The Unseelie Prince's Bonded Bride

An Unexpected Gift

Washing The dishes from breakfast, I notice someone walking up the walkway. I quickly dry my hands and quietly knock twice on the cabinet, signaling Sophie to hurry to the bathroom. She quietly moves into place and I walk to the door as I hear a soft knock.

I opened the door and in front of me stood a knight from the castle in glistening black armor and slate grey uniform." Hello my name is sir Rosewood. Are you Ms Grayson Ma'am?" He asks in a gruff voice, his dark blonde hair blowing slightly in the wind. "I am is something wrong " I bit my bottom lip in anticipation. Rosewood pulls a medium shape square box from his satchel. "I bring a package from the castle Ms Grayson" He answers and with a kurt nod he turns around and leaves .

Hurrying back inside, I lock the door and set the package on the counter. Making my way to the bathroom, I knock twice again then twice more on the door before opening it. Sophia is sitting in the tub, her dagger clutched in her hand, waiting. "It's okay, you're okay now get up " I scolded. "You are going to have to learn to be strong or this world will eat you alive Soph". She nods, wiping the tears from her eyes.

We walk back into the kitchen and she goes back to reading her book and I go to pick up the package. I stare at it for a while like it's a bomb that is going to go off in my hands . I don't know why I am so scared of it, but it's haunting the entire aura around the thing feels black and icky . However, the entire castle seems awful. The Queen is malicious and only cares about staying above the Seelie and the humans and reigning supreme . Sadly, unless you're in the upper class, she could care less, so the people on the outskirts that struggle to make it here are nothing to her, it makes no sense .

Shaking the foggy misty feelings aside, I pull the wine red ribbon off of the package and lift the lid. I sat the box down and pulled the letter out first . It was on beautiful purple parchment and flowy cursive writing. It read :

Dear Luna ,

In this package, you will find your dress to the ball at the castle I expect you to wear it and to come find me when you arrive. We have much to discuss.

See you soon

-P.A

I gulp, shaking my head. Why in the f**k does he want to speak to me? I am 200 f*****g years old and he wants to talk now . I set the letter down and pull the dress from the box. It is breathtakingly beautiful. Its floor length with two thin straps to hold it up and off the shoulder lace sleeves. The bodice has beautiful lace work and moves into the floor length satin skirt with a sheer overlay. Underneath the dress lay a black pearl necklace and matching earrings, as well as a strappy pair of black stilettos.

"It's all so beautiful Luna " Sophie awed at the classy attire. "It's a beautiful bribe wrapped in lies is what it is, " I snorted, placing it all back in the box. "At least now I don't have to waste money on a dress for this thing. Most of the people here won't go any way, but you know my dad will have a cow if I don't show up"” I sigh, taking the box to put under our bed.

"At least you get to go" Sophie huffs. "Trust me, you wouldn't like it anyway but I promise I'll sneak some food home okay". I explain, grabbing her hand and giving it a squeeze .

The ball is in just a few days and I planned to ask my arrogant ass of a father to pardon Sophie. It's so stupid having to ask them to pardon a child who did nothing wrong but have idiotic parents that wanted to switch sides to Sellie territory and to be drunk enough to spit it hatefully to the royal court . She isn't a traitor. She's a damn child, for f***s sake. She should be in school with kids her own age, not trapped in this back end of the village. Only allowed out every so often . There has got to be a way for me to make them see reason. Whatever it is I will pay the price!

The sun is setting outside our home, making it even darker as the gas lights illuminate a soft glow inside. I hold on to Sophie as she falls asleep, sadness warped all over her face . I hate my father, but I will face Patcher Adair for her . I had a s**t childhood my mother was never really there at least not mentally she kept holding out that Patcher would some day come back for her, come back for us. She dreamed of this perfect family that would always stay together and go on trips and go to court functions. She refused to believe that Patcher was just a guy who flirted and seduced her just because he was stationed here rallying troops for the war against the Ogres . He cared nothing for her and it was heart breaking watching her go on like that year after year.

She made sure I had food and clothes but she was just a shell of a woman . 1 day Patcher had come back around passing through to get to another territory hoping for another quick f**k and he was surprised when I answered the door . My mother rushed to the door with a huge smile on her face "Patcher ,Patcher you've come back to me" she screamed! She rushes to hug him but he holds her at arms length . "You had a child ?" he questioned her looking at me thoroughly. I was about 100 at the time about the size of a teenager fairy years where so hard we are fully grown at about 150.

"Yes your child Patcher " she answered hopefully. He drags his hand across his face and looks like he'd seen a ghost . "As far as the court is concerned, she doesn't exist. She will NEVER beat my last name I would lose my entire life . This was never supposed to happen your from the slums. I'm not even supposed to be seen with in arms range of a lady of your stature." He snarls and walked out the door. He left things for me here and there and even bought my house for me after she disappeared, but he kept true to his word as far as the court was concerned I was not his child nor did they even know who I really was .

That was also the day my mother broke down completely. she held on for a few more years and then disappeared. I still have no clue what happened to her. Patcher robbed me of a childhood , from a loving family and a life in general. I had to grow up fast and get crafty and resourceful when it came to work

I Lulled off to sleep hearing the soft cries of my mother watching out the window for a man who would

never love her.