“What do you think, Mother?” I ask. “Do you think the King would be pleased, if he were here?”
“He would never be pleased,” Mother retorts. “His first wife was still dead, and I was never good enough for his heart.”
The bitterness in her tone is poisonous. I reach out and take her hand. “I’m sure he loved you. He often spoke well of you to me.”
“Because he had to,” Mother snaps. “No more of this, Rion. Maru was not your father and he is dead now, too. Our kingdom must move on, as it has for the last several years.”
“I don’t know if the direction in which it has been moving is a good one,” I admit.
Mother gives me an acerbic smile. “I will not allow you to rile me up in front of the kingdom and our guests,” she says, nodding toward the far end of the room, where a small gathering of businessmen and several women wearing matching pins have gathered. “But I have granted some of your requests, haven’t I? The leaders of the Colonial Equality League are here.”
“I notice that the Refugee Return Movement hasn’t accepted my invitation.”
Mother pulls free from me. “They are working to remove the Maruli from Pommier. They wouldn’t want to come and see you here.”
This is the time to tell her I know about Enri’s payments from the palace, and how he has been giving them money to fund their passages across the sea. When I tell her about it, she brushes the matter aside quickly.
“So?” Mother scoffs. “I don’t tell my councilors how to spend their own money, Rion.”
Mother was a master of keeping her face in a stoic expression at terrible news. Even at the King’s death, she didn’t seem surprised at all, even if she was upset.
“It doesn’t bother you that he’s working against the kingdom?” I ask.
I have to keep her distracted long enough for Ebony to make her entrance. Glancing at the time, I know she will be coming in soon. That is when, much to my mother’s surprise, the real announcements will be made.
“Enri is not working against me,” Mother says. She narrows her eyes at me. “Unlike some others out there.”
“Anyone I know?” I ask, keeping my voice light and cheery.
“If I find out you do, I will be sure to punish you for it,” she warns me.
Mother’s punishments have never bothered me, but before I can say so, she brushes past me, and walks away. She heads off to greet more of our guests, while I wonder if Horatio has learned of my plan.
Even though I have been very careful and quiet, someone needed to know my intent—such as when Fabrice had to know why Princess Ebony needed a dress, if she was no longer Princess of the Southern Colonies. But when I talked to Fabrice, I said Ebony needed to know her place in my kingdom, and she had to show the rest of the Maruli how to respond to the news of my engagement.
Fabrice, a Maruli man himself, was less than pleased, but I assured him he was a favorite among the castles for our wardrobe needs and paid him a hefty tip on the way out. I wasn’t disappointed when he left it behind.
Horatio wouldn’t have seen through that—or at least, I hope not.
Before I decide it would be best to go and fetch Ebony myself, I see her appear at the top of the stairs. There are thousands of other things happening as she enters, but I only see her.
She has her hair pulled back into a high bun, with the three braids symbolizing the Maruli heritage forming a natural coronet. Her dress, as I requested, is green and gold and black, and I can see the glitter of gold silk as she moves down each step.
But she could have been wearing rags and she would still look regal. Her chin is up, her shoulders straight with pride. She sees me staring at her, and a rosy blush on her cheeks darkens, but the sparkle in her eyes only glows brighter. A guard appears behind her, but falters when he sees me walking toward her.
As I make my way through the crowd, I mentally run through my plan as much as I can, praying silently to God for his graciousness as I risk my mother’s wrath, before my thoughts turn into mush. I barely realize the music has drifted off, as the song in my heart only calls out for Ebony, and I don’t pay any attention as Mother’s voice calls out from the distance.
All my fear is behind me, while all my hope is before me.
As I reach Ebony, I notice she seems relieved, though she’s trying not to let on. She beams at me and takes my hand.
I turn to the announcer, a Maruli man, and tell him to introduce us as the future king and queen of Pommier.
The announcer looks at Ebony and joy flickers into his face. I see it clearly, and I know that even if I wasn’t marrying for love, I would be making the right decision for my kingdom in choosing her.
Turning back to me, the man visibly gulps, but nods. “Yes, Sire,” he says, pounding his staff against the floor and calling the room to attention.
There are whispers all around, and as they chatter, I lean close to Ebony.
“I am glad you’re here,” I tell her.
“Viola says we have to be careful,” Ebony whispers back. “The Queen is going to be upset. She suspects your treachery.”
Well, that’s how Horatio would know.
Viola, as Ebony’s speciava, is privy to Ebony’s life. She would’ve seen the gown I’d ordered for Ebony. It is to her credit that Horatio didn’t seem to know the exact details of my plans tonight. Viola is, despite being ordered to the contrary, on Ebony’s side.
I fold Ebony’s hands in mine as my mother approaches us. There is a vision of hellfire in her gaze, but she is too late.
There is clear tension that is settling in the room, and everyone is watching and whispering, wondering what I am going to do.
I know what I’m going to do. I’m going to do what I want.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the announcer bellows out, “the future rulers of Pommier, Prince Rion and Princess Ebony of Marula.”
