Page 34 of The Princess of Nothing
“Oh.”
“Today marks the death of Sanora Umberburt, the philosopher. He was the one who came up with all the signs, bringing their truth to Berovia.” She looked ahead, dreamlike. “There are four of them, and those born under each star have different traits and purpose here. I am born under Aghai, the sign of the first three months of the year. We bring harmony and loyalty and value generosity. Our purpose is to serve.”
I repressed the urge to roll my eyes. “Sounds great. So, will Prince Kiros be meeting me here or at the ball?”
“He should be here any moment now.” She tapped her finger against her chin. “He was happy to hear you accepted the proposal.”
She eyed my finger. I’d worn the ring he’d left behind as a show of acceptance and gratitude, but really, it was like a chain, binding me to the man and place I hated more than anything else.
“Thanks,” I muttered.
“It’s a beautiful ring. I love emeralds.”Everything about Edna was in moderation. The way she spoke, her movements, expressions...
“Yes. He said they matched my eyes,” I joked, but she didn’t laugh.
“How sweet.” Her gaze flitted to mine. “I’m sure he thought they were green in the light.”
I turned my back toward her and gripped the marble ledge by the basin. How did she have a good opinion of him?Play nice,I told myself.Remember what Cedric told you.I retreated into my mind. Tonight would be the first time I’d seen Kiros since I gave him word I would marry him. I despised them all, but now I had to play devoted fiancée and lover. I needed to win him over. I assumed Cedric had advised me to do so, hoping he’d give me some free rein at court so I wouldn’t be surrounded by guards when the time came for me to escape. I only needed to stall one week. I already had a plan, starting with today.
The doors were opened. “Prince Kiros of Berovia,” a guard announced.
“That’s a first.” I scoffed. “He usually just walks in as he pleases.”
Edna politely ignored my grumble.
Kiros was dressed finely in a white suit with gold embroiders, stitching, and buttons. His hair was combed back, his crown polished to fracture any light that hit it.
“You look handsome.” I coyly turned my head at an attempt at flirting. I hated it.
“Devastatingly so.” He admired himself in the mirror, then smirked. “I’m joking.”
I bit down so hard on the inside of my cheek. I tasted blood. “I never did thank you for the ring.” I waved my hand in the air. The emeralds flashed a light onto the wall. “It’s beautiful.”
“You’re very welcome. I’m happy to see you’ve come to your senses, although I have to wonder what sparked this sudden change in personality.”
I rubbed the back of my hand. “I figured we’re going to be married, so why not try to at least be friends to start,” I lied and skirted around another subject. I knew from the servants’ chatter that Kiros planned on us being wed in three days, but I feigned ignorance. “I was hoping we could marry in eight days. It will be my birthday,” I lied, “and entering into our sacred union on the day I entered the world seems appropriate.”
“Ah, I had planned, actually, on us being wed by week’s end.”
I cast my eyes downward. “I apologize. I didn’t know your plans. It’s my fault really. I shouldn’t have added sentiment.” I slumped my shoulders. “I guess our marriage will be just an alliance. I shouldn’t have thought to make it more than that.”
His lips parted, and confliction flashed in his eyes. “No, don’t blame yourself. I should have known you’d want something meaningful. It’s understandable. We can marry next week.”
“The twenty-third,” I said. “That’s my birthday.”
“That gives us”—he counted his fingers—“eight days. I’ll explain to my father.” His smile dimpled his cheeks. “I must admit, I had not expected to see you so amenable. I’m very pleased. I know it felt forced, but this union will be beneficial to us both. Berovia can offer your kingdom so much wealth, grain, and more. I know Magaelor has its problems, but we’re willing to take it on, even if it is a drain. I know together we can make it better. You have beautiful coves many have never ventured, filled with pink crystals that are a luxury here. There are other things, of course, like pixies. A strong resource.”
It took everything to not clench my fist. I exhaled sharply. “I could never have imagined such a wonderful agreement. I was still in shock those first days, from the...” I lowered my voice to a whisper. “Initial experience here.”
He nodded, and a self-assured smile spread over his face. “I presumed that’s what was going on, and it’s not like I shouldn’t have expected it. You’ve been through a lot.” He extended his arm for me to hold. Touching him made my insides squirm, but I reminded myself I had to do whatever it took.
I closed my eyes and pretended I was walking with Cedric instead. My shoulders relaxed, and my breathing slowed. I tilted my chin upward as I was led down the grand staircase into a well-lit room of gold and cherrywood finishing. The chandelier was the size of my entire bedroom back home. Diamonds reflected the light from the lamps on the walls. “Oh my.”
He chuckled. “It’s quite different to the smaller rooms you’re used to, I’m sure. This will be your home too now. Fate has shined down on us.”
I ground my teeth. I wanted so badly to tell him that Magaelor, while small, had a lot to offer and had more soul than Berovia could ever dream of. Our power came from the spirit realm. It was stronger than elemental magic, and that connection flourished our crops, gave fruits to our trees, and hope to the people. We never needed to worry about crops going bad like they did here, as we had much rain for our soil. The pixies healed our ailments, and we let them roam the woods, protected.
He squeezed my arm, snapping me back to my unfathomable reality. “Smile,” he said behind clenched teeth as we passed two men who bowed.
