I smiled sweetly at the beast of a man still looming before me. “I learned enough. Now, if we’re finished belittling Dotharr’s freak, would you mind giving me an overview of what I’m to expect while working here?”
“Perhaps after dinner,” Lennart said before Gabor could reply. “The king is not to be kept waiting. Do try to enjoy your evening, Lady Isa.”
I spun on my heel and stepped through the doorway. The rectangular dining table was smaller than I thought it would be. It only seated eight. A centerpiece of flowers and candles was arranged over a cloth runner that extended down the middle of the table. Glass goblets, fine china, and silverware had already been set. A window stretched across one wall; an enormous fireplace and mirror dominated the other. Above the table hung a golden chandelier with countless candles lit. The room smelled of cinnamon and pine, and made me relax despite my recent encounter. I had hoped to be free of the pride of men once I’d arrived here, but it seemed I was wrong.
A scrawny boy sat between a little girl and a slender woman with curly red hair. I knew she was their mother because they too had red curls. The boy had her same brown eyes, but the little girl had dark blue eyes like Torvald. Across from them sat a boy entering manhood with Torvald’s same black hair, but brown eyes. The woman sitting next to him shared his eyes and full lips. They were dressed as finely as I was. They all watched me with the same bewildered expression.
I dipped into a curtsey. “My apologies. I was told I would be welcome to dine with the king.”
The legs of two chairs scraped against the wooden floor. I straightened up to see both women standing and smiling.
“You must be Lady Isa,” said the slender woman with curly hair. “You are most welcome here. My name is Helka, and these are my children, Haskell and Evie.” She held a hand out to the little boy and girl, who bowed their heads in respect.
“I am Bodil,” the woman with dark hair said. “And this is my son, Raoul.”
Raoul stood quickly and fell into a bow. “I am most honored to make your acquaintance, Lady Isa.”
His mother joined the others in giving him strange looks. Then Bodil smiled at me again. “Please, be seated wherever you like. His Majesty should be here shortly.”
“Thank you.” I approached the seat closest to me at the end of the table.
Prince Raoul hurried to pull the chair out for me, flashing a smile. I nodded graciously and sat as the chair was pushed in. Then I folded my hands in my lap and waited. Raoul sat beside his mother and continued beaming at me. Prince Haskell made kissing faces at his half brother until his mother threw him a stern look. Princess Evie squirmed in her seat and tugged on her mother’s sleeve.
“Yes, darling?” Lady Helka said, leaning over slightly.
“Why do her eyes glow, Momma?”
“She was chosen by Dotharr to be a warrior, like the other guards who keep us safe.”
“But she’s a girl,” the princess said in what she probably thought was a whisper.
Both Bodil and Helka winced, and shot me apologetic glances.
I smiled. “It’s all right. I’m a rarity among my kind, Princess Evie. That’s why I was chosen for this special task.”
“You’re going to protect Torvald, aren’t you?” Haskell said. “You’re going to follow him wherever he goes and make sure no one harms him, like Arvid and Elof and Gunnar and all the other Defenders that came before you.”
“Haskell,” Helka hissed.
The boy continued as if his mother hadn’t spoken. “But you aren’t going to die like they did, right? You’re going to outlive them all so that Raoul can marry you when he’s old enough.”
Raoul’s face turned bright red. “Shut your mouth!”
“Mind your manners,” his mother said, elbowing him in the side.
Evie clapped her hands and smiled. “That would be wonderful! You would make beautiful babies.”
“Evie,” Helka groaned. “That is not suitable table conversation.”
I laughed. “I do hope I outlive the other Defenders, Prince Haskell, but if I had to marry anyone, it would be—”
My words died in my throat as King Torvald appeared in the doorway. He was taller than I remembered. The glass circlet crown was still in place. I hadn’t noticed before but there were small golden gems embedded in the glass. He had changed out of the stiff white uniform and gloves, and now wore a white shirt under a gold and white embroidered waistcoat, black breeches, and those same sleek, black boots. If he wasn’t a violent warlord, I might’ve thought him handsome. My body grew tense with unease.
He smiled at us, those impossibly dark blue eyes shining. He tugged at his cravat. “Sorry I’m late.”
“Torvy!” Evie would’ve leapt from her chair and most likely tackled him with a hug had her mother not put a hand out to restrain her.
The king laughed as he approached the table. “Hugs after dinner, Evie. I’m famished!”
As if on cue, the dining room was flooded with servants. The six of us made to rise but the king waved a hand to stop us.
He bowed to Helka and Bodil. “Good evening to you.” He peeked up to meet my surprised gaze. “And to you as well, Lady Isa.”
“Good evening, Your Majesty,” the women chorused.
“Yes, good evening to you,” I murmured down at my plate.
The king grinned before seating himself and putting a napkin in his lap. The servants brought the first course and filled our goblets with wine, although I imagine Haskell and Evie were given juice.
Torvald spooned clam chowder into his mouth as Evie chattered about her day. Lady Helka shook her head and sent sympathetic smiles King Torvald’s way, but he didn’t seem to mind.
“After I survived my studies, I asked the servants for some chocolate pudding. But they wouldn’t give me any because they said it would spoil my dinner,” Evie said with a temporary frown. “But then I remembered I had a play date with cousin Indria and I felt better. She’s loads of fun.”
“For a nine year old,” Haskell scoffed.
Evie stuck her tongue out at her brother, earning a scowl from her mother. Then she continued with her narrative. “We braided each other’s hair and played with our dolls and then swam in the spring.”
Torvald gasped. “They let you swim in the spring? I’m not even allowed to do that!”
“No one is allowed to swim in the spring,” Helka said. “My daughter and her cousin were dragged out of the water by the guards and escorted to my rooms.”
Evie pouted. “I was forced to bathe in the middle of the day and sit in my room all alone until evening. It was not pleasant.”
“Perhaps you’ll remember that before agreeing to Indria’s next scheme,” Helka sniffed. “It isn’t proper for young ladies to swim in public springs.”
“But it’s perfectly acceptable to swim in private springs,” Haskell said matter of factly.
Helka shot him a poisonous look, but the comment made Torvald laugh so she let it slide.
The king finished his salad before addressing Raoul. “And how was your day, brother?”
Raoul shrugged and stirred his soup. “Fine, I suppose.”
“Raoul was rejected by a girl today,” Haskell announced.
If Raoul could reach, he probably would’ve kicked his half brother under the table.
Bodil dropped her spoon into her bowl with a clatter. “Not possible! Who would reject a Prince of Holger?”
“Raziya would,” Haskell said with a smirk.
“You’ll stop talking this instant if you know what’s good for you!” Raoul practically spat.
“Haskell,” his mother said, “that’s quite enough.”
The boy put a finger to his chin and thoughtfully gazed up at the ceiling. “What reason did she give again? Ahh, yes. Not enough fencing experience. She only dates men of valor.”