Chapter 1
The sun shines down on us even in the woods. Although it is nearing eve, the sun gives no hint of setting. Sweat pours down my back and covers my face in droplets. Terrowin across from me seems is also covered in sweat, his tan tunic sticking to his broad and muscular chest. Without warning, he lunges forward with his sword, aiming for my open left side. Once he is close enough and leaning his weight on his right foot, I spin out of his reach and point my sword at his neck.
“I win. Again,” I say. He rolls his eyes and takes a step back from my sword.
“You cheated,” he says, rolling his shoulders. I drop my sword and feign a gasp.
“How dare you accuse me of such inhonorable acts!” He laughs and shakes his head, drawing his sword back up for another match. It is only when our swords meet for the first time that we speak again.
“Have you heard anything?” I ask under the clash of steel on steel. His grip on his sword tightens, but he doesn’t argue.
“Nothing of interest.” He feigns left, and I meet him when he goes right.
“You’ve heard nothing about the king’s intentions with Genevieve?” He shakes his head, suddenly very interested in the sparring match. I take a step back and stop. He straightens and meets my gaze. I put a hand on my hip and wait. When he only continues to stare, with that stupid smile on his face, I sigh and throw my sword on the ground, crossing my arms.
“What now?” I ask. His smile falters for a moment. Only a moment, before it’s plastered back on his face.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about-”
“Cut the shit, Terrowin. I’m not some courtier or politician. What’s the problem?”
“Diana-” I pick up my sword and turn to leave. I’m stopped by a hand on my shoulder turning me back around. Then his arms are around my waist and his lips on mine. The scent of mint and soap cools my temper, and I find my hands in his hair. It only lasts a moment, a moment of silence and calm. A moment of hope that someday I will have nothing but him and our children. It only lasts a moment before I pull back from the kiss. He leans his forehead against mine and neither one of us moves.
“I wish you wouldn’t get involved in all of this,” he whispers.
“I can’t sit back and watch another war, not when I have the power to stop it. You know that.”
“Why? You know that we will win. We always win.”
“She is my best friend, Terr. I will not allow her people to be slaughtered. And I will not let you go into another war. I won’t go through that again.”
“Yet you refuse to allow us to be together. You rarely allow me to hold you when we are alone.” He pulls away, blushing in anger. He runs a hand through his golden hair, brows furrowed.
“I’ve already told you-”
“Your father doesn’t scare me.”
“It’s not about whether he scares you! He could use you against me and everything I have been working for will be destroyed in mere seconds.”
“So your duties come before me? Is that what I’m worth to you?” he snaps, no longer smiling.
“You know how much you mean to me. But I can’t put what I want before the lives of countless others. Please stop taking this so personally.”
“This isn’t about the Lorranen Kingdom. This is about Genevieve, this is you putting your friend whom you just met a year ago above me, whom you’ve known your whole life, who is utterly and completely in love with you.” I open my mouth to answer, but nothing comes out. Not air, not a cry, not the words I know he expects me to say back. I want to say them, I have to say them. He has to know. My heart beats faster, my fingers vibrate. He is gone before I can try.
I don’t go after him. Instead, I practice dagger throwing and bow and arrow in the gaming forest. I know my feelings for Terrawin, so why couldn’t I tell him? The way his eyes darkened as the silence passed remains with me while I throw a dagger into a distant tree. It hits the bullseye that Terrawin carved in for me all those years ago when I convinced him to train me. I pull out another dagger but my hand stops mid-throw. He was the one who made that bullseye. He was the one who stole these weapons. He lied to his soldiers and he lied to his king. He did those things for me. Maybe he’s right. Maybe I need to stop concentrating on Genevieve and focus on him, who was there even in my darkest moments after my mother died. It was always him, but…. it’s not just about Genevieve, it’s about her people, it’s about stopping a war. So I throw the dagger and push away Terrowin’s hurt eyes.
The clock tower at the center of the capital tolls 6, reminding me of the dinner party I am to attend this evening. So I collect my things, stash them in the hollow of a tree’s roots and race back home after covering up my hiding place with leaves and sticks. I weave in and out of the trees and focus on keeping my breath even. I throw my hood up and slide under the gate hole, using the incoming dark and rush of servants to reach the back of the kitchens unseen. With my hood still up, and pulling my cloak tight around me, I blend in with the rest of the servants just arrived to help with the last-minute preparations for the dinner party. No one bats an eye at me or even glances in my direction, I’m invisible.
An hour later, I’m in my bedroom, checking over my evening gown. My shoulder-length blond hair has been straightened and is now sparkling with jewels to keep the top half up. I wear only a ring for jewelry, against the wishes of Domanni, my maiden. The dress flows out from my waist glittering in the light as well. It is a dark grey, the accustomed attire. A slight knock at my door, then my escort for tonight’s events is behind me, staring at me in the mirror.
“What have I done to be rewarded with such splendid company?” Lord Merek says, a box in his hand. I smile, turn, and curtsy, my head kept low.
“It is a pleasure to see you, as well. I look forward to tonight,” I say, my smile going up a bit more and my hand hovering over my bodice. He grins and comes closer to stand just a few feet away.
“A gift for milady.” He bows, the hand with the box outstretched. I take the box from him and wait for him to straighten before opening it. In the box rests a diamond as big as my eye attached to a diamond encrusted chain. I gasp and look back up at Merek through my eyelashes.
“Such an extravagant gift.” He crosses the distance between us and takes the box with the necklace, lifting the jewel and throwing the box to the side.
“Not nearly as extravagant as its owner,” he says. I turn and pull my hair to the side. He clips what feels like five pounds of stone onto my neck, his hands lingering on my shoulders. The kiss on my neck sends a stomach churning sword down my spine. I smile, even as he continues up my neck and nibbles my ear. Even as everything is telling me to step away. Only for a split second do I allow Terrowin’s face to appear in my mind’s eye before I push him away and remember Genevieve. I remember the fear and frustration she lives through everyday trying to save her people. So I smile, and I ignore the urge to disappear. It is only when he whispers in my ear, “I suppose we must make an appearance to tonight’s festivities,” that I pull back.
“My father will have our heads if we don’t,” I say. He chuckles and picks up the crown on the breakfast table.
“Don’t forget your crown, Princess.”
