Raisel of Arkhollow

❈ 1 ❈

The fairy tales got it all wrong. You don't even know the half of it.

I should probably introduce myself. My name is Raisel, and I am the crown princess of Arkhollow. Supposedly, anyway. Technically I was the second daughter of the late king, though my half sister may be the true heir, she fled the kingdom.

At least that was what Mother had told me. Queen Maeve of Arkhollow, the woman our people feared. And they had good reason too. Mother had power, a power I inherited.

I groaned in annoyance as a chime sounded from my mirror. Walking over to it, Mother's face flashed onto the surface.

"Greetings, Mother," I said, trying to guess at what she had in mind this time.

Mother sniffed. "Greetings, Daughter. Please dress in your rose gown and meet me in the throne room as soon as possible. We have guests arriving in a few hours."

I wrinkled my nose. "Guests? Whatever for? I don't remember any invitations."

Mother let out a sigh of long suffering. "Did I forget to mention it?" I gave her a look and she sighed again. "Raisel, dear, you are seventeen now."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

She gave me an exasperated look. "It has everything to do with our guests. You are of marriageable age, darling, and it is time you make a powerful alliance with one of the other kingdoms. So get dressed and meet me down here as soon as possible!"

I sighed, realizing I was dangerously close to angering her. "Yes, Mother."

She nodded once and severed our connection. I rang for a maid to come and help me get dressed, and then waited for the maid to arrive while contemplating the fact that Mother had just kept a secret from me.

And Mother never kept secrets, least of all from me.