Free Rayne of Fire by Michelle Young

 
     
     
     
     
    “Fire and
water do not mix,” Rayne said logically. “Is that not why our territories have
fought for centuries?” Using her magic, she toyed with a small flame, allowing
it to dance in her open palm.
    “Aye,” her
father said, massaging his temples, losing patience with this argument. “That’s
why this union is so important. I’ve worked a lifetime to bring peace to our
territories. This marriage will seal our treaty.”
    They stood in
the throne room, along with a handful of castle guardsmen, awaiting Rayne’s
betrothed.
    “This is your
destiny,” said her mother.
    “I suppose.”
    On the day of
her birth, the Great Oracle suggested the name Rayne, meaning queen. Her
parents had understood the irony, and now, so did Rayne. She smoothed down the
skirt of her pale blue dress, trying to untie the knot in her stomach. She’d
soon come face to face with her future husband, the prince of Aquarius. Just as
she had the innate ability to control fire, he possessed the same command over
water.
    “I’m not so
selfish that I don’t understand the greater purpose of uniting our two
countries,” she said. She clenched her fist, extinguishing the dancing flame.
Understanding didn’t make her situation any more tolerable.
    The brass
doorknob turned, and two more guardsmen entered the throne room. No one else
followed. “Where is he?” Rayne was anxious to get this initial meeting over
with.
    “Rayne”—her
father cleared his throat—”we have a confession to make.”
    “Arrangements
were made as a precaution,” her mother continued in a vague fashion. “You
already know one another.”
    “What?” Rayne
snapped.
    “I’m sorry we
kept his identity hidden.” His pleased expression belied the words.
    “Good
evening, milady.”
    Rayne spun at
the respectful greeting. Keegan, a knight who had served as her personal guard
for the past six months, approached.
    Rayne’s eyes
darted from her parents to Keegan. “Nay,” she said in disbelief as she
frantically recalled all of the happenings and conversations this knight had
been privy to.
    “Aye,” Keegan
said, ending his charade. “I am the heir to the Aquarian throne.”
    “I can’t
believe you did this.” Rayne’s gaze fixed on her parents.
    “It was a
necessary deception,” her father declared with regal authority. “A soured
marriage could prove worse for relations between Pyros and Aquarius than no
marriage at all.”
    “I apologize,
milady,” Keegan said. “Our fathers believed it was for the best.” He bowed low
and then looked her in the eye. “Princess Rayne, will you marry me?”
    Rayne
returned Keegan’s stare, but not his smile. “Nay. You tricked me. I’ve been
played a fool. You knew my identity while I remained in the dark about yours.”
    Out of the corner
of her eye, she saw her father’s temper flare and her mother’s mouth drop.
    Keegan spoke
before they did. “You have every right to be upset, milady, as I anticipated.
If your parents agree, I have a proposition for you.”
    “What kind of
proposition?” Rayne asked, raising her eyebrows.
    “Spend three
days with me alone, away from this castle. I swear on my honor I’ll not harm
you in any way.” He glanced at her father and then returned his brown-eyed gaze
to hers. “If, by sunset on the third day, you honestly do not wish to be my
wife, then I will release you from all obligation.”
    Challenge
flared in the king’s eyes. “What about our treaty?”
    “The treaty
is safe, regardless,” Keegan promised. “What do you say?” The question was
posed to all three of them.
    Three days
and Rayne would be free. Suspicion crept in, and she wondered what other ruse
Keegan had planned. Her father’s expression told her she had to agree. With a
single nod, she sealed her fate, whatever that fate might be.
    ****
    “Are you sure
this is a good idea?” Keegan’s friend and fellow Aquarian, Marcus, asked as he
helped Keegan attach packed