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“His Majesty has authorized me to address this matter, and I am glad to serve him.” The young lady’s face was as friendly and warm as before, and she said this with a tone of reassurance rather than argument.

Alexander clasped his hands behind his back and took a deep breath. “As you wish. My name is Alexander Rafael de Gracey, and I am the crown prince of Eleria. Iwasthe crown prince two hundred fifty years ago.” He frowned. “I might have lost track of the years. My brother Tobias would have ruled in my place.” His voice grew quiet and rough with emotion. “I was taken from the forest not far from here.”

The young lady looked over him again, her eyes cautious now. “And how did you live so long? Where were you?”

“The ice goblin queen took me for her own, and I have been captive in the north.” Alexander’s hands were claspedso tightly his knuckles were white. “She is dead now, not by my hand, and the new goblin king freed me.”

For a moment, there was a fraught silence. Then the young lady said, “Well. That is…unprecedented.” She raised her chin slightly, not in defiance but as if she were controlling her own complicated emotions. “My father holds true to King Tobias’s vow. If your story is true, he is prepared to abdicate, and I will cede all power, authority, wealth, and everything to you. However, we must prove your words true first.”

Alexander hesitated. “Your father is the king?”

“Yes. My father has been ill for some time, and I endeavor to take as much weight off his shoulders as I can. But he still rules, not I.”

Alexander bowed again, more deeply this time, and motioned that Gytha should curtsey. Gytha did her best, although the motion was unfamiliar and awkward.

“This is Gytha Ivarrsdattar. She endured great hardship and loneliness to free me from my imprisonment. I hope to marry her.” Alexander straightened his already erect posture. “Your Highness, if the kingdom is ruled justly and well, I have no wish to take the throne from you. The ice goblin king reminded me of my duty to my kingdom: I am honor-bound to ensure that Eleria is ruled with honor, justice, and mercy before I pursue the peace I desire for myself. If I am assured that my nation is ruled well, then I will gladly leave the throne to your father, without any argument or claim to my ancestral title or lands or wealth.”

The princess swept her eyes over them again thoughtfully. “I would have thought you would desire the throne,” she said, her voice soft. “After all this time, you don’t want it?”

“I have no desire for power.” Alexander took a steadying breath, his hands still twisted together behind him. “I wish onlyto do my duty to my nation. If my people are in good hands, I would not change that.”

The princess pressed her lips together and her gaze flicked from Alexander to Gytha and back. “I see.”

Alexander said, “Your Highness, I know the story sounds impossible. I would not believe me, if I were in your place. But if you believe nothing else, please believe that I only want to do my duty.”

The princess nodded. “Thank you.” Her dark eyes gave little away, but Gytha did not think she intended to have them hauled off to be executed. She studied them a moment longer and then said, “You must be tired. I will have guest rooms prepared for you, and tomorrow we will speak again.”

They were installed in two guest suites across the hall from each other, and servants delivered a warm, comforting dinner. They ate together in the sitting room adjoining Alexander’s suite and went to their beds very early, for the fatigue and emotions of the day, and indeed of the past weeks, threatened to overwhelm them both.

The room in which Gytha slept was entirely made of stone and had no windows, so it easily served as prison cell as well as guest room. Nevertheless, it was comfortable, clean, and warmed by the fire in the grate. Bright rugs, paintings on the walls, and numerous lanterns made the space cheery and welcoming.

Gytha woke to a servant bringing a simple but delicious breakfast of flaky, buttery biscuits, sweet berry jam, savory sausages, and a delicious honey custard with a crunchy, sugary crust. When she had just begun eating, the princess and one of the guards from the previous day entered.

“I don’t mean to bother you,” said the princess, as if she were not allowed to be anywhere in her own palace. “But I wanted to hear your story. Will you speak with me?”

Gytha stood hurriedly. “Yes, miss. I mean, Your Highness.” She curtsied.

At the princess’s nod, the guard introduced the princess as Her Highness Marin de Gracey and himself as Captain Derek Brighton. Soon Gytha was telling the princess everything, from the desperate deprivation from which the bear prince had saved her and her family, to the year in a strange prison of snow and ice, Eshkeshken’s determination to retake his throne, the confrontation at the ice goblin palace, and their travel to Elestar.

“And what doyouwant?” the princess pressed gently.

“I want to go home.” Gytha’s voice cracked, and she flushed and looked down at her hands clasped in her lap. “I miss my family. I want to marry Alexander and build a homestead near my mother and father. I want to have children with him and teach them how to read, and even buy some books for them, if the farm does well.” She did not mention the jewels from Eshkeshken because she did not think of them. “I want to sit in a rocking chair and knit little sweaters for my children and kiss their pillowy little cheeks. I want to listen to Alexander read to our babies and sing to them.”

The princess met her eyes. “If you could choose between that and being queen here, which would you choose?”

Gytha swallowed. She felt this was a test, but there was only one answer. “I want to marry Alexander,” she said. “I will go where he goes. But I would prefer a simple life in Aoalvik over a crown or a throne.”

The guard’s steely blue eyes softened at this, and Gytha was belatedly aware of how perceptive his attention had been. But he said nothing.

“Thank you.” The princess rose and smiled at her kindly. “Rest now.”

Hours later, Alexander joined her, and they were served a generous and fortifying lunch. He had given his story in muchthe same manner, and he was equally unsure whether the princess or her guards believed him.

For quite some time, they were left alone. Alexander sat and stared at the fire, his elbows on his knees and his hands hanging down. At last he said, “If I were her, I wouldn’t believe me. I requested that she let you go free, even if she executes me as an imposter.”

“Do you think she will?” Of course it made sense, but Gytha could not bring herself to truly fear that the princess would do such a thing.

Alexander let out a slow breath and then, carefully, reached out and took one of her hands in his. “Don’t be afraid, Gytha.” His dark eyes held hers. “I trust that whatever Her Highness thinks of me, and does with me, she will let you go free.”