The Broken Kingdoms of Osvolta (Kingdoms of Osvolta #1)

57. Welcome to Farrenhold

Chapter fifty-seven

Welcome to Farrenhold

T he morning sun cast the deck of the Valdrych in buttery soft light. Prince Emmerich stood watching from the helm to where land drew closer with every beat of his heart. After days of battling unforgiving winds that threatened to capsize them. They had finally found favour sailing around the northernmost tip of Farrenhold and were at last sailing into the capital of Trivellian.

“Bring in the sails,” Emmerich called to his crew, “we’re getting close enough to drop some speed.”

The Valdrych drew up alongside the dock and Emmerich and his crew were immediately engulfed in the heady salt air. Shouts from the fishermen filled the dock as they hauled in the morning’s catch, ready to be sent off to market. Gulls cried above them, searching with beady eyes for scraps.

To the left, the city bloomed before them. Concentric around the port, spreading out wider and wider the farther back he could see, a mess of tangled alleys and dotted markets squares.

To the right loomed the sprawling sandstone palace, bedecked in gold and shades of green and blue tile artwork. Farrowvale Palace was heavily fortified, surrounded by high walls on all sides save one, where it sat on the edge of the ocean.

In the past, the royals of Farrenhold preferred their mountain stronghold. In their peaceful years since The Oracle’s ascension, they had enjoyed more of the summer palace; until it slowly became their permanent residence. The keep in the mountain left to fall into disrepair.

Deckhands threw down ropes to the dock to help tie the ship up. Once Emmerich was sure that she was secure, he hopped down onto the dock below. Wrenn beside him, they headed toward the city, only to walk straight into a wall of steel.

Emmerich raised his head to meet a sea of anonymous helmets. They stood side to side, blocking their way. But through the centre of them moved a person, as graceful as they were predatory. Dressed in a cream gown cinched at the waist with a golden belt, a bejewelled hunting knife strapped to it. The colour of the dress glowed against their deep brown skin. Braided hair drifting around them in the salt kissed breeze, as the prince slowly met the storming silver gaze of the Etana heir.

“Never in my life did I think I would see an Elithiend march onto my dock as if he owned it,” Adira retorted, circling him with a keen stare. “Search them,” they ordered the guards with a flick of the head toward the visitors.

“Is that necessary, Your Highness?” Emmerich replied, arms raised as guards began pulling knives from his holsters.

Adira looked the prince up and down, arms crossed over their chest. “My father agreed to your visit. He did not agree to you arriving armed. You shall have your weapons returned upon leaving or when you prove yourself to be trustworthy, whichever comes first.”

Once every weapon was uncovered and seized from them, Adira clasped their hands together, a crooked smile crossing their face. “Now, to the matter at hand, before I allow you to enter my city. Tell me, what can Farrenhold offer you, Prince Emmerich?”

Emmerich needed Adira Etana to trust him, and the only way to do that was to tell the truth. There was something about the way their eyes bore in to his, as if they could see deep into his soul. As though there was no use in lying because they would sense it instantly.

“Unfinished business with a certain princess. She left in rather a hurry, and I was hoping to speak with her.”

“Why would Solveig Maleen be associating with you?”

“We were working together when I was poisoned, and she fled here. But only after she informed my second in command that we should leave their shores and never return. She’s up to something, and since it affected me directly, I confess to say that I must demand to know what that is.”

Adira regarded him. “And that’s all you want with her?”

“Yes,” he gritted. A lie. And he knew the minute the word had passed his lips, that it was outright and barefaced, and he could see on Adira’s face that they knew it too.

“This will be an interesting way to pass the next few days.” Adira muttered mostly to themself. “Princess Solveig arrived this morning. She’s in her chambers freshening up, and the day is hers to do with as she pleases. Solveig has free rein across the country. She may sleep, eat, dance, and seduce her way through my city at her will. You, however, will be accompanied by a member of my guard or house. Is that understood?” Adira smirked, daring him to challenge them.

Emmerich tensed. But thought better of it. “Yes, Your Highness.”

Adira smiled at that, turning toward their city with one arm outstretched.

“Then welcome to Farrenhold.”