Page 149 of The Heir's Bargain

"First, I expected to be wearing something—I don't know! Something I liked? But this ball of fluff and organza has my mother written all over it." I tossed the skirts from my hand. When I tried crossing my arms over my chest, a jewel knicked me. I groaned, throwing my hands out wide. "Second, I'm marrying Fynn, Sylv."

"Fynn, the man who is going to be our king one day," Sylvia said, stepping forward and grabbing my shoulders with a firm grip. "Major, you are going to be queen one day. It only makes sense that your wedding is extravagant. Did you know that people across the kingdom are celebrating your marriage tonight?"

"You're exaggerating."

"I am not, and you know it. Your marriage is special. Not only because the two of you are soul bonds, but because your unification symbolizes a hope for the generations to come. The rebellions in the southern kingdoms have only increased in the past few months. This wedding is a reminder to everyone that even in the darkness, we need to hold on to the good that comes in our lives. These moments—the moments of happiness and love—are the ones that will get us through the upcoming war. Fynn is a master at charming the hearts of the people, and you are a skilled, selfless leader. Today is a promise not only between you and Fynn, but between you and the people. That you will vow to protect them, lead them, and guide them to a better tomorrow."

Sweat coated my palms. When I tried to wipe them on the dress, the gemstones woven throughout the embroidery did little to help. "No pressure, then, huh?"

"By the gods, you truly are perfect for him." Sylvia shoved me in the shoulder, laughing. "But I'm serious, Dani."

I grabbed Sylvia's hand and squeezed it. "I know, Sylv."

"The title of queen might be a ways away, but it will befall you, nevertheless. This is your wedding day. Nothing is too much. The dress is beautiful, even if it's not. . .you"

I gasped, shoving her. "See! You hate it too!"

Sylvia pursed their lips. "My opinion does not matter."

"But your opinion is the same as mine."

"It's. . ." Sylvia groaned, unable to hold back the lie or the laughter. "It's a lot, all right? Beautiful, but a lot."

I sighed and stared at the ceiling. With a huff, I said, "Everything about today is a lot."

Sylvia held up a hand. "Hold on. Do me a favor and keep your panic at bay."

"I'm not panicking," I argued.

Sylvia started walking backward, heading for the door.

My heart thumped, and my eyes widened. I took a step forward. "Wait, where are you going?"

When they reached the door, Sylvia grabbed the handle and held up a finger. "Give me one minute. I know just the thing that will fix this."

The door cracked open.

"Sylv!" I shouted, but Sylvia was already running out of the room.

The door slammed shut behind them, and I stomped my foot on the pine floors, exhaling a frustrated groan. Did doing so make me appear like a child and the opposite of a queen or a major? Perhaps, but I didn't care.

I was alone, and I was most certainly panicking.

With nothing else to do, I turned back to the mirror and peered at the dress, narrowing my eyes as if, by merely staring at it hard enough, it would burn to ash. When nothing happened, I turned my attention to the dainty tiara sitting atop my head.

The tiara was made of thin, golden arches that twisted together. When Esmeray brought it with her that morning, it took my breath away.

As she set it down on the vanity, she cleared the room of the handmaidens.

The moment the door was shut, she turned to me and grabbed my hands, saying, "The night of the solstice, I didn't tell you this, but I had always hoped it would be you."

"What do you mean?" I asked, my brows drawing together and my heart hammering in my chest.

Esmeray smiled. "That you were the one he had been looking for, his soul bond. When the two of you were growing up, I saw how he protected you, and you him. The way he would help you up when you fell." Esmeray chuckled, her gaze growing distant as if she was reliving a memory. "You, of course, would shove him down whenever he did. You have always been stubborn, but so has he. I knew how much finding his soul bond meant to him, and I had never wanted Fynn to give up that hope. But on the day of the crowning ceremony, I had to make a choice—as queens often must. Soul bonds come to us when we need them the most, when we are not looking." Esmeray cupped my cheek, her touch light and delicate. "Sometimes they are right in front of us, hiding in plain sight. I saw Fynn losing hope. But you never did, did you?"

"Your Majesty?"

The queen quirked a brow. "You have a big heart, Danisinia, but you do not hide it as well as you think. You've known Fynn was your soul bond before the attack, didn't you?"

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