Dark One Rising. Leandra Martin

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СКАЧАТЬ will always be the only man I ever love.”

      “You will find another. In time.”

      “Yes, but will it be too late by then? When will father decide that he will not wait anymore?”

      He knew his father was already thinking about it, but he had promised to tell Kevaan first. He didn’t want Melenthia to worry, so he fibbed. “He would not make a decision of that importance without my council. Don’t worry.” He kissed her cheek again and stood to leave. “Sleep tight, sister. Maybe if you dream of the one you want, he’ll present himself.”

      She giggled now. “If only that really did work. My dreams are always full of handsome men that love me for myself. Men that love me so deeply, they’d die for me. If only they were not dreams.”

      “There is one out there, I know it. Good night.”

      “Good night, Kevaan.”

      ***

      A couple of weeks later, Melenthia was down in the practice arena again, fighting off another challenger that was dumb enough to try and beat her. Randor was watching again from his audience chamber window. He had called for Kevaan to come down and see him. It was time Kevaan learned about Melenthia’s nuptials to the man of his choosing. Her party was over, and he had already had negotiations with her future husband. Things were arranged and plans were made. Kevaan would not be happy, but he had no say in the matter this time. He was her father, and his word was law.

      Kevaan entered the room and approached his father who was still watching her. When he heard footsteps behind him, he turned and looked at his son.

      “Ah, Kevaan my boy, come in and sit. It’s time you and I had a talk about your sister’s future.”

      “You said that you’ve made a decision regarding Melenthia’s husband.”

      “Yes, I have chosen. I have decided to accept the only offer she’s had in years.”

      Kevaan hated to ask, for he didn’t want to know who his sister would be bound to against her will, but his curiosity prevailed, and he had waited two weeks to find out the truth.

      “Whom have you chosen, father?”

      The king glanced at his son, afraid to look him in the eye, and he didn’t answer for a long time. He was suddenly second guessing his decision and was afraid of telling Kevaan what he had done. The silence in the room was almost too much, the pause was too long. Kevaan was becoming nervous.

      “Father, what have you done?”

      Randor steeled himself and took a breath before answering. “What I should have done years ago.” He sighed. “I have chosen Duke Fallon for her husband.”

      He reeled. He never expected a fate as horrible as that. Fallon was a barbaric ogre. It was rumored that he used violence to instill fear in the villages of his realm. That was how he had obtained as much land as he had. He did not earn it, and he certainly didn’t deserve it. It was also rumored that he dabbled in the Dark Arts.

      He was only interested in power, and he was a warrior through and through. He loved no one and was seen with a different mistress every week, all of them harlots he picked off the street. When he tired of them, he cast them out, usually in worse condition than when he found them. He was insensitive, crass and very lewd. Melenthia would be in hell.

      The only time Fallon took a mistress from the court was to get whatever power or riches from the family he could, or to buy someone to join his cause.

      His father had been more then fair, he had to admit, and his father was right, it was more than high time she marry, but he felt that this punishment was too harsh. He had already had to deal with Fallon the night at the party. He was not yet married to her and was already pushing himself forcibly upon her. He would not tell his father that, because he was not sure he would believe him, but he was afraid for her. Kevaan breathed to calm himself and practically broke his teeth from clenching them so tight, trying not to speak. But his anger and disappointment prevailed. He couldn’t remain silent.

      “Father, you can’t possibly be serious. Fallon is not a good match for her, for any woman to put it bluntly. Power is all he seeks. He will not treat her well. Everyone knows he is quick to anger with words and with fist. She will be his only in name. She will be a slave under his roof, to bend to his will, and if she doesn’t do what he wants, she’ll suffer greatly. He’ll take her by force to make a son. He won’t love her like a husband should. She’ll be put aside to make room in his bed for his mistresses. Is that really the life you want for her? What would drive you mad enough to accept his proposal?”

      “He’s the only one who has asked. Everyone knows she has no suitors breaking down the door to ask me for her hand. To deny her to him could cause my reputation, and in saying so, your future, to crumble. You will be king someday so it was imperative that you choose a wife to be queen, and you have done so. She’s still a princess, and I won’t have her stubbornness embarrass me and my kingdom.”

      “He only asked because he seeks whatever hold he can gain over you. He’s looking for something you can give him. There’s a more sinister plan in his mind, father. Can you not feel it? Are you willing to put your only daughter through a life of humiliation and sadness just so you won’t have to hear the words people say about her? Are you willing to lose her, maybe sentence her to death, just to make sure Fallon doesn’t invade, doesn’t try to destroy you? We can fight him if we need to, father; we’ve fought worse.”

      “I’m afraid of him, Kevaan, and you should be too. His power is stronger than I could ever hope to vanquish. I’m sorry, Kevaan, I have no choice this time. I know you love her like no other and will do anything to protect her, but the future of this kingdom, your kingdom, lies on whether she marries or not. Sometimes we have to sacrifice in order to survive. We have a kingdom to protect.”

      “She was not given to you to make her the sacrificial lamb to the slaughter. She’s your daughter, your blood. Mother would not have approved of this, and you know it.”

      “If your mother were still here, I wouldn’t have had to do this at all.” King Randor hung his head sadly and shook it. “I will not have an old maid for a daughter. I’m sorry, Kevaan, but she no longer gives me any option but this. You have done your duty for the crown; it’s her turn now. I would have rather chosen someone else other than Fallon for her, but no one else has asked, and I’ve run out of time. She will marry him. He will return in three days to go through the proper traditions. Do you want to be here when I tell her?”

      He thought about that for a moment, pictured the scene in his head and his heart started to ache. He could do nothing to stop her heart from breaking, but maybe he could be there for her after, to put it back together.

      “No, I don’t, father.”

      “Very well then. Please go down and send her to me.”

      “Yes, sir.”

      ***

      Melenthia sat on a stone bench wiping her face with a towel, her sword lying on the bench beside her. She heard someone approaching and moved the cloth away from her eyes so she could see. Her brother walked toward her, looking not in the least bit pleased. He was tall, almost six-one, and had wide shoulders and large arms. His brown hair was short but thick, and a neatly trimmed mustache matched his hair color. His brown eyes were sharp but held a boyish СКАЧАТЬ