Page 14 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses

“No.” My exhale of relief was short-lived as she added, “There were traces of dark magic at the city’s northern border, however. Signs that she’d come that far herself before using some kind of spell work to project through the Obsidian.”

I swallowed hard, trying not to think the worst. But if Heliconia herself had come to our borders… how long until she attacked our lands?

“I don’t understand. We have soldiers there.”

“She evaded them.” She shook her head, frustration shining in her hard gaze. “She’s clearly grown more powerful since seizing Concordia.”

I stared at her. “This changes everything. The wedding, the party—we don’t have time. We need to act. Send more soldiers to the border, organize our army, prepare for war?—”

“Aurelia.” My mother’s voice was sharp.

I fell silent.

“Your father and I decided,” my mother said, turning to face me now, “that we must move forward with the wedding.”

“What?” I stared at her. “Even after what happened today?”

She nodded, her expression unwavering. “The alliance between us and Autumn is more important than ever. If Heliconia has truly turned her sights on our lands, gaining Grey Oak’s army is imperative to our defense. We cannot afford to falter.”

I turned away from her, looking back out over the city, trying to let her words sink in. She was right, of course. The alliance with Grey Oak was crucial. Without their numbers added to our own, we wouldn’t stand a chance against what was coming. But that didn’t make it any easier to accept.

“The prince doesn’t know,” she said after a moment, her voice quieter now. More careful. “And we’ve decided not to tell him. There’s no need to burden him with this yet. Let him enjoy the party tomorrow. Let him focus on the wedding.”

“You’re afraid that, if we tell him, we might lose him,” I said.

“Yes,” she said simply, not even bothering to deny it.

I grimaced.

“Aurelia,” she said, stepping closer. Her hand found mine, warm and steady. “I know this isn’t easy. None of this is. But you must remember why we’re doing this.”

I looked up at her, my throat tight with emotions I couldn’t quite name.

“For Sevanwinds,” she continued, her voice soft but firm. “For our people. You’ve been raised to protect this kingdom, to lead them one day. This marriage, this alliance—it’s the best way to ensure that.”

I blinked back the sting of tears that threatened to surface. My mother wasn’t one for displays of tenderness, but in this moment, the warmth in her eyes and the soft strength of her hand on mine made me want to collapse into her arms like I had when I was a child.

I nodded, swallowing hard. “I just… Sometimes I wonder if I’m ready for all of this. To do what’s necessary.”

Her hand moved to my cheek, cupping it gently as she tilted my face toward hers. “You were born for this, my love.”

Her words struck something inside me that had been brewing ever since Heliconia had shown herself yesterday. “Can I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“In the forest, Heliconia made it sound like I was meant to be some kind of threat against her. Like she’d come here for me.”

My mother’s expression clouded, and dread clanged inside me.

“Is it true?” I asked.

She stepped back. Something like regret swam in her eyes—and maybe a little shame. It was a look I’d never seen her wear before. “I think you should let Sonoma explain. Or your father should be here. I?—”

“I see,” I cut her off, angry at the truth she held back. “Whatever this is, I’m the last to know.”

“You’ve been protected by those who love you,” she said. “Whatever you feel about what’s to come, remember that.”

“What exactly is coming?” Impatience leaked into my words, making me sound more desperate than angry.

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