Princess Nymeria's Arc

Chapter 27 of 32

Valor led them back inside, out of the cold courtyard. Lyra walked between them, still teasing her brother about hiding in the dark. Nymeria let herself laugh for the first time all night. The three of them found a quiet corner of the great hall, under the shimmering white stone arches. For hours they talked and joked. Valor told stories of Lyra falling out of trees as a child. Lyra swore every word was a lie. Nymeria's fear loosened its grip. She almost forgot what waited in the crowded room. Then Queen Celeste crossed the floor toward them. The queen wore her shimmering gown, her red hair pinned high beneath her crown. She smiled, but her eyes were sharp. Beside her walked a young elf woman with short blonde hair and a pale blue gown. Nymeria's stomach dropped. She knew before Celeste spoke. This was the bride the queen had chosen. "Valor," Celeste said. "You have been rude. Your bride has waited all evening." She turned to the blonde girl. "This is Elara. Her family rules the northern woods. She will make a fine match for you." Valor stood. Nymeria's heart pounded. If Elara claimed him now, her chance was gone. She opened her mouth, but no words came. Her charm stirred, hot and dangerous, ready to spill. She pressed it down. Elara spoke first. "Your Majesty, I must be honest." Her voice was soft but steady. "I do not want to marry Valor." She glanced at Lyra, and her cheeks went pink. "My heart is somewhere else." The queen blinked. "Somewhere else?" "Your daughter," Elara said. She looked at Lyra with open longing. "I came for her." Lyra's cup froze halfway to her lips. For once, she had no joke ready. She stared at Elara, then grinned wide. "Well," she said. "That is the best news I've heard all year." Celeste's face shifted from shock to something softer. She looked at her son, then at the blonde princess, then at Nymeria standing so still. The queen was clever. She saw where each heart pointed. "So," Celeste said slowly. "My son wants the demon princess. My daughter wants the bride I chose for him." She let out a short laugh. "I have planned this all wrong." Valor took Nymeria's hand in front of his mother. "I choose her," he said. "No one else." Celeste studied Nymeria for a long moment. "You do have good taste afyer all" she said. “My son is one of the most eligible bachelors in the realm." She nodded once. The queen did not bless them yet. But she did not forbid it either. "We will speak more," she said. "After the ball." Then she took Elara's arm and led her toward Lyra, leaving Valor's hand in Nymeria's. Nymeria breathed. The bride was gone. Her chance was not.