Page 110 of A Kingdom's Heart
And then, the realization came, sudden and sharp. After the wedding, my father would return to Elarion. He would take his guards and his servants with him. That meant William would leave too.
My pulse quickened. That might be the last time I ever saw him. The last time I would hear his voice or feel his arms around me. The thought was unbearable.
Anger replaced fear. It burned through the haze of panic until I could almost feel it in my fingertips. I needed to speak to my father. He had to listen this time. He had to understand.
He had ignored me before, brushed off my pleas as childish worry, but this was different. I couldn’t let him decide my life for me. Not now. Not when my heart already belonged to someone else.
I took a deep breath, my hands trembling into fists at my sides. Tomorrow might change everything, but tonight, I might have a chance to fix this.
I needed to find him.
CHAPTER FORTY FOUR
IRIS
I found him in one of the council rooms, speaking with King Felipe. The air was heavy with talk of alliances and trade routes, their voices low but firm. I hesitated in the doorway, then stepped inside and curtsied to both of them.
“Your Majesties,” I said softly.
My father turned first, his brows lifting. “What is it, Iris?”
“I need a word,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
He sighed, glancing at Felipe before answering. “I’m busy right now.”
“Please,” I said. “It will be quick.”
“Iris…” His tone held warning, but before he could finish, King Felipe raised a hand.
“That’s fine,” Felipe said kindly. “I’ll be waiting outside.”
He stood, the gold of his cloak brushing the floor as he walked out. Two guards followed him, the door closing behind them with a dull thud that echoed through the chamber.
My father turned back to me, his expression unreadable. “Make this quick,” he said.
I drew a slow breath and stepped closer, my hands tightening around the folds of my gown. My heart was pounding, but I forced the words out anyway. “I don’t want to marry him, Father.”
“So you’ve said,” my father replied, his tone flat, almost bored. “You said the same thing back in Elarion.”
“Yes,” I said quickly. “And I meant it then, and I mean it now. After spending these days with him, I’ve realised that I not only don’t want to marry him, but I can’t.”
He turned away, adjusting the cuff of his sleeve as though my words were nothing but noise. “You can leave now.”
I didn’t move. My throat tightened, but I forced myself to step closer. “Father, please. I can’t marry him.”
His eyes flicked to mine, cool and tired. “Enough, Iris.”
“No, listen to me!” I said, the words spilling before I could stop them. “He gave me a drink this morning. He said it would help me bear him a son. He expects me to carry his child already. Father, I’m too young—”
His head snapped toward me, his gaze suddenly sharp. “You ungrateful one,” he hissed. “Your mother was sixteen when she had you. Do not speak to me of ‘too young.’”
The words cut deep. I flinched, but I stood my ground. “This isn’t about age,” I whispered. “It’s about choice.”
“Your only choice,” my father said, his voice cold and sharp, “should be worrying about the future of your people. If this marriage does not continue, if you fail to do your part, our people will suffer because of our enemies.” His tone hardened, rising with every word. “Because of you.”
I stood frozen, my chest tight. His words struck harder than I wanted them to. “Then how am I supposed to live my life?” I asked, my voice shaking. “If I marry someone I don’t love, how am I supposed to live a happy life?”
He didn’t answer. He just stared, eyes full of disappointment, as if happiness were something I should have never dared to ask for.
