[2016] The Bride Trials Page 2

  Ditran knew he shouldn’t talk about his ideal bride when they clashed with Sonovo’s opinions, but he couldn’t help himself. “I’d actually hoped to find a girl that loves me for more than a crown.”

  “Don’t worry. You’re handsome enough, and the money is always a draw.” Sonovo laughed and clasped his hand briefly on Ditran’s shoulder before letting go. “Lighten up. Women are nothing but social climbing sycophants anyway. The true challenge is finding the least irritating one.”

  “My parent’s had love at first sight.”

  Sonovo guffawed. “That story was concocted by romantics fanaticizing about the dead.” “But—” “There was no love between me and my fiancé. Just look at the nonsense created about my king’s heart being broken at her funeral. The sooner you accept reality the better. There is no such thing as love, just attraction in various degrees of strength. Right now I’m going to get a report about some new rebels that were captured. There is a new interrogation technique I want to try. Care to finally learn?” Sonovo said.

  His mind and heart battled. Rebels deserve whatever they get for what they did to my father. My father was a kind man and should never have died in that battle. But if the rumors I’ve heard from the guards about how they learned to love interrogating are true? Each bragging about how long they’d been able to drag it out and through what means. I don’t want to become like them. Ditran turned and looked at the sparring soldiers.

  The guard in red repeatedly slammed his flame covered fist into the face of the blue guard pinned beneath him; the cement floor beneath them turning redder after each blow.

  “That’s enough! Go clean up.” Ditran commanded them.

  The larger one looked up at Sonovo. “My King?”

  Sonovo nodded. The red guard helped the blue one up and towards the healer room. “I tried to keep you here, safe with your nanny. You’re soft, Ditran, and it’s my fault you’ve been too sheltered. There is a war going on, and you need to know how to take a hit and do the hitting. You can’t win with flowers,” Sonovo said.

  “There hasn’t been a battle since the one that killed my father nine years ago.” “Because I prevent it. Why do you think you train? Reports arrive daily about a rebel army being built. We must be proactive if we are to stop another war.” Sonovo said.

  “I-”

  “What was so urgent you disrupted their training?” Sonovo crossed his arms. “I want to pick the candidates for the trials myself. Get to know them before I have to pick one for the rest of my life.”

  “No.”

  “Uncle, this isn’t a request. I’m going.”

  “Why do you want to pick the candidates? That hasn’t been done in fifty generations.”

  “My father picked my mother to be in the trials.” “Your father only thought he did. She was a noble, well liked, and had the strongest powers in that city. Of course she was picked.”

  “If I’m going to be married to one of these women, then I want to make sure it’s one I like.” “They’re all the same, Ditran. But if it really matters to you. I’ll send a list of your preferences ahead to Captain Drake. Do you like blonds or brunettes?”

  “I don’t want a stupid statue!” “Neither did I!” Sonovo yelled back. He leaned back and sighed. “Be careful what you wish for, Ditran. My bride was the most spirited of the bunch. Do you know what that got me?”

  “Happiness?” “Don’t be so naïve. It’s sickening. She killed herself.” Sonovo used one hand to touch his crown. “It was days before the wedding, I found her and a letter in the saddlebags of her horse. She couldn’t go through with the wedding. The laws of Dovesti’s Stone are absolute. Even though the wedding wasn’t completed, she was the winner.”

  Ditran was stunned. “That won’t happen to me.” Sonovo snorted. “You’re the last heir Ditran, you have to marry and continue the bloodline that wields all the elements. Without us keeping the peace, each of the noble families will use their single element to fight for power. No one element is strong enough to rule another. Fire will fight water, earth against air. Energy heals us all, but there aren’t enough healers to repair the type of war that would start without us here to rule, let alone heal all those without magic. You’ve only been outside of the Palace a handful of times. You wouldn’t last a week out there.”

  “I’ll be fine.” I’ve survived plenty of the dinners here at the Palace, where women only do everything they can to agree with me.

