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  The king, eventually, smiled. “Those are great points. I think this might be a grand idea, Marlena.”

  “Marvelous! I would also like to invite supernatural suitors. To ensure that Snow has the best selection of humans and otherwise.” She secretly hoped to get the girl as far away as possible. The nastier the suitor, the better.

  “Will she be happy with someone who is different from her kind?” the king wondered.

  Marlena gasped. “Quinton, I’m surprised at you. Are you suggesting that our allies are not all equal? That non-humans of royal blood are, somehow, less than?”

  The king looked blindsided by the accusation. “Of course not. I’m just thinking of Snow’s safety. She’s not heavily exposed to their kind and some have strict rules on contact and association. I don’t want to put too much pressure on our daughter.”

  “Snow will be fine, and she’s a quick study. I have all the faith in the world that this is what we all need right now,” the queen told him. “Remember, Quinton, we aren’t getting any younger, and I’d love to see Snow bearing a child while you are still strong enough to play with the grandchildren.”

  “You’re right. Snow’s old enough to marry and give us grandkids,” the king decided.

  Chapter TWO

  Snow’s POV

  I entered the stables and immediately went looking for Thunder. My horse had his own groom, but I enjoyed doing some duties myself. He was a majestic horse that shared a piece of my soul. I wondered if that might be what having a mother was like. The queen was my stepmother and cared for my father and the kingdom. I always felt as if she found me to be a nuisance. There was no proof, yet my instincts screamed that she had some kind of vendetta against me. I never could fully understand why I distrusted her. Perhaps because her smiles never reached her eyes, and the help seemed terrified of her.

  I began scrubbing my stallion who enjoyed being pampered. He was a strong but spoiled horse, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I was nearly done when father entered. He was not dressed for riding which meant he needed to talk. When that happened, a servant usually fetched me at the castle. It seemed, father had decided to talk more casually, or he was bothered by his royal duties and wanted to go for a stroll in the gardens.

  “Good afternoon, Father. What brings you to my humble domain?”

  The king chuckled and patted my shoulder. “You have your mother’s humor. I came to see my precious daughter and deliver great news.”

  “Is the queen pregnant again?” I wondered.

  “No. Marlena is still recovering from her last miscarriage. Have you been visiting her regularly?”

  Snow nodded. “I bring her fresh flowers when I do so. The color seemed to have returned to her cheeks. I’m glad, she’s survived and is doing well.”

  “I’m glad too, since I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to her. She’s my heart.” He looked at the ground with a sad expression.

  “I know, Father. Don’t think about sad things when you came here so happy to tell me something.”

  He grinned. “Indeed. This decision has lifted my spirits.”

  I nodded and patted Thunder’s hip.

  My father grabbed my arm and guided me outside of the stables. We walked, side by side, on the path to the palace.

  I hung on to his arm and looked at him. “What do you want to tell me, Daddy?”

  He didn’t smile as he normally did when I fluttered my eyelashes at him and talked like a child.

  “As you know, Snow, the years have been kind to us and now you’re nearly eighteen. One of the most important years in a girl’s life.”

  The delaying in going straight to the matter was unlike my father. He was more informal when we were together, but his tone of voice and grave face projected that he was going to talk about business. It was as if he wanted to deliver news but had no idea how to do so. Dressed in his fine robes to address me in rider gear only heightened my anxiety. Had there been a raid? Did the queen get sick again?

  “Is something wrong?”

  “No, no.” King Quinton stopped and patted my head. “I’m sorry if I worried you, my child. The day has been hectic, and I’m just ecstatic to deliver this news. A friend told me it was exactly what you have been hoping for. Aside from the lovely, cozy birthday party that I’ve promised.”

  I smiled, knowing that royalty usually threw huge bashes for anything they could manage. I wanted my eighteenth birthday to be less of a lavish affair. With close friends and some allies to keep the festivities going. There would be an open celebration the day before, so the kingdom wouldn’t feel left out. My father had been clear on respecting my wishes for a small birthday. Queen Marlena seemed to not care either way, stating it would save us money. For some reason, that didn’t sit well with me.

