Lady Airell's Choice (Ladies of Ardena Book 1) Read online

  Lady Airell’s

  Choice

  Ladies of Ardena

  Book One

  RACHEL SKATVOLD

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Discussion Questions

  Ardena Royal Lineages

  Pronunciations & Meanings

  Excerpt from: Lady Reagan’s Quest

  Books by Rachel Skatvold

  About the Author

  LADY AIRELL’S CHOICE

  Copyright © 2019 Rachel Skatvold

  ISBN: 9781728969107

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher. Published by Rachel Skatvold.

  Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version. Public Domain.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations or events is coincidental.

  Edited by: Lisa M. Prysock

  Proofread by: Joy Davidson

  Author Photo: Jennifer Davidson

  Cover Design: Erin Dameron-Hill

  For more information on Rachel Skatvold, please visit her website: www.rachelskatvold.com

  Dedication

  For Danielle

  I’m so proud of the beautiful and talented young lady you are becoming. Keep writing stories and using your talents to shine for the Lord!

  Acknowledgements

  As always, there are so many people involved in putting a book together and I would like to take a moment to thank them.

  First of all, thank you to God for placing this story in my heart. The characters in this story have taught me so much about redemption.

  Second, thank you for those who helped with the publication process. I so appreciate the amazing job done by my editor, Lisa M. Prysock, my proofreader and mom, Joy Davidson and Erin Dameron-Hill for the lovely cover art. Also, thanks to my sister, Jenny Davidson for taking my author photo and my uncle, David Webster for your knowledge about genealogy and Ireland.

  A big thanks to some special ladies in my reader’s group: Susan, Sharon, Linda, Dorothy, Natalya, Merrie, Katie, Patti, Sara. Sarah P., Halita, Sarah T., Michelle, Arletta, Debbie, Denise, Rory, Teri and Carol for participating in my character naming contest. The names you chose are amazing and I loved using them in the story!

  Last but not least, thank you to my husband, John, my kids, my extended family and church family for all your love and support. Also, I’d like to give a shout out to my beta readers, reviewers and loyal readers waiting patiently for the next book to come out. You all are such an encouragement and I appreciate you.

  Blessings!

  Author’s Note

  Dear Readers,

  Thank you for reading the first book in the Ladies of Ardena Series! You are about to embark on an epic journey with Lady Airell, Princess of Daireann, filled with adventure, danger, love and faith. However, before you embark on this journey, there are a few things I would like to share with you to make your reading experience more enjoyable.

  I have wanted to write a historical novel set in a place similar to Ireland for a while because of my Irish heritage, so I was excited when this story idea materialized. Ardena is not a real place—only a figment of my imagination—but has been inspired by Irish and Scottish culture and history.

  To make the story more authentic, there are Irish and Scottish words used for character names, and places throughout the story. If you would like to check pronunciations and meanings for these words, I have included them in the back of the book. There is also a family lineage page to discover the connections between the different kingdoms in Ardena and how the characters are related. It will grow as the series progresses.

  Thank you for reading, Lady Airell’s Choice and I hope you enjoy! Blessings.

  Rachel

  “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.” ~ Psalm 23:1-3

  Prologue

  Kingdom of Daireann, Ardena

  Spring, 1187 AD

  Lady Airell perched on the highest ridge overlooking Loch Maorga, gazing whimsically at the misty waters below. A light northern wind teased the golden strands of hair around her face as she relaxed onto the soft green bed of undergrowth. Seeing the vibrant sky above and the blooms of lemon buttercups, magenta knapweed and blue-eyed grass surrounding her, the young princess released a contented sigh. It was a rare, clear spring day when the rain held off and allowed the sun to beam down freely. Being here, in her favorite refuge in the entire kingdom, she felt as though God had given her a brief vision of heaven. Could any land be more beautiful and majestic here on earth as her homeland? She couldn’t fathom such a thought.

  “Airell!” a wispy voice called, nearly carried away by the breeze. “Airell, Father wishes to speak with you.”

  She propped up on her elbows, glancing at her younger sister as she sat down beside her. “Is it urgent?”

  Gwyneth relaxed onto the bed of soft grass, hazel eyes gazing at the cloudless sky above them. She drew in a few deep breaths, winded from the trek up the ridge. “I do not know. He merely requested that I fetch you. He’s waiting in the courtyard gardens.”

  Airell rested back again and pillowed her head in the crook of her elbow, dreading the inevitable conversation awaiting her. “Thank you, Gwyn. I’ll go in a few moments. I only wish to enjoy the sun on my face for a little longer.”

  Gwyneth flipped her long raven braid over one shoulder and grasped her older sister’s hand. The smile she tried to suppress sent a foreboding feeling through her. “Do you really think it to be true about Prince Tristan?”

