At seven o’clock, I waited at the bottom of the winding staircase that led up to the dorms. I was worried about how tonight was going to go, but there was no turning back now.
I heard a door open from above, and I turned. I hardly recognized the woman standing there until I realized she was my mate.
Emma had white flowers woven into her red hair, which was tied back into an intricate formal braid that ran down her back. She wore a ball gown that was made out of multiple different fabrics. White silk brocade made up most of the large skirt, with silver flowers embroidered into the navy fabric. On top of the silk skirt was blue tulle in a variety of different shades, bunched up around her hips in a triangular fashion. Silver tulle flowers, handmade and stitched with diamonds, were placed on top of the tulle. The diamonds embellished the corset top, which hugged her curves and pushed her breasts upward. Around her neck was a thick and glimmering aquamarine necklace, with dangling earrings to match. White gloves covered her hands all the way up to her elbows.
She was fit to be a queen. As I tried to comprehend the flood of powerful emotions that were coursing through my veins at the sight of how gorgeous she was, I knew she was mine. Completely and wholly. The gods had chosen well for me.
I only hoped I’d meet her expectations.
When she came near, I reached out a hand to take hers. She lifted her skirt and proceeded down the rest of the stairs with an elegance most girls could only dream of achieving. It had to be the figure skater in her.
“You look handsome.” Her eyes met mine before they roved my body up and down, taking me in.
“Thank you.” I was wearing the traditional wolven court uniform for my status; a navy blue coat with silver buttons, a silver sash across my chest, long black pants, and a white fur cloak off my shoulder. A few medallions hung off the left side of my coat to show my royal status. “But I’m sure no one will notice me, standing next to you. You’re radiant.”
She flashed a dazzling smile and said, “Shall we go?”
“Of course.” We walked together down the hallway. She linked her arm in mine, and I was certain that welookedthe part— unsure if we could pull it off, though.
“Where are the others?” Emma asked curiously.
“They’ll be meeting us at the ball.” As contestants, both of us were required to keep a court— knights for me, and ladies in waiting for her. We had to have six people beside us, one from every Faction. We’d picked the obvious choices. Stefan, Alexei, and Theo for me, and Delmare, Kiara, and Odette for her.
The skies were dark when we ventured outside, and a heavy snowfall was trickling down from the skies. A carriage was waiting for us, pulled by a white horse. The driver opened the door for us, and I helped Emma inside. It was a struggle to get her giant skirt past the door.
As the carriage started down the cobblestone streets, I rummaged inside a trunk that had been placed inside. “You’ll want this.” I handed Emma a white fur shawl, one to match my cloak. “It’s cold in the square. I didn’t want you getting sick.”
“Thank you.” She wrapped the shawl around her shoulders and stared out the carriage window. “So how does this work? Do I get a title?”
“Each of the Contest participants are called contestants. Whoever wins the Contest will be given the title of Prince, and his Marked, Princess. Once they’re crowned, they’re bestowed the title of King and Queen, but the coronation won’t happen until one year after the Contest’s passing.”
“What happens to your rank if we don’t win?” Emma asked.
“I’ll still keep the title of Regent Prince even if I lose, but I’ll cease to have any true power.” I balled my fists. “That’s something we cannot permit to happen.”
Emma nodded. An intensity burned in her eyes. She wanted this as badly as I did. She believed she was making a huge sacrifice by marrying me. If we didn’t win, it’d all be for nothing.
However much I wanted to… I couldn’t bring myself to tell her we were fated mates. I didn’t want the distraction. Even if all I wanted was her in my arms tonight.
The square was crowded with thousands of people who’d come to see the contestants be pledged. When the carriage stopped, I exited and helped Emma step down. The loud conversation in the crowd died, and everyone turned to look our way.
There was complete silence. Emma took my arm, and people cleared a wide path for us as we walked toward the contestant stage. The mouths of Marked and shifters alike dropped open in disbelief. We’d arrived late, and on purpose. I wanted the other contestants to think I was backing out before showing up to intimidate them at the last second.
Lord Lucien was waiting by the stage. He nodded kindly to us as we began climbing the wooden stairs upward.
“Nervous?” I asked my mate as we neared the top.
“Of course not,” Emma said. “This isn’t the first time I’ve performed for an audience.”
Wouldn’t be the last time, either.
Elijah, I was pleased to see, was furious. He was certain I was going to drop out. He had a difficult time keeping a straight face as he observed Emma and I. I swore he’d burst out of his skin and change into a wolven that instant if diplomacy didn’t demand that he behave.
Gabby didn’t look too happy, either. She was practically shaking with fury as her dagger-like gaze pierced into Emma’s skin. My mate wasn’t the slightest bit intimidated by her. Emma held her nose high up in the air like Gabby was beneath her as we took our place onstage alongside the other contestants.
“Congratulations, cripple. You’ve found a wife,” Elijah snarled as I passed.
Emma lifted her eyebrow, but that was her only reaction.
