Arranged (45 page)

Adalia pursed her lips, but finally accepted his answer. "Did you tell her about the arranged marriage?"

Leave it to Adalia to try to ruin his day. His sister was determined to make him lose his temper, it seemed. "I purposed and she accepted in her own right. That's all she'll ever need know," he insisted, tying his sash, which he had discarded before climbing into bed.

Adalia gave him a look. "She will be angry when she finds out," she told him.

Qwinn nodded, he had figured as much. "That is why she won't find out."

"How do you plan on keeping it a secret from her once she's Queen? Or when centuries from now, you have to take another woman from the surface for your son? Do you think you won't have to tell her then?"

Qwinn worked his jaw. The joy Alison had given him was beginning to fade. A doubt loudly made itself known.
What if she hates you after she finds out?

Alison and Qwinn's situation was much different than any King before. All of their queens hated them when they were married the very night they were taken. Alison was falling for Qwinn, could they come back from this? Perhaps he should have told her what was expected of her from day one. Adalia was right, she would find out some time or another. Would she ever be able to trust him again?

Would all the hard work he'd put into wooing her and making her comfortable be seen as a sham? Would she paint him as someone who had lied to win her heart? He hoped she was beginning to love him enough that they'd be able to get through this, that she'd understand.

"I'll deal with that when it comes," he grit out. "I have to see the council, take good care of her," he grumbled as he walked out of her room. He took a few deep breaths to calm his rising temper. It should have been a wonderful day, Alison loved the ring, they would wed in a few nights, everything was on track, except that small problem; Alison didn't know the truth.

Jabr found him and gave him a quick report of what he missed when he was out. His captain wanted to meet with him to go over their plan with the men who had been selected for their special mission. It seemed that his day was filling up before his eyes and he wouldn't be able to see Alison until late in the night.

He tried to put a cap on his anger as he arrived at the council chambers.

ALISON MET ADALIA IN THE HALL. She couldn't keep the smile from her mouth. Her life was finally something she could enjoy. That's why it took her a minute to realize that Adalia seemed a little tense. As they walked, Alison tried to study her out of the corner of her eye. Adalia had a few tension lines around her mouth and her movements weren't as fluid as they usually were. When they reached the stables, Alison began to worry. "Is everything alright?"

Adalia's bright silvery eyes turned to her. "Everything is fine," she said. Alison frowned but Adalia ignored her, mounting the Ou'tani and reaching a hand to help her up.

When they were on their way to the dancer's tent, Alison asked again. This time Adalia paused before answering. "I'm just a little worried everything won't be…alright for the festival."

"Everything will be great!" Alison tried to encourage. Adalia still didn't relax, but she gave Alison a slight hug from behind.

When they reached the tents, everyone was bustling and rushing to and fro. Many were dressed in colorful and some ridiculous looking costumes. A woman three heads taller than Alison breezed by with a beautiful dress. Adalia ushered her in, heading for the older ladies they'd talked to only the night before. She spoke with them in Vidarian and was led to a colorful pile of fabric. Adalia grabbed it and motioned Alison over.

She held up the rough patterns of a costume against Alison. To Alison, it seemed that the longer she stayed in Vidar, the less fabric they seemed to use when dressing her. Her eyes widened as she saw the "dress" in full length. "Where is the rest of the dress?" she asked.

Adalia laughed and continued holding the costume up. "Don't be silly, this is a beautiful costume."

"If she can't handle a simple costume, maybe she shouldn't do the wedding dance," Shea's annoying voice sounded from a few feet away.

Adalia glared. "She is already well on her way."

Shea snorted, finally coming into view, her piercing green eyes digging into Alison and for a moment, Alison wondered if she too had powers. "We have all seen how she dances." The look on her face showed she was not impressed.

Alison tried not to let it get to her, but she already had insecurities smoldering in this area, Shea's words were fanning the flames.

"She dances like an angel," Adalia said easily, coming to Alison's rescue.

Shea laughed cruelly and folded her arms. "What makes her think she could ever live up to the Vidarian way? She's−"

"Shea, don't you have dough you're supposed to mix or potatoes to peel?" Adalia snapped.

Shea sneered, looked Alison up and down then smiled knowingly before she sauntered off.

Adalia watched her until she was on the other side of the tent, and then turned worried eyes to Alison. "Don't listen to her."

Alison shrugged, showing a bravery she didn't feel. Adalia probed her mind gently, seeing if Shea had done any emotional damage. "Alison, Shea is just jealous because you got Qwinn. She'll say anything to tear you down, don't pay her any attention."

Alison frowned slightly. "Because I got Qwinn?" she asked, something about that statement was unsettling to her." What do you mean? Has Shea had him?"

Suddenly, Adalia looked very uncomfortable. It took a long moment for her to answer; the silence caused Alison's anger to spike. "Tell me!"

Adalia pulled her slightly closer, so no one would over-hear them. "Years and years ago…they were together."

Her stomach cramped. That evil creature had been with Qwinn! "How long were they together?"

"Alison−"

"How long?" she demanded.

She frowned. "A few years."

Alison felt dizzy. Shea, the piercing eyes, the grating laugh, the smug smile had been with
her
Qwinn. Had he loved her? Did he want her back? Was he angry that Alison had come? So many doubts flared up, where just a few hours ago, she had been so certain of his love. Why had he hidden this from her?

Adalia grabbed her shoulder, regaining her attention. "This was almost a century ago, you weren't even born yet! He doesn't want her anymore!"

Again, Alison nodded with mock bravery while her insides felt like mush. She felt quivery as she processed everything.
He must still want her; why else wouldn't he tell me?
She thought. "Can we practice now?" she asked, desperate to step out of the tense air. After a moment, Adalia relented and allowed Alison to move to their usual spot to practice.

