To save her kingdom, Sophia must unlock an ancient secret as profound as life and death itself.
Up late writing again, Princess?
And what was it this time?
Little, Brown and Company
Another appeal to the King about how you should be taught to joust?
I could tell this last idea amused her; it was another of my unladylike notions.
But I didnt answer.
Little, Brown and Company
Instead I burrowed deeper into my feather bolster, pulling the ermine coverlet over my head entirely.
Id give my fathers crown for a few more minutes of sleep.
Id been dreaming something wonderful, full of longing, and already I couldnt recall any of it.
Sophia, Jeanette said, her voice still gentle but firmer now.
Its time to dress.
Your father is in the Great Hall, and he expects you to join him.
You know he does not like to be kept waiting.
And so I emerged reluctantly from my bed and dug my bare toes into the sheepskin rug.
My attendants fluttered around the room, silent as moths.
One brought fresh linens, and two others were dispatched to retrieve my gown and mantle.
Today, as every day, I was to be scrubbed and dressed and pampered and styled.
She suppressed a giggle.
These indulgences were my royal right and my royal duty, and we both knew it.
I almost could have drifted back to sleep (as Jeanette suspected, Ihadstayed up half the night).
What are you doing here, Margery?
This is not your place.
Hes coming, the girl whispered.
What they saidits true.
His army
But Jeanette didnt let her finish.
She unceremoniously shoved the girl back into the hall and quickly shut the door.
My heart began to pound in my chest.
Ares was advancing upon our realm.
No village was safe, and no force could turn them back.
Aress men were giants, the people said, and Ares himself could not be slain.
Though I did not believe the fevered whispers of frightened villagers, the threat of any attack unsettled me.
Was it obvious to everyone that she was lying?
It was to me.
Still, they obeyed her.
Adelie, visibly trembling, began to pour a thin stream of sweet almond oil into the bath.
When she splashed some onto the floor, I reached out and touched her rough hand.
You have nothing to fear from Aress army, I said.
All movement in the room stopped again.
Adelies older sister, Elodie, stared at me with huge, anxious eyes.
Faye, the chambermaid whod been stoking the fire, began to wail.
Her cry was as sharp as a wounded animals.
Oh, Princess, she sobbed, they say Aress men are monsters.
I dont want to die!
Her panic was contagious.
Elodie and Adelie, too, began to weep.
I looked then at wise, sturdy Jeanette.
I had known her my whole life, and she was the closest thing I had to a mother.
I wanted desperately for her to reassure us.
But that wasnt her task.
I drew myself up from the bath.
Adelie, remembering her place, hurried to wrap my shoulders in a soft cloth.
Theres no such thing as monsters, I said.
Our enemy may be preparing his attack, but our armies will meet in the field.
You are safe inside the castle, which is an unassailable weapon in itself.
Go on, Jeanette urged.
I made sure my voice didnt betray my own fear.
The moat that surrounds Bandon Castle is our first defense, I explained.
Suppose some arrows miss?
Then the enemy comes to the gatehouses iron-plated door.
I gave each of my attendants what I hoped was a comforting look.
I looked down at my body: my breasts goose-fleshed, my legs slender and dripping wet.
I had been giving a speech standing half naked in a tub!
Propriety had never come naturally to me.
Forgive me, I said, and were it not for Ares, I would have laughed outright.
They come to the outer castle wall, where more marksmen wait on the battlements above.
The rustling silk pulled tighter against my ribs as Jeanette set to work on the buttons.
Then Jeanette led me to little stool before a tall mirror.
After that, Jeanette would arrange the shining waves into artful clusters, coils, and ringlets.
I will admit, I did always like this part.
Elodie seemed to have gained some of her color back, thanks to my reassurances.
Theres another thick wall beyond that, I reminded them.
You are no more in danger from Ares than you are from the imaginary monsters in this book.
You have my word.
I pointed to the eau de rose in its ruby glass vial.
But I did not mention this to the women and girls in my bedchamber.
I stood regal in my gown, armored by the splendor of silk and jewel.
Aress men are soldiers like ours, I said.
They will soon seek easier conquest elsewhere.
We should not look upon the coming days as different from any other.
Only Jeanette still looked uncomforted.
She bowed her head.
May what you say be true, Princess, she said quietly.
