“You may look like a beaming princess…” His voice barely carried over the sound of the wind. “But I know somewhere hidden underneath it all, something different stirs in your veins.”
His words landed, and my arrow launched. I winced as the fletching tore into my flesh—blood trickled down my fingers. He pulled a linen cloth from his pocket and dabbed the blood. A bitter sting remained even as it clotted.
“I don’t know if I can do this.” I slammed the limb of the bow into the grass.
“For as long as I’ve known you…” Cael lifted it and thrust it back in my hands. “You’ve never truly let anyone dim your light.”
He didn’t know the tears I cried. The nights I spent wondering why I wasn’t enough. I never spoke to anyone about it at all.
I grabbed another arrow from my quiver, setting it against the nocking point. It flew freely until the head pierced the center of the target.
Cael smirked. “Good luck to the Lord of the Vale.”
My stomach dropped.
Chapter 2
My father sneered at me from the great hall’s arched doors. He looked down at my dirt-laced hem—trace remnants of my archery session.
“You will finally serve your people well,” he growled.
My sour stomach curdled, but my chin raised.
“Don’t you wish to ask how?”
“I have no doubt you will instruct me as to how I will do so.” The words slipped out before I could stop them. My body stiffened, waiting for the repercussions.
“Your marriage is being arranged. Lord Thalen of the Vale will be here soon to discuss the proposed pact.” He stroked his silver-streaked beard. “I expect you will play your part. Keep your thoughts to yourself. He won’t want to hear them.”
The edge of my sleeves concealed my fingernails biting into the flesh of my palms. No tears would fall—that would be too enjoyable for him.
“Lord Thalen’s alliance will ease Bailoc's affliction. That is all that matters.” He waited for my retort, but there were no words I could muster. My father left me with a single scoff.
To save my home—I would leave it.
He came as swiftly as they promised. I longed to bask in the sunshine, to smell the sweet blooms in my mother’s garden—instead, I would prepare to greet my future husband.
“Silver or blue?” Milana held up two gowns.
I didn’t know what he looked like, what he liked, or what he hated.
All I knew was his name—Thalen. I mouthed it and my throat constricted.
“Which one would my mother wear?” A mirthless smile spread across my lips.
She raised an eyebrow as her head angled. Milana loosened the ties at the back of the light blue gown. With an uneven beat, my heart lodged further into my chest.
He could be cruel. He could be kind. Maybe the Vale would grant me freedom. Maybe I would like him after all.
My mother’s pearls felt like ice as Milana fastened them around my neck. A single set of pearl adornments was one of the few things of hers he left for me to keep. The rest was sealed in the tower. We were forbidden from entering.
“Could you style my hair like you used to style hers?” I handed my mother’s pearl hair pins to her to slide into place in my braid.
She lowered a pearl circlet on my head.
“Milana, you were my mother’s lady’s maid. You knew her better than anyone. I need to ask you something.”
She nodded.
