Page 12 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses

My mother peered down her nose at him, not unfriendly but certainly not impressed. If only he’d realized a compliment to her sharp, strategic mind would’ve gone so much farther. “Your Highness,” she said simply. “Welcome to our home.”

“It’s truly an honor,” he told her.

She sniffed, apparently satisfied by his gratitude. “It’s a shame your father couldn’t make the journey.”

“He is immensely disappointed to miss it, but our borders remain as threatened as yours, I’m afraid. We couldn’t risk both of us so far from home.”

“I understand completely. Send him our best.”

“Of course. I hear you enjoy a good hunt, Your Highness,” he said, turning to my father.

“Indeed. We’ve scheduled a day of it in honor of your visit,” the king replied, and I listened politely while they spoke of their plans for a pheasant hunt at dawn.

“And will the princess be joining us?” Callan asked, glancing at me.

“On the hunt?” My father lifted a brow in my direction, clearly letting me make the call. But spending an entire day trekking through the forest with the Autumn prince—before I was legally required to do so—wasn’t my idea of a good time.

“I’m afraid I’ll have to pass,” I said.

“You do hunt, don’t you?” Callan glanced from me to my father, forehead creasing as if in concern. “Surely you allow your females to learn a warrior’s skill. You do have three surviving Aine still in your service, after all.”

I nearly winced. The Autumn Court had lost all three of their Aine last year to Heliconia’s attacks on their borders. And with the selection process currently forbidden, it left them without such a safeguard for the future.

“The Aine protect against threats to the realm,” I said, not sure why I felt the need to defend them—he hadn’t outright compared Sonoma, Amanti, and Lesha to pheasant hunters, but it felt close. “That’s not quite the same thing as hunting game for supper.”

“Of course. I merely meant that you are to be protector of Sevanwinds. Surely you see the value in a warrior’s training.”

His voice was light, but suspicion pricked at me. Did he know about my training somehow? Had he seen me in the woods today with the Obsidian? My heart beat faster, but I forced it to slow again.

“I reserve my hunting for securing political alliances,” I said with a smirk.

My mother stiffened, and I knew she was mentally chastising me for such a provocative answer. But I held my ground.

The prince’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “A worthy endeavor, especially in these dark times.” He paused before adding, “I’m sure we’ll make a formidable team.”

I remained silent, refusing to take the bait.

“Your engagement party is scheduled for tomorrow evening,” my mother said, clearly trying to fill the silence. “After that, you’ll have a couple of days of excursions so you can become acquainted with our lands, and then the wedding itself will be held on the Solstice.” She caught the eye of the maid lingering at the edges and added, “As I’m sure you’re tired from your journey, a maid will show you to your rooms so you can rest.”

“Tomorrow then.” Callan looked at me. “I imagine we have much to discuss about the future of our courts.” He gave a small, almost conspiratorial smile before bowing slightly. “Good night.”

Before I could respond, he turned and strode away, leaving a trail of courtly charm in his wake. My parents’ faces mirrored one another’s: a mix of unease and resignation.

Play nice, my mother’s expression seemed to say. My father gave me a grim nod as if to remind me of the stakes.

As if I could possibly forget.

Walking slowly back to my room, I swallowed hard, trying to unwind the knot of anxiety forming in my chest. Callan was handsome, yes. Charming, undeniably. But something about him felt too calculated. Like a game was already being played and I was the piece he intended to move next. Except, instead of being his queen, I had the distinct impression that, if I wasn’t careful, I’d be nothing more than his pawn.

Chapter Five

Aurelia

Istood at the window in my bedroom, gazing at the city of Rosewood stretched out before me. Rows of tiled rooftops were interrupted by patches of yards dotted with gardens. In between, wide streets cut through it all, teeming with fae and humans alike making their way home before the Solstice celebrations started tomorrow. Here and there, a mage or shifter darted among them. Above, the pink and orange hues of twilight had begun to fade into the soft purple of night, casting long shadows.

The air was warm through the open window, but a chill settled over my skin anyway. I’d been standing here since the meeting with Callan ended, his arrival putting me out of one misery and into another. Because now that I’d met him, my impending marriage was much more real than it had been before.

I was brooding, Sonoma would say.

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