CHAPTER ONE

Adalia dragged her dress along with her as they got off the carriage. She grunted and groaned, announcing how uncomfortable she was, with each step she took. The dress was tight around her. The corset was something her mother insisted on, no doubted because she didn’t want to risk her daughter’s wings piercing through the silk dress and her flying away back to the South. She stepped on the red carpet, and as she did her glass slipper peeked out from underneath her dress. She groaned wishing that she could have had boots on instead. She followed the long train of her mother’s dress as her brother stepped beside her.

“How are you feeling?” There was a smile in his eyes but it was offset by the worried look looming behind it.

“I’m fine,” she was to an extent. But she wasn’t going to show her brother how disturbed she was. Usually she looked up and straight ahead just like every warrior she knew. But now she was staring at the jewels lining the long train of her mother’s dress. She didn’t want to look up because she didn’t want anyone to see how nervous she was, or how weak she felt. A few more steps and she would be face to face with her future husband.

Adalia curtsied just when her mother did. Slowly she raised her head and there he was. His hair was golden blonde just like his father’s. He had a stiff jaw, but his hazel eyes had a kindness to them and a silver lightning that drew her in. His left hand rested on his sword and his right seemed to be aching for something else. An arrow, she thought. He was a warrior, she had no doubt about that, but could he beat her? His wide shoulders and towering height told her he could. But his posture and the smile on his face told her he was kind enough to let her win.

At least I would be married to a kind warrior, she thought. Just like her father. Adalia was going to give this a chance. But at the back of her mind she was still praying that they would choose to marry Randi and the prince’s sister instead. It wasn’t a totally horrible idea, but it was selfish nonetheless.

***

Archer could feel his wings tingle nervously under his skin. He wanted to see her, just to see how beautiful she was. He could only see the top of her head since she had been doing a good job at concealing herself behind her mother. Her beautiful mother. Archer was pleased to see that the tales were true, but to him his mother was still the most beautiful woman in both kingdoms.

When Queen Liora stood next to his mother, she paved way for him to get a full view of Adalia. The first thing he saw was her jet black hair, just like her mother’s. A good sign. The next thing he saw was her pale skin, as white as snow and as spotless as a white lamb. He held his breath as she slowly raised her head. Her red lips were the first thing that caught his eyes. Her eyes were as black as her hair and her jaw, stubborn, but that did not disturb the flawless beauty of her face. To him she was magical, and if he had been vain he would have married her for her looks alone. But he knew there were other layers to her, and he was eager to explore them all.

Archer took a step forward, he acknowledged Randi before passing him off to an eager Novia, and then stood a meter away from Adalia. He bowed in respect to her title and she did to his.

“Your highness it is an honor to meet you,” he gingerly took her hand in his and laid a feathery kiss on her smooth skin. And as he did, he tried to get her to look him in the eyes. That’s when you know- his father had said to him once- when your eyes lock that’s when you know. He wanted to know, he was desperate to know. More than anything he wanted to fall in love with Adalia marry for love and make her happy. But the icy distance in her eyes froze him. There was nothing between them, no warmth or spark just an icy barrier.

***

“It’s an honor to meet you too,” Adalia tried her best not to show any interest in him. She didn’t want to leave the South Kingdom, and the prince rejecting her was her guarantee. She pulled her hand out of his, and waited for him to lead the way.

They walked into the palace, the bright different whites adorning the palace were a huge contrast to the bold red and black that draped hers. She couldn’t imagine herself in Novia’s clear, crisp white satin; it would take her only a second to soil it. Adalia needed bold dark colors that could hide the mess she would eventually get herself into.

Just as she thought about the dress she felt her scabbard slide. It was getting loose. She caught it at her waist where she tied it and held it in place. She would have to hold it like that until she could get a minute of privacy to herself. She quickly moved to her father’s side getting away from the handsome prince.

***

As she moved away from him, Archer spotted a golden metal peeking from under her dress. He laughed when he realized what it was. He saw her struggle to hold it at her waist. She was trouble. Part of him wanted to wait and see how long she would carry this on for, but the gentleman in him had to come to her aid. He moved to her side and gently held on to her elbow. He could feel her resist but with a gentle tug, and with everyone staring at them, he was able to convince her. He pulled her into one of the long hallways.

***

Once they were alone Adalia pulled her arm away. She turned to face him with a force that sent her dress flying into the air. An insult lingered on her tongue but before she could say anything he spoke.

“I think you may want to secure your blade in here,” he pointed to one of the private powder rooms.

Adalia went red when she saw the smug smile curling at the edge of his lips. But she appreciated the fact that he had just saved her from embarrassment. Her flush deepened. “Thank you,” she said then hurried away.

Adalia thought of just taking the scabbard off and leaving the sword in the powder room, but she couldn’t. She would much rather walk out without her dress than her sword. She fastened it as tight as she could, tighter than the corset that bound her body upright, and then walked out. Archer was still out there, he was leaning against the wall lost in thought. She stood there for a while, but he was too deep in his mind to notice that she was already out. So she waited.

“She is beautiful,” he muttered to himself.

“Who is?” Adalia asked “You are,” he said honestly. “Shall we go?” the tone in his voice was direct and emotionless.

Adalia was confused. He gave her a complement then sounded like he didn’t like it. She picked up her skirt and shuffled back to the reception room. Everyone was still there. Randi and Novia had managed to find a quiet space of their own to whisper to each other, the younger children from both sides of the family had found each other and were happily playing. It was just her and Archer who hadn’t found this common space with each other.

***

Archer was thinking about everything. Having the royals from the South here made everything real, the rebels, the fear of an attack on the kingdom, the security of his people and the fact that he would have to marry Adalia.

Archer saw his father gesture towards him and Doran, and then Gabrielle to his son and his general and he knew it was time for the meeting. By the end of it, he would know if he was to be wed or not.

***

Adalia watched as the older men quietly moved out of the room and their mother’s called to both Novia and her towards the baby. She moved towards the crib but her eyes were still on the six men vacating the room. She wanted to be there with them, strategizing, not here staring at the drooling but adorable baby. She was more interested in matters of the sword and not that of a rattle.

“I’m just going to take a walk,” she lied and walked towards the large window. When she was sure none was watching she sneaked into the strategy room.

“We need to attack before they do,” she heard Conan bellow. He was always interested in the offence more than he was the defense.

“No, we cannot risk escalating the situation more than it already is,” that was her father the voice of reason.

“I agree,” she heard Lionell say.

“Why don’t we think of a diplomatic way,” that was Archer’s voice. “Meet with them, find out what they want, and then act accordingly.”

Beauty and brains, Adalia was impressed.