Arisanna studies her reflection. It may be vain to admit, but she does look lovely by human standards.
Which means little since she’s marrying an elf.
Mother shoos the maids away and fidgets with her own sleeves as she clears her throat. “Now, Arisanna. You know elven customs better than I do.”
“Yes...” Arisanna frowns. Where is Mother going with this?
“I meant for you to have...options tonight. Just in case—” Mother huffs nervously as she looks at the wall.
Ah. That’s where Mother’s going.
“Just follow his lead,” she continues. “This is a political union. You may be expected to...to...in order to seal the treaty.”
Arisanna’s face heats, and she smooths her skirt without meeting Mother’s eyes. “I see.”
“Right. Well, now that’s out of the way, shall we go?”
Arisanna exhales slowly, trying not to dwell on Mother’s words. “I suppose so.”
Elowyngazesupintoher father’s eyes as they stand alone in the small room near the entrance to the assembly hall. Arisanna and King Gerault have yet to arrive.
“You are lovely as always, El,” Pera says, and Elowyn smooths her iridescent silver gown that hangs in gentle folds to the floor.
“It’s nothing like the styles the human women wear. I hope I don’t offend anyone.”
Pera lifts her chin. “You are an elf. Embrace your new home and your human prince and his family and their customs. But never let anyone make you feel ashamed of who you are.”
Elowyn nods as a single tear drips from her eye, and Pera wipes it away.
“I’m going to miss you so much, Pera.”
“And I, you. We’ll see each other again, though. I want my half-human grandlings to know their elven grandpera.”
Elowyn’s breath hitches. “It’s a little soon to be talking about grandlings.”
Pera smiles. “Perhaps. You and your human prince seem to be getting along, though. Despite his hasty exit last night.”
“Yes. At least, I hope so. Do you know...that is...what do you think he will expect of me tonight?”
Pera glances away as the corner of his mouth turns up. “From what little I’ve observed of him, I imagine he’ll guide you into your own chamber and say goodnight as his voice comes out an octave higher than he meant it to. Then he’ll run.”
Elowyn laughs. “You’re probably right. His heart is already racing.”
“Your heartbinding will draw you closer,” Pera says. “Don’t fight it. It’s a blessing.”
Elowyn looks into her pera’s eyes. “What if he fights it?”
“Then you’ll need to be patient with him. He’ll come around in time.”
The door opens, and Elowyn gasps at the sight of Princess Arisanna in the most glorious gown Elowyn has ever seen. Suddenly, her elven attire feels even more out of place.
“Oh, Princess Elowyn,” Princess Arisanna breathes as she holds her father’s arm. “You look beautiful. I feel like a giant cupcake next to you.”
Elowyn’s smile returns, but before she can respond, a waiting attendant hurries them from the room toward the assembly hall door.
Cerianlooksoutoverthe sea of faces studying him as he stands at the front of the assembly room to take part in this spectacle, and he fights the panic threatening to overtake him.
Had he known this would be part of his binding with the human princess, he might have refused altogether.