To me, it seems as though the room goes deathly still. Even the lights of the glittering candelabras, the ballroom’s shining chandelier, and all the little twinkles on the gowns and jewels all seem to pause for a long second, before all the guests turn from every corner of the room to look at Ebony and me.
The announcement stops my mother in her footsteps; I stare at her, sympathetic but determined to go against her. Her eyes, once bright green like my own, darken into black orbs, and it is only because we are in a room full of dignitaries and citizens that she is stopped from wreaking havoc with her learned shaman magic.
Others, unaware of the abyss that has just opened up between me and my mother, cheer and clap. Some shout out their congratulations for me and Ebony. I wave in reply, and the rest of the crowds follow in a standing ovation.
All except for my mother, and her faithful servants. Enri is sitting in a chair, and even from where I stand, his ringed fingers are clutching the armrests as if he is having a spasm of sorts, and Hortensia, my mother’s shaman instructor, only stares off into the distance, her expression blank.
“The Queen’s not happy,” Ebony murmurs.
“It’s too late for that,” I say, pulling her hand to my lips and kissing it grandly, garnering more cheers. “If your father and my mother have taught me nothing else, it’s that love is always a risky venture.”
Ebony and I walk up next to the announcer. It is time for me to make my welcome speech, while my mother has been rendered speechless.
“Honorable representatives, distinguished leaders, and your majesties,” I say. “Welcome to my engagement ball.”
More claps ensue, and I shift the focus to Ebony. She outshines me this night.
“Many of you know of the Princess of Marula,” I say, enjoying the look on Enri’s face as I fail to say, “Southern Colonies.” “For years we have bonded under the leadership of my esteemed Mother, Queen Varyes, and Ebony’s father, King Maru. Princess Ebony and I wish for nothing more than to continue this legacy and strengthen our countries’ commitment to loyalty, fellowship, and justice.”
The Maruli w
ho have come, especially the Colonial Equality League, holler with joy.
I squeeze Ebony’s hand; I can tell she is still a little scared, but she is, like me, unwilling to step back from our future. “And tonight, I ask that you join me in prayer, as we ask God to grant us his blessing.”
There’s a smile on Ebony’s face as our heads bow together. If she can’t have the blessing of my mother, I know she would want the blessing of God the Father.
The room goes quiet, as the men fold their hands and the ladies close their eyes. I say a small, quick prayer, full of gratitude, asking for grace, asking for our union to honor the kingdom in service.
Not everyone here is a believer, but they are respectful as we pray. I have a feeling Mother is seething too much to move, but we both know it’s too late for her to say anything.
As I close the prayer, the music strikes up and I bow to Ebony.
“Will you join me in this dance, Princess?” I ask.
She nods and follows me, and together we dance. I’m careful to lead her away from Mother, who is clearly upset and trying to get my attention without making a show of herself. The ambassador to Celtia is also looking at me, and I give him a deferential nod and promise to speak with him soon.
But I’d been right earlier—it was too late for us to reverse course. I’d ruined Mother’s plans.
Before too long, others join me and Ebony on the dancefloor, and our night is carried away by magic.
“I almost can’t believe this,” Ebony says to me. There is a carefree quality to her voice, one that makes my heart ache. She has suffered greatly while I was gone, and I vow I will do everything I can to make sure she never suffers again.
I draw her in close to me. “I told you we would survive Mother’s anger this way.”
“It’s one thing to say it, and another to see it,” Ebony says with another laugh. “I feel so different now, Rion.”
“You have much more power than you realize.” I pull her into a spin.
“I don’t think it’s power,” Ebony says. “If it is, I only feel powerful when you are around.”
“Because you love me, no doubt.” I tease her softly, but I know it’s true. When she looks confused, I slow down and take hold of her.
“You told me once about the captured starlight in your father’s eyes,” I say. “Did you never think it was a reflection of your own light, gleaming through the night humanity endures in this life?”
She stares up at me, her eyes full of wonder, and then, in the middle of the ballroom, surrounded by our own kingdom and others, she draws me down to kiss her.
How she can question her power, especially the brand she wields over me, is beyond me, especially as our lips press together in a loving kiss.
*10*
Ebony
THE BALL IS ENCHANTING, and, for all my jitters and uncertainty, nothing bad happens. The kingdom is rejoicing at the news that Rion and I will marry, the ambassadors to other nations offer their congratulations, and the whole ballroom is filled with a divine sense of joy.
Rion insists that I am the one who has power, but I doubt he sees how much the world has changed since his return to Pommier.
I didn’t even see it at first, really. But as I shake hands with my countrymen and the rulers and ambassadors of other nations, I feel a sense of the surreal fall over me.
Rion’s love and his care have restored my dignity to me, not to mention the respect of my title. All around me, even the servants who I’d worked to decorate the halls with this past week are beaming at me. I know without a word they are all happy for me.
To think, I wasn’t sure this would work out earlier.
While Fabrice and Damaris were scuttling around to get me into the dress Rion had delivered to my room, all I could think of was how the Queen would react.
Now that I am here, I finally allow myself to see past her. I can see how the other Maruli men and women smile when they see me, and even how the other servants and frequent guests of the palace are excited for me.
