Page 42 of Blooms of Darkness

Yet only the strongest will win her hand.

With lover’s touch, she shall ignite,

Without it, perish from the kingdom's blight.

I refused to believe the only pathway to the prophecy coming to fruition meant I had to endure such ridiculousness as the marriage trials. There had to be another solution.

It doesn’t matter.

What’s done is done.

Right or wrong, the Fates had spoken. I resigned myself to gathering my wits about me and setting my mind right for the afternoon to come.

I adjusted the dagger on my thigh. It brought a small comfort, knowing I could protect myself should something, orsomeone, get too close. Marriage trials be damned, I wouldn’t be defenseless.

I exited the balcony and returned to my room, glancing in the mirror to ensure nothing had fallen out of place. I gave the mirror my practiced, fake smile as I gathered my confidence.

My father waited for me in the king's study. Per his request, I had to meet him there so we could enter the trial arena together.

A trial arena which hadn’t existed a few days prior.

“Lana, my dear,” he said. “You’re a vision before me.”

I dipped into a curtsy and crossed the room, allowing him to wrap me in a hug. A hug I so desperately needed from my father. A hug of love, because even though he condemned me to this marriage, I knew he had done so from the goodness of his heart, for his kingdom. Our people.

He’d done all of this for me, too. The last line of the prophecy caused him pain the few times I’d caught him discussing it.

Without it perish from kingdom’s blight.

In that regard, since he believed the prophecy, it made sense he kept me from the darkness, and why he wanted the trials. Although my irritation remained constant, with the prophecy promising something to ignite inside of me if I had love, I couldn’t blame him for interpreting things how he did.

Despite my reservations, he and my mother had always been overprotective, ensuring my safety.

The only time they hadn’t…

No. Not today.

I wouldn’t think about my past today. What powers kept the truth from their minds for all these years? I had left the torture behind me, even if the monster who’d inflicted it still roamed the castle halls.

“Are you ready? he asked gently, pulling back and taking my hands in his.

“Will you be upset with me if I say no?” I said softly.

He cupped my cheek. “Being a father and a king is something I never thought I’d have,” he said, his kind eyes tearing, and I softened toward him, meeting his gaze.

“None of them will be good enough for you, my heart, but perhaps at least one will prove themselves worthy of ruling this kingdom at your side.”

His skin appeared dull, and I cursed the Fates for his sickness. This thing, this disease, unnaturally aging him, despite the best healers working on him.

Even with whatever ravaged his body, he looked at me as if I made it all worth it. In this moment, as he opened up to me, it was enough to give me the strength I needed to walk out to the arena with my chin held high.

“I’ll make you proud, Father,” I said, the picture of confidence, despite the acid rising up my throat.

He moved to my side. “You always have. I know you think this is the end, but please try to keep an open mind to the possibilities which await you. May nature guide you through these trials and bless your heart for future prosperity.”

I laughed. “You are starting to sound like Vivienne, you old Fae.”

He wasn’t laughing. “Vivienne may seem strange. I know I would be, with words from the Fates constantly spouting in my head. But never forget, without her, the prophecy and perhaps your fate, will never come to be.”

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