Page 12 of A Heart Too Tender

“Here we are,” Maude said, gesturing to a towering arched doorway. “You’re welcome to walk around and look at the art, or take a seat with the others. The Governor will be with you all shortly.”

I bit my lip as I took a step towards the doorway before stopping. “Thanks for all your help, Maude. I’ll do my best to make all your trouble worth it.”

Maude tapped a long finger under my chin, raising my face slightly. “Just try to have a good time, dearie.” Then she disappeared down the hall singing a song that sounded like the kiss of waves against the sand.

I plucked at the gossamer fabric of my skirt as I walked into the room. There were already two other princesses in here, and I recognized neither of them. The long, narrow room had a single red velvet bench in the center of it, and they were sitting a good distance apart from each other. I looked hopefully, my hand half raised in a wave, but neither one seemed to care that I was there.

“Um, hello …“ No one met my gaze, and one even turned away. “I’m Princess Colette.” I stepped farther into the room and was still met with silence.

That was to be expected, I supposed. We were competing.

The gorgeous art hung along the wall in golden frames, saving me from further embarrassment, and I walked to the first painting that caught my eye. Art had always been a joy of mine, from trying to paint, learning the piano, embroidery, and even writing. I loved the creative process. It was like diving into yourself, and the art you created was coming up for air.

Footsteps sounded down the hall, and I glanced over a shoulder to see a somewhat familiar face—Princess Zuri. I raised a hand in greeting as she scanned the sitting princesses. Zuri’s eyes brightened when they met mine. Her gown was a lavish shade of burgundy, and her hair swept off her shoulders as she hurried towards me. Her tiny braids reminded me of silk thread.

“What a pleasure it is to see you again,” she grasped both of my hands in greeting, as we kissed each other’s cheeks.

“I’m relieved you’re here,” I replied.

“I didn’t have much of a choice.” She grimaced, as her eyes darted around the room. “Have you been waiting long?”

My hair brushed my lower back as I shook my head side-to-side. “Not long.”

“Are you going to sit with them?”

I pursed my lips. “It was an icy greeting. I’d rather enjoy the art.”

Princess Zuri snorted. “I’m not surprised, but I’m going to sit. Who knows what kind of trial we’ll face tomorrow.”

She squeezed my hands one last time before striding to the end of the bench and taking a seat. Sitting beside the others, it struck me as odd that we were all in different colors, with no overlap. The princess nearest the door wore only yellow. The one behind her—only purple. Then there was Zuri in burgundy, and me, in green. I mused, it must be a way to identify us. It was strange how similar they all appeared too. Their posture, long necks, and rigid spines—it looked uncomfortable.

Footsteps echoed down the hall again, but this time it was heavier— thundering like boots. The eminence of the noise bred importance and had the princesses on the bench rising immediately as the sound reached them.

But when Julian and Charles entered the room, the princesses reacted differently. The one in yellow, closest to the door, gasped and covered her mouth, turning away from Julian. The one in purple slumped back into her seat, facing away from them as if they didn’t warrant a moment of her time. And Zuri, well, she did wonderful at hiding her surprise, but she too sat with slight annoyance as she fluffed out the burgundy fabric of her skirt.

Julian’s jaw worked side to side, and I couldn’t tell if he was trying to mask his anger or embarrassment. Charles cleared his throat, waiting patiently beside him.

“Good afternoon,” I called across the room and waved at them both. “It’s nice to see you two again.”

Julian placed a hand on his chest and looked behind him as if trying to puzzle out who I was speaking to.

“It’s Julian, correct?” I approached them and smiled. “I’m sure you probably don’t recognize me. I was a sodden mess the last time we met.” I reached out a hand. “I’m Princess Colette.”

He took my hand, meeting my gaze with a steely one of his own. “I remember you.”

There was a brush of hardened callouses against my palm and his eyes shifted from my face to our joined hands. The feel of my hand in his was familiar … but I couldn’t quite place it.

Julian squeezed lightly, releasing me, and my heart fluttered like a butterfly’s wings. “But my actual title is Lord Julian, Governor of the Heart’s Night Trials.”

The swish of fabric was comical as the princesses fled the bench and pushed against me to get closer for an introduction. I slipped out of the throng of chaos, my eyes never leaving his as the others vied for his attention.

“Ladies, ladies!” Charles announced. “If you would please give us some space, we will explain the rules.”

“When is the prince coming?”

“Can we talk to him?”

“Did he say why he chose us?”