  “I do not know what to believe,” Airell admitted, drawing in a shaky breath. She still remembered her first meeting with the prince five years ago. He was a handsome young man about her age, with golden hair and calming green eyes. He had been polite and charming in her presence—the portrait of what a young ruler should be. Airell, typically more outgoing than her father liked, had been unusually shy in his presence. Even now, her heart quickened at the mention of his name.

  “Oh, I envy you, sister,” Gwyneth murmured, bringing Airell out of her daydream. “You are free now—old enough to marry and travel to a new kingdom. ‘Twill be such a wonderful adventure.”

  She turned to her sister
who had resumed gazing at the sky. Didn’t Gwyn realize the life of a princess was anything but free? “Please do not envy me, sister. Enjoy this carefree time of your youth, living in our homeland. Treasure it. Soon enough, you’ll have to leave and bid farewell to everyone you love, as I must do.”

  A small tear formed in the corner of her younger sister’s eye. “Yes, I know you are right. Forgive me.”

  Airell squeezed her sister’s hand, hoping she hadn’t been too harsh. “There is nothing to forgive, Devin.”

  Her sister smiled at the term of endearment meaning, little deer. It was a name only used by her elder sister. “We better go. Father will scold me if we wait too much longer.”

  Airell chuckled. “Aye, but you are father’s favorite, Gwyn. He won’t be too hard on you. In fact, he’ll most likely blame me.” She sat up and plucked a few blades of grass from her hair.

  Her sister grinned with bright hazel eyes and sat up with her, pausing to pick a small periwinkle blossom and tuck it behind her elder sister’s ear. “I’ll race you to the courtyard.” Before Airell had a chance to reply, her sister gathered her skirts and dashed off down the craggy hill.

  She scoffed playfully and bounded down the hill after her. “Distract me with a flower, aye?” she called. Her sister’s jovial laughter carried on the wind as her raven braid bounced behind her head, but soon she caught up and their laughter blended together like a cheerful springtime song.

  When they reached the gardens, both girls had to stop with their hands braced against their thighs to catch their breath.

  Gwyneth patted her shoulder. “‘Twas a tie.”

  “Aye,” Airell agreed, still struggling to breathe through her laughter.

  After parting ways with her sister, she journeyed around the fountain in the courtyard bordered with yellow buttercups and then meandered down one of the garden paths, until reaching the rose bushes—her father’s favorite place in the garden. An elderly gardener smiled while tending the bushes and gave a slight bow before snipping a white bloom off and presenting it to her. She lifted the flower and inhaled its heavenly fragrance. Then she smiled and thanked the gardener before navigating the bend in the path. There she found her father, talking with her brother, Arlan. They could have been a painted mural on one of the palace walls—hands clasped behind their backs and facing Beatha Valley below the courtyard. They were muscular, tall and bearded, with their golden shoulder-length hair halfway clipped back with small silver clasps.

  A moment later, her father patted Arlan’s shoulder and her brother turned to walk away. When he saw her standing behind them, he tried to hide the discouraged look in his blue eyes, but Airell knew him too well. The winds of change were coming. She could sense it.

  “See you at dinner, Sister,” Arlan murmured, pausing to grasp her shoulder before he walked away.

  Her father, King Fallon, remained with his back toward her, his royal blue robe bordered with silver fur blowing in the breeze. “Come speak with me for a moment, my precious daughter.”

  Airell placed the white rose aside, hands trembling as her fingers curled around the ledge of the stone wall.

  Her father gazed out over Beatha Valley with the gardens, vineyards and village in the distance. “Your great grandfather loved this valley. Now its success has far surpassed any dreams he envisioned. God has truly blessed this kingdom with peace and prosperity.”

  “Aye, He has, and this kingdom is blessed to have you as king, too.” Airell’s heart filled with love for her father as she linked her arm with his and rested her head against his strong shoulder. He was a gentle, kind and fair ruler, who always put the needs of his family and kingdom above his own.

  He patted her arm with his free hand. “And I am blessed to have a daughter like you.”

  She smiled and released him. “So what did you want to speak to me about?”

  Her father looked her in the eyes for the first time, his expression troubled. “King Malcolm has been showing signs of aggression toward the other kingdoms—pillaging and burning small villages in the north.” Airell gasped, remembering rumors about the Dark Lord of Brannagh. He succeeded to the throne as a regent for his nephew several years before, but seemed in no hurry to give up his place of authority. Hearing his name made her tremble, however, her father continued on in spite of her emotions. “There will be a meeting in Órlaith soon to discuss how we will work together to keep the peace.”

  Airell’s heart dropped. “So you’ll be leaving?”

