Page 4 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses

Callan’s arrival would signal the official start of the three-day Solstice celebration, beginning with the lamplight party tomorrow night. My father had started the tradition years ago as a surprise birthday party for me. I’d always loved seeing the floating lights glowing against the night sky, but I wasn’t sure I’d feel the same after tomorrow when the occasion became my engagement party too. And then, three days from now, the Solstice celebration would end with my wedding.

“We’ll also need you present day after tomorrow to sign the marriage contract,” my father added.

“Of course.” I nodded at them both, though my throat felt tight. At their wary expressions, I added, shoving the words out, “I won’t let you down. I know how important this alliance is for us.”

Father leaned forward, his brow furrowed. “More than important, Aurelia. It’s essential. With Concordia fallen, and no one willing to ally with us, we are vulnerable. Heliconia’s power grows by the day. If—no,when—she moves against us, we’ll need Grey Oak’s strength to hold her back.”

Concordia, the Winter Court, had once been a bastion of strength. Now, it lay in ruins, overtaken by Heliconia’s dark forces. Rumors said she’d torn Queen Valfina’s broken body from her ice throne and tossed it off a mountain before proclaiming herself the new Winter Court queen. The news had sent shockwaves through the fae realms where peace had ruled for a thousand years—until now.

The stories of Concordia’s invasion had already grown to hideous legends, the kind told to scare children and soldiers alike—how Heliconia’s creatures, twisted by her dark magic,had swept through Concordia like a plague, consuming everything in their path. Some they’d killed. Some they’d imprisoned and forced to fight each other for sport.

It was horrible to even think about. All those small villages tucked into the mountains. Traders. Farmers. Peaceful fae. So many innocents caught in the crossfire.

“I still can’t believe the Midnight Court sat by and watched,” I said, unable to keep the hardness from my voice. “Heliconia’s invasion happened practically on their doorstep, and they don’t even care.”

“The Midnight Court claims to have their reasons, though they haven’t bothered to share what those might be,” my father said, his eyes flashing with a fury I rarely saw him display. “But we’re past pointing fingers. We must look to our own survival.”

“Grey Oak is the stronger ally anyway.” Mother’s voice sharpened. “Their army is vast, and the prince has a reputation for ruthlessness, which we will need if we’re to beat Heliconia.”

“He sounds like the perfect husband,” I said wryly.

She sighed, softening a little. “Like it or not, you are the key to this alliance, Aurelia. Your union with Callan will ensure that our armies are strong enough to resist whatever Heliconia brings. And when the time comes, you will lead Sevanwinds to victory.”

My chest tightened at the words.Lead Sevanwinds to victory.As if it were all but guaranteed. As if there was no chance of failure. As if placing a male’s ring on my finger somehow transformed me into a weapon.

“I know what’s at stake,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “I’ll do what’s necessary.”

Mother’s gaze lingered on me, searching for cracks in my resolve. But she said nothing more, simply nodding in approval.

Father reached across the table, his hand warm as it rested on mine. Some of that was thanks to his magic. The Summer Court ruler wielded the power of a solstice sun. Or that’s what the summer fae claimed about their king. For decades now, fae magic had been waning so that each new generation wielded less than the last. The sad truth was that, if my father could truly wield the power of the sun, we wouldn’t need to marry me off to gain an army.

Then again, if I had magic at all, maybe I’d be useful beyond the benefits of a marriage contract.

“You are our future, Aurelia,” he said softly. “Someday, you will be queen of a vast kingdom, one twice as big as it is now?—”

“I know,” I said, unwilling to let him convince me this was a good thing.

Once, I’d looked forward to my future as queen. A fair and just ruler beloved by her people. Like my parents.

But not anymore.

No matter how hard they tried to spin it, this marriage would still be something forced on me. A cage I would be locked inside—all to preserve our freedom and our lives.

I rose from the table. “I’m late for training.”

“Aurelia, wait.” My father’s voice softened. Our eyes met, and I watched as duty gave way to affection. “We’re so proud of you. And so grateful.”

A rush of emotion tugged at my heart. Frustration. Resentment—and love. It was a tangle of feelings. But at the root, I found myself unwilling to stay angry with them. Not when they were giving up so much in this arrangement too.

My mother rose and came around the table, holding her arms out to both of us. The three of us embraced, silent and still for just this moment.

“Make me proud,” she whispered in my ear.

Her display was much rarer than my father’s, which onlyserved to drive home how much was at stake. But for the span of a breath, I shoved it all away and let their arms envelop me. For just a moment, they weren’t the king and queen. They were parents. Good ones with kind hearts and a love for their people. A love for me.

Standing in the circle of that love, I prayed to the Fates and the Aine warriors who served them that the horrible feeling in my gut wasn’t an omen that this might be the last time we ever stood this way again.

Chapter Two

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