  Sonovo stood thoughtfully for a moment. “Maybe I’ve protected you too much from women. The tutors have focused too much on training your powers and teaching you the sciences. Too many history books and not enough real experience. I thought you would have grown up after nineteen years of balls and dinners. If you are able to see the true intentions of women, how they plot and ploy for power, maybe you’ll listen to me when it matters.”

  “Uncle—,” “I’ll make you a deal, Ditran. You can go, if I can make changes to the challenges. But at the first sign of trouble you have to return to the Palace.”

  “But Dovesti’s stone?”

  “I will not break the rules of Dovesti.”

  The hint of a smile on Sonovo’s face caused Ditran to hesitate. It couldn’t be this easy.

  “What kind of changes?” “There is too much weak blood, only the strongest will survive.” “I need some time to consider it.” “Of course.” Sonovo smiled.

  The walk to his room wasn’t long enough for the words to stop echoing in his mind. Ditran closed his bedroom door. That deal, how could his uncle suggest such a thing? The light flicked on automatically and he tore off his leather jacket and threw it at a wall.

  He grabbed an apple off the table next to the window then proceeded to his bed. He flopped down, face first into the blankets and pillows. Maybe Sonovo was right. Who was Ditran to defy tradition? He should leave everything the way it was.

  A beeping sound that didn’t belong echoed in the room. Ditran rolled over and sat up. Looking around, he couldn’t find anything obviously causing the sound. After getting off his bed he began walking around the room. The sound continued to echo, and after a short search, he found it. It came from the chest at the foot of his bed, the dark chest with leather straps holding it shut, the chest he’d inherited after his father’s disappearance. It wasn’t death without a body.

  He set the apple down and carefully undid the straps. A photo in a frame lay on top. His father stared boldly at the camera, his blue eyes a mirror of Ditran’s own. His mother looked tired but happy

  as she held baby Ditran. It must have been taken during the few hours they’d been a family.

  Beep, beep. The sound came from a book buried deeper in the chest. It was bound in fine leather, with the letter D stamped into the front. Ditran picked up the book and walked to his bed. He traced a finger over the letter like he had so many times before. A metal latch held it locked on one side but he’d never found the key. Now the metal latch beeped in time with a blinking red light.

  He touched the metal plate. It prickled his finger.

  “Ouch!” Ditran dropped the book onto his bed. It beeped again, the light turned green, and a digitized voice stated. “Heir Ditran confirmed.” What? The latch released, and the book opened to the first page. The photo he had looked at moments before appeared. He wondered, as he looked at his mother’s face, if she knew then that she would die that night leaving a newborn son and husband behind. As a healer, she should have known something was wrong with herself and fixed it. The other healers who’d assisted with her delivery had offered to heal her, but his mother was stubborn. She’d insisted that she had enough energy to heal herself. No one noticed the blood clot until it was too late to save her. Not even an Heir can heal

  death.

  She should have known, even if the healers always told him clots weren’t easy. As the best healer in the Kingdom, she should have known.

  He shook off the thoughts and looked at the happiness on their faces. They loved each other. Ditra
n picked up the book, and turned the page. A message, written in a flowing script, appeared one word at a time.

  Dear Ditran, Today is the day I learned we were having a son. Your father and I picked your name months ago and now I finally get to call you by it. I wonder if you’ll look like your father. I hope so, as there isn’t a more dashing man alive.

  I hope to see you turn into a man, but things are happening and I don’t think I’ll be able to. I’m writing these words for you. Show others if you wish, but know that they will only first appear for you.

  I love you more than my life itself. I would give everything for you and your happiness. If this book has been delivered, my worst fears as a mother have been realized. The selection for the Bride Trials will start soon. A new letter will appear every day until the end of the Bride Trials. And a final one will appear on your wedding day.

  Find someone you love. It will bring you happiness. It doesn’t have to be an instantaneous love like your father’s

  and mine, but it does need to be more than physical attraction. If you haven’t found her, don’t despair. You will. If you have, make sure she’s in the trials.

  Your father made sure I was in his. He made it happen.

