My gown bunched awkwardly behind me as I lay on the floor.
This was to be my cage. I had certainly picked a lavish one.
Painted roses lined the top of the ceiling. I hadn’t noticed them before. I counted each one, until their outlines blurred past recognition.
I wanted Fyn to hold me—to tell me everything I never let him say. His kiss would be a memory I would always keep.
If Bailoc insisted I stay and marry Soren, I would. And I’dbeg to the stars, or whatever listened, to let me forget how much my heart belonged to Fyn.
We had missed our chance.
Fyn sent Eva in to check on me. She made me rise from the floor and insisted I eat more food than I wanted.
And when the room grew too cold and too dark, I went to sleep far earlier than I should have.
At least sleep wouldn’t disappoint me.
Eva carried in a tray covered in ivory roses the following morning. Drizzled pink icing pooled beneath the scone.
“The prince has sent a note.” Eva pointed to a slim folded piece of parchment sat beside a plate and teacup.
I pulled the letter off the tray and peeled back the midnight wax seal that was stamped with his initial. The color was so deep I couldn’t make out the rest of the details that surrounded it.
For you, my bride. - Soren
More romantic words could have been written. But romance was not something Soren appeared to be capable of. An apology would have been just as nice, but I was certain I’d never get one.
I plucked the scone off the plate and took a single bite. The sweet icing dried my throat. Only a glass of water lay beside it. “I wish for coffee. Could you bring me some?”
“I will get you some later,” Eva said.
“It is almost too beautiful to eat.” Fragmented bits of flowers clung to the edges of the plate as I lifted the scone to my lips. The icing melted quickly on my tongue.
“Novena always enjoys them. I thought you would too.” Eva removed the plate as soon as I had eaten the last bite.
“How is Novena doing?” I asked.
“She is better today.” Eva’s words flooded me with the starlight’s searing sensation.
“How does she master it all so gracefully?” I couldn’t let the conversation slip. There was something none of them wanted me to know.
“She does what a future queen must. Perhaps she will help you define your own path here, Princess Ashlyn.”
I couldn’t help but notice the way she looked at me as I ate the rest of the scone. My throat dried with every bite. “I’m so thirsty.”
She placed my water glass in my hands. “The prince would like me to ready you to meet with him. I’ve sent for Lord Fyn to escort you, but his business has pulled him out of his chamber this morning.”
“I will remain escorted until I am wed,” I said.
“Certainly, Your Highness. No one would ask otherwise.” She bowed her head. “I can escort you in his stead.”
Fyn’s absence had already hit me. He wasn’t gone, but he wasn’t within my reach. “I will be ready then.”
The halls seemed quieter as we walked them.
My vision became a hazy blur.
I stumbled as I walked down the hall. “I fear I am not well.”
