Rowans Choice

Chapter One- No, I will not be claimed

"No...I will not be claimed this day" Andromeda states.

She steps back, but her mother Cassiopeia pushes her forward again "no mother I won't" she states, pushing back with agitation.

I step forward, the guards either side of me imitate my step.

"Andromeda of the Sky line, what is your final answer" My father calls out behind me, his voice booming and assertive.

He of course hoped she would stick with no, so I would have to choose again, but Andy's fate was worse if she declined a royals hand... she would be banished, and much worse, her magic once she left the veil, it would be stripped.

I jump forward and take her arm, my father is horrified. I pull her aside, all completely inappropriate and against protocol, but they were surely expecting that with me.

"Andy" I say firmly. I lean in to whisper "you can't say no... you will be banished"

She raises her eyebrows at me "I will take that fate over having to spend one more minute with you, let alone an eternity Rowan"

"Ouch" I accuse, raising my eyebrows "that hurt my feelings Andromeda... take...it...back" i ask sternly.

She looks to me determined "no" she says as she stares me down.

"You will marry me" I demand.

She shakes her head.

"Or what Rowan.. I get banished from this hell hole... you know I would happily live the other side... away from you.. it sounds a freaking dream"

"You are intent on destroying all of my self esteem in one swoop aren't you"

"Just pick one of my brothers" she asks frustratedly.

I shake my head "I don't want them... I want you"

I can feel the guards breathing down my neck then, more so with every passing second.

"Rowan" my father demands sternly "return to your place"

I ignore him, feeling a growl roll up my throat as I take in Andy's stubborn stance "Fine Andy ... don't marry me, but know that you don't take your magic with you when you leave the veil... no magic, no family, no more faerie folk, no more Olamoore, nothing... " and I lean in further to whisper "and all because you can't admit that you still like me"

She wrinkles up her nose, and her fists clench, her eyes glow, evident that I was quite correct.

"She's made her choice" I announce.

I back up and step back in line, my father's hand squeezing my shoulder with displeasure.

"Andromeda of the sky line, daughter of Cassiopeia and Orion... what have you decided" my father asks.

Andy looks furious, her nostrils flare and her eyes lift to mine. It is a daring look, one that tells me I will pay for this.

"I have decided to ... " she pauses like it absolutely infuriates her to even have to say my name "I've decided to accept Princess Rowan of Olamoores hand" she announces.

An assortment of instruments beside my father blast out some tune as old as time. It plays whenever something important happens in the kingdom.

I cock an eyebrow at her, and she grits her teeth. Oh this was going to be fun... one delightful minute at a time.