Page 3

CHAPTER 2

S UNLIGHT FILTERED THROUGH THE tall windows lining the long corridor at the back of the palace. Laude and I waited beside the garden entrance. My quivering breath fogged a windowpane, obscuring the queens, princesses, and high ladies from the eight Agata Kingdoms who mingled in the manicured garden just beyond the terrace.

Have courage. You will tell Mamá about the oath before the party.

Footfalls rumbled from the stairwell behind me. My older brother, Cosme, laughed with his three fellow Dotados , as they liked to call their little band of friends. As he passed through the sunbeams, the rays illuminated Cosme’s darkened skin, drab cloak, and muddied boots.

The other Dotados offered cursory bows and planted themselves next to Laude, gawking at all the ladies outside. Cosme patted my shoulder as if I were a pet dog. I scowled at him, and he chuckled in return.

I pressed my shoulder blades back. “Where have you been?”

“About.” He took my braid and tickled my cheek with its end. “Smile, dear sister. Such a sour expression will never get you a husband.” Cosme whistled and cocked his head toward another passage. His friends followed.

I rubbed my cheek and glared after him. Why should I be jealous of Cosme’s spy work? He only got to tramp about the farthest corners of the kingdom without opposition from Mamá and Papá while I begged to leave the palace.

Soon, Cosme would see my abilities and worth. I yanked on my sleeves, stifling a scream in my throat. Bronzed skin peeked from under the sky-blue lace, covering my markings yet revealing all the time I spent out at sea with my best friend, Prince Lux. Some things could not stay hidden.

Laude chirped with joy, observing the guests through the windows. “Princess Alexa’s frock is so unbecoming.”

Alexa was betrothed to the one suitor I wished I could choose. I pressed my lips into a hard line, so Laude wouldn’t see the smile she inspired. Inappropriate comments from lowly servants should not be encouraged.

I flicked my braid back over my shoulder and ran my fingers along my high silk belt. Laude had arranged my hair and finished off my look with a matching wide-brimmed hat, praising my appearance. Yet there was nothing anyone could say to ease the ball of doubt in the pit of my stomach.

Rustling echoed from down the corridor. Mamá appeared with several servants in tow. Her vibrant pink gown swayed, creating the illusion of her gliding across the floor.

I forced merriment into my voice. “That color suits you well.”

“You’re doing that nervous patting again.” Mamá grabbed my hands to stop my fidgeting and pulled me in for a gentle kiss on the cheek.

“Isn’t there another way?” My confession about my oath played on my tongue, straining to be exposed.

She cupped my face. “Your papá and I would never put you through this if we didn’t think it necessary. The Himzos might back down from their threats if they see a stronger alliance between us and the kingdoms around the Agata Sea. Now, where is my bold young lady?”

I inhaled and settled into a neutral expression. It’s best to appear put together when being the center of attention. I’ll tell her about my oath later. The conversation will go better when we’re around others and forced to appear civil.

Mamá waved for her servants to open the doors, and we stepped outside. The women applauded our promenade across the terrace and onto the grassy path. Over the mix of voices, I heard scattered conversations regarding my gown, whom they thought I’d choose, and even the dreaded words: unbetrothed and giftless.

An older woman curtsied in a sparkling white gown. “Princess, are you ready for the ball? I hear it’s going to be quite the spectacle.” Her bright smile grated against my sensibilities. “It’s a shame you and Prince Lux couldn’t marry. You two are indeed a pair.”

I nodded. It is amazing how people always find the exact concoction of words that stab a person’s heart.

“You are all kindness, Lady Ressin,” Mamá replied. Two smile wrinkles formed on her cheeks, and she led me to our seats under the white tent in the center of our vibrant garden. She leaned close to my ear. “Lady Ressin meant no harm.”

“Of course. Did I appear anything but pleased?” I straightened my back.

Mamá raised a smug brow. “I am your Mamá, and you are a poor liar.”

Sometimes Lux was even fooled by my polite gestures. How could Mamá see through them?

I scratched at my knuckles. This is the time to tell her. My heart quickened.

A servant in royal green livery handed her a cup of coffee and poured her a heavy helping of cream, then he handed me my cup. As I turned to speak to Mamá, Lord Pau’s mother approached, golden hair shimmering through the beaded netting at the nape of her neck.

