Page 252 of Carousel

“Sisters,” she says, black lidded eyes roving over my face, my dress, my braided hair, which I’ve tied with a beautiful silk ribbon I found in a pocket. It’s just like one I had when I lived here, but lost at some point in Hevalla. “Ara. You are exquisite.”

Her gaze moves to my arm, which has found Drake’s again.

She gasps. “We have been successful? You have found love in each other?”

“You did well, Mother,” Drake says. “Ara is everything I would choose in a life partner.”

She faces me, glowing. Her crown and jewels shimmer. “And you, Ara? Is my boy everything you would choose?”

Everything I would choose.

The Card of the Choice.

Accepting the union should have been an easy choice. I can’t think why once, it wasn’t.

It’s strange. It’s like my head is buzzing again.

I ignore it.

“Yes,” I reply smoothly. “And more.”

“Then we will set the wedding date at once. Today is a day of celebration!” she calls to the court, who cheer again. The orchestra play louder. It startles the swans.

The Queen looks around, then, as the other Rhavnans descend the ramp, also bowing or curtseying to her.

“Where is Dezeeves?” she asks Drake.

“He couldn’t make it,” he replies, without missing a beat.

She bats her long, full lashes. “Explain.”

“His services were no longer required.” Drake’s gaze becomes iron. “Our alliances will be chosen by us, now, Mother. And alliances with questionably sane religious fanatics won’t factor into that.”

Her dark eyes smoulder. “We will continue this conversation elsewhere.”

As I step off the ramp, my mother hugs me.

“You have done everything correctly, Darling. You will be a great queen.”

“Yes,” I say. “But we lost Old Mother. And Eric.”

But she’s still beaming. Shaking her head. “Eric is here. And Junara was ready to pass.”

“Eric is here?”

“He preferred not to be part of the welcoming ceremony – you know how he gets with crowds. But yes. He is waiting for you inside.”

“But, how?”

“The terms of the exchange were met. Your exile would only last until the time came for you to meet the Prince. Vikemy arranged for his transfer by sky ship the same day you arrived on The Emperor, I believe.”

I feel choked.

This is a new world, and I am not alone in it.

My family are here.

I look over at Drake, still with the Queen. He is too far from me now. Our magic is pulling at me like a tether. I can’t wait to be back by his side.