Read EXCERPT 2:Marrying someone I’ve never met, especially the son of the emperor, would be…
Dreadful.
Disastrous.
Deadly.
My father swallows hard, something he does when he’s pushing down his emotions, but there’s a firmness in his eyes that conveys the seriousness of the situation. “The emperor has commanded it, Aralin. This isn’t a simple proposal. It’s an order from the emperor himself.”
This is the finality of a decree.
His words settle like a heavy weight in my mind, and a rush of helplessness washes over me. The emperor’s commands are absolute and impossible to defy. The force of his power reverberates through me, leaving me feeling small and insignificant in the face of his authority.
I’m a chess piece in a game of kingdoms and empires where the greater needs of the realm outweigh personal desires. The emperor’s demand is a demonstration of his power, a forceful reminder of the duties and responsibilities that accompany my title.
Let’s not mince words. My life isn’t my own, and it never has been.
This proposed marriage isn’t a simple union between two people. It’s a strategic move in a game where I’m the pawn and the prize is what lies buried deep in the mountains of Wintriness.
I take a deep breath, steadying myself. “Father, the emperor wants this marriage so he’ll gain access to the natural resources of Wintriness. It’s the truth, and everyone here knows it.”
I’m referring to newly discovered crystallos, a rare and powerful element found only in the frozen depths of Wintriness. Whispers about it have reached my ears, speaking of its ability to bring about the downfall of even the most formidable supernatural creatures. The mere mention of it brings goosebumps to my flesh. Rumored to possess a deadly potency, crystallos can stop the most powerful witch, vampire, werewolf, fae and other supernatural being in its tracks. Its power would be disastrous in the emperor’s hands.
My eyes scan the faces of the king’s hand and the general so I may gage their reactions.
Their expressions are neutral, yet I can’t shake the suspicion that one of them has played a part in this marital arrangement. Possibly both. Those two have always been adept at making power plays and maneuvering behind the scenes to shape the kingdom’s future to their advantage.
The weight of their gazes on me is measuring and calculating. There’s a slight shift in Balius’s eyes, but he gives nothing away. Meanwhile, Indrid maintains his composed facade with perfection.
They’re masters of the political game, and the three of us know I’ve just called out their tactics. All the more reason to get rid of me.
My refusal to accept the emperor’s command would have repercussions reaching far beyond the walls of this throne room. The balance of power, the future of Wintriness and my own fate are all intertwined in this decision.
I won’t be allowed to refuse.
“No matter the motive, I have no say in the matter.”
I hear the defeat in my father’s voice, and my frustration flares. The thought of being used as a bargaining chip in this political game stirs a fierce blaze within me. “The emperor can’t take away the only living heir to the throne of Wintriness.”
My father is composed, but I see the impact of the situation in his eyes. “Aralin, you’re well aware that the new prince of Wintriness will arrive any day now.”
His words are well-meaning and intended to point out that his line of succession will continue without me, but his words sting. Again, I’m reminded that I’m not the prince everyone longs to have.
“I can’t leave the queen, Father. She needs me. Her health is better in my presence. You said so yourself.”
The thought of abandoning my mother, especially in her fragile state, is a dagger to my heart.
“My beloved daughter, you will go to Imperia and take your place. This is a great honor, Aralin. In time, you’ll become empress.”
There it is. The king’s duty as a monarch overshadows his role as a father.
His words, intended to inspire and reassure, fall flat. The title, with all of its power and prestige, holds no allure for me.
“I have no interest in being empress.”
Life in a foreign land, bound in marriage to a stranger, ascending to a throne I don’t want… it’s a future I can’t fathom. And then there’s the added problem of being a witch within the emperor’s small circle.
There’s no way I’ll survive it.
The king’s words, while spoken with a sense of regal duty, are a reminder of the limited choices available to me. Because I’m a female.
The weight of my royal birthright is heavier than ever before. The expectations, the responsibilities, this arranged marriage––all chains that bind me to a destiny I never chose. My personal desires, dreams and hopes are secondary to the whims of these men in power.
My heart aches at the thought of leaving everything I know and love behind.
“I want to stay here in Wintriness near you and Mother,” I say, hoping somehow my words will sway his decision.
“You’ll leave for Imperia in one month when the emperor sends for you.” His tone is resolute.
It’s clear that any additional arguments would be futile. So I nod and allow a mask of acceptance to fall over my face for the sake of appearances. “As you wish, Father.”
I swear I see a flicker of a smirk on the face of the king’s hand, perhaps a slip.
After a deep curtsy, I turn and leave the throne room. Each step feels heavier than the one before as my mind races with thoughts and emotions behind the mask of compliance.
Leaving Wintriness and entering an unknown world is terrifying. But the prospect of marrying the emperor’s son and becoming part of a court that is a world away from everything I have ever known fills me with panic.
Used as a pawn in a tyrant’s game… that will not be my story.
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