The Duty of a Queen Read Free

knew that
it was only in part due to his injury. He had protested the union though he
knew it was best for their people. His heart had always been tender.
    Astrid had requested that the ceremony be done in the ways of her
people, then in the prince's tradition, binding them by both people. She had
been pleasantly surprised when he had agreed. Now, the Elder of the People
moved to stand beside the man the prince had chosen to conduct his ritual. She
allowed the words to flow over her, automatically answering as she had been
taught. Prince Oliver followed her lead and responded in kind, his strange
accent turning the words into something unfamiliar. The People of the Grey
Stones and the invaders shared a common tongue, though they spoke with a
different rhythm and pronunciation. When the first ceremony was complete, the
prince's man began, and it was Astrid's turn to do as the prince had done. Her
tongue wanted to trip over the words, but she stayed strong.
    Then it was finished and the prince was bending his head towards
her. She braced herself for what was coming. His mouth was gentle on hers, his
lips lingering only a moment before he straightened. Astrid blinked, the only
reaction to her disbelief. No matter how honorable she had heard the prince
was, she had not expected a kiss such as that. Marriage alliances were feared
among her people, fueled by stories from the past where their women had been
taken against their will, forced into displays of submission, not the least of
which was the sealing kiss.
    Prince Oliver bowed slightly over her hand and then turned towards
the people watching the ceremony. His voice rang out clear and strong, a
leader's voice. “Bear your witness here, that Astrid, Princess of the Grey
Stones has been taken as my wife. Our lands and our peoples are forever joined
as she and I are joined. Our children will rule both my land and hers, two
nations brought together through this union, with all of the privileges and
responsibilities of both. You need never fear the raiders on the waters, as my
ships are now yours. Here begins a new life for us all.”
    The prince's people cheered and, after a moment, the People of the
Grey Stones did as well. A surge of pride filled her. Her people would not
allow this to defeat them. They would honor her as their queen, just as they
had always intended. It would not matter to them who shared her bed. She was
their princess and they would be loyal to her, bowing a knee when she asked and
ready to fight again should she so desire.
    She remembered little of the celebration that followed, only that
food and drink flowed. Her people slowly mingled with the prince's, their
animosity gradually being overcome by their loyalty to their lieges. It was
gratifying to see that the prince's people served out of love and admiration, and
not from fear. She had hope for this alliance.
    Prince Oliver stayed at her side, engaging her in conversation about
her family, her life. His interest seemed genuine and she reciprocated with
questions of her own. He readily answered them with an openness that she found
refreshing. She searched each word for some measure of deceit and found none.
Either he was quite skilled at fooling those around him, or he was a man whose
company she felt that she could enjoy. There was none of the fire and passion she
felt for Jonas, but it did not seem that she would be as miserable as she had
feared. Still, she felt Jonas's gaze on her at all times and it took all she
had not to turn to him.
    “Prince Oliver.” The man who had performed the ceremony laid his
hand on the prince's shoulder. “If we are to sail with the tide, we must
prepare to depart.”
    The prince nodded once and then turned to Astrid. “It is time.”
    She took a deep breath and forced a smile. “Yes, my prince. I shall
say my farewells and gather those who will accompany us.”
    He gave her a soft smile. For a moment, she thought he would say
something more, but he only inclined his