My dear Clarissa,
Tonight, we welcomed you into this world. I have yet to stop thinking about the moment I laid eyes on you—nestled in your mother’s arms, your little fingers and toes peeking out, eyes as deep and endless as our love for you. I knew in that second our lives would be forever changed.
I’m in disbelief that this perfect creature is mine. That I get to watch you grow up, to live your life, and one day take my place and lead our people. This is my vow to you, Clarissa, that I will always do right by you. I will take care of this family and this empire so that when it is left in your hands, you have the strength and foundation to rule them well.
I cannot guarantee the path forward will be easy, as much as I wish I could protect you from all that will come your way. My hope is that you will be infinitely better than I have been. Just remember that people are not led only by force, but by wisdom, courage, and most importantly, compassion. You may bend, but I know you will not break. Never forget, my dearest daughter, that even the strongest of steel was once softened by fire. And you will be the strongest of them all.
With all my love,
Your father
A tear dripped and landed on the bottom of the page, leaving a dark splotch that spread along the edge. I closed my eyes. Memories of those childhood years before he died came flooding back—every time he took me in his arms and swung me in the air, every time he held Mother in the kitchen as she tried to cook, every time he let me watch as he and Leo practiced Alchemy. The nights our family spent under the stars, the stories read by a dying fire, the pride in his eyes when I shifted for the first time.
Even the strongest of steel was once softened by fire.I wondered if he knew back then how difficult it would be to allow myself to feel any hint of weakness. If perhaps he was the same—always needing to meet expectations, to present himself as the perfect emperor, full of strength and power.
The thought soothed me as I folded the letter back into its envelope and tucked it into my vanity. I took one last look in the mirror and reached for the delicate lace veil atop a pillow to my left. I stared at the large diamond in the centerpiece, the light refracting my own image in its reflection.
I pinned the veil to the top of my head.
It was time to save this kingdom, once and for all.
57
Clarissa
Drums echoed down the corridor as I descended the stairs to the entrance of the banquet hall. At first I thought it was the sound of my own heart beating in my ears, but then a violin joined the chorus. The royal symphony played a hauntingly beautiful tune that wound around me and set my nerves even more on edge.
Four members of the King’s Guard stood at attention at the doors, and my brother waited for me at the bottom of the staircase. I took his outstretched arm as he leaned in to kiss my temple. To my left, Devora handed me a bouquet overflowing with greenery, white wisteria, larkspur, and violets. She offered me a small smile and squeezed my wrist for support before trailing behind me to fluff the train of my dress.
It was like every second increased the pressure building on my chest, until the guards opened the doors and I let out a breath.
The scene before me was something out of a fairytale. Even with such limited time to pull this wedding together, the palace had outdone my wildest expectations.
The walls of the hall were lined in gold pedestals, each holding flower arrangements that matched my own bouquet, with greenery cascading over the edges and onto the floor. Cream-colored tapestries hung from the ceiling all the way down the aisle to the two golden thrones at the end, behind the altar. Chandeliers lit the space every few feet, along with candelabras mounted on the walls. A light blue and gold rug covered the aisle from the entrance to the altar, where a royal priest and Galen were stationed.
Countless heads turned as the guests stood. Their eyes burned a hole through me.
My feet locked into place. I blinked, wetting my lips as I fought to draw breath.
Leo tightened his grip on my arm. I felt him looking at me, could picture that familiar crease in his brow, but I couldn’t move.
My eyes took in Galen’s form at the end of the aisle—his dark blue royal robe, the sash across his chest, the black leather gloves, the crown on his head.
My future husband.
A weight slammed into me, keeping me planted to the floor. Until I glanced to his side and met Thorne’s eyes.
I’d never seen him so…put together. He wore the same color of deep blue pants with a matching fitted jacket, and a sword sheathed in a gold scabbard at his waist. His dark brown hair was pulled back with a strap of leather at the nape of his neck.
His gaze seared into me. I felt him everywhere—his fingers running across my skin, his lips on my neck, his chest pressed into my back.
I wanted this to be him. I wanted to be walking tohim. My breaths came out in shaking spurts as the flowers in my hand suddenly became too heavy to bear. I couldn’t spend the rest of my life tied to another man, not when all I wanted was to be inhisarms. I couldn’t?—
Thorne slowly dipped his chin into a small nod, his eyes never leaving mine.You can do this, Empress, I could hear him whisper.
He was there, giving me strength. Even when I knew this was crushing him. He was always there.
I took a step forward.
