Hours passed as I watched Alexia sleep. I begged my mind for a solution; a salvation for my friend, but answers didn’t come as I drifted into a restless dream. I knew it was a dream because somehow I was sixteen again, and before I could stop my hand, it raised to knock on the heavy door to my father’s study.
“Come in.” His voice was curt as I pushed into the dimly lit room.
“Father,” I started, wondering how to phrase my question. “I’ve come to ask if I am to be a bride.”
My father was a tall, broad shouldered man who was imposing even while seated. He set down his quill to scrutinize me. “And for what purpose do you find yourself curious about being a bride?”
It was embarrassing to confess that I found the girls who walked the bridal path lovely. I would have rather asked my mother, but she had been buried for years. Even if she were alive, she’d never give me the time to ask. My father was all I had left. “Because Trasenmar is next year?”
My father sneered in disgust. “Only peasants walk the Bridal Path. Do you wish to be a peasant, Daelyn?”
My face flushed red in embarrassment. “N—no, father, I just thought that since I was sixteen that I might—”
He raised a hand to silence me. “That you might what?” He rested his chin on the back of his interwoven fingers, eyes narrowed on me. “That you would get to parade yourself like a whore through town while wearing your golden shackle? The blood of kings runs through our veins, the power to rule from the shadows is our legacy, and you would rather be dragged to the docks to become property of some lesser lord?!”
“That—that’s not what I meant, I didn’t know...” I was crumpling under the intensity of his stare, the radiating heat of his anger that I’d never known before. “I’m sorry—”
“Be silent!” The Duke shouted at me, but it was more than that. His command echoed across the space between us through our shared blood. It forced more than just my silence. He wanted more than my silence, and I could feel my body becoming immobile under his anger. I couldn’t turn away. I couldn’t clench my fists or dig my nails into the fleshy bit of my palm in nervous habit. I was frozen in place, unable to make a sound. My panic began to rise as my lungs stood just as paralyzed by his bloodbinding as the rest of me.
“You are my daughter, not a common whore to be traded across the sea! We may be removed from Etheroz, but we are not so desperate as to trade our bloodline for their scraps!”
I wanted to scream, to beg, anything to make my lungs work again. I was suffocating.
Be silent.
Spots began to cover my vision, covering the dim light of my father’s study with black and it felt too real to be a dream.
With an irritated “hmph,” he released his compulsion on me, and I was no longer silent.
My lungs expanded as I collapsed onto the floor, sweat dripped down my brows as I gasped greedy breaths. The duke's shadow fell over me, and I clenched my teeth in terror, my eyes glued to the floor. He’d never hurt me before, and I wasn’t even sure if he’d even meant to.
Yes he has. A thought whispered in my mind, but as quickly as it came, it was swept away by the dream.
Jasper LeMont crouched down beside me and forced my chin up. He gripped tightly until I was staring into the red irises that we shared. “Look at what you made me do, daughter. I’m sorry I lost my temper.” He wiped the tear streaks I hadn’t realized I’d made on my cheek. “Go clean yourself up for supper, we have company arriving tonight.”
As if he was also dismissing me from the dream, I gasped awake, jolting upright and nearly off the chair. Shaking, I couldn’t remember where I was until I saw Alexia asleep on the bed to my right. Memories of the night before flooded back; the ball, the humiliation, and then the Bridal Path. Carefully I stepped across the floor to the washbasin to scrub the nightmare from my mind, splashing cold water over my face. I’d had this dream before, so vivid that it could almost be a memory, but memories faded and resonated with familiarity. This dream was more like looking into a mirror and not knowing which side of it you were on. The glass cracking, but never breaking.
When Alexia woke, we walked down the hall together and down the stairs. Her eyes were still swollen and red, but she took her steps confidently as we made our way into the kitchen for a small breakfast before she’d need to leave. As I’d suspected last night, her cries had echoed through the manor, and the permanent staff had heard them. When asked what happened, Alexia shared the news of her looming departure, and they reacted as most in Astalia did…with joyful celebration.
“I wonder which house you’ll be joining!” The cook cried happily. “You’re going to love it, my dear. Soon you’ll even have servants of your own!”
“Just don’t forget what it’s like to be one.” A maid interjected. “You’ll be a proper lady once you arrive on the continent.”
