‘She hears your cries when you are weak, waits until you fall asleep, and wipes the tears from your cheek.’
Hymn of Agathe.
First Chapter ~
Dragon skulls mounted the walls. Baring teeth, horned shadows loomed around the guests seated in the dining hall. Astrid watched a candle flicker before King Erik, casting his bulk onto hanging tapestries. Her heart skipped a beat as the iron doors clanged shut behind the scurrying kitchen maids.
Erik lifted a dragon’s horn to his lips and fixed his eyes on Astrid. “We have yet to hear word from our southern friends whether or not they accept you.” He took a sip of wine.
“You were once at war with the Mandiv’s,” Astrid said.
“A war that ended with truce,” the king’s confidant, Goran said.
“You know what is at stake if this unity does not happen.”
“I understand, father.”
“Your sisters are much fairer. You should be grateful.”
Astrid stared at her reflection in the wash basin beside her. She wished she repelled all men, and no barbarian scum could stand to look at it.
“She does not make my eyes bleed, Father, much,” Prince Arne smirked.
“Insult me while you can, brother. If I make the barbarian’s eyes bleed, it will result in a bloody war which you will have to fight.”
“You know, M’Lady, if you were to acquire ghastly scars from young dragon’s talons, surely no barbarian would accept you,” her first lady, Asa whispered.
Astrid shook her head. “I would be beheaded for being of no further use, as my mother was.”
“Sorry, M’Lady.”
Astrid frowned. “Your nonsense doesn’t grieve me. I have much else to worry about.”
***
Her surrogate mother used to read stories to her when she was young. She nestled her body into the folds of the soft fur blankets,tracing the leather book cover with her fingers.
The door squeaked open, and Asa crept in. She climbed into the bed next to Astrid and said, “It is cold tonight, M’Lady.”
“Yes,” Astrid whispered.
“Are you afraid to dream of the nightwalkers again?”
“No, but I wonder if Agathe will watch over me if I am sent to marry.”
“I will be watching over you, M’Lady.”
“You have always been by my side. Thank you, Asa.”
“It is a pleasure to serve you, M’Lady.”
***
She watched from her window as the gates were drawn open. A rider raced into King Erik’s walls, cloak flaying behind him. He pulled the reins taut, dismounted his steed and strode towards the castle entrance. Astrid raced from her chamber, through the corridor, and down a winding staircase.
Erik strode past, and Astrid pulled back into the darkness. She watched him turn a corner, and followed steps behind him to where he met the rider. Lingering in the shadows, she watched as the King unfurled parchment and read in silence.
“I am glad for your haste. This is great news.”
She held her breath and prayed in silence her worst nightmare would not come true.
“Astrid is to be married to the Barbarian Prince.”
Her heart sank, and dread consumed her.
