Princess Willowyn's Arc

Chapter 22 of 70

A week passed after Willowyn placed her proposal before her mother. Each day she waited for word. Each day none came. She practiced water magic in her chamber, holding a slow ring of water in the air. The white minx watched from the sill. But her nerve thinned. Doubt crept in. Perhaps Eros had refused. Perhaps her mother would take back her almost-yes. Then a knock came at the door. "Come, Willowyn," Queen Elara said softly. "Down to the throne room." Willowyn let the ring of water fall into a bowl. She smoothed her silver gown and followed her mother through the vine-draped halls of the keep. Flowers spilled from the pale stone walls. Her heart beat hard against her ribs. Her mother's voice had been gentle. That alone was strange. In the throne room, Lord Eros stood by the tall windows. His blonde hair caught the light. He turned when Willowyn entered. She braced for cold politeness, for the man who had come to claim her. Instead he inclined his head with something close to warmth. "Princess," Eros said. "Your mother and I have spoken at length. Your idea was bold." He glanced at Elara. "I came to seal a border. I did not much care whose hand did the sealing. But I found I would rather stand beside a queen who chose me than a bride who dreaded me." Willowyn looked to her mother. Elara stood straight in her white gown, her silver braid over one shoulder. For once her green eyes did not narrow. "I have accepted him," Elara said. "The treaty holds. The river runs to both kingdoms. You are released from the marriage." The words landed slow. Willowyn's breath caught. "You are certain, Mother? You would do this?" "I have been alone a long time," Elara said. Her hand rose to her braid, then fell. "You showed me a door I had not thought to open." She almost smiled. "Do not make me regret it." Willowyn crossed the floor and took her mother's hands. They were cold. She held them anyway. "Thank you," she whispered. Eros stepped forward. "There is one matter," he said. "The wedding is set for spring. The two kingdoms expect a binding. A princess who wishes to heal distant lands cannot vanish while ours celebrates. My court will look to you. So will hers." Elara nodded. "He is right. Your freedom stands. But you cannot leave with your year unfinished and a royal wedding at our gates. You will help me prepare it. Then you may go." Willowyn's joy cooled a little. She was free of the marriage. Yet she was not yet free to leave. The wedding stood between her and the roads beyond the oceans. She squared her shoulders. "I will help," she said. "And then I will go."