Beauty In Darkness

5

Naturally, that was why I could never choose her for my bride. I wasn’t sure how I could choose at all, to be honest. None of them would ever compare to what I’d once had and then lost.

“I care not what they look like,” I said. “This isn’t a love match. Bring them forward and let’s be done with it.”

“Very well.” The King waved a flippant hand and called out, “Summon the princesses.”

Three

Rose

A

sharp knock sounded on my door while my lady’s maid finished doing my hair up in an intricate style. Princess Dahlia—my aunt, and the King’s younger sister—stepped inside a moment later, apprehension written all over her face. We had the same dark wavy hair, but she had my father and Lily’s ice blue eyes. I’d inherited my mother’s eyes, a strange amber color that was common among the wizards of Korelan but rarely seen elsewhere. Iris had inherited similar eyes from her own mother as well.

Dahlia moved to stand behind me, meeting my gaze in the mirror. “Our king has summoned you to the throne room. You must go immediately.”

I rose to my feet, unease swirling in my stomach. Had Raith told my father about my magic after all? “Only me?”

“No, all of the princesses. He’s cancelled the feast as well. I don’t know why, but I have my suspicions and they’re not good.”

This wasn’t about my magic then. I drew in a long breath and nodded. “I’m almost ready.”

My maid did one last check of my gown and hair, and then I thanked her and quickly followed my aunt. Why would Father cancel the feast and summon all of us to his throne room? Was there a problem? Had he come to an agreement with the wizard king? My pulse quickened at the thought of seeing the dark man again. There was something about him that intrigued me, even though I’d probably never see him again after today.

“Have you met King Raith before?” I asked Dahlia, as we left the wing that held the royal quarters and approached the throne room. The castle had calmed considerably since I’d first returned, but there was still a tense feeling in the air, as if everyone was standing a little straighter and prepared for anything.

“Once, when he was only a child. Even then he was a dour thing. I can’t imagine he’s gotten much better with age. Not after his wife was murdered.”

“She was murdered?” I knew Raith’s wife had been killed before he became king, but nothing more. I’d never been good at keeping up with politics though. That was Lily’s job and I’d been glad to leave her to it for my entire life. Now I wished I’d paid more attention in my lessons about the other kingdoms instead of spending all my time sneaking off to teach myself magic or daydreaming about being anywhere but in this frigid castle.

“So I’ve heard,” Dahlia said. “I don’t know much more than that.”

I doubted that. Princess Dahlia was known as the Queen of Secrets for a reason, though she was not actually a queen in title. With her husband, Garon, she ran the Ravens, the King’s network of spies, assassins, and thieves, and tended to know more than she should about just about everything and everyone, even if she didn’t always deign to share.

“Did King Raith murder her?” I asked.

“No, of course not,” Dahlia said. “Don’t believe all those ridiculous stories about him. But don’t underestimate him either. He’s a formidable foe.”

“I won’t.”

We approached the throne room and the guards opened the huge double doors for us. My other sisters were already inside, lined up in a row with a space for me between Lily and Jasmine. Dahlia gave my arm a quick squeeze before moving to her position behind the King’s shoulder, appropriate for her role as both his sister and the royal advisor. Father sat on his throne glaring daggers at King Raith, who stood off to the side with his hands behind his back, a dark silhouette against the white stones behind him.

As I crossed the room, Raith’s gaze met mine and my heartbeat quickened. He took a slow perusal of my entire body, his eyes lingering a touch longer on the bodice of my gown and the places where it hugged my curves. Oh yes, the red dress had definitely caught his attention.

“You’re late, Rose,” Father snapped.

“My apologies, your majesty,” I said, as I hurried along. Even if I hadn’t been last to arrive, he would have found something else to pick on, such as my hair or clothing. For him that was pretty minor criticism. He must be in a good mood tonight.

He flicked his fingers dismissively as I took my place in line as the second oldest daughter. Lily gave me a quick nod, while Jasmine flashed me a kind smile.

“Now that you’re all here we can begin,” Father said. “King Raith and I have come to an agreement that will end the war between our kingdoms, sealed with an alliance through marriage. As such, I’ve told him he may choose any one of you as his bride.” His bride? My sisters and I all glanced at each other as shock rippled through us. Jasmine’s eyes were wide and Lily looked both stoic and worried. Down the line, Camellia’s mouth hung open, Violet’s brows were furrowed and thoughtful, and Iris had an impish grin on her face. I wasn’t sure what my face showed in return. Even though the news was surprising, my shock was laced with relief that this long, drawn-out war would finally be over.