As the ship approached the coast of the Copper Isles, Alianne's breath was taken away. Lush, tropical forests covered the lowlands. Earlier, Casimiro had told her that towards the center, the land grew higher and colder.
"That is where I live," Casimiro pointed out as he came to stand beside her. Alianne followed his gaze to a large villa on the coast. "At least, when I am not at Court. My grandfather requires my presence there at Midwinter and Beltane. Other than that, I am free to do as I please."
"Do you not like Court?" Ali was puzzled slightly. Casimiro seemed like the kind of person who would live there year-round. "I know I certainly do."
The marquis (for she had finally conned him into telling her his title) sighed slightly. "I can see how you would. I find myself lost…I get no attention whatsoever, and when I do, my grandfather is comparing me to my uncles or my male cousins. We have a large family."
Ali chose not to reply, instead focusing all her attention on the land in front of her. When she looked at the Copper Isles before her, she felt an odd sense that she couldn't quite put her finger on. Homecoming? That can't be right…I've never been here before in my life.
Casimiro puzzled her…he was kind in a way that made her feel somewhat uncomfortable. Yet, if he sensed her discomfort, he would back off. Alianne frowned slightly. He's so nice to me. But why? He barely knows me!
Little did she know, but Alianne confused Casimiro as much as he confused her. Casimiro had never met a lady like her, and she was a lady, for she'd been living of late at the convent of the Mother of Mountains in the City of the Gods. He expected the only daughter of the Lioness to be somewhat more like her. He, along with the other members of his grandfather's Court, had heard about the feisty King's Champion and her fiery temperament.
"We're a lot alike in that respect," Alianne remarked thoughtfully when Casimiro asked her about her mother's temper. "We both tend to say things we don't mean, and then we regret them later. It's just…I feel like I can't go back."
"Why?"
She flinched. "I said something awful to her right before I left…it's just, I feel so bad, you know? I can't apologize, because I meant what I said; yet it was so awful, she can't forgive me. I guess where my mother is concerned I'm between a rock and a hard place with nowhere to go."
Casimiro tried to comfort her, but it was to no avail. He got the feeling that whatever had happened between the girl and her mother, it wasn't entirely Alianne's fault.
The next morning, their vessel reached the docks adjoining Casimiro's villa. He couldn't resist feeling a rush of pride as Alianne looked about with wide eyes.
"Goddess, this is beautiful!" she exclaimed as she examined some of the tropical plants on the way up to the house. "You live in paradise!"
Casimiro laughed at that last remark. "Have you ever been here in the summer? It's hot as hell, as the Christians would say."
When they reached the front doors of the villa, Casimiro gave a mock bow. "Dé la bienvenida a la Casa de Arenas Blancas, mi dama." Noting the puzzled look on her face, he added, "Welcome to the Casa de Arenas Blancas, my lady."
She scowled. "I can speak your language, you twit. I was wondering why you named it the 'house of white sands.'"
"I'll have to show you. But first, we eat." Alianne was shown to a large, airy room where she found an entire wardrobe full of clothes.
Something tells me I'm not his first female visitor, she thought with only a touch of jealousy. Oh, who cares? I might as well enjoy myself. She bathed and changed into a gown of white linen. With a high waist, tight sleeves, and a full skirt, she certainly looked presentable. Leaving her long blonde hair (the maids had scrubbed the blue dye out) cascading down her back, Alianne set out to find Casimiro. He was lounging beside a small table set for two on large veranda facing the sea. The marquis motioned for her to take a seat, and she obeyed, looking out over the Emerald Ocean.
"This is breathtaking," she half-whispered. Casimiro raised his wine glass in a toast.
"So are you," he said coyly, thoroughly enjoying her blush. "I'll wager that you will break dozens of hearts at the Tortallan Court."
Alianne threw back her head with unladylike laughter. "Hardly. My brothers would kill anyone who showed any interest in me."
"Then put me down for execution by their swords, my lady." He took her hand and kissed it gently. "For I would certainly be willing to die for your love."
