An Heir and a Spare
Episode 1
“Wecan’tletthemtake her,” Mother says.
“We have no choice. This was the bargain we struck before she was born.” Father’s voice is tired, and he’s probably pinching the bridge of his nose and massaging his temples, as he tends to do.
“There must be a way to undo it. Another way to appease the elves.”
“There is no other way.”
Arisanna stands outside her father’s study, listening to her parents rehash the same argument they’ve had more times than she can count.
Gently, she pushes the door open and steps inside the familiar room that always smells of books. She’ll miss the comforting scent when she’s gone. Surely they have books in Lostariel.
“Arisanna,” Mother says. “It’s late. You should be in bed.”
“I heard you arguing again. You don’t have to fight this. It’s all right. Truly. I’m perfectly willing to play my part.”
Her parents exchange a concerned glance, and Father sighs. “You shouldn’t have to pay for our foolishness.”
“It saved our kingdom and ended a war. Gave us all a future we wouldn’t have had otherwise. I wouldn’t evenexist if not for this deal you made. If this is the price I pay for that, I do so willingly.”
“Maybe they’ve forgotten,” Mother says. “We haven’t heard from them since Arisanna’s christening.”
Father leans his hand against the stone mantel over the crackling fire in the nearby hearth. “Elves never forget. They’ll come, just as they promised.”
In three days. On Arisanna’s twentieth birthday. That was the bargain her parents struck to end the war between their kingdoms. First, an heir for her childless parents. Her older brother, Rominy, was born less than a year after the treaty was signed. A gift of elven magic.
And second, a daughter. A wife for the elf prince to ensure continued peace between their kingdoms.
An heir and a spare.
She was the spare.
All her life, she’s known this was her future. She’s studied elven customs. History. Language. At least as much as her tutors could teach her themselves. When the treaty was finalized, the border between their lands was closed. Only twice has anyone ventured across the magical barrier separating the elf and human realms since then.
The first time was when her brother was born. The elf king sent a representative along with his young son to witness the monumental occasion. After fifteen years without a child of their own, the Queen of Nunia had borne her husband a son. An heir.
Then, two years later, the elf prince once again journeyed to the human Kingdom of Nunia to offer his parents’ blessing on the birth of a daughter. The spare. The one destined for the prince himself.
Now, the time for Arisanna’s parents to make good on their part of the bargain is almost here.
Father turns back toward Arisanna. “We should all get some sleep.”
“Your final fittings for your...trousseau are tomorrow.” Mother’s voice hitches.
Arisanna tried to convince her mother it made little sense to outfit her with new clothing that is unlikely to be in style in Lostariel, but Mother insisted. She doesn’t want the elves to think Arisanna’s family doesn’t care for her as they should. A lack of a proper wardrobe would reflect poorly on Nunia.
At least, that’s what Mother said.
Arisanna doubts her new elf family will care how many voluminous gowns she arrives with, but she humored her mother anyway. At least planning Arisanna’s trousseau gave Mother something to do other than pace the floor and wring her hands.
Arisanna’s heart hammers as she considers the lacy sleeping gowns that already lie carefully folded in her trunk. Fit for a bride. Hopefully, Prince Tharios won’t expect too much from her—at least not right away. She heats at the thought as the late night draws a yawn from her lips.
“To bed,” Father says again. “A good night’s sleep will do us all some good.”
As Arisanna makes her way to her chamber, her thoughts drift to the prince whose wife she has been fated to become since before her birth. Tharios. Future king of the elven Kingdom of Lostariel. He was only a child when their fathers struck this bargain. He has dark hair like his mother and pointed ears like all elves.
