Amber Dawn

Chapter Two

“Hello, Father.”

“Vera,” King Darren smiled, his gray eyes lighting up. “You look beautiful. So much like your mother.”

Vera’s pale blonde hair was half up, her silvery-blue gown making her eyes pop.

King Darren couldn’t believe that his baby girl had grown into a young woman so quickly. “Just yesterday, you were punching Bane on the nose and giving me a heart attack.”

Vera laughed, smoothing her skirt. She studied the sharp planes of her father’s face, noting the fine lines around his mouth and the corners of his eyes that used to not be there. His dark hair was longer now, with streaks of silver showing through.

“Are you ready?” He asked.

She wanted to hesitate, but didn’t. “Yes, Father.”

When she took his arm, he placed his hand on hers and held her back, causing her to turn and look up at him. His eyes searched hers. “Vera.”

“Yes?”

“We have a duty to the realm. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t find happiness within our duty. You must marry, to strengthen your claim, but you get to choose.” His grip on her hand briefly tightened. “I can give you this within your duty.”

She gave him a warm smile. “Thank you, Father.”

He had always loved her so. She never doubted it. He had always been strong and steady. He’d been honest with her about the harshness of ruling, the duty and sacrifices that came with it. He’d given her a choice - always. And that wasn’t something that women received in their world. But he’d made sure she did. Always. And he’d taught her how to make the hard choices, to use logic over emotion. He’d put her in council chambers and explained everything. He had spent years teaching and preparing her.

And now, she was going to make the first of many decisions that would directly affect her future rule.

~

The east ballroom had been transformed into a splendid display of grandeur. Musicians played from the corner. Firelight flickered on the stone walls and the large windows revealed the garden just outside.

“King Darren, first of his name, protector of the realm,” the man loudly announced as they stood atop the stairs. “And his daughter, Princess Vera.”

Everybody had stopped to turn and look.

Once their feet touched the floor below, the bows and curtsies began. Vera knew some of the faces looking back at her, but others, she did not. Not yet.

Her father led them to their raised table at the head of the room, where they sat. And once they sat, so did everyone else.

King Darren stood, demanding attention with the simple movement. “Lords and Ladies, I welcome you into our home tonight to celebrate Princess Vera’s debuting season.”

His eyes briefly met hers, giving her a hint of his smile, before once again addressing the crowd.

“In the next fortnights, we will have a tourney, feasts, and a hunt. This gives us ample time to get to know one another even better and for our less frequent guests to become more familiar with court. So please, enjoy yourselves.”

As they applauded, he took his seat.

“Well that’s one way to say it,” Vera quietly smiled.

“Much better than ordering that they give you time,” he agreed with a rueful grin and a wink.

As the festivities began and food was served, chatter filled the room and wine flowed plentiful. Many potential suitors began introducing themselves, and nobles spoke with the king, giving acknowledgement and praise.

Before long the food was forgotten and the dancing had begun.

Vera and Merida were talking to one another quietly, watching Aly dance with her betrothed.

“Definitely not a snot-nosed kid anymore,” Merida murmured into her wine glass, giving Vera a knowing look.

“Not at all.” Robert had grown into a sturdy young man with laughing green eyes and a strike of brown hair only a few shades darker than Aly’s. “She looks like she’s enjoying herself.”

“Oh yes,” Merida agreed. “See that flush?”

Aly was flushed, and smiling, and it warmed Vera’s heart to see her friend so happy with someone she’d been dreading to see.

“Incoming,” Merida muttered.

Vera turned just in time to see a man not much older than herself approach.

Amber eyes smiled out of a handsome face shaped by black hair as he bowed before the girls. “Lady, Princess, allow me to introduce myself. I am James-“

“Of House Oar,” Merida interrupted, smiling.

His smile was grand.

“Nice to meet you,” Vera said. “Forgive my friend, she’s forgotten herself.” Vera shot her a look for being rude and interrupting.

“Princess, may I have this dance?”

“You may.”

Vera took his hand and allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor. Maybe this courting thing wouldn’t be so bad, she thought to herself, smiling. Others were older and not nearly this handsome.

“So Princess, how does it feel for every eligible man in the land to want your hand?” He asked, his tone light.

“Are you teasing me right now?”

“Perhaps a bit,” he smiled.

She realized she was still smiling. “It feels very…odd.”

“Odd?”

“Odd.”

He spun her around before pulling her back in close. Her breath hitched as his eyes locked onto hers.

“When I ask a question, I want an honest answer, not a polished one.”

She arched a brow, being mindful of her feet, before glancing around the room and back at him. “I feel like a prize horse on the auction block and I despise it.”

His smile deepened, a victory won. “That’s what I imagined.” He spun her one final time before the song ended and everyone clapped for their partners. His smile was a hint mischievous. “If it’s any consolation, I don’t like auctions. I prefer to simply acquire what I desire.”

“And is that what you intend here?”

“Perhaps.” He kissed her hand, his eyes lingering on hers for a moment. “Perhaps I don’t view the princess as property to be bought.”

“You’d be the first.”

His eyes flickered over her head before he looked back at her and winked. “I must excuse myself, but will you save me a dance?”

“Perhaps.”

He bowed before disappearing into the crowd.