Cora and I had barely spoken since my conversation with Thalen in the garden.
As the morning light crept in, another summons arrived. It was my only chance to make the bargain they wouldn’t refute.
“You can’t go through with it,” Cora warned, breaking the silence between us. “You can’t convince me that you want to be with Thalen.”
“I don’t.” My fingers slipped into the folds of my gown.
“Then why are you doing this?” She stepped forward and stopped. “Lioran is trying to help you. He will find another way.”
“He did.” The ache hadn’t dissipated. “I could marry Calyth instead.”
Cora gripped her throat, her fingers curled down toward her chest. “It would be better than marrying Thalen.”
“It isn’t what you think. I just need a moment to myself.”
Cora’s browknitted. “Fine, but can you at least eat something? You’ve barely eaten in days.”
Bile churned in my stomach. Even when the bitterness settled, I couldn’t force myself to look at the food on the plate. “I’m not hungry.”
“Your heart is broken, but someday it will mend.” Her hand lingered on my shoulder. “Whatever you choose. I’ll stand beside you.”
“Cora.” I called as she stood at the door. “I’m not choosing Thalen.”
Cora rushed to me. “Will you go with Calyth then?”
The words lodged in my throat. “No. I will go to Myrwood Grove.”
“He…thinks you will marry.”
It was my secret to keep. “He will know my decision soon.”
“You don’t know what you’re risking. My vision was only a glimpse of the future.”
“A glimpse of hope.” I pressed my hands together. “It’s all that matters.”
As she exhaled her eyes lifted to mine. Not another word was said between us. She nodded with a grim smile on her face.
A cascade of colors sparkled onto the throne room floor. I stood alone in the center, waiting in silence for the king and queen. Footsteps echoed behind me—and his energy shifted over me. I heard his breathing—uneven with ache. He stepped in front of me.
King Thalorys strolled in with the Queen Rhaevinon his arm.
“It is not in your power to deny Lord Thalen.” King Thalorys’s head angled as he evaluated me. “Tell me. Now. Why do you deny his claim still?”
I couldn’t move. The silence thickened around me. Air drew from my lungs. Lioran caught me as I stumbled. His hand lingered on my back.
“Your future king requests that your fate be treated with kindness. We have obliged, but now my patience wears thin.” The king gripped Lioran’s arm and pulled him in front of me. “Tell her your command.”
Panic rippled through the silver flecks in his eyes. The pink in his cheeks slowly faded.
Lioran’s eyes pleaded with mine. “You must make achoice, for your future.”
The king sneered at his son.
“Bow to him,” the queen demanded. Her voice shook me. I froze before him. “You will bow to your future king,” she commanded again.
I lowered my body into a deep curtsy, my gaze lay at his feet.
“That’s enough.” Lioran’s voice stammered, his fingers twitched as he extended them toward me.
