Finally, I pried myself from the stone of the balcony, my limbs tingly and numb. I was sure I looked a wreck, but there’d be an army of handmaidens to re-polish me before they came ashore.
Sure enough, a team arrived before breakfast, and Nova was in my room before they’d half tamed my hair.
“They’re here! Can you believe it?” Her words were tentative. She was trying to guard my feelings, and I loved her for it.
“It’s okay to be excited.” I looked at her in the mirror, feeling guilty that she was tamping down her feelings for my benefit.
She blushed. “I’m not excited so much as tired of waiting, sister mine. Limbo is excruciating.”
“It is.” I looked her over as a handmaiden nearly ripped my hair from the roots while brushing it. She looked the picture of perfection. Everything our father wished I was. She was sweet and beautiful. A real princess. I’d bet she could even function satisfactorily, bound into these artificial claws. While I’d always been rough around the edges. I often thought she should have been born first. She would make a better queen. But I’d never put that on her. She was too good to be ruined by that.
We picked at the breakfast that was delivered to my quarters, while I listened to the palace thrown into a whirl of last-minute preparations. I barely touched the food, which was unlike me. I liked to fuel up in the morning for a day of riding and physical work with the horses. But it was not easy to eat in a gown that barely allowed breathing and only parting my lips enough that I didn’t crack the paint on my face. Even using cutlery was a challenge with the nails. I couldn’t keep this up. I’d starve. And I needed my energy for?—
Then it hit me again, as it had in waves over the past few weeks, that version of me was to be no more. I was not allowed to bring my horse with me, despite numerous attempts to appeal to Father. Upper-class females of the First Kingdom, and especially princesses, did not defile themselves with such manual tasks, I was told. If horses were required, they would be provided from the King's stable and cared for by grooms. Though I felt more inclined to believe that the real truth was that if given horses and the skills to manage them, such females would take their leave and find their own paths in life, so they were, like me, hobbled.
I sighed, then winced at the way my gown bit back from the over-expansion of my ribs. Of course breathing was restricted—just another way to ensure I couldn’t run away. Nova studied me for a long moment, and I tried not to get annoyed at her scrutiny.I had to keep reminding myself we were in this together, and she needed me. It wasn’t her fault this was happening.
In the end, though, it got too much. “Do I have something between my teeth?” I half snapped but managed to rein in my tone at the last moment.
She smiled fondly and shook her head. “I was just thinking what a bride you will make for a prince. You look beautiful, Caly. I know you hate this, but you really are.”
I scoffed. “I’m not concerned with how I please a prince. They should be worried about how they please us. Turning up here on a merchant ship does not set the best impression.
“Word among the guard is that they did that to fool any would-be attackers. It’s for safety,” Nova said with authority.
I rolled my eyes, “Please, all we have heard for years is how decadent and frivolous these princes are. Am I expected to believe that this no-frills arrival is not cause for concern? What if they are selling us to a flat broke crown?”
“I didn’t think you were so materialistic,” Nova scolded.
“I’m not. But I do care whether the King has the means to provide for this kingdom, all that is set out in the treaty. I’m not being hauled across the middle sea and shackled to a hedonist only to discover they were empty promises and our kingdom suffers.”
Nova looked contrite. “No, I see your point. Let’s hope that’s not the case.”
“I will not leave this to hope. I will demand answers. They cannot have us if it is not for the good of our people. No matter how handsome or powerful or otherwise supposedly desirable the princes are.” Nova looked chastised, which wasn’t my intention. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. This has just got me so wound up.”
“I’m with you, Caly. We are in this together,” she said softly. “Wherever you go, I go, and if they can’t meet their end of thetreaty, then I agree, they can’t have us. I’m not any more excited to leave my home than you are. But at least we will be together.”
I nodded.
“And hey, maybe we can make changes from the inside. You will be queen, you know!”
“For all the good it will do. You know they don’t let their females hold power. I’ll be for decoration only.” Groaning, I tried to adjust the foul corset.
Nova leaned in conspiratorially. “If we are meant to be there, then it is the Goddess’ plan. Maybe you are supposed to be the change the Kingdom needs.”
“You would make a far better Queen than me.” I’d never wanted it.
Nova wrapped me in her arms. “The Goddess knows what she is doing,” she said, leaning her forehead against mine. “Trust her.”
A knock on my chamber door separated us.
“Come in,” I called in reply.
“The prince and his party have arrived,” our handmaiden said.
Nova and I exchanged glances.
“Prince? Just one?” I asked, confused.
