Surreptitiously I smoothed the skirt again. This dress I had made myself, wanting it to be just right. The peach silk was so fine it ran through my fingers like water, the full skirt falling from a tight, ruched bodice. The top of the bodice was decorated with tiny emeralds, a clear mesh, the finest I had ever seen, allowing them to rise all the way to my neck. I didn’t need jewelry with a dress like this, but Frederic had sent a gift to my room, anyway—a fine bracelet that so perfectly matched the outfit, I suspected his mother or Celine had assisted in the choice. I wore it with pleasure.
I could hear the murmur of many voices and the soft swell of music behind the doors. Then a trumpet sounded, and silence fell. Frederic tucked my hand into his arm, the warm pride in his face as he looked at me stilling the anxious feeling clutching at my throat.
The doors swung open and the herald announced, “His Royal Highness Frederic, Crown Prince of Lanover, and his betrothed, Evangeline of Largo.” And together we stepped forward into our future—a journey that I hoped would be less painful, but just as rewarding, as the one we had just completed.
Note from the Author
You can read about Celine and the twins finding their own adventures in the Beyond the Four Kingdoms series, starting with A Dance of Silver and Shadow: A Retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Turn the page for a sneak peek!
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Chapter 1
Bright banners and flags flew from masts and the tops of buildings. Everywhere I looked the sun glinted off a riot of color. I gripped the rail in front of me as the ship rocked gently, pulled along by lines attached to two smaller rowing boats. The harbor already looked full, with several ships anchored further back in the deeper water, so I was glad we weren’t attempting to enter under sail.
The Duchy of Marin, the city-state we were entering, was a center of trade. At least according to the Marinese Emissary who had brought us here. But I still hadn’t expected it to be so busy.
Look! I didn’t bother to open my mouth as I called my sister’s attention to a ship with rainbow sails. Our traveling companion, Princess Celine, had gone to see something from the other side of the ship, so neither courtesy nor secrecy demanded we speak aloud.
How delightful. I’ve never seen such a thing before. Sophie’s projected voice rang in my mind with childish delight. She hung over the railing, her golden curls blowing about in the light wind, a wide grin on her face.
I wasn’t sure if the enthusiasm was for the exotic-looking port, or the end of our long sea voyage. It would certainly be a welcome relief to feel land under my feet again. And I hadn’t even been seasick like my twin.
I glanced across at the Emissary and frowned. His eyes were roving over the many ships in the port, and I found the surprise on his face disconcerting.
I narrowed my eyes and stepped toward him when a loud voice hailed us all from the pier. I swung reluctantly back toward the dock and found Sophie alternating her gaze between me and the Emissary. After seventeen years, we were attuned enough that she could guess a lot of my thoughts, even if I didn’t speak them into her mind.
He looks a bit odd, doesn’t he? Are you worried? Sophie projected. Outwardly, she had stepped back from the rail and assumed a demure smile for the welcoming party on the pier.
I don’t know. But he’s the person who gave assurances about our safety. I don’t like to see him looking surprised.
We haven’t even stepped off the ship, and you’re already worrying about our safety. Why am I not surprised? Sophie’s mental tone swung between exasperation and amusement. You know that’s the Baron and Baroness of Lilton’s role, right? They’re the Arcadian delegation heads.
On the outside, I maintained the same courtly fa?ade as my sister. But, internally, I sent her a mental image of my shaking head. You know I trust Gregory and Helena, but that doesn’t mean I won’t stay alert.
I know. Sophie sent the ghost of a laugh along with the thought. You’re hopeless. But one day you’ll have to realize that we’re not on our own anymore. And that my sickness was a long time ago now.
I sent her an apologetic grimace. She was right, I couldn’t help myself. Our parents had distanced themselves emotionally from us as children, and I could understand the complex dynamics behind that now. After five years of being secure in their love, I could even sympathize a little. They had meant it for the best. They never imagined that you could grow up lonely when you lived in a palace full of people. And, in a way they were right. We hadn’t been lonely, not exactly. Because we’d always had each other.
How many times had we told each other as children that it didn’t matter if our parents loved us, because we loved each other? Two halves of one whole. It didn’t matter if we were weak on our own—as long as we had each other we were strong.
I drew a deep breath, almost shaking at the memory of how close I’d come to losing her. To facing it all alone.
I’m sorry, Lily. Sophie’s apology came quickly. I didn’t mean to bring it back up. There’s enough going on right now.
I forced myself to smile. Don’t be silly. I’m fine. You’re right—it was a long time ago. So many years ago, in fact, that many of the details had faded away.
My mother had even recently assured me that I was remembering it all wrong. That Sophie had never actually been dangerously ill. A normal childhood sickness, she’d called it.
But I knew better. While the facts might have disappeared, as early memories do, the emotions still burned clearly. I knew if I closed my eyes, I could bring them rushing back, as powerful as ever. Fear for Sophie. The certainty that no one saw the danger but me. And the utter terror of being left alone.
But I couldn’t afford to dwell on those emotions now. I was no longer either helpless or a child. Sophie and I would be eighteen this summer, and I had spent years learning as much about healing as the palace doctors were willing to teach a princess.
I had no time for clouded judgment, I needed all my wits about me. Because we had finally arrived in this foreign land, and something was wrong.
And for all she had laughed at me earlier, Sophie’s next projection showed that she shared at least some of my concern. Has it seemed to you like the closer we get to Marin, the more nervous the Emissary has become?
I bit my lip. It doesn’t quite fit with the idyllic picture he’s been painting of his beloved duchy, does it? I noticed the slightest tremor in my sister’s clasped hands and stepped to her side.
Do you think we should have let Father send more guards? she asked.
I shook my head almost imperceptibly. No, Alyssa was right, I projected, referring to our brother’s wife, a favorite with us both. What would be the point? They have six kingdoms full of guards. If it comes to a fight, we wouldn’t have a chance.
But it won’t come to a fight. Sophie’s answering smile seemed more genuine than her previous attempt. The Emissary has made it clear Marin wants a trade alliance with Arcadia. They wouldn’t do anything to endanger our new ties. Sophie sounded confident now, her tremble gone.
My soft-hearted sister was brave and determined—she sometimes just needed to be reminded of it. A service I was always on hand to perform. Just as she was always around to remind me that I wasn’t responsible for everything.
Celine sidled up to us. “Is anyone else getting a bit of an odd feeling?”
“Absolutely.” I didn’t take my eyes off the people waiting on the dock. The sailors had nearly finished securing our vessel, and the Emissary had already stepped off to consult with the newcomers.
“Sounds like an adventure to me.” Celine bounced a little on her toes. “It has to be better than four weeks at sea at any rate.”