  “Aye. Two days from now.”

  Two days. She didn’t know why, but the words struck fear within her heart. Her father had departed on many journeys in her eighteen years of life and had always come back unharmed, but this time felt different. “Your brother will be helping your mother rule in my stead and I will be counting on you to help them.”

  “I will,” she agreed with a nod, finally understanding her brother’s melancholy behavior. He wanted to go along, but his request had been denied.

  “Now, we have more important matters to discuss.” He smiled and placed his hands on her shoulders, letting out a deep sigh. She noticed his cobalt eyes looked tired and the streaks of silver in his blond hair and beard seemed more prominent than usual. “Since you’ve come of age, I’ve received letters from a few dukes and even King Ewan from the northwest mountain kingdom, seeking your hand in marriage.”

  Airell shuddered and her eyes grew wide. “King Ewan?” She had never met him personally, but had heard people talk about the handsome, dark-haired ruler with mysterious, steel blue eyes from North Rhona. He was almost ten years her elder, but that wasn’t what bothered her. Age difference didn’t matter much in their culture. According to her sister-in-law, Lady Reagan, he was a wise and kind ruler. However, he lived high in the mountains, known for their treacherous, wild terrain and savagely cold winters. She couldn’t imagine living in such a harsh, unforgiving land.

  Her father didn’t react to her discomfort, but continued on. “Oh and one more…Prince Tristan from the Kingdom of Órlaith.”

  There was the name at the end—the one that made her heart quicken. Prince Tristan—from what their people called The Golden Kingdom—sought her hand in marriage. Airell looked down and drew in a shaky breath. “Is that all?” Her voice held a bit of humor to mask her apprehension. “Have you and mother chosen one of them yet?”

  Her father let out the deep, regal laugh she loved hearing before turning serious and lifting her chin with his index finger until their eyes met again. “‘Tis not our decision to make.”

  She stared at him in surprise. “‘Tis not? You arranged Arlan’s betrothal to Lady Reagan in advance when he was nine years of age. I always believed it was my duty to make a good alliance for the kingdom.”

  “‘Twas different for Arlan, being the firstborn and Lady Reagan’s kingdom needed protection in exchange for gold from the mountains of Rhona. Your brother knew an arranged marriage would be necessary for the future king. They grew to love to love each other in time, but I want something different for my daughters.”

  Airell bit her lip, finally understanding her father’s words. “I may choose?”

  He nodded. “Aye.”

  A massive weight lifted off her shoulders at her father’s words. “Thank you!” Airell hugged him, unable to contain her excitement.

  He laughed when she released him. “Now, we will have a feast to celebrate my departure. Your mother will need help planning for the occasion.”

  “As you wish, Father.” She kissed his cheek and then danced out of the courtyard as if on a cloud. I may choose, her heart sang all the way into the castle. I may choose! She had never felt so free in all her life.

  The feast had been a merry time of celebration for the entire kingdom, but now it was time to say farewell to her father and the rest of his company leaving for Órlaith.

  Airell fought tears while watching her father and mother in the courtyard. She was certain they had shared a goodbye kiss in privacy, but
now they simply stood facing each other. Her father leaned his forehead against hers and closed his eyes while smoothing his fingers over her long raven hair. “Mo shíorghrá,” he whispered, which she knew meant, my eternal love. Her mother whispered something back, but Airell couldn’t quite hear it.

  She turned away to hide the tears rolling down her cheeks. Would she ever be blessed enough to find a love like her parents had? They were rulers of an entire kingdom, yet still made time to share their deepest feelings with each other. It was a scary thought, transitioning to the next stage in her adult life—to marry and then move to her husband’s kingdom—but she wanted to experience the kind of love her parents had found. Now she knew what she had to do.

  After embracing his queen one last time, the king went down the line, bidding farewell to her elder brother, Arlan, then Airell and Gwyneth last. He turned to go before Airell finally gathered enough courage to ask him. “Father!” she blurted out, running to him.

  He turned with misty eyes and forced a sad smile. “Yes, my daughter?”

  She fumbled over her words as she whispered them for his ears only. “While…while you are in Órlaith, will you inform Prince Tristan I will accept his proposal of marriage?”

  Her father’s smile of approval sent a crimson hue blooming over her cheeks. “Fine choice. I will do as you wish.”

  They shared one last embrace and then, with a swish of his royal blue robe, her father and the rest of his company left the courtyard. She watched from above with the rest of the royal family as he mounted his horse and rode through Beatha Valley toward the road. From there, it would be a two-day journey to the harbor, then a week journey by sea. She prayed for his safety and theirs during his month-long absence. After all, she knew too well the unexpected dangers of traveling by sea.