Page 67 of Her Dark Promise

Just then, someone interrupted our conversation and said, “Your highness, you look stunning. I apologize for my tardiness on such an important occasion.”

My mother turned around to find Circe curtseying. Mother sighed.

“Talk some sense into the girl. We need to leave now before the guests start speculating on our absence.”

“Of course, your majesty.”

The moment Mother walked out of the room, I grasped Circe’s hands and begged, trying to hold back the tears. “I can’t do this Circe. Too many things could go wrong. I don’t want to marry. I don’t want to be queen. I don’t want any of it!”

She placed her hands on my shoulders.

“You will get through this. You do not have a choice in the matter, but I will be with you always Callie. Remember what Itaught you? Deep breath in. One. Two. Three. Deep breath out. One. Two. Three.”

I followed her instructions, her voice soothing me, helping me to count and when I opened my eyes again I felt a calm wash over me. I was always shocked at how well that worked.

“I can do this,” I said, a little more confident, but not by much.

“You can do this,” she said sternly but lovingly.

We left to meet Mother and Annabelle in front of the ballroom doors. Mother held up her hand to the guards to give us a moment.

She turned to me and asked, “Are you ready?”

I took a breath and looked toward Circe, who gave me a curt nod. I looked back at my mother.

“I will make you proud.”

She cupped my cheek and then spoke to a guard, “Open the doors.”

They made their entrance, and then it was my turn. I took one last breath before stepping into the expansive ballroom. There were columns spread throughout the sides and in between the columns were windows. In the daylight, you could easily see for miles in every direction, a view we were quite proud of.

Rows of tables were set on one side of the room adorned with our finest tableware fit for any king to use. Only the best for my soon-to-be husband. Whomever he may be.

I stood at the top of the staircase, with my spine straight and my chin lifted. I would play my part and play it well…for my kingdom. I slowly descended, crossing my fingers that I wouldn’t fall on my face in front of everyone. The thought almost sent me into a full-blown panic. No sooner had panic begun to set in, Father was at my side, offering his arm for support.

He leaned over to whisper, “My daughter… You…”

Words seemed to escape him. He just smiled and kissed my forehead gently as we reached the table.

I exchanged pleasantries with everyone that my father introduced me to, and all of the names were immediately forgotten the moment they left my lips. All of these people supported my father’s war on magic, and I was disgusted that they could be filled with so much hate. If only they knew who it was they were really speaking to, I was sure their smiling faces would be replaced with a different kind of emotion.

I almost smiled at the thought.

I focused back when we made our way to our seats at the head of the table, and everyone sat down to listen to a lengthy speech by my father, thanking everyone for being there. Once the formalities were complete, the servants began to bring out the feast. The smell had me salivating: smoked chicken, geese, mutton, pork and beef. Sturgeon and whale, the most expensive seafood, were placed on several tables. And even more exotic were the peacocks that were served last, along with goblets of ale, apple wine, and water. No expense was spared.

There was nothing on the table that didn’t smell divine, but I needed to remember my manners. I made idle conversation with Belle when I had the weird feeling that someone was looking at me, but when I looked around I couldn’t see anyone who was. I tried my best to eat and not look around, but it was hard not to.

Dinner finished, and the dance began. Mother was right, dancing was one of my favorite parts of my grueling school schedule. It didn’t matter, as long as I was on the dance floor. My dance card was full of the eligible princes, and I could see them all staring at me, as though I was a prize to be won. That if they put on their brightest smiles and had dashing good looks, then I would choose them. As if I had any say in whom I would marry. I knew how this game was played, though Ithought I would be spared from this fate. That I could find someone that I cared for and who loved me in return. The kind of love that my parents had, even if it started out as an arranged marriage.

I looked over at Annabelle, who was with her entourage of girls hoping to get into her good graces. I worried that soon it would be her turn. Did she want to be married off like I was about to be?

She should have been the eldest sister; she was kind to all, proper, never raised her voice… Everything I wasn’t. She was so intelligent, and I would often find her in the library reading rather than getting enough sleep. I would stay up with her just to keep her company, but oftentimes she would read things that made absolutely no sense to me.

I looked over to my right and found a group of men looking me over, their eyes undressing me as they scanned my body up and down. Not even hiding the fact that if I allowed them, they would take me right then and there.

I wasn’t naive enough to not recognize that I was a rare beauty: smooth, russet skin, and dark brown wavy hair that flowed down to just above the middle of my back. Large, dark, brown doe eyes that knew nothing of the truths of the world. Innocent. Allowed others to control her. Even though I would be the next queen, I still would hold no real power. My husband would.

I didn’t want this life for her. I didn’t wish this life on anyone.

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