"Oh please, good sir, keep your distance! We've known each other, what, two days? And already you're pledging your life to me? I'd say you've had too much to drink."
"This is my first glass," he protested. "And do you not believe in love at first sight? I certainly do."
Alianne paled, and looked into Casimiro's large brown eyes, hoping to see his jest. It frightened her, for he appeared totally serious. "And as for you returning to Tortall…I refuse to let you. Unless, of course, it's with me."
She flushed scarlet and looked down at her feet. Is he serious? Or is he just flirting with me?
"Now, let us enjoy our dinner before it gets too cold, shall we?"
After dinner, Casimiro took her down to the beach, and immediately Alianne could see why this was called the "House of White Sands." Unlike the cold, rough beaches of Tortall she had grown up with, this one was gentle, the water warm and inviting. The sand was as white as the gown she wore. After that, he led her to a rose-filled garden, where they sipped white wine and watched the sun go down. It was blissfully peaceful and…romantic.
Alianne agreed to stay a few days before returning home, but the days turned into weeks, the weeks into months. At last, they were approaching the festival of Beltane.
Casimiro frowned at her over dinner late one night. "It is a requirement that I go, my dear, you must understand that."
"But…but you're expecting me to go as your slave? Absolutely not!" Though Casimiro still flirted with her incessantly, they had become good friends. "Why can't you just present me as a noble's daughter, as I am!"
He sighed deeply. "I suppose…well, let me think. Alianne is hardly a name native to the Copper Isles. The closest one is Eliana…Eliana de Sade."
"Eliana de Sade?"
"I made it up…but that's not the point. Title? Eh…Countess."
She frowned at him over the top of her wine glass. "Yeah, but won't this grandfather of yours know that isn't a real title?"
"Oh, come on, Alianne, he doesn't care. Frankly, he'll be thrilled I'm finally showing up with a girl. He's been after me to get married for years now." Casimiro lifted his glass in a toast. "Come as my betrothed."
"But that's a lie!"
"Who says it has to be?"
Alianne choked as she stared at him, incredulous. Casimiro stood and offered her his arm. Trembling, she took it, resisting the urge to faint. He is so gorgeous, she said to herself. Goddess, I just want to…oh, no, don't say that!
He sat her down on a bench in the rose garden. "Certainly you must know how I feel about you by now."
"I…I…" she tried in vain to find her voice. "Casimiro, you…you shouldn't say things you don't mean."
He sat down next to her. "I would rather die than lead you on falsely, mi estimada. I don't care where you are from, and who you were. I want you for my wife."
She paled, trying to remember what the Daughters had told the girls in the convent about accepting and declining marriage proposals. She knew what to say to an unwanted offer…but there was nothing she wanted more now than to say yes. Casimiro looked at her lovingly, the look in his eyes so intense that Alianne felt her knees go weak.
"Yes," she whispered. "I love you, Casimiro." With that, he swept her up into his arms and kissed her passionately. When he pulled back, his brown eyes sparkled with joy.
"You won't regret this, mi estimada. I swear it."
Over the next several weeks, Alianne felt so unbelievably happy that she knew something awful was going to happen. And it did, of course, because where would the fun in life be if it didn't?
Alianne was blown away by the capital of the Copper Isles, Cayetano. Here, the cultures of the islands met with those of the Eastern and Southern Lands, as well as the Yamani Islands. The marketplace in the center of the city was far more colorful than the one in Corus. The royal palace was built in the same style as Casimiro's villa, but on a much grander scale. As they rode into one of the central courtyards, Alianne noticed the carefree, relaxed atmosphere and the same devil-may-care attitude of the nobles.
"Casimiro! My dear cousin!" A richly dressed, young nobleman walked towards them, his hands outstretched. "How are you, my friend?"
"Eladio!" Casimiro jumped down from his horse and embraced the other man warmly. "Ah, yes, you must meet my fiancée. This is Lady Eliana de Sade."
