“What’s the matter, Micah? Worried someone might be more charmed by Barnabus than they are by you?”
His mouth fell open, a sly smirk quirking the edges. But then his lips closed and he gave her an approving nod. “You know what? You’re going to fit in just fine here,Princess.”
“Don’t call me that,” she growled, giving him a playful nudge. But deep down, she was already starting to like the sound of it. Judging from the grin he flashed her, she knew he could tell as well.
Chapter 24
By Week’s End
ELORA
Elora was the last to arrive.
To be perfectly honest, as she had made her way to the throne room, part of her wondered if Leighton would even come today. But by the time she arrived, he was already there. With his back turned toward her, she noticed how much taller he stood today. The rest had appeared to do him well.
Since he was standing before the queen, Elora ventured to guess that was where she was expected to be as well, so she took her place beside him. He immediately shuffled a good step or two farther away. Elora tried to ignore the sting. By now, she was used to people giving her a wide berth.
The queen clapped her hands, ready to begin. “Now, we announced your betrothal weeks ago. And with the king’s passing, the people will be expecting your coronation now, as well as your wedding.”
“We should combine them,” said Leighton, defeat weighing down his voice, though his spine remained tall, his head held high.
The queen smirked. “I’m glad to find you’re seeing reason today.”
“Yeah, well, we might as well get everything done and over with.” Tightness crept into Elora’s chest. Not more than a day ago, she had thought the same thing, but now it felt like things were moving too quickly. “When were you thinking?”
“Well I see no reason to delay it much longer. I think the people would appreciate a little celebration. Perhaps by week’s end.”
Now it was Elora’s turn to lose her composure. “That’s only a few days away.”
Queen Signe waved off her concerns. “That shouldn’t be a problem. I’ve had the staff preparing already. Your dress is nearly finished. Leighton will likely wear the same garb that his father wore for all of his weddings. And the food is being prepared as we speak.”
“But, what about my family? Have we heard word from them? Will they be able to attend on such short notice?”
Elora hated the way her heart ached for the answers. Especially since she knew Queen Signe couldn’t really provide them. At least not to Elora’s true questions, like if theywantedto come.
The queen looked down at her with pity. “Perhaps you forget, but the Hand of Death fell under the Corrupt Queen’s curse like all the other monarchs did. And your—brother, was it? Dinian?”
“Sibling,” Elora corrected. “But yes, Dinian.”
“Well, I’m afraid intel of him hasn’t been very promising. He’s been spotted scouting the surrounding lands of Irongate. We suspect he’s been trying to infiltrate the kingdom, maybe even lead an attack. I, for one, wouldn’t feel comfortable with his attendance until after the marriage is final, and after a peace can be promised betweenour lands.”
Elora bristled every time the wrong pronouns for her sibling were used, but that frustration was swiftly overshadowed by everything else the queen was saying about Dinian. Why would they be scouting the lands, trying to infiltrate the kingdom after all this time, now that Elora was finally free?
Even more devastating, was the fact that the queen was denying Elora’s request to invite Dinian to the wedding.
Suddenly, Elora felt like she was drowning in an ocean of loneliness, but she managed to nod anyway. In her dejected state though, she thought about what the queen was suggesting. A peace treaty typically required people to convene and discuss the terms. Or at a bare minimum, for a spokesperson to be sent to negotiate between the lands involved.
Elora perked up, an idea forming. “Perhaps a royal visit to Eynallore then, after the wedding? To help broker a peace and introduce ourselves to the Ashen as the new reigning rulers of Irongate.”
Leighton balked, jerking even farther away from her. “I wouldn’t be caught dead in that place. Are you honestly suggesting we walk into a territory where every single tainted resident could kill me with a simple touch of their hand?”
The queen was frowning as well. “I must admit, Princess Elora, it does sound dubious. At least so shortly after the wedding. Maybe in time, after the alliance is stronger, the tensions lower.”
Holding back tears, Elora nodded again. “Of course. My apologies. I wouldn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable.”
The queen’s smile widened, but somehow made the room feel darker. “It’s settled then. We’ll have you two wed by the end of the week, and we’ll announce you as King and Queen of Irongate.”
Elora wanted to run from the room like Leighton had yesterday. Wanted to be alone and far away from these peoplewho hated everything about her. But instead, she forced herself to leave gracefully. To gently close the throne room doors behind her. And to slowly shuffle out of the castle, politely nodding and smiling to every staff member she passed by, even though they all avoided eye contact like it would kill them where they stood.
