A royal arrangement

Prince Theodore was raised as little more than a bargaining chip, to be used whenever his father felt it was necessary, and that time had come.

A deal was struck with the ruler of the wild lands, a deal that would send Theo into the heart of the barbarian tribes, where he was to be wed to the chieftain of the wild people.

Theo didn't want the marriage. He would prefer to never marry at all as opposed to being pushed into it with a man he didn't know, but the marriage was the only thing holding up the fragile peace, and as afraid as Theo was, he refused to shirk his duty.

He would do this; he had to, for his people, if for no one else.