There were so many hugs, congratulations, and excitement as every member of the staff came into the kitchen to voice their approval. Not a single one of them was concerned for her safety, or the fact that we’d never see her again. To them, walking the Bridal Path was an honor, a way for any girl to join the otherwise untouchable ranks of nobility. I couldn’t bear their celebrations, so I grabbed an apple and retreated to the parlor, leaving Alexia to her well-wishers.
Sitting down, I stared numbly out the window. Worry tugged at my chest, an anxiety that last night’s dream had only made worse. I took a few deep breaths, like it would chase away the remnants of lingering fear. Dreams like last night’s weren’t that uncommon, but this was one of the few that I could remember in detail.
“When did you leave?” Alexia asked.
My eyes shot open, and I nearly jolted in surprise. I hadn’t realized that I’d slipped so deeply into thought.
She didn’t notice my distraction as she continued, “I suppose I can forgive you for leaving me to the wolves. You did sleep in a chair after all.” Her smile faltered at that. “You could have woke me.”
I slid over to make room for Alexia beside me. “I wouldn’t have been able to sleep even if I had.” I gnawed on my lower lip for a second. “Do you want to walk the Bridal Path?”
She opened her mouth, but I rushed on. “You, Alexia. Not the girl who’s bound by some contract to fulfill it. Forget about titles and wealth. Do you want to walk the Bridal Path and cross the sea?” My voice cracked into a whisper. “To never return to Astalia?”
Alexia turned away, exhaustion and sadness replacing the smile that she wore in the kitchen. “It’s an honor to be selected...”
“That’s not what I asked.” I held her hands gently. “Do you wish to marry a man you’ve never met, to leave everything you’ve ever known for a title?”
“I’m willing to try.” Her voice was a soft whisper.
“If you want this, know that you have my blessing. I will always love you, Alexia. You’ve been my friend for years, but I need to know that this decision is not just your brothers…that you want it too.”
Alexia hesitated, wrestling a moment with her answer. “I don’t want to go.” She confided quietly. “I don't know this man...” Her eyes began to tear up. “I never told you, but there was a boy I’d hoped would ask after me...” her voice trailed off before she cleared her throat and tried again. “It’s too late now. It’s doubtless Thomas would have approved of him anyways.”
I’ve never had a flirt, or anyone I'd hoped would become one, but I couldn’t imagine what it was like to have the option taken away. “I’ll have all of your belongings sent to your mother's later this afternoon.” I pulled her close in a tight hug to whisper in her ear. “I will do everything in my power to stop this. If I can’t nullify the contract, then I’ll find a way to take you off the path.”
“It’s treason to take a bride off of the path,” she hissed in a whisper. “To even suggest it is reckless.”
I clenched my teeth together stubbornly. “If I can undo the enchantment, we will have to run.” I conceded. “But I will find a way, if you want me to. If I fail I’ll be fine, and nothing will change. But if I succeed, we can go wherever we want, and we’ll find a way for you to see your family again. Do you want me to try?”
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Alexia’s hug only became fiercer. “I think I know you well enough to know you’ll try anyways.”
“Only if you want me to?” My voice was timid, hesitant in its question.
To anyone who might see us in the parlor, we were just saying our farewells. None of them would have been able to hear Alexia’s answer but me. No one realized that as I was waving goodbye to Alexia’s carriage, I was already counting the amount of laws I was willing to break.
My father returned from his trip as expected a few days later. I may not have known the exact day he was due to return, but when I awoke to fervent cleaning, I knew his ship had docked at the port. Three days had passed, and I was no closer to finding a way for Alexia to escape the Bridal Path. I’d been discreet when I’d visited the magistrate the day before, and buying out a marriage contract was apparently not something that even the duke could do.
“I’m sorry, Lady LeMont,” The magistrate had said, with a faint sheen of sweat forming along his temples. “But the contracts are between Emperor Cassemir, the noble grooms, and then the families of the brides. There’s nothing that can be done.”
“Surely you don’t mean that.” I tapped a finger against my bottom lip. “The Emperor hasn’t even received the contracts yet. It would be a simple thing to replace one bride with another, would it not?”
“I’m afraid that the contract is charmed. There is no undoing it at this point.” He stood from his desk, nervous to meet my eye. “I’m sorry that your lady’s maid was selected without consulting you first, Lady LeMont. If I had been aware of the young woman's employment, I would have encouraged Thomas to meet with you first.”
