House of Roses

One

The day my mother received the summons from castle Tierra'capri was almost more joyful than any holiday we had ever celebrated. She shouted and jumped around, yelling for my father to come read the news. I thought she would crush my ribcage as she hugged me to her thick frame.

"This is going to change everything!" she cried happily, kissing my cheeks over and over. "Oh, praise Aphrodite, you were born beautiful my Tia!" Then without allowing me to know what the summons was about, she scurried off, shouting for my father to help her pull out our finest attire.

I let out a breath, rubbing at my ribcage. Our family wasn't rich. We weren't true nobles really. Our blood was very distantly royal. And that was why I couldn't seem to move from the carriage as I stared up at the castle bursting with flowers and jutting into the summer sky from where it was anchored by the ancient tree. I didn't belong here.

The wind whipped through the open door and tugged at my hair. I could smell the salty tides of Perle'Tai riding on it.

"Althea," my mother beckoned, her wide eyes blinking.

My heart drummed and drummed until I couldn't tell if I was breathing right. I felt heavy. If I were a rock, I would have flung myself off the steep sides of the castle walls hoping to bury myself in the earth where I could rest. I wanted to be anywhere but here, doing anything else than what was expected of me.

They hadn't told me until I had asked what was going on. The contents were not what I had expected. But who would have thought a girl with barely a drop of nobility would have been chosen. Especially for him.

"Althea."

My mother looked embarrassed now as the guards glanced between us. My face heated, and even though I felt like slamming the door and refusing to get out, I did the opposite. I forced myself out of the carriage, one step, then two until I stood beside my parents. And as we walked, I felt less and less like myself. The thick strands of agate beads gently clicked against the center of my chest. They were one thing I had chosen besides Silk, a butterfly with black velvet wings that had taken a liking to me this spring when she was only a caterpillar, who clung to them gently flexing her wings.

Mother had decorated my hair with flowers and braids, dressing me in a flowy gown that was layered and free flowing, leaving my back exposed. My father, a quiet man that I had adored since I was a little girl, sent me an encouraging smile before we were ushered into the castle. Even though it did little to quiet my nerves, it was enough to ignite my courage.

I was about to meet my future husband and king. I wanted to throw up. I should have been excited, as many of the other girls my age told me. They said I should be elated and fall on my face in gratitude to the gods for having been chosen. But what was being chosen worth when the one choosing held no regard or love for you in their heart?

I barely registered the beauty of the castle as we were led to the throne room to be received. It wasn't until we entered through the doors that I came back into myself and blinked. If I just looked up, I would see him. Probably standing regally next to his father, sparing me nothing but an uninterested glance. I wouldn't allow myself to be demeaned. I wouldn't let a stranger make me feel less than an offer of a farmer's fattest cow.

We paused in front of the dais where the roots of a great tree curled out from behind the throne and down the steps created by magnificent carved stone. Then we bowed. And still, when we stood, I refused to look at the prince. Instead, my eyes were fixed on our king. He was much aged and worn from the loss of his wife. Capresean's were bonded by their magic when they married. It was especially important when a king and queen wed because they were stronger together. The unfortunate side effect was the withering after one spouse passed on. Which was why I was here and why Prince Apollo needed a wife so that he could assume the throne and let his father rest.