  “Thank you, my friends are excited.”

  “They will be even more excited for the ball that will be held a week from your birthday,” the king announced. “Snow, it is time for you to seize your destiny and take a husband. I know I’ve not treated you as an adult enough, and I apologize. I’m sure you’re speechless.”

  I had no words but not out of excitement. The idea of having an engagement dropped out of the blue was horrifying.

  “Whose idea was this sudden union?”

  The king frowned at my question. “I know you’re worried about leaving me behind, but I have the queen and an entire kingdom. My dear daughter, you’re grown and need to go beyond these walls. I know you won’t tell your old man everything but, at least, understand that this is for the best.”

  I gulped at my father’s arguments for getting married to some stranger that I’d never seen.

  “Aren’t you happy?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  He grabbed my hands. “You’re old enough to rule this kingdom if something happened to me. I can’t bear the thought of leaving you alone with that responsibility. You need a man by your side, someone who can lead an army and defend our borders.”

  “A man?” My mind spaced out. “I have no idea how to lead an army, you’re right. I’ve asked you for fighting lessons, and you said that women weren’t built for the battlefield.”

  “No. Men are the ones who should know the horrors of war. Women are delicate creatures and need to be protected.”

  My teeth grinded, but I faked a smile. “Father, I know you want what’s best for me, but I … My heart doesn’t belong to anyone. I’ve been sheltered here and even if—”

  My father’s hands held mine tighter. “Silly girl, you’re a princess. Your heart will belong to someone of your status, not a commoner or a knight.” He squinted. “Have you fallen for someone like that?”

  “No. Of course not,” I assured. “The only men I’ve loved are the heroes of my books.”

  The king grinned again, seemingly pleased. “Good. You’ll have a great selection of the best eligible princes in the whole continent.”

  “What do you mean? When will I have to choose a husband? Isn’t it a bit too soon to have the ball right after my birthday?” I questioned, hoping to stall and get him to change his mind.

  “Your mother has already helped me pick the suitors,” the king revealed. “You’ll get the final pick, which is rare for a princess. I want you to understand that when choosing your husband, you need to keep in mind the importance of unifying our kingdom with another strong one.”

  “Is that why you’re doing this? To forge an alliance through marriage?”

  “Of course not, I’m doing this for you, Snow. It might seem sudden, but this feels right. You’re a woman, and I’m getting old. I feel that I need to find you someone who can protect you if something happens to me,” King Quinton explained.

  “Daddy! You’re still young and healthy. Don’t think about sad things.”

  “I want to be a grandfather. Will you grant me that wish?”

  “A grandfather?” I saw the future they had planned for me before my eyes. Women were nothing more than breeders for
the majority of the societies in the Fayland Continent. There were few warriors outside of the Fae people. Even the werewolves protected their females with fierce passion and didn’t want them to be independent.

  “What’s wrong?” the king asked.

  “What if I don’t like any of the suitors that you’ve chosen?”

  “We’ll get there when that time comes. I’m sure your heart will beat faster for one of the handsome princes who will attend your ball. How couldn’t you be interested in royals with so many attributes?”

  “What if they don’t like me?”

  “You’re beautiful and delicate. They would be fools to ignore your qualities,” my father boosted.

  I knew he truly believed that, but for someone who was raised in the shadow of the prettiest human queen on the continent, my common features wouldn’t be enough to seduce a prince.

  My father produced a loving smile. “Let’s get back to the palace, and we’ll talk more about who we chose to attend your ball.”

  I followed the king back to the palace in a state of utter shock.

