“It’s good to see you again,” Selene said as Adamantia stepped back.
“And you,” Adamantia replied. She turned to me. “I would offer you a similar gesture, but as friendly as my niece is pretending to be, her scent is quite threatening.” She laughed and I saw Selene’s frown deepen.
“I don’t like others touching what’s mine,” she said.
“You haven’t changed at all. I expect nothing less from our future Queen.”
We stood in silence as Adamantia left and returned inside.
“You never mentioned you had an aunt,” I said.
“No, I do not enjoy discussing my family,” Selene explained in reply. How many more family members lived on the Ardens Estate?
“Are you okay?” she asked, turning her attention to me, taking hold of my wrist and turning it over to inspect, before delicately lifting my jaw and turning it side to side.
“I’m fine, and you were watching,” I accused.
“I was watching.” Her hand gripped my jaw tighter, and she pulled me forward until I was on my toes for a forceful kiss. “As if I would leave you unprotected, at the mercy of any of my family,” she said once she released me.
“Though Adamantia is harmless enough. She has never shown much interest in power. Her wife, Sasha, is a pureblood of no nobility. They have made Ardens Estate their home since I can remember,” she explained.
“She didn’t seem harmless,” I said.
“That Ardens charm,” Selene smiled. The morning sun added a glow to her cheeks, the cold but soft breeze tousled her loose waves, and her silver eyes shone. Against the backdrop of the Ardens Estate mansion, she was like something from a story, as if she was made for Ardens, belonging to the scene. The idea that Ardens could be home, didn’t seem so unbelievable in that moment.
I stepped up on my toes and took hold of her woollen jumper. Selene’s arms wrapped around me.
“What are you doing?” she asked, smiling happily as we locked eyes.
“Trying to kiss you,” I replied. “You’re too tall. Bend down,” I commanded. Selene laughed and complied.
“I have a meeting with local councillors from the nearby towns and villages. You’ve spent enough time outside—it’s too cold for you,” Selene said as she pressed her nose against mine and kissed me chastely. “Would you like to accompany me? I expect best behaviour. While I am pleased that you stood your ground against Adamantia, you cannot and will not undermine me during these discussions.”
“I want to come with you,” I answered. “And I’ll be good, promise.”
“You promise?” she asked.
“Yes,” I nodded. “And no offence, but Ardens estate is boring, Selene. Where is everyone? Your scary aunt is the only person I’ve seen! The gardens aren’t even gardens, and—“I was cut off by a kiss.
“Stop complaining. You’ll make friends here eventually,” she told me. I sighed.
“You’re probably right,” I agreed, but I doubted it. I missed Ana and Heidi and Edward and the twins. I missed my friends and being around people. There was something creepy about how quiet Ardens Estate was. I wished we had gone to the castle; the castle was never truly quiet.
Selene led me inside and to a grand meeting room. Even the inside of Ardens Estate was cold; it lacked colour. The room was wooden-panelled, large windows lined two walls, and tables were set out in a horseshoe layout. Everything was brown and dull.
I put my hand on the back of a seat, but Selene stopped me with a hand over mine. “Stand by the window and wait for my instruction,” she told me, and pressed a kiss to the top of my head.
I did as she instructed and watched as a servant propped the door to the meeting room open. He was tall and slim.
“The first of the councillors have arrived, Lady Marchioness,” he informed Selene and as he did so, two more servants entered the room—young women. One carried a silver tray with empty glasses and placed it down at the end of the table, the other pushed a cart of beverages: water and coffee. I smiled at the two. They looked to be about the same age as me and Selene, and it was a small relief to finally see young people. One, a blonde girl with a stud piercing in her nose, smiled shyly back and nodded in my direction. Selene cleared her throat, and the girl quickly scurried away to stand against the wall with the others.
The servant who had announced the arrival of the councillors, introduced each man and woman by name and the village or town of Ardens that they represented.
Soon, every seat was taken and glasses were filled.
“Thank you for agreeing to meet with me today, counsellors. I am Selene of House Borealis and Ardens, Royal Princess of the Borealis Kingdom and Marchioness of House Ardens. I have asked you here today for formal introductions and to begin the process of building unity between the joined lands of Ardens and what once was Vouna. It is my hope that together we can create a prosperous Ardens for all,” Selene introduced herself formally.
“That’s all very good,” a man began and tapped his glass. “But where are the real drinks?” he asked.
