good-humors of my people, I’d wither away.
“Oh, don’t look so concerned,” the princess said, with a wave of her hand. “Your father wouldn’t marry you to a man who’s barely more than a commoner.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Branda flinch.
“It’s not that,” I said. “The Croswells are a family I’m happy to associate with.”
“I’ve noticed, although I still really can’t see why.” She reached out and touched the sigils lining the collar of my dress. It was my house sigil, of a sea horse, a magical and honored creature. “You are a woman, much like myself, who will settle for nothing but the best. And the goddess herself knows you will have it.”
Branda wound her hands together. “My brother would give her the best. He even has lands of his own, along the coast, given to him by my grandmother. And he has a plan—”
The princess silenced her with a wave of her hand, then moved closer to the edge of the balcony. “It’s not Lady Quinn I’m worried about, but Lady Croswell.”
My gaze darted between the two women, and my eyes narrowed. What was this wicked woman planning now?
“That is kind of you to worry, your highness –” Branda began.
But the princess interrupted, as if she couldn’t hear the much taller woman. “It seems, if rumors are correct, you haven’t had a single offer of marriage.”
Branda stiffened. “That’s true. I –”
“My father and I are quite aware that your people tend to send their unwanted women to our lands in hopes of strengthening alliances.”
“Now –” I tried to argue, but the princess continued.
“So it must tell you something that not even our men find you a fitting bride.”
Anger raced through me. “Princess Gaudius, you should know as well as any woman that it’s not about the number of marriage offers, it’s about finding the right one.”
She turned to face me and tilted her head as her gaze swept over me. “You’re right. Over the years I’ve had thousands of offers of marriage, but turned them all down. I thought to wait until the old king and my useless aunt died, and I inherited the crown of Tarak. But now that they’ve had a son,” she hissed the last word. “I may have to choose from the men already throwing themselves my way.”
Branda stumbled over her words. “But a woman as beautiful as you should have no problem getting whatever husband you wish.”
“Yes,” Princess Gaudius said, triumph shining in her eyes. “I may be older, but I can still have any man I like. It is you I’m worried about.”
My mind raced. “She’s only sixteen. She has plenty of time.”
The queen gave another hollow laugh. “We wealthy women can marry old. She does not have that luxury.”
I bit down on my lip. It was true, at seventeen, people already whispered that I was past my prime. And in her twenties, the princess was old, by anyone’s standards. But we could marry when we wanted to. Branda… she had a couple more years at best.
“I’m doing everything I can to find a husband,” Branda whispered.
My heart broke at the pain in her voice.
“Not everything,” the princess said, eyes glittering with excitement. “Do you see that?” she pointed.
Branda and I came to stand on either side of the princess, following the direction she pointed. There, in the woods just off the shore, a circle of stones shimmered beneath the blood red moon. A sickening feeling twisted my gut.
“What are those?” Branda’s voice held awe.
“Those are The Goddess’s Stones,” Princess Gaudius explained, emphasizing each word. “And tonight only, if a woman stands in the middle of them, she can have anything she wishes.”
Branda’s eyes grew round. “Even a young, wealthy husband.”
“Anything!” Her eyes flashed as she whispered, “even a kingdom.”
The air swirled with something. Magic? Prophecy? Danger? I couldn’t be sure, but it hung heavily on my skin. And there was something else, a nagging thought, a memory I couldn’t quite recall.
“But it’s just a myth,” I said, breaking the spell. “And to go out on such a night would be… foolish.”
Princess Gaudius glared. “Getting what she wants is surely worth any risk.”
I turned to Branda. “Please don’t even consider such a dangerous thing. It’s a superstition, nothing more.”
Branda’s gaze slid from me to the princess.
I opened my mouth to argue further.
The doors of the great hall opened. A servant slunk out, bowing low. “Excuse me, your highness. Lady Quinn’s father wishes to speak to her.”
The princess nodded, calculation in her eyes. “You may go.”
I didn’t want to leave my friend, but I couldn’t just ignore my father’s summons. Following the servant back to where my father still stood next to the king, I squared my shoulders and prepared for the worst.
