Anica is the heir to her mother's throne, which means that she must marry to make a king. It also means that her father must die when the new king is crowned, something that she desperately wants to stop. In a bid to uproot the very traditions at the root of her kingdom, she will do whatever it takes to change the course of the future.
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There was an old saying in Ersa. The weak die so the strong can live. It sounded much better in the God's Tongue – yfret ap daweyrn ilersan ap weyrn – but the phrase had punctuated every bad thing that had ever happened in my life. I knew that my people were a hard and fierce people, unbreakable and independent. The nation had been born from the cold and icy mountains, having spread outward to gain resources it had lacked so that it wouldn't have to forge alliances. Better to rule than be reliant – another wonderful saying, but this one specific to my family.
I sat, arms wrapped around my knees as I looked out over the city. Despite the coldness and stark grey colours, I did love this city. The deep and seemingly endless lake that it was built alongside reflected the stars so beautifully. And, while they could be cruel, the people could also be heartbreakingly kind. I breathed out, my breath curling in front of my face. It wouldn't be long before I was found here on the roof and forced back to the Great Hall. I stood, letting my wings spread behind me, the evening wind passing over the membrane and sending a shiver down my spine.
The soft thud of feet landing on the roof behind me had my hackles up and I spun, ready to snap at whoever had been sent to retrieve me only to freeze, snarl falling off my face.
King Lachlan of Ersa stood before me, tall and looming, shadows dancing across his face. His black hair had been kept short since I was six years old and his long, handsome features hadn't changed in my lifetime. He was the one constant in my life, the only person that had stayed with me from the moment of my birth until now. And by the end of the year he'd be gone too.
"You won't find a husband up here, Anica," he said, reproach in his voice as he tucked his wings in close to his back.
"Maybe because I don't want a husband." Not if the cost is you. I folded my arms across my chest and turned to face the city and lake again. He hadn't been what I would call a perfect father – not that there was any such thing in Ersa. No, fathers were harsh, domineering, and possessive of their daughters.
"Anica." He stepped forward to stand by my side and looked out over the city. "It's our duty to protect the ways of our people."
"Even the one that sees you thrown away like spoiled milk?" I asked, hating the waver in my voice.
"The weak-"
"Don't say it. Just don't." He had taught me how to fight with both words and weapons, but why had he even bothered? All I would be was a stepping-stone to the throne for whatever man my father and his advisors managed to agree on. A barer of kings, or maybe another stepping-stone. I'd be cooped up like my mother, Vespert rest her soul, until I died in childbirth.
I looked at him sideways. "How can you pretend like any of them are stronger than you?"
He sighed, but a smile worked its way onto his face. "You're right. But more will arrive tomorrow, and you can't hide from Destiny, Anica. Destiny wrote our laws; denying them will only lead to trouble and strife. And, as much as we might like to pretend otherwise, your troubles and strife will be the trouble and strife of Ersa."
"So, the men that are coming tomorrow are as strong as, if not stronger than you, then?" I asked, knowing his pearls of wisdom usually came when he knew more than she did.
His smile widened. "I have a few men in particular that are promising. Strong, but good men. The perfect balance to your icy personality," he said, bumping my shoulder with his own, although it was his bicep that hit my shoulder.
I hummed, narrowing my eyes at him. "The Eldur family heir then."
"And the Tan boy," he said, looking at me. "When did you get wise to the meaning behind my words? Not even your aunt has caught on yet."
"I'm not as stupid as people like to think I am."
He sighed deeply. "Not stupid. Wilfully disrespectful of our traditions. Let's go back inside. You have to dance with some more of those pitiful boys so we can officially rule them out."
It was my turn to sigh deeply, but I stretched my wings and took a step off the roof.
