“I know we’re young,” she said quickly. “I didn’t want to marry so soon either. But if we marry, that takes a marriage to Micah Bayar off the table. We can go back to the Fells together, and that will stifle talk of putting Mellony on the throne. I think the people would welcome a marriage to a native born, rather than a foreigner.”

The clans especially would welcome a Byrne. They respected Amon’s father, Edon Byrne. And the Byrnes weren’t magical or beholden to a foreign power.

It made so much sense, she had to make him see it. It was what she wanted, and practical, too. But Amon just stared down at his boots.

“I know there are obstacles,” Raisa said quickly. “My mother won’t approve. Maybe your father feels the same way. But…we can win them over.”

You could learn to love me, she thought. I’ll teach you.

“It’s not that simple,” Amon said, gently withdrawing his hands from her grasp. “I’m not free to marry you.”

Raisa’s heart stuttered. “What do you mean, you’re not free?” A terrible thought crowded into her mind. “Do you mean—because you’re already betrothed?” She fixed on the gold ring on his left hand, similar to her own.

“No,” he said. “I’m not betrothed.” He twisted the ring, sliding it up and down on his finger. “Is it my turn? Can I speak now?”

She nodded, even though she had a terrible feeling she wouldn’t like what he had to say.

“You know that the office of Captain of the Queen’s Guard is a legacy title in my family,” he said. “By Hanalea’s decree a thousand years ago.”

Raisa nodded. Legacy titles weren’t unusual, though more common among the nobility than the military.

“It typically goes to the first-born of each generation. The successor is selected by the previous captain to serve the new queen when she ascends to the throne.” He paused, as if waiting for a response from Raisa, but she said nothing.

“I’ve been chosen to serve as your captain,” he said. “Da and I discussed it before we came south.”

“Oh!” Raisa said. “Well, then.” Now she thought about it, she couldn’t imagine anyone else she’d rather have by her side. “That’s wonderful news,” she said. “Why didn’t you say anything before?”

“Well, it’s unusual to select a captain before the princess heir takes the throne. It’s threatening to the current queen. She might worry that the princess heir, in collusion with her personal guard, will try to take the throne early.”

“Oh!” Raisa said. “Well, I suppose…”

“Once the choice is made, it cannot be undone, save by death of either party. That’s another reason to wait until the princess is crowned queen.”