By the Sword - By Sara Flower Page 0,36

marry him!”

“You don’t have a choice. He has proven himself to me recently, and I promised him your hand.”

“What? When?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Since when do you keep your word to a foot soldier?”

Ittonifer pushed Chrissa, and her back slammed into the wall. Her wide blue eyes stared at him in shock. He would give her a bruise on her face if she bothered him again.

Ittonifer left her in the hallway and closed his bedroom door behind him, thankful for solitude once again.

Chrissa ran down the hallway and into the courtyard. She had expected her bullheaded father to undermine her ability as a swordswoman, but he had never laid a hand on her before.

Then there was the matter of Naeshi. Had the oaf not been demoted to a mere foot soldier after his eye had been plucked out? Since when did Ittonifer regard the man so highly?

Chrissa didn’t know what she was going to do, but she couldn’t marry him. She didn’t want to marry anyone. Not yet. If she was forced to be someone’s wife, she would become a shell of herself, a half-living creature, just like every other woman in Malinor. Her status as Ittonifer’s daughter had done nothing to liberate her from a meaningless life, after all.

Ever since childhood, she had hoped that her father would admire her for something, anything, but she was nearly eighteen now, and all he wanted was to be rid of her. Jalarn meant far more to him.

Chrissa shook her fist as she fought back tears.

“Prince, why haven’t you given me what I desire? I have studied your spells and still you have left me alone. I trusted you and believed that you would help me.”

Not even he would listen to her. It had been a waste of time to think otherwise. He did not need her. She knew that now.

Chrissa turned to go back inside, but she was startled to see that Naeshi was standing right behind her, blocking her way through the door. There was no way out this time. She was trapped.

He wore the expression of a satisfied lion.

Chrissa’s pulse quickened.

“I trust that you haven’t yet heard that I have resumed my position as senior guard,” he grinned.

“Absurd!”

“Maybe so, but it’s true. I’ll have you as my wife tomorrow.”

“So I’ve heard.”

He came closer and she instinctively backed away.

“Come here,” he said.

He grabbed her by the shoulders and kissed her. She closed her eyes and braced herself, willing him to stop. But he didn’t.

She didn’t know how she could stand being married to someone that she loathed so much.

At last, their lips parted, but his grip on her tightened. He looked longingly into her eyes. He was handsome, but she could never fall in love with him. He would never respect her.

But if I treat him badly now, he will punish me for it later. I guess now is the time to play the game of a dutiful wife.

Chrissa forced a smile and initiated the next kiss. It ended abruptly.

“There are things that I must attend to now, before we are to be married in the morning.”

“The morning?”

He ignored her as he rushed back into the castle.

*****

General Edandir searched for Talya among the dueling knights on the field. Instead, he spotted Tanel sparring with Pori and approached them.

Tanel was a gifted archer, but he was only marginal with a sword. He was no match for the strapping Pori.

“Better off to stick with the bow, Sir Tanel,” Pori grinned.

Tanel shrugged.

Timlin walked over and patted Tanel on the back.

“Don’t sweat it,” said Timlin. “You should challenge him with target accuracy after dinner and see how well he does.”

“Tanel,” said Edandir, “have you seen Talya?”

“No, she left the banquet early last night, and I haven’t seen her since.”

“It’s odd of her not to be here. She’s usually the first one up.”

“I know,” said Tanel.

“My brother must have scared her off,” laughed Timlin.

“Shut up,” grumbled Pori.

“I know where she is,” said Uittan as he approached them.

“Where?” asked Edandir.

“God has sent her on a mission to Hunter Forest. She left last night.”

“Are we talking about the same Talya?” asked Tanel.

“Tell me why you would send a young girl out into that wilderness alone!” demanded Edandir.

The general tried to keep his temper under control. He respected the man, but he never fully trusted those who claimed that God spoke to them. Yes, his prayer had rescued Roselyn, but Talya going alone to the dangerous forest was asinine.

Uittan did not bother to explain. He began to walk away.

“You shouldn’t have allowed