  Listen to your father. Don’t let King Sonovo stop you from finding love. His pain blinds him.

  Now go find her, the woman that completes you. Please find her.

  Armastus ja rahu alati

  The letter was closed with a phrase belonging to his mother’s people. Love and peace, always. He reread her words and flipped through the following pages. Hoping for more. Whatever she’d done, the time lock worked.

  He placed the book carefully into the secret compartment in his night stand and lay on his bed. Maybe everything Uncle Sonovo said about marriage and women was wrong.

  He sat up, determined to follow his mother’s advice right away. He hadn’t met his future wife yet, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t find her for the Bride Trials. He’d take that deal.

  itran tried to focus on the scene around him. He wore his public smile, the one that didn’t show what he really felt. As he watched the women in the room, Ditran pushed all thoughts of the deal with his uncle out of his mind. The previous cities hadn’t been much to see, and as a result there weren’t many women to choose from. Surely one of the women here would be worth it.

  In honor of his arrival at the city of Aventurine, the governing noble family in the area threw a festival with all of the eligible ladies present. There was music playing, and dinner would be served soon. The way many of the women looked at him, he felt like the main course. Trussed up like a goose in his military dress armor. Silver embroidery swirls glinted on his armor under the chandelier lights.

  The music was lively, full of excitement, drums, and quick beats. The dancing after dinner would be exhausting. Captain Drake stood to his right while they waited in the ballroom near the band playing. Drake stood motionless. He had large dark tattoos circling his hands, neck and face. Many ladies had already blanched at the site of him. But his purpose was succeeding.

  As each woman introduced in the receiving line failed to utter more than a handful of coherent words in Drake’s presence, they were removed from the list of potential candidates. How would they be able to meet with dignitaries if they couldn’t even speak to the head of the military?

  Duke Merganse approached and dropped into a bow. He was a large man wearing a simple suit of black and white with a sleek black tie and top hat, which he removed upon greeting Ditran.

  “Heir Ditran. Please allow me to introduce my family. My wife, Duchess Merganse.” He gestured to the woman next to him who matched his height and weight. She wore a collar of blue gemstones thick enough to cover her entire neck. She shoved her hand in his face, and he found it covered in matching jewelry.

  “A pleasure, Duchess Merganse.” Ditran took her hand, slick from sweat, and suppressed the shudder when out of custom he kissed the back of it.

  She smiled before launching into conversation. “Heir Ditran. We are so pleased to have you with us. Our daughter will make an excellent wife for you, and—”

  “Mother, please.” A young woman spoke from behind Duchess Merganse. “My apologies Heir Ditran. This is our daughter, Nixie.” Duchess Merganse moved out of the way to show off her child.

  Nixie’s small build and delicate features made her look like a shard spirit from children’s stories. Her black hair was cut short and spiked, adding to the illusion. She wore a short sophisticated blue dress.

  “Now isn’t she just so lovely. No one has ever called my Nixie ’plain’. Nixie is the finest shard thrower you’ll ever find.”

  “Mother, please.” She repeated her earlier plea. Sensing his opportunity to steer the conversation away, Ditran addressed Nixie. “I’m something of a water Elemental myself. Perhaps you could show me some of your shard skills another time, Lady Nixie?”

  “Why wait? She can show you now.” Duchess Merganse motioned for a servant to bring some water.

  Nixie grabbed the pitcher and threw the water up into the air. Before the water could fall very far, she burst it into snowflakes, each one full of sharp edges made apparent by their large size. They could easily fill a dinner plate. As they fell, she collected them back into the pitcher where they became water once more.

  Applause broke out in the room, and Nixie curtsied several times.

  “Well done, Lady Nixie,” Ditran said.

  “Thank you.” The tips of Nixie’s ears turned pink.

  “Nixie is simply marvelous and would make a wonderful companion,” her mother said.

  “We’ll keep Lady Nixie in mind.” Drake said. “Dinner is served, Heir Ditran.” They were led to a table where the Merganse family took their seats as hosts, Ditran and Drake beside them.

