3 Knights (2/2)

Elya winced, unconsciously rubbing the scar that marred her fair features. Inspecting her face in her bracers was uncomfortable. Not just because of the lack of clarity, but since the blade cut through her face, she wore a perpetual smirk, lips turned up on one side by scarred tissue. She knew what Alexis had been about to say, the topic none of her Knights even whispered in the dark recesses of the night.

Having a Prince cancel your engagement because you lacked beauty was a shameful tale at best. At worst it stopped a woman from meeting anyone ever again. Her Father had scrambled to search for a suitable alliance but was met with failure at every turn, the Morales overtures had been a blessing in disguise to the Grand Duke and he'd scrambled to finalise the details.

”Why should marriage have to be everything in our lives?” Elya whispered, eyes surveying the road for threats. Even though it shouldn't matter, Elya had felt shattered at the annulment. Not because she liked the Prince, but by the rejection. All the work she did, her efforts in the Order, leadership in the war, felt pointless. Removed by her loss of value as a bride.

”Nikolai was there.” She added, louder so Alexis would hear.

”At Galicia?” the Vice-Captain looked up in shock. ”He was responsible for that spell formation?” That was almost a statement of fact, the survivors rarely spoke about the nightmare at Galicia, but putting the pieces together wasn't difficult.

”Yes, he was.”

”He saved our lives.” There was newfound respect in Alexis' eyes. Living through that battle had changed all of them, soldiers that were haunted by dreams of charging barbarians and ancient horrors, overwhelming armies and the screams of their comrades.

”That's not a reason to marry him though.” Elya pointed out drawing a shaky breath, trying to get rid of the memories. She glimpsed a flash in the distance and raised her fist to signal orders.

They'd reached the outskirts of Konstanz, seat of Count Nikolai Morales of Volhiniya, her future husband. Probably.

It was time to look good.

”Raise the banners!” Alexis roared, moving through the column to arrange the formation. It was necessary for Suzdal's to shock and awe.

The first impression would be important.

Tapping her bracers, Elya waited for the banner women bearing the crests of Suzdal and the Order formed up behind her.

Her heart thumped in fear.

Fear of losing her worth by becoming a bride.

Fear of rejection.

Fear of the man who had turned an army into dust using his abilities.