“I see.” I stood, holding my hand out for him to take. “Thank you again for agreeing to meet with me on such short notice.”
He eyed my hand like it was a viper, and shakily took it to kiss the back of my glove. He looked like he was going to be sick.
I fought the urge to glare, schooling my face into neutrality. “Are you quite alright?”
He straightened quickly, dropping my hand so fast it felt thrown as he ushered me out the door. “Yes, of course. If that will be all?” He didn’t wait for my response as the door shut and then locked behind me.
If I couldn’t buy out the marriage contract, then I’d have to learn more about the Bridal Path and its intricacies. With my father’s imminent return, I was stuck waiting with the steward to greet him near the door. Daniel was an older man who’d been helping run my father’s affairs since I was young. A little bit portlier than when he first started years ago.
“Trasenmar is such a fascinating festival, wouldn’t you agree?” I asked.
Daniel eyed me from the side, hands behind his back. “I suppose it is.”
“I never quite understood how the marriage contracts work in relation to the treaty. Alexia told me that funds are exchanged immediately, and not on the day that they leave on Trasenmar.”
He hmph’d to himself. “Normally it would make more business sense to pay for goods and services at the date of completion. In most cases, the representatives of the grooms arrive in advance with the funds for the exchange. Then as brides are... offered, the families are immediately compensated. The representatives then appraise the brides, and if a representative is satisfied with an unclaimed bride, the contract is signed on the groom’s behalf. It’s very efficient.”
It was efficient for livestock, not women. A bird flew by overhead and the maids paused their work to glance up, as if expecting a different pair of wings, before continuing their work. “Isn’t it rather risky though?” I prodded innocently, getting his head to turn towards me just a fraction. “What if one of the brides falls ill and can’t make the journey? What if one of the brides dies unexpectedly? What happens then if the family has already been paid?”
The steward nodded solemnly. “It is incredibly rare, however accidents have occurred in the past. If it is a temporary illness, then the trip will need to be delayed. The representatives will wait for them to recover, and postpone the voyage until they are well enough to take it.” He paused. “I know you’re concerned about Miss Alexia’s mother. I want you to rest assured that even if a kraken were to rise from the deep, taking the ship and everyone on it, the bride price would not be taken away from the family. It was theirs by right as soon as they signed their portion of the marriage contract.”
I tried to hide my disgust at the casual way he spoke of the money, but he had shared more than I’d expected. I conjured a sniffle. “I’ll miss her terribly, and after hearing that her mother has been sick—” I let my voice quiver. “I must confess, traveling across the sea terrifies me. I worry that the ship would capsize and then she’ll have been sold for nothing.”
“It is an honor to participate in the—”
“Thank you for putting my worries at ease.” I interrupted with finality.
Daniel bowed his head curtly. “You’re quite welcome, my lady.”
If money had already been exchanged, and Alexia conveniently went missing from the Bridal Path, her mother would still receive the care she needed. Accidents happen all the time...
My thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of my father’s carriage. The steward quickly left my side to open the door of the manor house. “Welcome back, Your Grace.”
The duke grunted a reply as he stepped through the doorway, handing the steward his traveling cloak and hat. Behind him the stable hands were already swarming around the carriage, removing the luggage before taking the horses to the stable.
My father turned to me expectantly, and I dipped into a curtsy. “Welcome home, my lord father.”
Wordlessly he appraised me as he always did, but his judgemental gaze lingered far longer than it should. Sweat formed on the back of my neck as I scrambled to wonder at what imperfection he may have found. My dress was a dark blue with a high collar, and lace at the neck and wrists. It was clean, unwrinkled, and the fabrics were of high quality. I fought the urge to fidget. There was nothing out of the ordinary, so why was he continuing to stare?
“Is something wrong, father?” I asked.
He picked up a lock of my hair. “Where is your lady's maid?”
I resisted the urge to snatch the strands back. I’d brushed my hair when I'd woken up, but the best I could do without Alexia was to pull it back. I'd left it loose, and now the waves were all tangled. “Forgive me for my presentation. Alexia was sold to the Bridal Path and I’ve yet to consider a replacement to assist me.”
“What a waste.” He sniffed a bit distastefully before addressing Daniel. “Find a replacement by tomorrow morning, I will not have my daughter looking like she belongs on a farm.”