My father didn’t address me for some time, although his jaw twitched.
“Dessi,” he finally said, with a tilt of his head.
I curtsied, unsure of what to expect. My da was a man quick to hug and even quicker to slip me a chocolate. But I’d gone against our grandmother’s prophecy.
My breath hitched in my throat as the night’s events rushed back to me. I’d cursed myself.
“What am I to do with you?” He shook his head, drinking deeply from his mug.
I held myself perfectly still, not willing to back down. “Krell didn’t leave me another choice.”
He sighed, touching the volumous sleeve of my pale blue gown. They were decorated with more silver sea horses. “When I saw the price of this, I almost told your mother you’d prefer a new hunting dog. I’m glad I didn’t.”
“It’s not comfortable,” I said, running my hands over my waist, which concealed the painful corset underneath. “I’d prefer a soft tunic and a good pair of leggings.”
His mouth twitched, his beard moving along with the movement. “Your mother seems to know best in these matters.”
I shrugged. “I guess.”
One of the lords from Tarak passed me, his gaze running over me as he yelled for a servant to refill his goblet.
My father frowned. “I think you’ve enjoyed the celebration long enough. The time for fair ladies has passed. The men are starting to get… well, I’d prefer if you headed to bed.”
Normally, I’d protest. But as I scanned the crowd again, I saw no sign of Branda. I needed to find her before she did something foolish.
“All right, da.”
His brows rose. “Good.” A second passed. “We’ll deal with the consequences of this night, later.”
Relief rushed through me. “I’m sorry. I just couldn’t let Smit die.”
“Smit?” he repeated. “So he’s Smit to you?”
I cursed my pale skin, blazing under my father’s scrutiny. “I meant Lord Croswell.”
His gaze widened. “You really like that boy, don’t you?”
Staring down at my hands, I fumbled with my words. “There’s just something about him… I can’t explain it. He draws me to him.”
My father inhaled sharply. “You feel a connection with him.”
I nodded, glancing from beneath my lashes to study him.
His gaze was far away. “I’ve told you of the woman I loved before your mother. She drew me to her too. Had she not been killed on The Feast of Darkness, she’d be your mother today.” Pain flashed across his face, and he looked back at me. “Magic runs through our blood. It ties us to others who’s spirits match our own. If we meet that person, no one else will ever do. Is Smit that man for you?”
I knew about the woman my father loved. He’d always been kind to mother, always faithful, but he could never love another after her. That kind of love scared me, even though I wanted nothing less.
“I don’t know.”
Sadness turned his eyes a paler shade of blue. “Lord Croswell leaves in two days. He’s invited you to com
e with him, to meet his family and to see if he might win your heart. I could send your cousin with you, as a chaperon. Do you wish to go?”
To leave my home? To leave my family? I almost shook my head.
“I don’t know.”
He leaned back in his chair. “Well, think on it, and tell me in the morning.”
“All right,” I whispered, tempted again to refuse the very idea of leaving.
His jaw twitched. “And be careful, we can’t afford any more trouble tonight.”
I kissed his cheek, then walked back towards the balcony. A moment of anxiety raced through me when I saw it was empty, but I opened the doors and walked out anyway, hoping they were standing somewhere out of sight.
They weren’t.
My gut clenched.
Looking out over the wall, my gaze clung to the Goddess’s Stones. Could they really be so foolish?
Movement caught my eye, just on the other side of the wall. Two cloaked figures hurried towards the forest. I narrowed my eyes as my heart raced. One hood fell back and the moon’s light spilled on a blonde head of hair.
The world tilted as my breathing came faster and faster. They couldn’t really believe in such a ridiculous myth. Could they?
That was the terrible instant that I recalled the rest of the myth about the stones. In order for The Goddess of the Sea to grant your wish, you must make a human sacrifice.
No.
This couldn’t be happening.
The princess’s words even a kingdom flashed in my mind and sick dread filled me. One human would mean nothing to her, if it meant getting the throne she thought she deserved.
Racing to my room, I threw my cloak around my shoulders, then ran down the hall. My legs shook, and air burned in my throat. What if I didn’t make it in time?