In a land of magic on the brink of war, three stories are fated to meet.
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Lilac is being forced into a marriage she never wanted, for the benefit of her kingdom.
Lily is trapped in a life of servitude and endless poverty after her mother dies...
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I shivered harshly, staring at the embers and smoke curling up into the night sky.
It was already winter here, being so close to the Skeleton Mountains. My breath crystallized in the frigid air, and hurt when I inhaled.
The fire popped and crackled, a beacon of warmth and light in the cold night.
Caleb sat across from me, staring into the orange flames and sipping from a cup of coffee. It was hard to tell what was going through his mind.
We had left the Dark Forest last night, heading north towards the rough villages in the foothills of the Mountains. I was steeling my heart for the carnage I would see. The front lines were in the foothills, and the surrounding villages were war torn.
"How long will it take to get to this gem dealer?" I asked, breaking the silence. Tension had been building between Caleb and I since I came back from the Necromancer yesterday. A fight was bound to break out soon.
Caleb sighed, "A few days. Less if we fly."
"And how many is a few days?" I asked, my voice short.
Caleb looked up at me, a stand of his hair falling in his face, "Why are you so interested, princess? Three days if we walk, two if we fly."
I gritted my teeth, budding with frustration. Two days was a stretch, even if we were flying. The wedding was in ten days, and Morgana's threat came true in less time than that. I had to be ready to face her before that.
I hated how condescending he was, I hated how he mockingly called me princess, and I just hated him!
"Every day we waste is a day closer to Morgana slaughtering my people." I snapped, "I have to be ready."
"Are you really going to face her, Lilac?" His voice had taken a serious turn.
That was the first time I ever heard him use my actual name.
I shivered again, "I have to." My voice was soft, uncertain.
"Why?" He sounded angry, "It isn't your responsibility."
I frowned, "No, it is my responsibility. I will rule this land one day. If I am not brave enough to face this threat, what of the threats that will come about when I am Queen?"
Caleb snorted, his eyes dark, "You're delusional, princess, if you think you can take Morgana on. It's idiotic."
I bristled, "Well, what of you, Caleb? At least I face my problems, unlike you, who runs away from them."
He jumped up from his spot, eyes dangerous, "You have no right to say that."
I jumped up as well, just as angered as he was, "And you have no right to say anything about me! I love my family, I would do anything for them! So what about you?"
