Chapter 1
"Come on, Lily!" Everglade Thornrose yelled at her horse as they raced through the magical countryside of Griath. Suddenly, Prince Aspen appeared next to her, joy in his hazel eyes. Everglade grinned at him. The pounding of hooves drew near. The duo rode forward, reaching the finish line. Aspen's siblings rode up beside them.
"Next time you're going to cheat, Aspen, let me know," Fen told his brother. Princess Brook rolled her eyes.
"I cannot believe you are all so focused on race. You idiots forgot we were supposed to meet Mother and Father twenty minutes ago," She scoffed.
"Well, if we are dubbed idiots by you because we're late, then you're an idiot too," Everglade remarked before winking and riding off.
"You're too kind, dear." Everglade heard behind the grand throne room doors. They walked in to see her brother, Tawny, and a woman of small stature with wavy brown hair and pink eyes that sparkled in the sunlight.
"Evvy, please tell me you have not been messing around in the woods," Tawny scolded. Ev rolled her eyes. The woman turned to her and held out a petite hand.
"Gemma Stone." Everglade reluctantly took her hand.
"Everglade, would you kindly leave? We must speak to our children without your....interruptions," Queen Sierra asked her.
Everglade was sitting in her room, staring at the engraved white ceiling when Aspen knocked on the door. His head was hung low, and his hands were curled into fists.
"Oh, no. What did they want you to do this time?" She asked, her brows knitting together in worry.
"Gemma," He replied, looking into Everglade's vibrant green eyes.
"What about Gemma?"
"T-they want me to marry her." Everglade's jaw dropped. She stumbled back and slowly sat down, putting her hand into her dark brown hair. Aspen took a seat next to her.
"You might want to start getting ready, Ev," He commented before getting up and walking out. Everglade didn't know how to react to the news. She knew one thing for sure, Aspen is going to fight this.
Everglade wasn't sure what to wear so she settled for a flowy forest green dress with a leg slit. She pinned back a section of her long hair with a golden clip. Slipping on golden sandals that spiraled up her calves, she made her way to the courtyard. The prince found her within the large crowd immediately.
"You're late," He said. She raised her eyebrow. He chuckled. Ev followed him to a group of people who were chatting. She noticed the low level of security. There normally would've been more guards. Every royal family in all of the six kingdoms was in that one courtyard.
"Prince Aspen." They turned to see a tall man. His gray eyes met hers. He smiled.
"Ev, this is Prince Leo of Nicron."
"So this is the Everglade Thornrose," Spoke a woman coming around Prince Leo.
"How do you know me?" Everglade asked. She flashed a dazzling smile and flipped her beautiful blond hair over her shoulder.
"Everyone knows you. The strong Weaver who found her way into the Griath royal family's inner circle. You were found in the servant quarters, and the king and queen have given you shelter ever since. Trust me, nothing is a secret these days," She told her.
"Solenia, you didn't need to tell her whole life story," Leo remarked. Suddenly, the clinking of glass caught their attention.
"Thank you for everyone joining us tonight. We are celebrating 20 years of peace within the six kingdoms!" King Sod announced. The crowd cheered, raising their glasses.
"20 years ago today, the rebels surrendered and the war came to an end. We will rejoice in the rebel defeat, and know they shall never rise again! Raise-"
A heart wrenching fwit reverberated throughout the courtyard. Everglade stared in horror and shock as she saw that the leader of Nicron, Queen Casseopia, had been pierced with an arrow
