Cillian’s low chuckle pulls my attention towards him. “Something funny?” I demand.
“Not at all, Nis.” His lip quirks up at the corner. His eyebrows make a quick jump, his eyes swimming with stifled amusement. “It's a nice dress.”
“Don’t call me that.” I narrow my eyes on him. “And you don’t have to rub it in.” I throw my arms out, letting them fall into the massive pile of tulle heaped unflatteringly around my waist. “I didn’t pick this thing.”
Caspien’s mouth thins as he takes us in. The playfulness on Cillian’s face drops off.
Goddess, I wish I was back at the Homestead, and it’s barely been an hour since I’ve been announced as the princess.
Cillian and I were friends when we were younglings. Best friends.More than best friends. Until we weren’t.
I used to look forward to visiting Solevara for Beltane each year. Cillian and I would send wisps to each other, counting down the days, filling me with the same child-like anticipation as waiting for my seedlings to break through the soil. Until that excitement withered and died. His wisp stopped coming and he stopped responding to mine. And the next time I visited it was clear why.
I may not have had time to process being the princess yet, but what I do know is that he doesn’t get to treat me like tree fungus for years and now suddenly act like we’re friends when it suits him.
I was able to handle it when I was paraded around for a couple days and sent back home, but now… We’re going to have to set boundaries.
I open my mouth to tell him exactly what I think when someone links their arm in mine and begins to pull me away. Instinctively I pull back until I realize who’s by my side.
Queen Isolde Vaylor.
Like her son Caspien, she’s a Fire Fae. Short brown hair hangs in soft waves framing her face. If I didn’t know that the seamstresses had been banned from weaving magic into the dresses I would have thought this was alive with fire. The ebony fabric of her dress flows down her body like liquid, making the fire in her eyes glow. We’re both on the shorter side, but she holds herself like she is the tallest woman in the room.
I instinctively straighten my shoulders as she pulls me along. Every head turns our way as we pass, each Fae subtly taking notice of her.
Isolde has always kept her distance during my visits to the Elite City. Almost like I was one of the servants, which was fine with me since she’s kind of terrifying. It’s clear where her sons get their superior attitudes. A spark always remembers the fire that gave birth to it.
To the rest of the room, we probably appear like perfectly normal acquaintances, linking arms, sharing a quiet conversation. But she squeezes my bicep with her other hand, making sure I continue to walk with her. There will undoubtedly be a reminder of her blood-red manicured fingernails when she lets go.
Gliding us away from her sons and through the room, she gracefully smiles and nods at the Elite, while she talks under her breath to me.
“Princess,” she says, voice low, “I regret that you have to be pulled into this so quickly. But it could not be helped.” Her tone leaves no room for question or challenge. “With such a direct attack on Solevara, the Fae are unsettled. The loss of your sister is regrettable. But when we announce theincidentto the rest of the kingdom, we must avoid panic. Especially with the coronation so near.”
I open my mouth to ask the details of what happened to Nova, but her fingers tighten even further, effectively cutting off my words.
“As the royal family, we must assure the Two Kingdoms that this loss will cause no problems. Gaia’s will is clear. You are your sister’s twin. Therefore, you are one of the Daughters of Gaia and will now be announced as such. This will pacify all fears. It is your job to put your feelings aside and simply smile.”
One of the Daughters of Gaia.Yes, I was born the same day as the Prince but they have never considered me as such. Nova was the decided Daughter,thePrincess. I snort at their new opinion of me and she shoots me a sharp look.
Gaia can be quite volatile. When she’s happy there’s great peace through Castara, but when she isn’t… she makes it known. I don’t actually remember much of that peace. The destruction of the elemental lands started when I was just a child. Attacks on the very lands that she created to provide us with power, essentially cutting us off from our natural source of energy.
Everyone has their opinion on why the Goddess is weakening the world she blessed. Many of the theories are more murmurs of concern about the royal family being unable to fix whatever has upset Gaia. I can only imagine how much yesterday’s storm increased those concerns.And Nova’s death…
Queen Isolde’s appraising eyes move from my toes to my face with a disapproving curl of her upper lip. As if I didn’t already hate how this dress makes me look, she just set it in stone.
“Be sure to stand up straight. It will give the Fae in the room more confidence in you.”
I realize she has led me to the stage, and she is ascending the steps towards King Kiel.
A moment later, the king makes the official announcement about Nova’s death. When he motions to me, his solemn expression is replaced with a benevolent smile. His declaration telling everyone I’m the Daughter of Gaia. The Princess of Castara.
Then the wisps go to work, sending word through each element to every Fae in the Two Kingdoms.
And all I can think is-this isn’t how I imagined joining the Vaylor family.
Chapter
Four
