Chapter 10 - First Encounter

**Midwinter, Five and a Half Years Ago**

“My queen,” Auden says, bowing low to the girl he barely knows standing before him on the dais. He lets out a long breath as he holds the bow, staring at the floor, willing himself to hold himself together and be civil to this woman who took his mother’s place. It wasn’t her fault, after all.

When Auden straightens, he sees a warm smile on Angeline’s face, her hands outstretched towards him.

“Hey, Auden,” she says, her voice soft. “Welcome home.”

And something shifts in the prince as he looks at the girl standing before him, her face open to him and full of empathy. He had thought that he’d have nothing but bitter resentment for Angeline for the rest of his life - had been fully prepared for that, even.

But as she stands there in front of him, her arms outstretched, a hesitant smile starting on her face, Auden’s mouth curls upwards at one corner. Damn it, but he can’t help but like her. Just a little bit.

Auden takes a few steps forward, raisin