Alison did her best to concentrate on her dance moves and not her aching heart. He'd been with Shea! He'd been with Shea! Her mind kept repeating. She came too quickly out of a spin and stumbled. Not too far away she heard harsh laughter.

Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment as she found a small group of women, including Shea watching her critically. As soon as Alison's attention was on Shea, she leaned forward and whispered loudly. "Too bad Qwinn has no choice but to marry her. Our people are going to suffer in her hands; she can't even get the hang of the dance she'll be performing at
her own
wedding. Why they bothered to teach her the dance is what I want to know."

Alison's eyes widened impossibly large as her gaze shot to Adalia, who looked like she was going to throw up. In the next instant, Adalia was in Shea's face, yelling at her in Vidarian, but it was too late, the damage was already done. Alison had heard every word and her stomach sunk even lower. So many secrets and Qwinn had promised her no more lies.

Without waiting for permission, she hurried to the door of the tent and ran for the patch of grass her and Adalia had spoken at days before. She felt like she couldn't breathe. When she reached the grass, she collapsed and curled her arms around her knees in an effort to protect herself. She didn't know who to believe, she didn't know what to do. One thing she knew for sure, Qwinn had been lying to her from the very start and so had Adalia. The only two people she thought she could trust had played with her.

"Alison?" Adalia yelled as she rushed out of the tent and into the dark. It didn't take her long to spot Alison huddled in on herself, but by the time she reached her, Alison had a cold resolve on her face.

"Take me to my room please," she said emotionless.

"Alison, I can explain−"

"Take me to my room," she repeated and began walking to the Ou'tani.

"Please, let me explain! Shea doesn't know what she's talking about," she begged, grabbing her arm. "If you would stop−"

Alison glared heatedly and wrenched her arm free, which she was sure Adalia allowed her to do, and continued walking away. She would not cry in front of Adalia. Both brother and sister had seen enough of her weakness, that's probably what got her in this mess in the first place.

Adalia followed, but did not speak. She did however attempt to control Alison's emotions.

"Stay out of my head Adalia!" Alison found herself yelling. Instantly she felt guilty for yelling when Adalia looked as if she'd been smacked, but she refrained from apologizing. "Please…just take me back."

Adalia nodded sadly, as she walked to the Ou'tani. Alison shut up her conscience. Why should she feel bad when Adalia lied just as much as Qwinn had? Deep down, Alison realized she was being a little unfair by not hearing Adalia out, but at that moment, she could think of no other way to protect her heart…or what was left of it.

The ride was silent and tense. Once they arrived, Alison hopped off, thanks to her newly healed leg and headed for the doors. Adalia followed silently behind. When Alison reached her door, Larius perked as did Naliya.

"I do not want to be disturbed," Alison told Naliya as she entered her room and slammed the door behind her. She heard Adalia exchange a few words to the pair before she left. Without eyes on her, she curled up on the freshly made bed and finally allowed herself to cry.

QWINN LUNGED WITH HIS SWORD and slammed into his soldiers shield. He was holding an early practice with the men he selected for his special mission. His opponent shoved forward, trying to throw the king off balance. Qwinn, however, anticipated the move and rebounded with a shove of his own. His opponent stumbled back just enough for Qwinn to spot who was standing at the training room door.

Qwinn held up a hand and the fight stopped. Qwinn's nerves picked up, for Adalia to show up meant that something had happened.

Already, Vin (who had finally convinced Qwinn he could help, though he'd proven to be a good fighter, had been stuck with the job of sharpening swords when he wasn't dancing) was heading for Adalia, who looked very surprised to see him here.

Qwinn ignored the man as he hurried to his sister. "What happened? Where's Alison?" he asked before she could get a word in. He could see the lines of worry on her face and his heart began to beat faster. "Where is she?" he repeated, hurrying out the door and searching the hall for her.

"Qwinn, she knows," was all Adalia said as she grabbed his arm to stop him.

His blood ran cold. "What?"

"She knows…Shea told her."

Anger flared in him violently and he lashed out at the closest thing to him, which happened to be the thick stone wall. Adalia tried to calm him, but he shoved her from his mind. "What did Shea tell her? Tell me every word."

"She said that it was too bad you had no choice but to marry her and how bad she will be for our people because she couldn't even handle her own wedding dance."

Again, Qwinn punched the wall and growled angrily. When he managed to get his breathing somewhat under control, he turned back to his sister. "Where is she?"

"You're hand!" she gasped.

Qwinn ignored her; he could feel the blood slowly dripping down his fingers. "Where?"

"Her room."

Without another word, he took the stairs two at time, knowing he wouldn't be able to concentrate to completely heal his hand at the moment; he could only close the skin to stop the bleeding, but all the while, his mind was elsewhere entirely.

When he reached her door and found Larius and Naliya stuck outside with lost expressions on their faces. He walked right past them and opened her door, not bothering to knock.

He found her curled on her bed on her side. He slowed himself; he didn't want to scare her more than she already was. She remained where she was until he sat on the bed next to her; then she shot up and moved to the other side of the room, the bed between them.

"Ali−"

"Tell me the truth," she whispered with a raspy voice that told him she had been crying.

He sighed heavily, knowing it was already too late and she had guarded her heart against him. He wanted to kill Shea, slowly and torturously. Why couldn't she just allow them to be happy? He pulled himself out of his angry thoughts and concentrated on the matter at hand. He remained seated, keeping the nonthreatening stance. He wanted to ask what she thought she'd heard, but knew that she would think he was going to manipulate his answer and lose more trust in him.