Amora's Arc

Chapter 5 of 6

The prince's carriage rolled up to the heart-shaped gates at dusk. Amora stood on the stone stairs outside the dark red keep, her mother beside her. Red rose bushes crowded the walls. Amora smoothed the laced hearts on her gown and waited. She had agreed to one evening. One evening, and then she would say no. The carriage door opened. A young man stepped out. His hair was blond, his eyes pale blue. A lion glinted in gold thread on his dark tunic, and a black cloak hung from his shoulders. He climbed the stairs and stopped before them. Amora curtsied. Her mother watched, gloved hands folded, saying nothing for once. The prince took Amora's hand. He bent and kissed it. "I have heard of your beauty, Princess," he said softly. "I was not told a lie." Amora drew her hand back. She thanked him with a small nod. But the words sat wrong in her chest. He had crossed a kingdom to praise her face. He did not know her at all. She did not want a love built on that. She wanted someone who would ask what she feared, what she loved, what she kept hidden in the tower nights. The Queen of Hearts smiled her tight red smile. "Come, Prince Lionel. Dine with us." She swept toward the doors, skirts hissing on the stone. Amora saw her mother's hope. The Queen wanted this to work. It would end the fight, close the gate, make the whole thing tidy. Inside, candles burned along the long table. Prince Lionel sat across from Amora and spoke of his lands, his horses, his hunts. He was polite. He laughed at the right moments. But he never once asked her a question. Amora ate little. She thought of the dragon that loved her, of the letter she had sent, of everything that made her herself. None of it lived at this table. When the plates were cleared, the Queen looked at her daughter. The question hung in the air without words. Amora set down her cup. "Prince Lionel," she said. "You have been kind. You came a long way." She kept her voice steady. "But I cannot marry you. You praised my face at the gate. You know nothing else of me, and you have not tried to." The prince blinked. His cheeks went red. "Princess, I meant no—" "I know," Amora said. "That is the trouble." Her mother's hands clenched on the table. For a long breath the Queen said nothing. Then she rose. "You gave me one evening," she said. "You have given it." Her jaw was tight, but she did not shout. "I will not force him on you." Amora's heart lifted. The marriage was over. Prince Lionel bowed stiffly. But the Queen turned to her daughter, her eyes hard. "You refused a prince, Amora. Now every crowned house will hear you sent one home. Who will come for you after this?"