Stella smothered a laugh.
King Marcos stood tall at the head of the table. His dark hair was peppered with gray around the temples, but he still had the build of a warrior. Queen Ilani stood beside him. She was regal and beautiful, and though her features were more delicate, her eyes held a fierce guile that was absent in her son. Stella had always thought Arden favored the best of both of them. He had the king’s kind eyes that invited trust, but Ilani’s clever, strategic mind. Arden would make a great king one day, and Stella thrilled at the thought of being his queen. They could be a team the way his parents so clearly were.
“Thank you all for being here tonight for this dinner under the stars,” King Marcos said. “Queen Ilani and I are honored that our dear friends, the Saveros, have joined us to celebrate our long, prosperous alliance. Please be sure you make King Xander, Queen Jessamin, and the princes and princesses feel welcome.”
Stella scoffed. As if anyone could make prickly Teddy Savero feel welcome. His face was always either devoid of any emotion at all or pinched in disdain.
“Ilani and I are also happy to welcome the Zims, Princess Eleria Zim and her parents, King Limin and Queen Frella, who have traveled all the way from Jeset to celebrate with us.”
The foreign king gave King Marcos a sharp nod. Stella had been trying to ignore the fact that the beautiful princess was sitting just a few seats down, but now it was impossible. The proximity made her want to down her entire glass of wine, but it would have been rude while the king was toasting.
King Marcos paused and smiled warmly at the visiting royal family. “King Limin and I are also delighted to make a very joyfulannouncement tonight. After many years, we have further fortified our already strong kingdom by solidifying our friendship with Jeset. Just moments ago, we confirmed the details and are happy to announce that Prince Arden and Princess Eleria are betrothed.”
The crowd erupted in applause, but Stella could scarcely hear it over the pounding of her heart. She was winded by the proclamation. Arden looked just as stunned by the words. His face was drained of color and his hands flexed at his sides. Stella’s gaze darted to Princess Eleria, who looked suddenly pale, her smile the tight line of a woman white-knuckling her way through a banquet she’d rather run from.
The world tilted, a sick feeling settling in Stella’s stomach. She felt betrayed.
How could Arden not tell Stella this was a real possibility?
Kate grabbed her hand. “Stella?”
She’d been talking, but Stella couldn’t make out the words.
“What?” Her mouth was so dry it came out like a death gasp.
King Marcos raised a glass. “A toast to my son, Arden, and daughter-to-be, Princess Eleria.”
Stella grabbed her wine and knocked back the rest of what was in her almost-full cup. Her heartbeat drowned out the noise in the courtyard. She set the cup down with a clatter, her gaze locking on Arden across the table.
It was a mistake; her eyes immediately began to burn with tears. She stood with a start.
“Stella—” Kate reached for her, but she ducked away.
Stella felt like she was moving in slow motion as she slipped from the table and through the crush of servants presenting the first dinner course.
She needed air. Her chest was too tight, the evening too warm, her eyes too blurry.
Everything had fallen apart so quickly. How could she have been so incredibly naive? She’d always thought herself so above court politics. She felt better than the ladies she’d watched moon over men whose families were making alliances they chose not to see. She’d thought those ladies so silly, but now she was one of them. Swooningover a prince like she had a right to him—when she was nothing but a party trick to be trotted out. A lovely little result of a great love story she’d always fall short of living up to.
Her parents were extraordinary, and Stella was just another common lady—a dreamer with her head in the clouds. Things with Arden had always been effortless, but now she wondered if she’d read it all wrong—if she was so blinded by the shine of him that she’d thought they were more.
She barely ducked around a servant carrying a tray of bubble wine before stumbling into the queen’s garden. She was practically running by the time her feet hit the familiar garden trail. The shadows of the path seemed to reach for her, the dark as eager for her as she was for its shelter.
“Stella! Slow down.” Arden’s voice cut through the foliage behind her and she took off at a sprint, her dress billowing out behind her.
“Leave me alone,” she said in a loud whisper, running deeper into the maze of gardens.
It was no use. Arden was still on her heels.
“I have an idea. Just let me talk to you. I didn’t know?—”
Stella stopped and turned on him so fast he almost ran into her. “What idea could possibly fix this? You’re engaged to marry some stranger!” Her words were a harsh whisper.
Arden ran a hand through his hair, making a mess of his dark waves. “I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t know my father was even negotiating it, let alone announcing it to the world. He’s not trying to be malicious. He’s just not used to someone saying no to him.”
“As if you would!” Stella said. “I thought—” She was mortified by the raw emotion in her voice. “I thought you and I had something different. I thought we could have the kind of love my parents have. I know there’s pressure on you to always go along with what’s expected of you. But I thought this ease between us was what you wanted.”
Arden winced as if wounded by the words. Anger and frustration swirled in his dark eyes. “For you, I could stand up to them. For you I will.” He cupped her face in his hands. “I won’t lose you, Stella.”
