Papa rubs my back. “You can tell her all about it when you see her.” He pulls away and gives me a wry smile. “Plus, don’t you have four other mates? She can attend those weddings.”
I’m unable to hold in my laugh when the music begins. It’s a delicate melody that curls through the air. My breath catches, and my heart thrums in time with the song.
“That’s our cue.” Papa holds out his arm.
I take it. It’s really time.
With my free hand, I clutch my bouquet—roses, pale as snow. The melody deepens, rich and full, tugging on something deep in my chest. It’s so familiar, so achingly beautiful.
I take one step forward. My gown whispers along the ground, heavy cape dragging behind me. As we step out from the gates, I see the streets are packed with people.
Keldarion announced the wedding as soon as we returned from the woods, an open invitation to all of Winter. The two of us would be married in the town square, in the same place we held the Festival of Tales.
I thought a few people may attend, that we’d get a slight crowd. But I can barely even see the cobblestone as everyone gathers.
“There are so many people, Papa,” I whisper.
“Chin up, Rose. They’re here for their princess. The one I’ve known you are my whole life.”
I swallow a lump in my throat and will my feet forward.
A cheer rises as we walk, and I hear my name being called.
“Rosalina! Rosalina!”
“Golden Rose!”
“Princess of Winter!”
They throw what I at first think are snowballs into the air. But then they break apart into sparkling fractals, tumbling before us like fallen stars. The path winds deeper into Frostfang, and the town square comes into view.
Every eye is on me, but I see only him.
Keldarion stands beneath a glittering arch of ice and frost that shimmers in the pale afternoon light. The sight of him steals my breath, and for a moment, the rest of the world fades away. His dark blue cloak billows in the breeze, the thick fur mantle draped over his shoulders making him look like the prince he is. The king he may one day be at my side.
As I take a step closer, my heart pounds against my ribs. His gaze meets mine, so intense, I feel as if I’ll float into the clouds. I’ve seen him in armor, the rugged furs of a warrior, and the solemn attire of a diplomat, but this—this is different.
He is a vision, a fae prince forged from Winter itself. Not for the first time, I understand why the Winter Realm would follow him without question—why I would follow him to the ends of theearth. My steps falter, just slightly, as the sheer magnitude of the moment washes over me.
He tilts his head, the faintest hint of a smile touching his lips as though he knows what I’m thinking.
The melody rises, carrying me forward, and I walk into it. Into him. Into forever.
Seats line the path before the crystal archway, which rests on a raised wooden platform. Papa and I walk down the aisle. I recognize many of the people of Frostfang, but also many of Castletree’s staff are here. Marigold told me the entire castle was beside themselves when she announced the wedding was taking place, and everyone helped, from creating the decorations that line the city square to cooking a celebratory feast that can be enjoyed by all of Frostfang. “It’s what family does,” she said with a smile.
I can’t hold back the tears that gather in my eyes as I see her sitting in the front row, Astrid in her lap. My gaze sweeps to the rest of my family, standing proudly beside Keldarion. Ezryn, Dayton, and Farron, all dressed in Winter finery with frosted roses on their lapels.
Ezryn tilts his head.Watch your step, Petal, he says in my mind.
Papa clutches my arm as we reach the bottom steps of the platform, and I can’t help but grin at Ez.
A soft smile brushes Day’s face as he looks at me, and when my gaze settles on Farron, a single tear runs down his cheek.
“Ready, Rose?” my father asks.
“Yes.”
Papa lowers his voice. “Who knew when I took that beast’s rose all that time ago, one day, he would take my Rose.”
