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The carriage rocks as our driver dismounts, and he pulls the door open, offering me his hand.
“Your Highness.”
Skin crawling with anxiety, I take his offer after a moment of hesitation, and step out of the carriage. I smooth the skirt of my dress and stretch life back into my numb legs just as a pale form appears in the doorway at the top of the stairs. She’s much smaller than the guards next to her, with moon-colored skin and a navy dress that flows to her feet. A golden crown sits between the small horns on her head, and her expression is much less menacing than any minotaur I’ve seen so far.
Even though I’ve never seen her before, I know who she is before the guard to her right announces her presence.
“All hail, Queen Torria.”
CHAPTERSEVEN
Irissa
Ibow slowly, bending as low as I can without falling over due to the weight of my dress. Despite the resentment I hold, and every other negative feeling I’ve had since hearing about my betrothal, I want to make a good impression on the woman who is about to become my mother-in-law. If this arrangement truly is about creating an alliance between our kingdoms, I have to use every ounce of my etiquette and charm to start off on the right foot.
When I stand, her features are brighter, and a whisper of confidence sparks to life in me.
“Welcome to Ulleh,” she says, and waves me up the stairs. “Come. Your arrival has already been announced and the ceremony will begin shortly.”
I exchange nervous glances with Lizette.
“Already?” I ask under my breath.
I’d expected a hasty wedding, but I always thought I’d have a little more time to get my bearings. A few hours to unwind from my long journey. Maybe some food, or at least something to drink, before they usher me down the aisle.
Nope. It seems there’s none of that here.
“Looks like it,” she whispers.
Grabbing the front of my dress and lifting it a few inches to make it up the stairs, I follow the queen’s orders and ascend the castle steps.
Even though she’s half the size of the guards, Queen Torria makes me feel smaller than normal. She’s nearly a head taller than me and nearly twice as wide.
“Your Majesty,” I say, bowing again as my etiquette training kicks in. “It’s a pleasure.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” she says, her voice softer and more soothing that I would have thought possible. “Nor is the first of my children to marry. Therefore, you are the first addition to our family. Our home is your home.”
“Thank you.” I cling to the bit of reassurance her words provide and attempt to smile. If all the minotaurs are this welcoming, maybe, justmaybe, things won’t be so bad.
She turns and heads into a spacious foyer, Lizette and me following closely behind.
The kingdom is impressive, but it pales in comparison to the lavish interior of the castle. Everything about this place, from the wallpaper detailed in gold to the ornate handrails lining the twin staircases before us, radiates wealth. It couldn’t be a starker difference from the castle in Hyatt, and I can’t stop staring in disbelief as we make our way across the black marble floor.
“I hope you find our home to your liking,” Queen Torria says over her shoulder as we turn to the right and head down an equally elaborate hallway. “Our family has worked for centuries to make it what it is today.”
By stealing, I remind myself.
Who’s to say all of this didn’t belong to another kingdom before they took it?
Maybe part of my diplomatic solution can be convincing them to give back what doesn’t belong to them. It’s a long shot, but I’m willing to try.
I put that thought away for now and pin my lips closed tightly.
First, I have to make it through this wedding.
“One of my servants will be along momentarily to tend to you and your maid,” the queen continues as we make another turn. We pause in front of a gilded golden door, and she turns to look at us. “This room connects to the event hall where the ceremony will take place. The servant will show you when and where to make an entrance.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
