Page 125 of Of Oceans and Broken Princes

My smile fell. “What condition?”

She glanced at Father who sighed again before adding, “You must find a wife.”

“Awife?” It was as if the roaring fire had been doused in ice. All the warmth left the room as my heart ached again. “I almost had one. But she is gone now,” I forced out. “Is that not enough?”

Mother gave me a sad smile. “We just want you to be happy, dear. A happy king makes a prosperous kingdom, and we fear that in your current state, you would not be able to live up to your full potential.”

“I do not need a wife!” Snarling, I pushed up from my chair to loom over them all. “I am perfectly capable of leading a kingdom without some woman clinging onto my arm!”

“I told you he wasn’t ready,” Mother hissed into Father’s ear. “It’s too soon.”

“No.” Father rose up from his seat much more calmly to meet my furious gaze. “We have given you our condition. Ifyou wish to claim the throne from us, you will have to marry.”

“I will not love her.” My fists clenched.I cannot. Not again.

“Feelings will grow with time,” he reasoned. “All we ask is to see you wed before you ascend to the throne. Our terms are simple.”

“It’s for the best, dear,” Mother added, reaching forward to take my hand. “We’ll always want the best for you.”

I glared at the pair of them, a new fire blazing in my chest. I didn’t want a wife. Not whileshewas still out there, somewhere. But if it meant claiming the crown…

“Fine,” I chewed out as Elsie and Elara let out excited squeals. “Organise another Luminessia ball. I will choose a maiden and then never speak to her again.”

“Arenn…” Mother sighed.

“It’s for the best.” I scowled at her.

Ignoring us both, Father clasped his hands together. “Excellent!” he beamed. “We’ll have every eligible lady attend. There’s bound to be a girl who’ll catch your attention.”

I scoffed, but before I could argue with him, a loud explosion made us all gasp. Above the fireplace, the huge portrait had burst into flames, casting the whole room in an ominous orange glow.

“Elsie!” Mother chided.

“What? It needed to be done,” she cackled while her twin grinned wildly. “Can’t have his new wife getting jealous.” I swallowed down the urge to sob as a flame tore between the human girl and me, its smoke curling up to the ceiling.

To satisfy their terms, I’d find a new wife. I’d choose the foulest, most unlovable creature if that’s what it took. Butas the dark smoke explored the ceiling, I found my thoughts wandering to a different kind of smoke – the vibrant red ribbon I’d followed at my engagement ball…

“I’ll be visiting Dalking while you plan my second Luminessia.” The words tumbled out of me before I could stop them.

“Dalking?” Elara blurted. “Why?”

“Maybe he’s meeting a pretty human girl there?” Elsie teased.

“I’m not,” I grumbled, shaking my head. I wasn’t going just because of the smoke ribbon. If I were to be King soon, I should travel the realm and meet with the other rulers. It was the most sensible thing to do.

This had nothing to do with love. Nothing to do with that smoke ribbon and the dense woods it’d led me to.

Even if maybe, an awful, traitorous part of me wanted to see what lay at the end of that winding forest path.