Prologue

Risden stumbled into his study and unsteadily made his way over to where he had wine set out on a table. He poured himself a drink and then collapsed into a seat by the fire, leaning his pounding head back as he attempted to recover from his long night. He had gone down to the barracks with his friend to have a few drinks with his men and had ended up drinking the night away. A few times throughout the night a couple of them got into a brawl and Risden was more than happy to join in. The last year had been ruthless on him and had a bit of pent up anger that needed to be released. Now however he was paying for his short bout of idiocy with a headache and some bruises. Risden focused on relaxing his sore muscles and tried not to think of the antagonism he would have to endure later in the day.
“Risden!” someone bellowed and Risden’s eyes sprang open at the sound of his father’s voice. So much for relaxing. What the devil was he doing here? He thought as he began to get out of his seat.
“Risden!” his father bellowed once again. He continued to bellow it until he had thrown open the doors to Risden’s study and saw him standing there in the middle of the room. Risden wasn’t surprised by the dark look his father was giving him as he approached him. His father hadn’t smiled at him in nearly a year and barely spoke to him anymore except to curse him.
“Father, what an unexpected surprise,” Risden said as he fought back a scowl and bowed to his father respectfully. Whatever animosity existed between them his father was still king.
“You have embarrassed me for the last time!” he shouted at him angrily.
Risden almost rolled his eyes before he caught himself. His father would tolerate a lot of things, but disrespect was not one of them. “What is it that I am supposed to have done now?” Risden asked curiously as he walked over to pour himself something stronger that the wine he already had. “Do you wish for a drink?” he asked his father, thinking how satisfying it would be to throw the decanter at his head if he should say yes.
“I don’t want a blasted drink! I want a bloody explanation!” he yelled pounding his fist on the desk that stood next to him.
“An explanation for what?” Risden demanded. “What is it that my brother and his mistresses are accusing me of now? Another beating, more stealing, perhaps I impregnated one of them?” Risden speculated his words bleeding sarcasm and disdain.
“Don’t stand there and pretend you have no idea why I am here!” his father spat angrily. “I have allowed you your excuses Risden. I couldn’t believe a son of mine would lay a hand on any woman, but you have crossed the line and I demand answers! Where were you last night?” his father demanded to know.
Risden looked up at his father his whole body on alert. He hadn’t missed the challenge in his father’s voice, the contempt that laced his words, and now he could see that there was more than just disapproval in his eyes. Disgust, abhorrence, and animosity were there as well. The man in front of him was no longer the man who had raised Risden, but the man who ruled a Nation. This was the King of Tamorcya and Risden could see it in his eyes that he no longer thought of Risden as his son. He was surprised by how much that hurt. It had been a long time since he had truly thought of his father as a father, but he felt the disownership as strongly as if someone had just punched him in the gut. Risden quickly gulped back the pain before his father could see it, he would show him no weakness just as he was taught to do. “I was with Sir Nathan Briant of Cosgrove in the barracks with my men,” Risden explained politely. He wanted his father out of his chanbers as soon as possible. “I have the headache and the bruises to prove it,” he added when he could see the doubt in his father’s eyes. “Now will you please tell me what the hell is going on?”
His father scowled at him, but Risden kept his face free of emotion. “Start packing your things Risden,” his father commanded. “I may be willing to turn a blind eye to battered woman, but when one of those woman turn up dead I have to take action. Your banished from court.”
Risden couldn’t believe what he was hearing and sat stunned in his seat as he tried to absorb what his father was telling him. He was being accused of murder? What had he ever done to deserve all of this? Who hated him so much that they would try to get him charged and convicted of murder? Risden already knew the answer of who, but he still didn’t understand why. The trouble was Risden had no proof against the man. His eyes narrowed on his father, “You don’t believe me, your own son!”
“I cannot and will not condone murder Risden. By all rights I should have you marched out of here nad to the dungeons. Blast it! She was the daughter of a Duke Risden!”
Risden couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Only one of his brother’s mistresses was a Duke’s daughter. She had been the first victim and when people had begun asking her about her bruises she pointed the finger at Risden. Risden had been able to get her alone not too long ago and when he confronted her she broke down in tears apologizing profusely. His brother had warned her that if she ever told anyone she would be killed and she refused to come clean. Risden did not blame her for her fear, but he had continued to press her telling her that he would protect her. Some Champion he had turned out to be. “Damn it all to HELL!” Risden shouted, angrily pounding his fist on his desk as he jumped out of his seat. “I have NEVER laid a hand on a woman in my life!”
“I don’t give a damn what you have to say!” his father yelled back. “I will not allow you to remain at court.”
“Just where the bloody hell am I supposed to go?” Risden demanded.
“Leith, the Lord of those lands has recently passed away and he left it without an heir,” his father explained testily as he tried to rein in his rising temper. “I want you gone by the end of the week!” he ordered.
Risden stared after his father unable to believe what he had just heard. He was banished to Leith! Leith was a country that bordered an unfriendly country. Battles were constantly ensuing between the border lords over stolen cattle and flocks, property distruction, and kidnappings. He had visited the lands that bordered that country on occasion when battles got out of hand and was threatening war between the two countries. “PETER!” Risden shouted out to his valet. If he was to leave for Leith he wanted to leave as soon as he could. He was tired of his father and he was beyond ready to kill his older brother.
Peter came rushing through the doors a moment later. “You called for me, Your Highness,” he asked sounding slightly out of breath and Risden was under the impression that he had come running when he had bellowed for the man.
“Start having my things packed Peter. We are leaving,” Risden said rounding his desk and sitting down in the chair. “Be prepared to leave for Leith as soon as you can, we must be gone by the end of the week,” he explained as he shuffled through his papers.
“Shall I have your men notified Your Highness?” Peter asked curiously.
Risden thought about it before shaking his head. “No thank you, I shall do it,” he decided. He continued to shuffle through his papers before he found what he was looking for. He folded the parchment and stuffed it beneath his tunic as he hurried out of his chambers. He had to speak with Nathan. Someone else had to know everything that was going on besides him. He was not going to allow his brother to kill him and get away with it.

