Chapter 8: Stormring

"You put our lives at risk!" Kara shouted, taking a forceful step toward him, her anger palpable.

"Stormring, cease," Eerik calmly commanded, dismissing her accusations.

Following his order, the golden arrow dislodged from the tree, returning to his bow. It wrapped around the golden bow, turning to ancient runic symbols. Eerik hung the bow over his shoulders and stared at Kara with palpable malice.

Kara cleared her throat, struggling to find the right words. She felt unsure about how to approach Eerik. While she understood that the picture of her and Henri together might have appeared inappropriate, she was enraged that Eerik would have a jealous fit. She refused to be treated like his possession, available at his whim, and she intended to make that clear.

"Eerik," Kara began, her voice filled with frustration.

"You will address me with respect," he interrupted sternly.

"And am I not deserving of your respect?" she retorted.

"I am aware that this betrothal is one of convenience and not of love, but you would do well to conduct yourself with decorum and distance yourself from people below your social status," Eerik stated, his eyes cold.

"Cousin, don’t you think you’re being too harsh?" Henri interjected, coming to Kara’s defense.

"Be careful, cousin, you forget your place," Eerik warned, his eyes reflecting a dark and menacing intent.

Kara shifted her gaze toward Henri, only to find that the calm and affectionate man she had smiled at moments ago had vanished. In his place stood a man struggling to contain his anger.

"I apologize, Your Highness," Henri said, bowing before Eerik. "Please excuse me," he noted, walking away and taking the beast with him.

"Henri, wait!" Kara called out, attempting to follow him. But before she could take a single step, Eerik seized her arm, halting her progress. "Release me," she demanded.

"Not if you’re going to go chasing after my cousin. You may not care about your reputation, but at least consider mine," he retorted.

"As if you give a damn about my reputation. To you, I’m nothing more than a mere broodmare, meant to fill your castle with enough sons to secure your lineage for as long as possible," Kara shot back, her voice filled with frustration.

"That is the will of a king and that is your purpose as his wife," Eerik asserted.

"I am your betrothed, not your wife," she corrected. "You have not given me much reason to make me eager to spend the rest of my life with you."

"What does that imply?" he questioned.

"It implies that I may need to reconsider your proposal," she sneered.

"Reconsider? You seem to think you have the liberty to back out of this whenever you wish.This agreement was long prepared by your father. You take my benevolence for weakness?"

Kara scoffed. "I couldn’t care less about your agreement," she countered.

"Your family might not think the same, Kara," Eerik began. "Imagine their reaction if they were to discover that you have been gallivanting with the king’s cousin, jeopardizing not only your family’s future but also the well-being of your people," he warned.

"Now, if you have regained your senses, you will accompany me tonight to a banquet in honor of my father, the late King. I would be in your chambers at 8 to escort you," Eerik added, releasing her from his hold. He turned away. "Farewell, Lady Kara."

Kara watched as Eerik walked off, his impeccable posture irritating her to no end. She considered his words for a moment as she stood there alone, wondering what to do.

Her family would be furious if they ever saw her with Henri, be it a friendly conversation or not. Reluctantly, she acknowledged Eerik’s valid point, yet, she couldn’t ignore her concern for Henri’s well-being. She was certain that his pride had been wounded above all else.

Without a clear direction, Kara aimlessly wandered the stable grounds, wondering where Henri might have sought solace. She knew he preferred solitude in an open space rather than the castle, which only reminded him of the cousin he desperately wanted to distance himself from.

Continuing her search, Kara remained vigilant for any sign of a majestic white creature. Hopefully, they were in close proximity.

Just as she was on the verge of giving up, her eyes caught sight of a glistening white mane near the lake. There sat Henri, lost in deep contemplation. Although she hesitated to disturb his thoughts, he deserved an apology, and if it didn’t come from Eerik, it should come from her, for causing him trouble.

With her eyes fixed on the lake, she sat down quietly beside him, staring at the lake in front of her. It was even more beautiful up close. A melodious sound emanated from the still water, however, that did nothing to calm her nerves.

One of the winged creatures landed delicately on her thumb, its otherworldly eyes peering deeply into hers. Before she could reach out to touch it, it gracefully took flight, disappearing into the distance.

"You scared it off," Henri remarked, his eyes still fixed on the lake.

Glad that he was speaking to her again, Kara responded, "I didn’t even do anything."

"They are creatures of peace and serenity. It could tell that you are anything but," he explained.

Curious about the beast he had introduced her to moments ago, she said, "You never told me what the horse-like creature really is."

"Kelpie," he replied simply, his sour mood evident.

"A kelpie? I have never heard of that."

"It is not a wonder why," Henri responded.

"Because I’m from a small village?"

Henri stopped, almost like he had realized his accusation and sighed. "I apologize. I’m not the most pleasant company at the moment."

"Is that why you pretended not to know me the other day at the throne room? Because of Eerik?" Kara asked, needing clarity.

"You witnessed his attitude towards me moments ago," Henri explained, frustration evident in his voice. "He wouldn’t have been so keen to the idea of us speaking,"

"But why? Eerik does not dictate what I may or may not do," Kara protested. "I am not his possession."

"On the contrary, Lady Kara. You are," Henri replied, his tone tinged with resignation.

Kara flinched, surprised at his words. "You too? I thought you would think of me differently."

"You misunderstand me," he began, his tone softening. "I think you are strong willed, independent, and brave. But it is your fate to marry the King. You are bound to him, and there is nothing anyone can do about it."

"But I don’t love him. I don’t know him, I don’t understand him. How can I live with a man like that?" Kara asked, tears welling up in her eyes. If only life would smile upon her, things would be simpler.

Henri’s response was gentle, yet uncertain. "I am not privy to that, my lady. We have not known each other for long enough that I would know your heart."

"Time is irrelevant. You might not know my heart, but my heart knows yours," Kara mumbled under her breath, afraid to look into his eyes.

"Forgive me, my lady, but I cannot covet what can never be mine. Regardless of how much I want to. You belong to the King and I must come to terms with that," Henri declared finally, rising to his feet. "Farewell, Lady Kara."

And with that, he was gone. Left alone, Kara sat there as the dancing creatures of the lake serenaded her confused heart.