The word allies tasted strange on her tongue. Allies were relatives or noble families who had the same goals. Allies were not either of the other kingdoms. The only word for them was enemies.
But this alliance was only temporary. Once Ivasland and Caberwill were crushed, she could turn her gaze homeward and set things right there—starting by elevating Nadine. She’d been so unfortunate to be born into the nonroyal side of the family, with little in the way of power or inheritance, but Hanne trusted her cousin’s counsel more than anyone else’s. Nadine was always measured and thoughtful and, most important, loyal. No one else in Hanne’s life—not a soul—had ever given her what Nadine offered freely.
Nadine laced her fingers, then unlaced them. “I know all of that. I just…You deserve so much better than him. You deserve happiness.”
“And through this marriage, I will achieve it.” Hanne touched Nadine’s arm. “As will you, I hope.”
“What of Lord Bearhaste?” Nadine asked. “Can we trust him?”
“We don’t trust people—only their greed.” The words came out harsher than Hanne had intended. She softened her tone. “Our spies have confirmed three times over that Lord Bearhaste has effectively defected. He wants more than Caberwill has to offer, as do others. Even now, on this journey, he is gathering support for my rule. By the time we are ready to move, the Caberwilline nobility will welcome me with open arms.”
“Open arms leave the heart exposed.” Nadine pulled a card from the deck. She moved her pink horse to the square in front of Hanne’s, crossing the finish line.
Hanne scowled at the board. “You’re bluffing.”
Nadine revealed the card, which showed a bright, indistinct light and the letter N in the corners. Numen. It outranked the king and queen cards by one point. “Burn it. How do you always do that?”
Nadine flashed a crooked smile, the genuine sort, not the kind brought out for court and parties. “Perhaps I will feel more comfortable with the arrangement once Lord Bearhaste delivers the names.”
“That will be today, if he keeps his end of the bargain. And tomorrow evening, when we arrive in Brink, you can begin charming everyone on the list. You’ll tell them what a good queen I will be one day, how much they will prosper under my rule. Once I have support from enough nobles, generals, and merchants, I will be able to deliver Caberwill from their current brutish leaders.”
Nadine looked dubious. “You’ll have to conquer Ivasland first. And conceive an heir. Only then will Caberwill have no choice but to accept you.”
“Yes, well.” Conquering Ivasland would be easy. As for the heir part—she would do what was necessary. For Embria. For peace.
“This isn’t my favorite plan.”
“I know.”
“You’re the one taking all the risks.”
They both left a space for the unspoken end of that sentence: Hanne’s parents were taking no risks. If this went awry, they could blame her for everything and use one of their hundred contingency plans to put an end to Ivasland’s aggression.
“Tell me you’re still in,” Hanne whispered. “I cannot do this without you.”
“Of course I am.” Nadine leaned forward, worry written across her face. “It was never really a question, was it?”
Hanne wouldn’t admit aloud that it had been a question—that she needed confirmation every time, because her only true fear was that Nadine would one day realize Hanne did not deserve such devotion, and then Hanne would be alone.
For now, Hanne put on a grin and took her cousin’s hands. “You and me, Nadine. It’s going to be us at the top of the world.”
“Or we’ll bring it down to meet us.”
* * *
Lunch was a typical Embrian affair, as not even traveling across the continent could prevent Hanne’s people from enjoying a meal.
Tables were unloaded and set out, delicate linen cloths draped over the polished bloodwood. Some poor Embrian seamstress had embroidered both families’ crests onto one such cloth—a dragon claw clutching a crown for Caberwill, and a stooping eagle for Embria—their outer circles linked together. The seamstress had probably choked on bile with every stitch, but it made a clear statement and Caberwillines loved clarity.
When everyone was seated (aside from guards, servants, grooms, and anyone else who wasn’t sufficiently titled to earn a place at a table), the meal arrived. The first course was a fine soup, spiced with ginger and a few other ingredients meant to aid digestion and sharpen hunger, so that more of the main courses could be consumed without that uncomfortable feeling of fullness. Then came smoked pheasant, stuffed with spices and vegetables; dishes of fruit and cream; and, finally, pastries drizzled with honey and soft, sweet cheese.
“Everything is delicious.” Rune sat at the high table beside Hanne, eating with as much poise as any Embrian noble. Nadine had a point about the prince’s manners: they could be far worse.
“It is,” Hanne agreed.
“How your chefs manage to prepare such a divine meal while riding in wagons,” Lord Bearhaste said from the far side of Rune, “I will never know.”
“The royal chefs are the best in Embria.” Lady Sabine tapped her napkin to the corners of her mouth. “They have every incentive to make the best of the situation.” The elderly Embrian lady traded knowing glances with Hanne. Two years ago, a chef had complained he couldn’t possibly work with his current set of knives. Queen Katarina had ordered an inspection. It turned out the blades were brittle and unbalanced; one had broken while the royal disciplinarians pressed it against the chef’s smallest finger. It ended up shattering the bone rather than cleanly removing the fingertip, to which Katarina had replied, “This will not do at all.”
New knives had been purchased and the chef had no more reasons to complain.
“Indeed.” Hanne bit into the soft, flaky pastry while conversation moved on around her.
The tension between the two parties remained heavy, but a few lords and ladies were doing their best to get along—or at least give the appearance of getting along. At the next table over, Lea, Maris, and Cecelia—the other three ladies-in-waiting Hanne had brought with her from Embria—were all deep in conversation with Caberwilline nobility, discussing the weather, books they had read, and what they would wear to the week of parties planned to accompany the wedding.
Hanne shot each of her ladies a small, approving nod, and then turned to Rune. “I’m eager to see Honor’s Keep tomorrow. It’s hard to believe we’re nearly there.”
On the opposite side of the crown prince, Lord Bearhaste stiffened. The message had been received. He was expected to deliver the names of her prospective supporters before arrival.