  That night, I washed up and went to the dining room. My parents were already there having tea. They looked content with turning my life upside down. It was one thing to arrange this but another to have everything set before saying a word. That was not like my father at all. I would love to know which ‘friend’ fed him the lie that I was aching for marriage. It was the last thing I wanted right now—leaving my kingdom with a stranger who might only see me as an accessory. I hoped for more. I had run out of time, and I had to enjoy my birthday and last days of freedom.

  “Daughter, I heard you were given the great news.” The queen was all smiles. “I remember when your father and I met. From one glance, we knew the fates had set us on the path to each other. I can only hope the man who chooses you, takes you away on an adventure.”

  I wasn’t sure if that equaled a compliment. I smiled and nodded. “Thank you.”

  The meal continued mostly in silence. There was no doubt that something hung in the air. I was not sure what was going on with my parents and rulers, but there was no question who wanted this more. My stepmother was the happiest I had ever seen while talking about my future marriage and departure. Part of me wanted to scream that this was irrational, and I wasn’t marrying some random stranger. That was not befitting a princess, and I respected my father too much to act in such a way. The fact remained—this idea was terrible and crushed my soul with dread and utter sadness.

  I loved our kingdom and all it had to offer. I grew up here and knew every inch with my eyes closed. More importantly, this was where my birth mother died. I wanted to stay where I felt closest to my roots. My stepmother never filled that hole. I knew my father threw the ball for a new wife in part because of me. Over the years, I came to wish it had never happened. We were the happiest when it was just us. I noticed he was getting weaker a lot faster than he was supposed to. Others said I was imagining things.

  “The masquerade ball is going to be the talk of the town for months to come. I have spared no expense to ensure that our guests will see us at your strongest and best,” Queen Marlena started a one-sided conversation. “There will be seven suitors so choosing will not be too stressful. I ensured that only the best will come to see my Snow. Your father also picked two of them.”

  “The only humans,” the king noted. “Not that there’s anything wrong with the supernatural folk.”

  My head perked up. It was odd to hear that most of the suitors weren’t human princes. Each kind, usually, stuck to their own when it came to marriages—traditions, bloodlines, and hierarchy playing a major role in those decisions. Now choices that ranged from human to who knew what were thrown at me. I had nothing against the supernatural. Nevertheless, I was nervous enough about having a human husband so soon, much less anyone else.

  “My birthday is in a week. Can we discuss a bit more about those plans?” I tried to move the conversation along.

  The queen snorted. “That tiny soirée is already set and forgotten. Let me tell you about the men who might be your future husband. I know I would find that more interesting.”

  “Right.” I gritted my teeth to hide the displeasure at being dismissed so outright.

  “Two of them are vampires of the highest stock. I don’t want any lewd blood-drinkers preying on our guests. One’s a powerful werewolf, who I’m partial to, and he lives in a fantastical faraway kingdom, I’m sure you would love, Snow,” Marlena gushed. “There are also the two humans your father chose, of decent stock without question. There’s an elf who has features and wealth to absolutely die for, if I must say so myself. Then, there’s a warlock prince looking for his enchanted princess. I’m not one-hundred percent sure he will give up the search for you. I heard he’s powerful, and we are always looking to ally with the strongest, so why not?”

  I pushed away my dessert. “Is there anything you can tell me about their personalities? Are they kind, loyal, trusting, caring?” I was blindsided by how little she cared about that.

  “I can say my picks will treat you with respect,” the king declared. “If anyone hurts you, that marriage will be gone faster than my cake.”

  I smiled at that, but noticed my stepmother gave my father a cold side eye. A sense of dread curled around my stomach, and I was unable to take another bite of the delicious dessert the palace cook had made for us.

  Chapter THREE

  Snow’s POV

  Time flew, and I had barely enjoyed turning eighteen. Soon enough, the ball to choose a husband began. I stared at the extravagance of this masquerade ball in awe. My birthday party hadn’t been so excessive, but it didn’t feel that intimidating, either. The queen had outdone herself.

