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My bride will be a liability, a frail body to protect, and while I’m built to be a protector, these hands were not made for delicate things. I will likely crush her. Maybe then my parents will find me someone more suitable.
For the first time, my mother speaks, her soothing tone calming the wave of fury brewing in my chest. “This gets you one step closer to the crown, son. Be grateful. Opportunities can be revoked as easily as they are bestowed.”
I bite back the argument fighting to form and nod my head instead. If I’m too reluctant to go through with the arrangement or I displease my father too much, he could easily choose a different heir. The next male in line after me, Zen, could marry the human instead and claim the throne. Or even worse, my sister, Orabelle, could inherit it.
I’m not taking any chances.
“My apologies. I’m happy to serve my kingdom and accept this betrothal.”
Even if it means I’m stuck with a human bride.
My mother’s gaze brightens at my words, and a hint of a smile forms on her thin lips.
“Excellent news,” she says and gestures to the ballroom with a sweep of her hand. “We’re just about to decide on colors for the linens. Do you boys want to help?”
I scrunch my nose at the idea, and Oryx chuckles beside me.
“Not particularly,” I say.
I couldn’t care less about the decorations. If I had my way, we’d perform the ceremony exclusively in front of the royal family to minimize the ridicule I’m bound to face. No formalities. No royal ball. Just a diplomatic union.
“Very well,” she says, waving us away. “Out of our way, then. I have a wedding to plan.”
Oryx and I bow our goodbyes and slip out of the ballroom the way we came. He doesn’t say anything—probably because I’m still seething—but the coy smirk on his face tells me he’s enjoying every second of my torment.
Maybe I’ll end up punching him after all.
CHAPTERFOUR
Irissa
Three days until I leave for Ulleh.
Regardless of the hours I’ve wasted thinking about what my new life will be like, the reality of it hasn’t quite sunken in. I have to leave behind everyone and everything I’ve ever known besides Lizette, whose company will be my only sense of normalcy in my new home. It’s a scary thought, but not as terrifying as being the bride of a minotaur.
In my eighteen years, I’ve never heard a redeeming story about the rulers of Ulleh. They’re cunning and downright ruthless when it comes to getting what they want, and judging by the way their people so carelessly attack and destroy our kingdom, they’re also vile. They have no concern for the well-being of others, and even though I’m marrying into the royal family, I know that doesn’t remove the target from my back. If anything, it makes it bigger.
Aside from fear and anger, there’s another emotion hovering just below the collected front I display.Disappointment. Like most girls, I’ve spent countless hours dreaming of my perfect wedding to the prince of my dreams, and now that fantasy has been ripped away. There will be no perfect wedding, and a minotaur is hardly my ideal prince. It’s a crushing truth, one that will take a while for me to come to terms with, but every time I get disheartened, I think of Sedric and his wife. Of the countless villagers who have lost belongings, homes, and loved ones to the minotaur invaders.
I’m doing this for them.
I’m doing it for my people.
I will bring peace to my kingdom, even if it robs me of my own happiness. It’s what a loyal princess should do.
“Irissa,” Lizette says, drawing me from my thoughts.
There’s no telling how long I’ve been sitting in the winged-back chair next to the library window, letting my gaze roam the courtyard below, but my leg is starting to cramp. I look over to see her standing in the doorway, her hands clasped in front of her. She’s in a floor-length maroon dress, her chestnut hair braided back into a bun.
“You instructed me to get you around midday to visit the tombs. If you want, I can come back later,” she says, half-turning toward the hall.
I shake my head. I’ve been putting off visiting my mother’s resting place long enough, and if I wait much longer, I won’t have the chance.
“No, that’s all right,” I say, hoisting myself out of the chair and stretching feeling back into my limbs. I brush my hands over the skirt of my pale pink dress, straightening the fabric, and head toward the door. “I’m ready.”
Lizette doesn’t have to follow me everywhere I go, but most of the time, she’s right on my heels when I roam the halls. There’s no reason for her to accompany me to the tombs, but the soft smile on her face as we slip down the corridor tells me that she’s happy to do so. That’s the only reason I don’t ask her to stay behind while I make the trek alone.
“I ran into Darsan this morning.” She falls into casual conversation as we stroll down the hall. “He said you’ve been avoiding him.”