“Your Majesty. Princess. Both of you radiate like flowers among the brambles.” Her face crumpled into deep crags. “I am sorry for my son’s absence and my quick return to the isles.”

“No need to apologize.” Sympathy danced in Mamá’s deep brown eyes. “I’m sorry for your loss. You should be with your son in this moment. I am sure he needs your support.”

The lady’s head bent low. “I begged him not to make an oath. And when his marks changed, he paid them no mind.” Tiny sobs followed her words. “I’m so sorry. I thought I could … I must depart.” The lady pressed a handkerchief to her chest and stepped away with a tiny curtsy.

I gulped.

Mamá whispered in my ear, “What a foolish man. Look at the pain he caused his family. Only a fool would play with words of power.”

I drank deeply from my delicate coffee cup. Should I even tell Mamá about the oath? The skin under my sleeves burned like if I rubbed against Maiden Plum.

The afternoon went on with one praise after another as gray clouds eclipsed the sun. Some women brought gifts for me. My favorite was a pocket watch that played a song I’d never heard before. While Mamá stepped away for a moment, a demure young lady handed me the gift and disappeared into the crowd. A sensation of unease wriggled within me, but the gift made up for any oddity in the giver.

A chilling breeze blew through the garden, and I rubbed my lacy sleeves. Several other women complained about the dropping temperature. Princess Alexa raised her marked hands to the sky, moving them in circles while maintaining an elegant curve to her glowing fingers. The clouds dispersed, bringing forth yellow rays of light. I was certain she’d brought the clouds to cast a gloom over our gathering in the first place.

Alexa’s sea-foam eyes met mine, and she flashed a haughty grin. “Congratulations on your special day. Best wishes on finding your perfect match. I hope you don’t mind my small gesture.” She combed back stray curls from her face, lifted a hand, and flicked it, bringing in warm sea air over the garden.

A perfume of flowers wafted among us. Ladies close enough to witness Alexa’s exhibition clapped and cheered, “Bravo!”

Alexa grinned with delight, and anger burned in my stomach. Why did she get everything I wanted while I got nothing? I steeled myself against the storm within.

Mamá excused herself from a conversation near the terrace and strolled to the empty space beside me. She lowered her head to mine. “Be glad that you are forced into humility. Arrogance is unbecoming.” She continued to sip her coffee and nibbled on a pastry puff.

“Your Majesty.” A short, round woman in a fine silken dress curtsied and stole Mamá’s attention, talking about her very available gifted son.

I pinched my lips tightly, retreating into my mind. Mamá couldn’t understand the hollow place within my ribs. Alexa had a betrothal to Prince Lux, and should the kingdoms go to war, she could fight. I wrestled with the urge to march straight to the valley to get my gift but settled on playing my role by pretending to listen to pointless gossip about this and that suitor.

Magic would become my reality, or I’d die. Promises made in the dark counted, made evident by Lord Pau’s father.

I inspected the faint markings on my hands, and a metallic sheen caught my attention. My nail beds had a gold line stretching to my first knuckle where my vines had previously been. The skin under my sleeves itched just as much as my fingers. I should have asked Lord Pau’s mother more questions about how long it took for her husband’s markings to transform before he met his untimely end. But I didn’t want to make myself into the fool who made an oath.

What have I done?

“Princess?” Laude said.

I startled and balled my fingers into fists, hiding my nails.

Laude stepped in front of me with a small, folded parchment on a silver platter.

Mamá cut a look in my direction but proceeded to attend to the round mother who now produced a small portrait of her son—the male version of herself. I plucked the parchment from the platter and flipped the note open. In angular strokes, black letters said: You look bored. How about a swim?

I darted a glance over my shoulder at the garden entrance doors. A tall figure with strong shoulders stood on the other side of the window. Sunlight shone on the back of his head, reflecting golden hair. My heart leaped, and I knew what I must do. I twisted the corners of my mouth downward. If anyone were to understand me, it was him. Judging by the concern wrinkled on Laude’s forehead, I did an excellent job exuding distress.

“Let Mamá know,” I said to Laude in a hushed tone. “I am feeling indisposed. I will retire to my room to … to rest. For tonight’s ball.”

Laude bobbed her head, quirking an empathetic smile. I slid the note into my sleeve pocket along my forearm, strode at a moderate pace across the grass, and to my favorite escape.