'I am too young for this.'
The thought goes through my head as I stand in the doorway to the great hall. Angrily, I push it away. This is not the time for doubts. Concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other, I move between the lines of nobles, deftly navigating the aisle they create for me. I walk the length of the throne room.
In the style of Natari, I am covered from head to foot in the palest of blue silk. As a princess of Imperial Blood, a golden diadem studded with sapphires sits on my head, holding the veil in place - a visible sign I stand above those I walk between.
Although I am fully clothed in the manner of my people, I have never felt more naked. The gazes of Hand's nobles penetrate the royal persona I present to them. It is as though they see right through me, and their barely conceal hatred caused my hands to tremble. I lift my eyes and stare proudly ahead, and I continue walking as if I was attending court at home, where I am adored.
Standing on the platform in front of me is the man I married by proxy at my grandfather's command. The emperor decreed I, his favourite grandchild, would be bound to tall, proud King of The Old Blood to seal the peace between our two peoples.
Sean, Duke of Hand, with his dark curling hair, swarthy complexion, and almost black eyes, looks so strange and foreign. Still, his face radiates compassion, and my heart melts a little as he smiles his encouragement.
Nearing the end of his twenties, he is in his prime - a handsome and powerful man. As if it has a mind of its own, my body shivers in anticipation of tonight. After the celebrations, our marriage will be consummated, and I no longer find that thought distasteful. In fact, the thought crosses my mind that this barbarian might one day make a suitable consort, but only time will tell.
Ignoring the cold stares and whispers surrounding me, I keep my gaze fixed on him as I walk proudly through my enemies. They may not want me here, but I will do my duty to my emperor and family. I will bring peace to these lands.
For a moment, the duke's gaze waivers, and his eyes sweep the room. A frown draws his brows together, but he is smiling again when he looks back at me. He holds out his hand, drawing me forwards. Both my body and soul respond.
Perversely, at the exact moment when I begin to believe I might find some personal happiness in this marriage, someone yells, 'Die foreign whore!'
From the corner of my eye, I catch something metal flying across the room. Instinctively, I hold up my hand, stopping the weapon mid-flight a mere handspan from my face. I release it, and the knife clatters to the ground accompanied by a collective gasp.
The silence that follows my action is eerie, and it takes me a moment to realise why. They are not appalled by the fact that someone attempted to murder me. The nobles of Hand are astounded, because they just witnessed magic used in their halls for the first time - ever.
I slump as I remember Edmund's most often repeated lesson. When their forebears arrived on the island, they decided all would live by the hand alone and banned all use of sorcery. Now, not only have I broken a generations-old prohibition in a very public arena, but I announced my magical abilities to the world.
The air around me thrums with the wrath of the nobles. It was of no matter to them I had done this to defend myself.
I look to my husband. His face is a picture of dismay as he leaves the dais and makes his way through the crowd to my side.
***
My formal wedding ceremony is a blur. I repeat some words, I am given a ring, and the next thing I know, I am standing on the deck of a boat, watching the Port of Hand recede. My wedding finery is covered by my husband's cloak, and he holds me close as he talks, almost as if he is afraid I will blow away in the wind.
'Your maid is organising your things to be packed. I will send the boat back when we dock, and she and your advisor will be with you by morning.'
I incline my head, indicating I hear his words. I still do not understand why I can't spend my wedding night in my new home.
'I am sorry it has to be this way.' My husband rests his cheek on my head. 'I spent all day yesterday soothing my nobles, reassuring them that by marrying you nothing on Hand would change. Sure, we will get a new overlord, I told them, but my marriage means he will trust us to run Southern Aria ourselves.'
The consequences of my actions hit me as he spoke, and I whispered, 'And then I, on my first introduction to your court, break one of your oldest laws. I am so sorry. I didn't think.'
His arm tightens around me. 'No, it is I who should apologise. I didn't realise the level of risk I placed you in so soon after their outburst. If I had only realised how far some people would go to stop the wedding, I would have changed the ceremony, making it more private, and had you more heavily guarded. Will you ever be able to forgive me for placing your life in danger?'
'There is nothing to forgive,' I say. 'But tell me, why do we flee from these traitors? Would we not be better served to stand together and show we are not afraid of them?'
'Normally, I would be in agreement with you, but the man who threw the knife was one of my own household staff. Until I find out how deep this treachery goes, I cannot vouch for your safety on the island.'
'I am not afraid.' I am, but my pride will not let me admit to this. 'I can defend myself.'
He chuckles, and I can feel the rumble in his chest as he does. 'I bet you can. Unfortunately, there is much more at stake than your physical wellbeing, and I cannot take the risk that something might happen to you. After having negotiated peace with your family, it would quickly unravel should anything happen to you. We would be back killing each other, and I fear it would be worse than before.'
'I see.' And I do. I am more than a person. I am a symbol - a symbol that can both bind our people or tear them apart again. 'So where do we go now?'
'I have a house in Port Marden. Truth be told, it is more modern and more comfortable than the palace, and I prefer it there. We can stay tonight and plan our next steps. I think though, for the foreseeable future, it will become your new home.'