“As you wish, Your Grace.” Daniel bowed at the waist before following my father back towards his study.
Self-conscious, I tried to finger comb the ends of my hair. Alexia had known how to help keep it shiny and smooth, less prone to tangle, but she wasn’t here to ask. A breeze ruffled the locks in protest at my attempts, but I did what I could with my fingers. I did not enjoy having my father's attention.
The air outside began to still, and the servants glanced around nervously at one another as a thick silence followed. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up at the unnatural quiet. The horses pulled at their tethers nervously, prompting the stable hands to try and calm the beasts.
The light outside dimmed as a large shadow spread across the ground and pooled before the doorway. The ground silently trembled as the shadow took form, rising like a black fog that became tangible as a massive, winged beast alighted soundlessly on the ground. An Eidolon. It arched its powerful back muscles into a long stretch, flexing and scratching its clawed toes against the stone with a screech. Each wing was nearly twice as long as its body, and while its fur was black as night, the wings were white as an eagle's, and tipped with gold.
The servants working around the carriage startled at the imposing presence of the Eidolon, having expected him to arrive by sky and not by shadow. With the body of a large jungle cat, he was easily taller than most men when standing. Sitting, the creature came up to my shoulders and could easily end any life that he wished. Most of the servants eyed my father’s guardian fearfully, many making the blessed mark over their foreheads at his presence.
Even after years of following as my father's shadow, the staff were unsure of how to react to the Eidolon living among us. There are many legends of mythical creatures that used to roam our world, before the old gods withdrew to their realm. Thought to be extinct or gone with the divine, no one had seen a legendary Eidolon in generations. They only existed in murals and religious texts, outside of the one that had appeared at Hillcrest three years ago.
The Eidolon eyed me, his smooth and ethereal voice purred disinterest. “So Alexia is leaving to cross the sea?”
Months without seeing Caspian, even I was caught off guard by the exotic lethality that he presented. Able to fly and vanish without a trace, Eidolons were said to have been the messengers between the celestial and the Earth. It was terrifying to think that a creature so large and powerful could appear without making a single sound. Historically, Eidolons advised kings, changed the tide of wars, and because of their pivotal roles, they were rarely seen by commonfolk.
To be accompanied by an Eidolon was proof that House LeMont was Godsblessed, and to be in one's presence was a great honor. A fact that for some reason, my father kept well hidden outside of Hillcrest.
Caspian waited for my response with a bored flick of the tail and rustle of wings. His golden eyes could see far into the distance, and late into the night, a designed predator from head to toe. I ached to learn more about the history of our world, and the old gods whom he used to serve, but Caspian had no interest in sharing his knowledge.
While intelligent, Caspian had little interest in being civil and rarely tolerated my questions. He was rude most days and did what he could to get under my skin most others. So, unlike most of the house, I did not revere Caspian. Shaking off my temporary stupor, I snapped back angrily. “She didn’t choose to go.”
“A true shame. I rather liked that one.” He almost sounded genuine in his remorse, but the thing with Caspian was that he was never genuine.
I was in no mood for the snide comments he was doubtlessly about to add to his thought. “Well, this was a lovely chat,” I said, grabbing at my skirts and turning for the stairs. “Let’s just leave it where it is before you find a way to ruin it.”
“Whatever you wish, mistress.” Caspian hissed, ruffling his feathers at my dismissal.
I don't know what I'd originally done to make Caspian dislike me, but he made no effort to hide his distaste for my presence. Either avoiding me or starting an argument, he made it clear that he was uninterested. He used the title of “mistress” in mockery. Compared to a spiritual being such as himself, my status was inconsequential and my lifespan already fleeting. When Caspian showed up three years ago, I hoped so desperately that he would share his knowledge with me, that I could learn about the world outside of Astalia, maybe even build a friendship with him. Instead I found indifference.
I turned around at the top of the stairs to look back at the door. Caspian decided to lie in the middle of the doorway, forcing the servants to go to the back of the manor to avoid stepping over him. Feline behavior for one who claimed to be above such things. I despised how easily he ignored me.
A tiny pinch of pain flared in my chest, and I rubbed at the skin over my heart. A tiny divot marred the flesh there under my clothes, not a scar but sometimes it ached like one. As if in response, Caspian’s head turned towards the stairs, and I fled.