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The truth is, I’m not. Despite having a week to prepare myself mentally, the fact that I’m leaving my home for an unknown, barbaric land, to be married to a stranger in less than a day, has my heart beating hard against my ribs. The thought is terrifying, and I can hardly put what I’m feeling into words.
I settle on, “Sort of.”
The carriage wobbles slightly as the driver assumes his position at the front, and I hear the whip of the reins before we start moving. I fuss with the fabric of my dress, running my hands over it. Even through all the layers, I can feel the harness that holds my favorite dagger in place. I might be severely outnumbered and overpowered when I get there, but I’ll never go unarmed.
“I’ve seen you do a lot of things over the years, Irissa,” Liz says, reaching across the carriage to take my hand and squeeze it reassuringly. “Being afraid isn’t one of them. You’re going to change everything for our people. I just know it.”
Her smile is reassuring, and I cling to her words as we roll away from the castle, even though I don’t feel the least bit capable. Even if I survive the wedding and manage to stay alive in Ulleh, I have no idea how I’m going to change things for my people. Despite promising everyone peace, I don’t know if I can do it.
“I hope so, Liz.” I squeeze her hand again before withdrawing, settling into my seat for the journey. “I really,reallyhope so.”
* * *
The silhouette of the towering buildings of Ulleh on the horizon takes my breath away, and the closer we get to the kingdom, the higher the tips of the structures stretch into the air. I feel impossibly small.
Unlike Hyatt, where the landscape is a mixture of browns and muddled grays, everything here seems to be made of a glossy, black stone. From the thick wall that runs the perimeter of the kingdom to the castle that stands proud in the distance, everything gleams in the sunlight.
I crane my neck to get a better view as we roll through the impressive gates and hit paved ground for the first time since Hyatt.
“Are you seeing this?” I whisper to Lizette, who’s gazing out the opposite window.
“It’s stunning,” she says, and as reluctant as I am to approve of anything in this horrid place, I have to agree.
It’s beautiful, and certainly not what I expected from a group of vicious beasts.
We roll down the paved street between dozens of neatly crafted buildings, and my heart jumps into my throat when I spot the first minotaur. He’s enormous, easily bigger than any man I’ve ever seen, with meaty arms that could snap bones in half. He has the head of a bull, a golden ring dangling from his nose, and his horns have been cut down to white stumps. He has the body of a man, and the only article of clothing he wears is a strip of cloth over his groin, but the distinct curve of his balls can be seen swinging below the loin cloth.
“Liz,” I whisper, frantically grabbing for her hand to pull her to my side of the carriage. “Look at him. I’ve never seen one this close.”
Lizette crowds beside me as we roll past, and his eyes lock with mine, sending a cold shiver tumbling down my back. With my luck, it’s rude in their culture to stare, but he doesn’t break into a sprint after us, so I try not to worry too much.
After all, I have enough to worry about.
I’m about to arrive at my wedding, and I have no idea what to expect.
My heart beats harder in my chest and I retreat from the window, closing my eyes and sitting back in my seat.
“Are you sure you don’t need a calming potion?” Lizette asks.
It’s tempting, but I politely decline again. “Something tells me I’ll need it after I meet my future husband.”
The words hit with undeniable reality, and my hands begin to tremble.
My future husband.
I’m minutes away from a life I never asked for, and a husband I don’t want. Not only that, but I hold a huge amount of resentment toward this monster I’ve never met for what his people have done to my home.
The idea of bringing peace between our kingdoms is heavy and feels more impossible than ever.
“If anyone can do this, you can,” Lizette says as though reading my thoughts.
“I can do this.” I nod, mustering my courage, which seems to have disappeared.
I can do this.
Can’t I?
The carriage rolls to a stop and I catch my breath, my eyes darting out the window to see a set of marble steps waiting for us. At the top of the stairs, there are six minotaur guards, three on either side of an open entryway. Their skin ranges in color from pale gray to dark brown, and they hold slender metal spears at their sides. Spikes are strapped to their torsos and horns with black leather, and they all wear identical dark pants.
