Page 88 of The Prince from a Cruel Summer
Dearest Beth,
I have dreadful news to share. My father insists I marry before the next semester even starts.
These antiquated traditions are suffocating. I wish I had the power to simply refuse, to choose my own path, but instead, I’m bound by my father’s will. He doesn’t care about my happiness. All that matters to him is making the right political match and solidifying our family’s influence over the continent. It’s so unfair, Beth, and I feel trapped, but my parents have made it crystal clear that my emotions and feelings do not count.
If I have to suffer through this wedding, I want you to be my kindred.
Please, please, please, say yes. As my kindred, you will be my guest of honor. I’ll arrange for someone to escort you to Eterna, and we can return to the academy together after the celebrations.
Anxiously awaiting your answer,
Willow
P.S. Please burn this letter after reading.
Papa sucks in a sharp breath. “It’s such an honor, Lizzie. You have to go.”
I carefully fold Willow’s letter back, trying to ignore the sick feeling in my stomach. “Of course. Willow’s my best friend.”
His chair creaks as he stands, the motion abrupt. “I’ll get some paper so you can write your answer. I’ll send it through the royal courier to avoid any unnecessary delays.”
I force a smile, nodding, and wait for him to return with a pen and some of our finest paper. As I begin to write my response to Willow’s missive, affirming my support and pledging to be there for her, my cheeks flush with an uncomfortable heat. Papa’s right. I can’t tell anyone about my Sea Fae blood. I have to act as though nothing is wrong. No one else can know but Devi. And I will never sing again.
I’m in too deep to back out.
Once the trip is arranged, I retreat to my room and shut the door behind me, the wood cool against my back. Alone at last, I unfold Aidan’s letter.
Dearest Songbird,
I can’t express in words how much I miss you, or how desperately I long for a response. But I choose to believe that you are not yet free to send a letter. I hope you find some small comfort in receiving mine, and if I am wrong in that belief, please accept my sincerest apologies.
Ezra’s and Willow’s wedding is all set for the end of the week. The servants have already begun decorating the Eternal Halls. It’s shaping up to be the wedding of the century.
I wish with all my heart that you could attend. I burn for you.
Wonder Boy
Not real.
Deep wrinkles form on the letter as I press it to my chest, my heart hammering. I miss him, too, more than I care to admit, but I can’t be with him anymore—not after what I’ve learned. He doesn’t truly love me; he’s trapped under my spell, ensnared by an enchantment I never meant to weave.
I stole his right to choose, violated his consent, and it’s killing me.
I feared the whole kindred business might be a ploy to lure me there, using Willow as a cover. I thought Aidan might have confided in her about us, but from the sound of it, he doesn’t even know I’ll be attending. A Summer royal wedding might seem romantic, but it’s the worst possible place to try to convince him that we should walk away from each other.
How can I face him—or explain why we can’t be together—without spilling my most dangerous secret yet?
Chapter 27
Starlight
WONDER BOY
Willow folds her cards with a huff. “Well played. I’m heading to bed.”
“It’s early,” I argue, eager to keep her mind on the card game and off more difficult subjects. “You could still whip my ass.”
Ezra, Willow, and I have been playing in the drawing room for about an hour. Our tournaments are usually competitive and fun, but I can see Willow’s heart is not in it. The soon-to-be blended family gathered for some pre-wedding strategy on the eve of the rehearsal dinner, our parents huddled at the back of the room, probably still squabbling over the guest list and the exact amount of Willow’s dowry.