  Once they were settled and the first course was served, Duchess Merganse turned her smile to Ditran. “I insist you call our daughter Nixie. After all, you will be well acquainted soon I’m sure.”

  Nixie’s face flushed crimson at her mother’s words. Nixie turned to Ditran and offered a plate of multi-colored cubes covered in tiny crystals.

  “These are my favorite, Heir Ditran. Please try one.” Ditran stared at the mysterious food, grateful he didn’t have to respond to Duchess Merganse’s request. Using a tiny fork, he stabbed a blue one and placed the entire cube in his mouth.

  “Heir Ditran, no! You are only supposed to eat a small bite,” Nixie said. Her warning came too late. The crystals were little daggers of tartness, and Ditran could feel his face contorting in response. Ditran reached for his drink, and knocked it over in his haste. He signaled a servant to bring him a new glass. In the time it took one to arrive, the crystals had dissolved leaving a gelatinous glob behind. The blob was sweet and immediately soothed the shocked taste buds. His glass refilled, Ditran tried to discreetly spit it into a napkin before he drained his cup.

  “What was that?” he asked. Nixie began giggling and quickly placed her hand over her mouth. “I'm sorry.” More giggles. “I should have warned you they were tart. I thought you had eaten them before.” Her manners dissolved into full out laughter. “You should have seen your face.”

  The guests who hadn't seen what happened turned their heads about the room to see the source of Nixie’s laughter. Duke and Duchess Merganse looked horrified at their daughter.

  “You dare laugh at Heir Ditran?” Drake's cold tone silenced the entire room.

  Nixie fell silent. “Forgive my manners, I apologize, Sire.” She bowed her head. Ditran raised a hand to stop Drake from speaking. “It's quite all right, Lady Nixie. Will you dance with me?” He held out his hand.

  Nixie glanced at Drake before nodding and placing her hand in his. Ditran escorted her to the center of the room for all to see to begin the dancing portion of the evening. He nodded at the band to play the opening dance number. The musicians switched out their instruments for ones made of wood and brass.

  Soon he was waltzing aroun
d the room with her. Away from her parents she began speaking about the music, the lights, the dresses. How she liked the blue ones, but thought it was appalling for some of the guests to wear green since it belonged to the previous fashion season.

  “I rather like the color green.” Ditran twirled her.

  When she returned to his arms, she stammered. “Green is my favorite color, too.” That was the problem the women in the previous cities had as well. They’d change their opinion to match his, to please him by showing

  how agreeable they could be. Nixie continued to prattle on, and his thoughts wondered further and further away.

  “It must be so hard to not have any parents.” Nixie looked up at him with eyes full of pity. He stumbled in the dance, and the music came to a stop.

  “Is everything alright, Heir Ditran?”

  “Yes, Lady Nixie. I apologize.Let me escort you back to your family.” She grabbed his arm tightly to stop him. “I’m sorry for the way my Mother has been acting. She’s always wanted me to be queen.”

  She let him go and clasped her hands together. He smiled gently at her. “I couldn’t tell.”

  “Oh, please. She’s as subtle as an elephant in a tar pit.” Ditran nodded politely. “She cares for you. Be proud of that.” He returned her to her family. Nixie was nice enough, but there was something he couldn’t put his finger on.

  To avoid further conversation with the Merganses, he asked another girl to dance. She was tall with brown curly hair.

  “Forgive me, my Lady. I didn’t catch your name.” She mumbled something and stared at her feet. Her cheeks reddened. “It’s a lovely evening. Don’t you think?” He said, not wanting to be impolite and ask her to repeat herself.

  She mumbled something more, and Ditran was grateful when the dance came to a close. For the rest of the evening Ditran danced with the twenty remaining eligible ladies in the city. All failed to catch his attention, just like they had in each of the previous cities. He wasn’t sure what he was doing wrong. They would barely look at him, or babble on about something or other without letting him speak. One had even decided they were in love and kissed him in front of everyone. At least Nixie attempted conversation and didn’t stare at him without blinking.