feeling settled heavily in her chest as she stared at her refl

a tightened her grip on her dress. "How many more pins do you intend to put in my head? I can barely move," she complained. The

a man whose face she had never properly seen and whose voice she had never heard. "What

ncess. You carry the grace of Earth." Aurelia shook her head. "Grace will not ma

emained in her eyes. "Mother, you came," Aurelia said. The Queen dismissed the attendants and approached. "You look beautiful, my child

es against us and we need the Heaven." Aurelia pulled back slightly. "But what about what I want? Why does my happiness have to be the price of peace?" The Queen held her hands firmly. "Sometimes, my ch

of a marriage, Aurelia. Sometimes, it is what people discover after they have begun walking together, after they have learned each other's pain. Give him a chance to know you." Aurelia's voice broke.

his expression unreadable. "You will show respect to your bride today, Evander. The whole realm will be watching you," His Majesty said. "I know my responsibilities, Father. You have reminded me enough times" Evan

ther looked sharply. "None of us asked for the war that is coming. We do what we must. Do you understand?" Evander nodded. "I understand that I am to marry

ate veil covering part of her face, and her hands trembled despite her efforts to control them. "It is time, Your Highness. They are waiting," one attendant whispered. Aurelia took a deep breath.

s welcoming their prince. "She is lovely," someone whispered. "Truly worthy of Heaven," another murmured, but Aurelia heard none of it. Her eyes were fixed on

across the hall. In that instant, her breath caught. Those eyes, that face, the sharp line of his jaw, the cold calm she had seen before. "It is you," she whispered. The man who had stood

as recognition slowly dawned, his eyes widening just enough to betray his shock. For the first time since the wedding arrangements began, Evander Celestian looked genuinely shocked, his perfect composure cracking. Aur