The Blind King Read Online Free

which
bag it’s in.”
    “I know just where to find it,” Shala replied
calmly. “Relax.”
    Aubriana settled into the tub and closed her eyes.
Focusing on her breathing, she tried to stop her mind from racing. If the
prince was displeased with her in any way, she feared for her future. She must
impress him with her beauty first and then let him get to know her. All her
life she had been taught to conform to her husband’s wishes. Now, it was time
for her to perform her duties and become a perfect wife. What if she failed?
The thought did nothing to ease her mind, and tears came to her eyes.
    “Shala, what shall I do if he dislikes me?”
    “Shhh,” the maid replied as she added rosewater to
the bath. “He will love you the moment he sees you. There could be no other as
beautiful as my lady.” She stroked Aubriana’s hair softly with a shell comb.
    “I wish that might be true,” the princess replied. But what if he doesn’t? The warm water comforted her, allowing her to
drift off to sleep. As dreams of her wedding filled her mind, a disturbance at
her chamber door forced her back to reality.
    “My lady,” Shala said. “A servant of the prince is
insisting you make yourself presentable. The prince is awaiting you. Your
wedding is to be immediate.”
    Aubriana sat up in her tub. “Now?” She had yet to
meet her husband, and she was not expecting to be wed the moment she arrived.
Rising to her feet, she said, “Help me, Shala.”
    Shala rushed to her side, wrapping her in a white
robe. “We’ll have you ready in no time,” she promised.
    Aubriana’s heart was racing as she hurried to her
mirror. “Bring my finest gown,” she said. “It seems I won’t have time to choose
a wedding dress.” As she stared at her features in the mirror, she found it
impossible to smile. Behind her, a group of young girls had entered the room to
prepare her for her wedding.
    Shala tied the princess into a long, champagne-colored
gown. Her fingers worked quickly at the lacings, and Aubriana took shallow
breaths to allow herself to be cinched tightly into the bodice. The young girls
began fussing over her hair, adding pearls and sparkling shells to her golden
locks. Her lips were painted soft pink, and her cheeks were given a rosy hue.
    “How do I look?” she asked nervously.
    “You’re the loveliest woman in the kingdom,” Shala
replied, beaming.
    Aubriana said nothing as she followed her servants
out of the room and down the long palace corridor. She felt as if she might
faint but did her best to remain calm. Entering a small chamber adorned with
velvet tapestries, she finally glimpsed her future husband. He stood tall and
proud near the altar, his expression severe. He had sandy hair and dark eyes,
as well as a nicely groomed beard. Aubriana found him rather plain for a
prince, but she hoped his lack of beauty might be replaced by kindness.
    Prince Ivor looked her over with contempt.
Marrying the daughter of his enemy was his father’s idea—one that he
reluctantly agreed to. As she approached, he grabbed the goblet from the altar
and thrust it at her without a word.
    Aubriana was surprised by his gesture, but she
reached out for the goblet, her face remaining calm. Due to their common
ancestry, the two kingdoms performed the same marriage ritual, which meant
Aubriana knew exactly what to do. “I take you, Prince Ivor for my husband. I
shall love and honor you for the rest of my days,” she said before sipping the
wine. She handed the goblet back to the prince with a shy smile upon her lips.
    Snatching the goblet from her hand, he said, “I
take you for my bride.” Rather than sip the wine, he threw the goblet to the
ground with a loud clang.
    The assembled nobles gasped and muttered among
themselves. Aubriana was startled but remained composed. This was not the time
to upset her husband.
    “I have no desire for you,” he declared. “But you
are my wife now, and I shall do what I must, no matter how it