Alianne enjoyed the shocked look in Eladio's eyes as he looked her up and down. She knew it would be smart to wear the blue gown! "My lady, I am pleased to meet you." He suddenly started laughing. "Mithros, cousin! Wait until we tell everyone!"
Casimiro laughed along with his cousin. Eladio suddenly stopped, his eyes narrowing. "You might not want to introduce her privately to our dear grandfather. He's on a mission to find a new wife after Sophia died last year…"
"What, you think he'll be taken with my dear Al…Eliana?" Casimiro's face darkened. "I thought he'd be pleased to see me getting married finally."
Eladio looked away. "But you remember the fiasco with Sophia and Enrique, don't you? Grandfather doesn't care about those types of things."
Casimiro shook his head as he offered Alianne his arm and began to stroll into the palace, Eladio walking on his other side. "It would shock me if Cebrian tried to pull something that bad, Eladio. I have nothing to worry about."
King Cebrian lounged on a golden velvet divan, surrounded by young female slaves and goblets of wine. His clothes were a dark blue, perfectly matching the color of his eyes. Alianne could see that while the king had once been handsome, the years had taken their toll. While his body was well-muscled for a man of his age, his hair was streaked with gray, and his movements were slower.
"Casimiro, my boy," he said jovially as he stood. Alianne liked him immediately. "And who is this lovely creature?"
"This, Grandfather, is my fiancée, Lady Eliana de Sade. She is from one of our more remote islands."
"Hmm." The king didn't even question her title. Alianne found that a little more than odd, but she pushed the thought from her mind as the king stared at her, transfixed. "You certainly have good taste, Casimiro. You get that from you mother's family, you know."
"Of course, Majesty. Now, if you'll forgive us, Eliana and I have had a long journey, and we wish to rest."
The king smiled. "Of course, of course," he replied, waving one hand distractedly. "Eliana, my dear, we must have more time to talk. I want to get to know the girl who has captured my ice prince of a grandson's heart."
Alianne blushed as she dropped a curtsey. "Of course, Your Majesty." She followed Casimiro out of the room.
Cebrian sunk back down into his divan, stroking his chin thoughtfully. Eliana, he thought. What a lovely name. A beautiful name for a beautiful girl. Eliana…Queen Eliana. He smiled. I have found her at last.
Alianne stepped out of the ball that night quietly, looking forward to some peace. The courtiers had flitted about her, wondering how she had managed to get Casimiro. I didn't, she thought, rather irritated. He was the one who ensnared me, not the other way around!
"Things getting to hectic in there for you?" Alianne spun around to face the king, magnificent in pure gold.
"No, Majesty, I was enjoying the view."
Cebrian laughed indulgently. "Yes, it is lovely, isn't it? I understand your feelings. Casimiro is not the most steadfast of lovers, is he?"
"I'm…I'm afraid I do not know what you mean."
"Well, he's twenty-three, as you undoubtedly know, and quite the charmer. It's been sort of a contest for the ladies in the Court to see who could get him to propose. And now, he comes back betrothed to a beautiful stranger…as you can understand, it's likely to spark jealousy.
"Casimiro's been engaged several times before, and every time he's broken it off to chase another girl." The king sighed dramatically. "Are you positive he's serious about you?"
Alianne could not find her voice. She only looked at the king with a shocked expression.
"Tsk, tsk," the king sounded sympathetic. "However, my dear, there are alternatives to my grandson." He lifted her fingers to his lips. "I, for one, am willing to make you a queen. Think on it."
Cebrian left her, standing there on the terrace, looking out over Cayetano, feeling betrayed.
I didn't go back to Tortall because of him, she said to herself, trying not to cry. And for what? To have my heart broken! She looked out at Cebrian's retreating back. What the hell…I have nothing left to lose!
"Your Majesty, wait!" The king stopped, a smile playing across his lips.
"Yes, my dear?"
She ran up to him, and took a deep breath. "I thought over what you said…and I don't want to have my heart broken by…him. Yes, I'll marry you."
Cebrian smiled as he ran a finger down her face lovingly. "Ah, mi estimada, you shall not regret this decision. I promise it."