnic grounds.
I got off the carriage and swiftly made my way to the makeshift tent, where father already sat alone. I grimaced at the wine goblet, half-drunk in front of him. It wasn't even noon yet.
"Father....have you sent word to them then?"
He nodded. He didn't look into my eyes and I understood his pain. He had no desire to send me away to the Northern lands, cut off from the rest of the Kingdom. He had hoped for a life full of gaiety for me, as it was going to be for my sisters. Irismus did not participate in the social life of the court. Only Duke Ashdeer, who was part of the King's inner council went to court and spent a few months there when the council sat on critical decisions. We knew very little about Irismus as they did not mingle with neighbours. They had carved a life for themselves much different from the rest of the Kingdom and it was understood that they had only joined the Kingdom because King Alavar had given them a lot of independence and power.
"Welcome to the family, Azriel!"
I swiftly turned to see the Duke standing at the entrance of our tent. He was, as always dressed in his military black uniform. He eyed me up ad down, admiration in his eyes and even a hint of a smile on his face.
"I thought, the women of Andora were always at the height of court fashion. Have breeches come in fashion now?"
"I wear them for comfort, Your Grace," I muttered, keen to make an exit.
Yet, there was no such comfort. Duke Ashdeer looked at father and said, "I wish to speak to Azriel alone. Is it possible Vizriel?"
Father said nothing and stepped out of the tent, Ashdeer sat down on a chair and placed his hands on the table.
"Azriel, your family cannot protect you now. They are in peril themselves. They have been greedy and weak and brought this Blight upon them. I warned Vizriel when I had met him at court at your sister's debut that the Blight is travelling not just overground, but underground as well. He wasn't ready to listen to me then. They kept the lower mines open when I had told him to seal them. Now it is too late."
I gulped and nodded.
"Sit down, don't keep standing. This is not a punishment. We have much to speak of."
I sat there, swallowing my fear. I wondered what was to come. Where was Ashmeer? Why was the Duke talking to me so much? I watched him nervously, as he got up from his chair and came up to tuck a tendril of my hair behind my ear. His voice was softer and more tender as he next spoke, "Ashmeer is a rough soldier. He does not know how to treat a woman well. I understand that you are young still, so we will wait for the marriage rites and do a betrothal now for the blood rite to commence. I will do all in my power to keep you safe Azriel, you are precious and different, do you understand?"
I nodded. He was too close to comfort for me. Paralysis gripped me, even as he traced my cheek. This was not right, was it? Yet, I felt a pull towards him. What was wrong with me? I had never looked at men before and now suddenly in two days, I was feeling attraction for both the brothers. My heart was thudding in my chest. I wondered if he could hear it.
Abruptly, Duke Ashdeer stepped back and sat in his chair.
"I would like to spend time and get to know you Azriel. I could teach you much. The world is not what you have seen yet at Andora. I could be your friend, your guide. Unfortunately, I cannot stop your marriage to my brother, but I can make life much easier for you. Just believe me and place your trust in me."
I nodded, not knowing what to say. This was the fearsome and powerful Duke Ashdeer of Irismus.
Much to my relief, Malvin walked in all smiles, unaware of the tense moment, "Duke Ashdeer, we have been looking for Ashmeer everywhere. Where is he?"
I saw a dark twitch cross his face, but he maintained his composure and answered, "Ashmeer likes to disappear sometimes. I'm sure he will roll up in a bit. Why don't we take a walk around the Lakeshore till then."
Obediently, we all walked out of the tent to join the picnic.