 

Chapter One

Castle Aurea was a hive of activity as everyone busily anticipated the arrival of their royal guests. The staff was in an uproar as they prepared the castle from cleaning and airing the rooms to trimming the gardens too preparing the finest menu’s Solterra had to offer. The Lords and Ladies of the court were busily attending fittings for clothes to be made in the newest fashions and buying new things to impress their foreign guests. The Knights and Sergeant at Arms were vigorously training so that they would be presentable. Everyone in the castel was joyously anticipating the arrival of their foreign neighbors, everyone but one.
Jo threw open her sisters door and barged into the room without knocking or a how-do-you-do. She saw her sister nearly fall out of her seat surprised by her abrupt entrance. “Why can he not leave me be?” she demanded of her sister as she began to pace the room in frustration.
She saw her sister close the book that was in her hands and set it aside. Therese folded her hands in her lap and straightened her back like the prim lady she was. “Who are you referring to?” Therese asked her.
Jo rolled her eyes. As if she didn’t already know. “Father,” Jo spat out furiously. She saw her sister let out a small sigh in the corner of her eye. Why should she? Therese should be rooling her eyes at her as well, but she was too lady like for that. “How can he do this? Why can he not leave me be to choose a husband in my own time?”
“You have more of a choice than most women are allowed Jo,” Therese said diplomatically. Again Jo rolled her eyes. What did she care about other woman, they were talking about her? “He just wants you to be settled and happy, to have someone beside you to help carry the burden of ruling Solterra,” Therese explained.
Jo snorted as she continued to pace the room. She was perfectly capable of ruling Solterra on her own. She didn’t need a man to do it for her. “Rese do you truly believe a man is going to allow me to rule the Kingdom?” she asked cynically. “He will insist that it is his position and that as a woman mine is in the bedroom tending him and our children,” Jo complained angrily. There wasn’t a man out there that believed a woman was as smart as any man. “Why can he not understand that if he picks a husband for me that I will never have a husband who will help me rule? The man will try to rule my country and me! I don’t want that Rese, I want a partner or no husband at all!”
“Father is allowing you to make a choice Jo,” Therese explained patiently. Jo knew that they had this discussion a lot and perhaps more than ever in the last few weeks. Jo would come and complain to Therese whenever she was finished arguing with their father and Therese would always try to help her see the logic and good in her situation. “He only asks that you talk with Prince Risden when he arrives, spend some time with him, and get to know him. If at the end of a month’s time you do not think you will be happy marrying him father will not allow a union,” Therese said repeating the agreement her and their father had created.
Jo groaned as she slid into a chair. The problem with her arrangement with her father was that if she sent Prince Risden on his way another eligible bachelor would be presented to her and it will continue till she found a husband. “Rese unless I tell him I hate Prince Risden and cannot stand him then I will be married to him. Father does not care if I do not love him, just as long as I do not try to kill him.”
“You will never know if you continue to avoid meeting your suitors,” Therese replied patiently. “He just might be your soul mate.”
“I do not wishe to fall in love! I want to be left alone to rule my Kingdom,” Jo scowled. Love was a fickle emotion and Jo had little patience with it. Love was like a bright shiny toy a child favored until a new toy was given to him. One day a person is claiming to be in love with someone and then only weeks later they are in love with someone else. Love never laste and she never wanted to be caught by it.
“Jo whether or not you fall in love, you have to marry! You are to be Queen of this land and you will have many duties to your Kingdom. One of those duties is to provide it with an heir,” Therese clarified warmly. “Are you going to neglect your duties because you have no desires to marry?”
Jo sighed, “No.” She sat back in her chair and began to sulk. Why couldn’t she have children without getting married? She would just have to find a way to keep Risden from wanting to marry her. Jo jumped out of her seat and began to leave. “I know what I will do. I shall avoid him and if I cannot avoid meeting him then I shall behave horribly. He shall never wish to marry me then,” Jo enlightened her sister as she reached for the door.
“Do you truly think that is going to work?” Therese asked, but Jo didn’t answer. She had already left the room and closed the door. She was much happier now that she had talked with her sister. Now that she had a plan of action, she could almost be excited about Prince Risden’s arrival in Solterra.
 

Impressum

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Tag der Veröffentlichung: 06.03.2011

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Widmung:
To My Dad My knight in Shinning Armor whenever I need a Hero To My Mom Who never let me forget that dreams come true are more than hopes and wishes, they are the result of hardwork and perseverence. To My Brother The man who taught me how to fight back. I Love You All! To My Friend Amanda Always willing to read my stories and tell me they were all wrong. Your the best Mand!