Page 117 of Prince of the Northwest Forest
Leaning in to kiss me lightly, he whispers, “Later.”
“Fine,” I huff—in jest. “Let’s dance.”
We move to the dance floor, where a string quartet off to the side plays classical takes on modern music. I let Kalle lead, because I have no idea what I’m doing, and he moves me effortlessly around the dance floor.
“I’ve missed you,” I say as we spin. “Even though I saw you a few days ago.”
“I’ve missed you, too.” Kalle sighs. “I’ve been trying to convince Mother and Father that they can—should—stop trying to arrange a marriage for me.”
“And have you been successful?” I ask carefully.
“Unclear.” He moves me to a quieter part of the dance floor. “Actually, I’m hoping to make some progress tonight, since many of the royals from the Fire Realm and Icedonia, as well as my parents, are supposed to be here. It’s an opportunity to talk in a neutral setting.”
“So you’re hoping for masked diplomacy?” I ask, my heart rate increasing. I would love for this to be settled once and for all, so Kalle’s subjects would be safe and he wouldn’t be so worried all the time. And, okay, also so his parents would maybe relax about who he’s dating.
“Something like that.”
The song ends, and Kalle and I leave the dance floor and wander over to an area where people are chatting.
Many Icedonians are here—so obvious with their frost-colored hair. I’m pretty sure Prince Felix is the one all in white, because his diamond-like freckles sparkle under his white mask. He’s staring at a young man I don’t recognize.
Queen Beatrice and King Björn are decked out in the colors of the forest, and they’re talking with two women who might be the fire queens, judging by their clothing. Kalle and I both raise an eyebrow. “Look at who’s talking,” I whisper.
“Good,” he replies.
“Do you think that they are going to solve anything?”
“I hope so.”
“Oh my gods, check it out,” I murmur, as Seero, Daryl’s Coral Kingdom prince, appears to be asking Daryl to dance—crutches and all. “Looks like Daryl has found his Prince Charming.”
“That’s wonderful,” Kalle says, giving me a coy wink. “But have you found yours?”
I nod. “Most definitely.” He kisses me, then looks around. “What is it?” I ask.
“My brother is here.”
Indeed, I realize Mats and Princess Eleanor are standing on one side of the room, hand in hand. I tilt my head, indicating their affectionate body language. “That has to be a good thing, right?”
“Perhaps. But I’d hate for them to marry if they feel like it’s too soon.” Mats catches Kalle’s eye. “We should join them.”
“We? Do you want me to come?”
“Absolutely.”
We make our way to the group of royals, arriving in time to hear Mats saying, “Mother, Father. Eleanor and I would like to talk with you about something. The fire queens as well.”
“And what is that?” Queen Beatrice says.
“Mats and I genuinely like each other,” Princess Eleanor says, squeezing Mats’s hand. “And we would like to spend more time together and figure out if it makes sense for us to eventually get married. But we want to do all of that on our timeline. Not yours.” She turns to the fire queens. “Mother and Mum, we need to deescalate hostilities. If you want me to have a happy marriage someday, you can’t be threatening my husband’s realm.”
“But he’s not your husband,” one of them says.
“No,” Eleanor agrees. “And he never will be if our realms are at war, so can we all just cool it for a while?”
Funny thing to ask the Fire Realm, but I try not to laugh.
“No,” one of the queens says. “We cannot.”