This past week, even while Rion was here, when I had to work, I wasn’t sure that we would be able to achieve anything but my imprisonment in coming here tonight. But it seems I was wrong.
I have never been more grateful that Rion has managed to render her impotent while we dance together, I bask in the warmth of reality’s reception.
My dress is silken and decorated with ribbons and lace; the different colors of yellow, green, and gold are all outlined in black lace; I have a matching fan at my side that’s discreetly tied, but I have no use for it as Rion and I shake hands, exchange chitchat, and receive our visitors. Plenty of them ask about my father, and Rion is quick to affirm he believes the King would approve of our choice.
This feels like a dream.
“Thank you, Lord,” I whisper quietly, as Rion and I head out to the dance floor again, to finish out the long night with a dance at dawn.
It is only as the final note draws to a close that I realize something is missing.
No, not something—someone is missing.
The Queen is nowhere in sight.
Plenty of her advisors are nearby, looking over at Rion and me with critical eyes, though none of them seem entirely repulsed.
Rion is the heir to the throne, and, while the Queen has maintained her youthful looks, I know she is getting older. They will want Rion to marry and set up his own lineage for their own security.
“What is it?” Rion asks me, as we finish our dance.
“The Queen is gone,” I say. “I hope she’s all right.”
“Do you want to go with me to search her garden?”
“No, thank you.” Rion is teasing me, and I can’t help stop my smile. “I don’t want to make things worse for her tonight.”
“Give her a little time. She may change her mind about you, especially after seeing you tonight.” Rion takes my arm and leads me away from the ball. “You are perfect.”
“Thank you.” My cheeks flush over in pride, happy I’ve pleased him and the others.
“There are troubles happening down in Marula,” Rion says, as if he is reading my mind. “But the people here need to know they have an ally that will stand for them. Even if there is a ten-day passage through the sea between us, the Pommierians and the Maruli will be united through us.”
“I’m surprised they aren’t more skeptical.” I remember how, when I first came to Pommier, there was a high amount of reservation in the reception. “Things have been precarious since my father’s death, and they were never that great to begin with.”
“Mother hoped marriage would be enough,” Rion says. “Trade growth and an interest in travel, art, and the Maruli resources have strengthened it more. Our children will help, too.”
“Children.” The word passes through my lips like a forbidden whisper.
Rion’s eyes roam down my body possessively, and I feel warmer than ever as he meets my eyes with his again.
“Yes,” he says, his words branding my soul with their promise. “Children. We will have children, and we will give them the love and life we always wanted.”
We are alone again, outside on one of the palace terraces. There are rows of guest carriages that are leaving the palace, and I am sure plenty of them can see Rion and me standing there.
But when Rion leans over and kisses me, I do not object. He is the man I love, the one who will be my husband; no matter what lies ahead of us, I will take on his name, bear his children, and make a home for us. He is the one who will protect me, fight for me, and love me throughout all the years of my life.
There is no reason that our kingdoms shouldn’t rejoice that we found each other.
“Ahem.” There’s a small cough from behind us, and I immediately amend my thoughts.
There is one reason our kingdoms won’t rejoice, and she is standing there before us.
Queen Varyes has returned.
Behind her, I see there is a small group of people, some I recognize and others I
don’t; they are her councilors and some of her most trusted advisors.
Rion puts a hand on my shoulder. “Mother, we were wondering where you went.”
Her eyes narrow, but the rest of her face remains still. She is still processing the news, both of our engagement and Rion’s betrayal.
Would the Queen really punish her own son?
Queen Varyes has always doted on Rion. She was upset with him when he went to Marula after my father’s death. Now that he is home, and he’s gone against her wishes to betroth himself to me, I wonder if that affection will be able to stand the test of our marriage.
She looks at me, as if she knows what I am thinking.
“Princess Ebony,” she says, her voice soft and sharp, “I do believe I must offer my own felicitations to you tonight.”
I swallow the lump in my throat as I hurriedly curtsey. “Thank you, Queen Varyes.”
“So we are in agreement, Mother? Ebony and I will marry with your blessing?” Rion seems shocked that his mother has put up no objection.
“With my consent,” the Queen clarifies. “Which I have come to officially give, with Enri and his brother, Alfonse, here as witnesses.”
Enri is tight-lipped, but he also bows before me. I do not immediately recognize Alfonse in the moonlight, but I am sure I have seen him around the palace before.
Alfonse bows, too, before he says, “As one of Her Majesty’s messengers, I will craft a letter to be sent out to the different regions of our empire and let them know the news.”
“Go off and do so,” the Queen orders. “There’s no reason we should wait to inform the others.”
Alfonse leaves, while Enri remains. I see a feral glint in his eyes as he stares at me, but Rion and his mother are already discussing the details.
“You have chosen your bride, but your engagement will be for a year,” Queen Varyes says. “That is tradition.”
“You didn’t follow that tradition with my father,” I say, unable to stop myself.
She glares at me. “King Maru wanted a shorter engagement.”
I know the Queen is lying. My father told me once that she was the one who demanded the quick wedding, supposedly to help seal the relations between our kingdoms.
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