Beauty In Darkness

6

Father sat back on his throne and gestured toward us. “There you have it, Raith. My lovely daughters. I’m certain one of them will be suitable.”

Raith’s lips pressed into a tight line as he surveyed the six of us like we were horses he meant to purchase. Surely he wouldn’t choose one of us based on looks alone? And did any of us have a say in the matter? It was just like our father to do something like this without asking any of us what we wanted. We were nothing but pawns to him.

Raith moved in front of Iris, towering above her in his black finery, and asked, “How old are you?”

“Twelve,” she said, puffing up her chest proudly.

Raith arched a dark eyebrow at my father. “You would let me take this child as my bride?”

Father casually shrugged. “Some men like their women young.”

My fists tightened, my nails digging into my skin, but I was comforted when Raith shook his head, his mouth twisted in disgust. He wouldn’t choose Iris then, praise the Sun and Moon.

But none of my other sisters were safe.

As he stood in front of the twins, Camellia and Violet, my stomach turned. They were both only fifteen and would make terrible brides for him anyway. Camellia spent all her time practicing her combat skills with the other guards and almost always had a blade in her hand. Violet was happiest when she could devote an entire day to reading, and practically lived in the library. Neither one of them wished to be queen of anything, let alone Ilidan.

Raith turned to Jasmine next, who was seventeen years of age and possessed a wild beauty befitting a girl who loved the outdoors. She was the kindest and sweetest of us all, and I hated the idea of her marrying this dark, brooding man and becoming his queen. It would destroy her spirit.

His eyes skipped over me entirely, like he had no interest in me whatsoever. I supposed not after our awkward encounter earlier, but it still annoyed me. Was I not good enough to even be considered as his future bride?

Then of course there was Lily, who was meant to be the future queen of Talador. He couldn’t choose her—I’d be surprised if our father even allowed it, since that would make me the heir. Besides, Lily had spent her entire life preparing to take the throne one day and would make an excellent ruler. Sending her to another kingdom would be devastating for all of us.

With each second Raith stood before Lily my terror grew, but then he shook his head. As he stepped back and swept his gaze over us, he asked, “Any volunteers?” The room remained silent and he clasped his hands behind his back, cutting a sharp profile. “No? Very well then. Perhaps we won’t be able to come to an agreement after all. Perhaps I’ll simply take your king’s head in exchange for peace between our lands.”

“That wasn’t part of our bargain,” Father growled.

“Silence,” Raith called out. The guards touched their swords, but he cast them a stony look and they all froze. “I’ve amended our deal, and I’m beginning to think this might be the best solution for all of us. Surely none of your daughters wishes to be bound to me either.”

Our king was cruel, cold, and had brought our kingdom to near ruin, but if I didn’t act soon, one of my other sisters would volunteer to save him, simply because he was our father. I cared little for him, but I loved my sisters more than anything else in the world. I would do anything to protect them. Anything.

There was only one solution.

I stepped forward, facing Raith while my voice rang out through the throne room. “I volunteer to be your wife.”

“You?” Father let out a harsh laugh. “I suppose you’ll do anything to be queen, won’t you?”

“Yes, that’s it,” I said, my voice dry. At his side, Dahlia gave me a quick nod, her eyes proud. She knew why I did this, even if he didn’t.

Raith regarded me at last. “You are certain?”

All of my sisters looked positively shocked. I could tell Lily wanted to step in and save me, but I shook my head subtly at her. She bit her lip, her eyes pained, but she had to know this was the only option. I was the second daughter and had always known my role was to be married off in a way that benefited my kingdom. Becoming Raith’s wife would bring much-needed peace to our people. If I could save my sisters at the same time, even better.

I gathered my strength and stood a little taller. “I’m certain.”

“Will she do?” Father asked. “You’re welcome to choose another if she’s not to your liking. Rose is rather…headstrong.”

I stared at Raith with a challenge in my eyes, silently daring him to even try choosing another. When he returned my defiant gaze, the faintest hint of a smile slowly touched his lips. It somehow made him even more handsome, and my heart skipped a beat at the sight.

“She’ll do,” he said, and relief lessened the weight on my shoulders.

“Fabulous,” our king said. “We’ll begin wedding preparations in the morning with the celebration to commence in a week’s time—”

“Tomorrow,” Raith said.

Father blinked, not used to being interrupted. “Excuse me?”

“We’ll be married tomorrow, and we’ll leave immediately after the wedding feast.” The wizard king’s voice left no room for argument. While Father sputtered, Raith turned to me and said, “Prepare your things. You have one night left in this castle.”

I swallowed as the implications of what I’d done hit me. I’d agreed to marry this stranger and leave my home behind along with my sisters and my entire life, saying goodbye to everything I’d ever known and loved.

In one night, I’d no longer be a princess of Talador, but the queen of Ilidan.