Bound to the Shadow Prince

I knew this was not going to be a normal birthday when I heard my father, the king, whispering outside my bedroom door. Quietly, I slipped from my bed, pulled my robe around myself before tiptoeing to the door. “…Need this to work. This is our last hope. They have taken another silver mine now.” My breath caught. Mining silver was a large income for the Kingdom of Fildira and now they had taken two. “We are on the brink of annihilation,” Father whispered. Quick footsteps. “Your Excellence, he has arrived.” Who? “Get Isadora ready, immediately.” I quickly ran back to my bed, pulled off my robe, and bounced into it, pulling the blankets back over myself. The door opened. “Isadora!” Father boomed into the room. I sat up. Father smiled, though I could see it was forced. “Happy Birthday, my dearest. An eighteenth birthday is always one to remember.” Giddy at the mention of now I’d be seen as an adult, for that was the age of any high prince or high princess to begin their intensive training to become the next sovereign, I pulled my robe around myself not helping my own smile. “Thank you, Father. I have been excited for this day for quite some time. I am ready to begin. What’s on the agenda? War council? City planning? Legislation? Or-“ “Isadora.” Father held up his hand. I stopped. “In time. But as for today, we have a visitor. A very important visitor. He has arrived within our city walls. Throne room-twenty minutes.” “Who?” Father turned around, speaking to my servants. “Royal attire.” As Father left the room, I looked to my three ladies' maids. “Who?” They closed their mouths and proceeded with clothing me. They pulled out the deep colors of an emerald green dress with gold around the trim. Its long decorative sleeves hung low. The heavy fabric weighed against my frame, making me feel as if I was twice my weight. Sinara, a brunette lady’s maid with a slim figure, sat me at the vanity and pulled my black hair out of my face and into twists and braids until it was all tucked into a bun adorned with gold jewels and pins. They brought out my gold jewelry to lay across my neck with a large green emerald in the center. I always felt my neck appeared longer when I was wearing my royal dress with a low neckline and my gold jewelry. Miralia flowed into my room. I smiled at my sixteen-year-old sister as she too wore a similar dress, though not as thick or full as mine. Her green eyes always shined brighter in emerald, while I always felt the green of my kingdom's colors made my brown eyes darker. She said, “Happy Birthday, Isadora!” Her voice was soft and light like the summer breeze that kissed my skin. I smiled. “Do you know who we are to expect?” I shook my head. I didn’t know. Her eyes widened. “Well, it is all exciting. Someone important is arriving for your eighteenth birthday.” Her wide innocent eyes always reminded me of the colts born in the barn. Full of wonder, curiosity, and vulnerability. I said, “I just hope it is good news.” Her smile fell. I instantly grew worried. Miralia rarely adorned a frown or appeared anxious. She was the essence of the sun, carefree, always willing to extend her rays to the inhabitants of the Earth. Sinara placed my tiara on top of my head. Glancing in the mirror, I was the picture of regal. I was the high princess and I set my face into one - one of confidence and indifference. “Please, leave us,” I commanded the ladies' maids. They each gave a quick bow before departing. Standing, I approached my sister. She pushed a pin deeper into my black hair. “What is going on, Miralia?” “I am not allowed to tell you.” Gripping her hands, I said, “Tell me.” She was mine to protect. I knew how we were seen. Political moves, used to influence the government, and manipulated to the will of those who thought they knew better. We were not individuals, we were means to an end. Father and Mother were leaders and we were their weapons to influence. Miralia did not know that, so I needed to protect her from them - from them all. I couldn’t allow her to lose her big colt eyes. She said, “Father told me that they arranged my marriage for next year to the High Duke.” I sucked in my breath, she would only be seventeen. The High Duke was nearly twice her age but extremely wealthy, with his land taking up most of the kingdom’s. It would be highly advantageous for the king to do that. But the High Duke was stern and had a reputation for being too rough with women. Miralia's soft disposition and timid nature did not deserve someone like him. He would dispose of her light. I pulled her into a hug. She trembled against me. “I’ll take care of it,” I whispered. “Trust me. You know I can figure something out.” She nodded against my shoulder. Even though I was two years older than her, we were now the same height. I gripped her hand. “Let us go see about this new mysterious visitor.” She put a smile on her face and squeezed my hand. But as we exited the room, I felt a nervousness settle over me. Father had said this was our last hope. Which always meant a sacrifice would be required for payment. I clutched Miralia’s hand harder, knowing that it would not be her if I had anything to say about it. We were announced into the throne room. Mother and Father both sat on their thrones made of iron and gold. Seeing them together only increased my nerves. Rarely, did Mother and Father tolerate each other long enough to be in the same room. Theirs was an arranged marriage and one that did not end in a happy story. The hatred they had for each other was always palpable when in their presence. For them to find enough tolerance to be seated together in the throne room meant our guest was of high importance and this was a very significant meeting. Which only foretold the high price that would come from this. Mother said, “Isadora, Miralia, how beautiful you both look today.” Father held my eyes. He swallowed hard. My stomach clenched. “Isadora,” he said with a voice firm and unyielding, “Our guest that is coming will be presented as your betrothed.” All breath escaped from my lungs. Me- I was the price of today. My nerves left my body stiff and my mind swirling. This conversation of an arranged marriage was inevitable, but I was not expecting it so soon, at least not for another two years. “At what price?” I spoke with surprising authority. Something, I did not feel. “Protection, finance, resources, and the means to end the Dark Kingdom.” The Dark Kingdom, the kingdom that hid in the shadows but tormented the people of the light. The kingdom that caused individuals to fear the setting sun and jump at their own shadows. They had taken over our silver mines and persecuted Fildira villages. The Dark Kingdom was our plague. Miralia gripped my hand and pulled her other arm around herself in comfort. I said, “I will accept this, if you withdraw Miralia from her responsibility to an arranged marriage.” Father lifted his eyebrows as he skewered Miralia. “The arrangements are already in progress.” I straightened my back. “According to our laws, I, as the next Queen, have the right to deny any arranged marriage that I see unfit for the benefit of the kingdom. I have pledged my life to serving the greater good of my kingdom so it is within my right to do so. As the law is still applicable to me for I am not yet twenty-one, I will deny this arrangement unless you release Miralia from hers. If this betrothed has wealth and protection, you will not need the High Duke to compensate.” Mother glanced at Father with a smirk. Obviously, the High Duke was Father’s idea. I had inadvertently sided with Mother which I try to avoid taking sides between them. After an annoyed look at all three of us. He rubbed his jaw. That was a good sign. He was thinking. “As long as you are successful in giving this kingdom what it needs, Miralia will be temporarily released from her arrangement.” I breathed in relief and squeezed Miralia’s hand. Now to the next matter. “Who is my betrothed?” “Me,” a low and dominating voice spoke as the double doors flung open. I had never been punched in the gut, but seeing the man I was to marry, I might as well have been.