  The ballroom had been made over with the most expensive decorations, imported furniture, and full repainting I had ever seen. The winter wonderland my stepmother created as the theme was beautiful. Blue and white hues mixing in with the other colors were mesmerizing. Especially the chandelier which looked like icicles above our heads. This was supposed to be my special day—a ball to find me the perfect suitor to wed. Yet, it felt more like a walk to the most beautiful gallows ever.

  The orchestra played wonderful music, especially the violin which tune was haunting. Guests poured in from all across Fayland, most likely awed at the beauty and show of force my parents had put on display. The guard had been doubled for the event which included a man I saw around my stepmother a bit too often for my liking. Dukes, barons, princes, kings, queens, and other nobles flowed in without ceasing. A kaleidoscope of royalty and power walked across this room as if it were any other ball when that was far from reality.

  I wore a white dress as was expected for the ball’s winter wonderland theme. Marlena had it picked out without consulting me. She had also wanted me to wear a jeweled mask, but I intervened, begging father to let me choose something else. He agreed for my delight. Therefore, I chose a plain white mask with a blood red tear on the left side. Father thought it was charming while stepmother fumed, calling it macabre.

  The queen wore a red dress with a plunging neckline, which I found to be odd, since we were supposed to wear pale colors, and a white mask carved with jewels. At the party, the other females wore a wide assortment of silver, blue, white, and yellow dresses. Males were in military suits of white and gold or gala clothes of various styles according to their region and rank. I couldn’t remember a ball so rich. Maybe the fact that there were several supernatural beings from royal families invited made this ball seem like the most important event in the whole continent of Fayland. It was clear that my father hadn’t spared any expense, so he could have his guests utterly flabbergasted by the décor and our wealth. I guess, as a princess, I had to look rich enough to attract the right suitor.

  From his seat on the throne, my father beamed with pride, speaking to anyone he could about me as if I wasn’t right beside him. Stepmother stayed focused on talking about the kingdom or mentioning me as the ‘specia
l girl’ of the night. I felt terrible for hating everything about this event. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was more for Marlena than myself. These were the type of showy things she would enjoy, not me. I was invisible when she was around, no matter how everybody gushed about how grownup I was and how beautiful the dress looked on me. Not that I wanted to be the center of attention. Nevertheless, I’d like them to look at me as a person and not an object to be traded and shipped away.

  Being invisible wasn’t that bad in my normal life. Still, in an event for me, I felt out of place and anything but invisible. Despite the masks that night, I couldn’t slip away or be ignored. I was the lady of the hour. Royalty getting married was often a huge event. Especially when the suitors were publicly presented. Seven males were supposed to vie for my hand, and I doubted any of them truly cared about me. It was hard to keep myself from crying. Yet, it was my duty to show a smile to our subjects and allies. Flaking out in front of everyone would be seen by our court and friends as a traitorous act. It would also bring too much enjoy to the queen, who I knew secretly hoped that I would embarrass myself, so she could patronize me while calling me a silly, clumsy, and distracted child.

  “Now, we will have the special waltz. Princess Snow and each suitor will dance in the middle of the ballroom,” Queen Marlena announced. “My daughter is to be married to one of these gentlemen. May the chosen royal and his upcoming bride be merry, and our kingdoms unite.”

  The ballroom erupted in cheers.

  I put on a smile and stepped forward. Previous conversation with a few suitors were of little note. I was nothing more than a prize to be won. The whole thing sickened my stomach, but this was the price paid for a life of luxury as a princess.

  The first suitor was the werewolf who already seemed distracted but had some discerning manners. Our waltz suddenly stopped when he walked over to a young lady in blue, as if hypnotized. If I had been interested in him, this would have been offensive. Whoever that female was, she made my choice easier with one less man to consider. The way they smiled at each other when they danced made me feel as if I had witnessed something special. Was that love at first sight? Did they know each other before? They were wearing masks. I had no idea if the girl was pretty or not. The werewolf had forgotten all about me once their eyes met.