Page 8 of A Kingdom of Broken Bonds

“As long as you don’t lay a finger on him either, then he will be fine.” He snorts and shakes his head. “I thought you knew better than to make friends.” He says the last word with disdain. “It will only end in heartache.”

As we step off the bridge and into the warmth of the castle, Geoff effectively ends the conversation. There are too many listening ears here, and neither of us want to risk this getting back to the king. There’s an energy in the hallways that almost makes them seem alive. Maids, servers, and other palace workers move through the halls with purpose. I’m used to them ignoring me, since I’m not an unusual sight here, yet today, I feel their eyes following me.

Ignoring it, I continue to follow the guards and focus on getting through the next hour with the other brides. I know the way to the patio, having been there before, and recognise that Geoff is just for show. The other brides will also have their chaperones and escorts with them.

Light chatter reaches me as we approach the wing of the castle where the patio is situated. The stone walls open up so I’m completely surrounded by light. Why they chose to call this place a patio is beyond me, as it’s totally enclosed in glass. Suitable for all weather, the dome-like structure glistens with magic imbued in the glass, lighting the area like twinkling stars. Despite the fact it’s still dark outside, there is plenty of light to see with. Glancing up at the sky through the glass roof, I assess the position of the moon. The sun will begin to rise soon, and the view from here will be stunning. Built on a cliff edge, the structure is attached to the castle by only one wall, magic keeping it firmly attached. While terrifying, the view is astronomically gorgeous thanks to the glass wall.

A large table has been set up in the centre, its metal legs intricately twisted to create a pattern before disappearing up and under the tablecloth. Atop the table are several stands brimming with cakes, sandwiches cut into small triangles, and pieces of cooked meat. Steaming pots of tea await us, although I spot a wine glass full of red liquid that I know has been procured for me. Everyone else will be sipping tea while I dine on blood. It used to bother me that I was served blood in clear glasses at the banquets I attended, as it made me stand out. Nowadays, though, I have no such qualms.

Fully entering the patio, I spot four of the brides sitting at the table, their chatter dying down as I enter. I know them all by name, even though we’ve had little time together over the years. With an uncertain future, I made it my business to know who was part of the prophecy with me.

“Lady Anthea Rose of Trador,” my guard introduces, his voice ringing around us.

Celest, the only princess amongst us, smiles and gestures for me to come closer. “Lady Anthea, please join us.”

At the invitation from the princess, Geoff moves over to stand with the other escorts, giving us the semblance of privacy.

Glancing around the table, I nod in turn to the females in greeting. Lady Ember from Brimstone is at the far end, and working around the table is Princess Celest of the shifters, Lady Mallory the reaper from the witch realm of New Spellman, and finally, Lady Bliss, who represents the merfolk of Corallina.

It seems that the new representative for the beasts has not yet found her way here, and given that she was the last to arrive, this is no big surprise. What does surprise me, however, is that Meadow of the centaurs isn’t here yet.

“Anthea, a pleasure to see you, especially with such a joyous occasion just around the corner,” Lady Ember comments with an edge to her voice as I take the seat beside Bliss, where my wineglass is waiting.

I’m pretty sure her mood isn’t aimed at me, but the situation, because Ember is the second bride of the prophecy. It’s not always easy to tell with her, as sharing the spirit of a dragon seems to make the whole race quicker to anger.

I sense tension, and I think I know why. For such a long time, we’ve all known of our fate, but it seemed so far away. With me being the first to wed, I’m setting off a chain of actions that was only a distant promise. Ember will be paired soon, and as a dragon, I know it goes against the customs of her people to have an arranged marriage, especially to someone outside of their race.

“Joyous, of course,” I reply, keeping my smile tight. My eyes flit to the pretty porcelain cups and matching saucers on the table, and I note the effort that’s gone into preparing this for us. “This little tea party is… unusual.”

“The prophecy is now in action, so there is no point keeping us apart any longer,” Bliss speaks, her voice like the twinkling of windchimes, captivating and inviting.

Everything about Bliss is seductive, from her gorgeous looks to the scent of a fresh ocean breeze. However, all of that is nothing compared to her voice. As a siren, her song is her weapon. The land of Corallina is filled with creatures of all types, shapes, and sizes, unlike the other lands.

Even now, away from the water, her sparkle hasn’t dimmed. Her shimmering silver-blue hair frames her heart-shaped face perfectly, and her slim frame is draped in thin, gauzy fabric that shows off her body almost as much as mine. It shimmers in the light, a mixture of blue, purple, and silver. Her neck is adorned with pearls and matches the diadem she wears. In certain lighting, you can see the iridescent scales on her skin, but it’s her pointed ears and webbed fingers and toes that truly mark her for what she is.

Of all the brides, she is the closest thing I have to a friend amongst them.

She represents all of the merfolk and other creatures that reside within the oceans and lakes. Many of these are unable to leave water, and some are bound to the body of water they inhabit, dying if they leave. Sirens can walk on land and live within solid houses, yet being away from water for too long will weaken them, and eventually, they will die.

Celest shakes her head, the small beads attached to her headdress clattering together with the movement. “I still don’t understand why we were ever separated in the first place.” The princess of the shifters is someone I know little of. All I’ve been able to gather over the years is that she’s able to shift into a large feline and is part of the ruling royal family in their land. She’s a little younger than those of us currently in the room due to the first bride of theirs dying from an illness in her childhood. This sometimes shows in her actions and thoughts, but I don’t doubt that some of it is pretend.

“The king didn’t want us becoming conspirators and finding a way around the prophecy,” Ember snaps, bumping her hands on the table. Dragons, much like the shifters, transform into dragons, shedding their human skin. However, they are not tied to the phases of the moon like shifters.

Princess Celest looks fully human when not shifted, whereas Ember has the typical fiery red hair, deeply tanned skin, and a ridge of small horns that travel from between her brows and disappear into her hairline. Add this to the nails that look suspiciously like claws, and you could never confuse her with a full-blooded human.

A very unladylike snort comes from Lady Mallory, the reaper from the witches. The witches are renowned for their experiments, both in science and magic, and have discovered some great and powerful things that help us all. Because of this, they are generally well respected and thought of. Lady Mallory is a different matter altogether, as she is a reaper. Death magic is rare and doesn’t manifest in a witch until they reach puberty. By that stage, it was too late to choose another bride, and she became one of the most feared females in the land.

“As if that would stop us.” She rolls her eyes at the thought. “My people have been looking for ways out of the prophecy since it was announced. There is no way.”

A heavy weight seems to settle over us with that depressing news. I’ve always known there was no way out of this fate for me other than death, yet if anyone was ever going to discover a way to break the prophecy, it was the witches. If Mallory says it can’t be done, then I believe her.

“Where is Meadow? She’s usually so prompt,” Bliss comments lightly, glancing around the room as if the centaur is hiding behind one of the potted plants. She is obviously not here, but honestly, I’m just thankful for the change of topic.

There’s a lull in the quiet conversation by the doorway where our advisors and escorts wait. I don’t really pay it any mind until one of the advisors coughs, and we all turn to look at him.

A tall, stern-faced male with a small ridge of horns across his forehead looks over each of us, his hands clasped behind his back. “Meadow of the centaurs will not be joining us.”

He’s obviously Ember’s escort and one of the dragons, his facial features giving him away. I’ve never had much to do with him in my time here, and I don’t remember his name, but he has always been fiercely protective of Ember, and I keep an eye on him because of this. I’m confused why he’s the one telling us this now though.

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