As she bathed in rose-scented water, her thoughts waffled back and forth from excited anticipation to outright terror. The more Gabriella fussed over her, the more tense she became.
The maid had just helped her into the green velvet gown when her guard banged on the bedchamber door. “They’re here! You can see the army from the battlements.”
“We have to go!” Luciana couldn’t bear the suspense any longer. Was her betrothed a tall and handsome stranger or a horrid beast? She flung open the door.
“But your hair,” Gabriella objected. “It’s still damp.”
“It can dry in the sun.” Luciana lifted her heavy skirts and ran down the hall, followed by her maid and guard. She wondered briefly what had happened to her new canine friend, Pirate. Maybe he’d gone in search of food.
She exited the keep and ran across the sheep pasture to the outer wall. The castle guards were in full uniform, blue and white. Some were lined up in front of the gatehouse, while others stood along the outer wall.
Quickly, she mounted the stairs to the wall walk. She didn’t want to disturb the guards who were on duty, so she stood off to the side, a distance from the main gate.
Beside her, Gabriella gasped.
Stunned, Luciana made the sign of the moons, then she quickly fisted her hands. The entire horizon to the north was taken up by the army. She hadn’t realized the Eberoni army was so huge. But then, it would have to be, wouldn’t it, if the country was always at war with its neighbors?
The sun gleamed off countless shields. Long poles were topped with banners bearing the Eberoni royal insignia. The royal colors, red and black, flapped in the breeze that constantly blew in from the sea.
Red and black. Luciana took a deep breath as she recalled the colored stones she’d picked two weeks ago.
Her guard wandered over to the other guardsmen, who were all gossiping about the size of the army.
“I need to make sure your gown is ready for tonight,” Gabriella said and ran back down the stairs.
There was a blast from several horns, then a group of horsemen broke off from the army and rode toward the main gate. The sun gleamed off their silver helmets and chest armor. They came to a stop in front of the drawbridge.
“Impressive, aren’t they?” Tatiana whispered, and Luciana started. She hadn’t realized her sister had followed her there.
The castle guard marched out in a double row and positioned themselves on the drawbridge.
“There’s Alberto!” Tatiana pointed at the captain of the guard in front. “Isn’t he the most handsome man ever?”
Luciana was too distraught to answer. She clenched her fists as the lead horseman dismounted. Was this the man she would have to marry? Was he the Beast?
The Duke of Vindalyn strode across the drawbridge.
“Papa looks grand, don’t you think?” Tatiana asked.
He did, but Luciana held her breath as the lead horseman removed his helmet and greeted her father.
She gasped.
Tatiana broke into laughter. “No wonder they call him the Beast. Look at him!”
Luciana struggled to breathe. The man was bald with a gray beard and a hideous scar running down his face. She looked away. How could she marry him? A breeze whipped her hair in front of her face, and she pulled it back.
And then she saw him.
Far to the left, under the shade of a tree, a man sat on a horse. A black horse. He wore a black cloak, the hood drawn forward to cast his face in shadow. She couldn’t see his eyes, but she could feel him looking at her.
The skin at the back of her neck tingled. Time seemed to slow to a halt as she stared at him. And he stared back.
“What are you looking at?” Tatiana asked.
The envoy, Captain Harden, and another man approached the cloaked man on the black horse. They seemed to be talking to him, but as far as Luciana could tell he was still focused on her.
Suddenly he stiffened and ran a gloved hand over his head, causing his hood to fall back.
Luciana gasped. Red hair. Black horse. Red and black.
“Oh, I see him,” Tatiana said. “He’s a handsome one, all right. Much better than the Beast you have to marry.”
Luciana’s heart sank. Why couldn’t this man be her betrothed?
* * *
Since the fortress of Vindemar lay on the Southern Sea, it enjoyed warmer weather than Leo was accustomed to. He and his army had crossed the duchy’s northern border the day before, and it had taken all day and half of this morning to reach Vindemar. After traversing miles of well-tended vineyards, olive groves, and prosperous villages, Leo could see why his uncle craved this land.
Leo had never met Lucas Vintello before, but he grew more impressed with him the more he saw of the duke’s domain. The man took excellent care of his land and people. And he was wise enough to remain here instead of frequenting the royal court where constant intrigue and inconstant loyalties could easily cause a nobleman to lose his head before the age of thirty.
When the army reached Vindemar and made camp, Leo put General Harden in charge and retired to his tent. There he removed his uniform and put on black breeches, a white shirt, and a hooded black cloak. He rode off alone, seeking a place where he could observe the proceedings unnoticed.
As he neared the castle, his heart began to pound. This could be his future home. And his future wife was nearby. She’d invaded his thoughts more and more over the last few days. Was she as beautiful as the rumors claimed? Would she be able to accept him as a husband?
He’d grown tired of referring to her as his betrothed or the duke’s daughter, so a few nights ago, he’d dug through the letters from his uncle, searching for her name. He’d found it.