Determined to take control of their fates, Arjen and Arien escape Derolina Castle at the age of sixteen after their cruel mother dies. They adopt new names and find a home in the city of Aramore, while the Emperor of Yuriana searches for his missing...
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It was near the beginning of my Voyage when I heard the news. I had just turned sixteen, and as I was preparing for the journey, Grandmother invited me to speak with her privately. I knew something was happening by the look she gave me. My heart fluttered nervously like a frightened bird.
As I sat with her, Grandmother gave me a sympathetic look. "Do you know why I've called you here today?" she asked. I shook my head, and she sighed. "You may have heard talk about an alliance with the Yuriana Empire. The other queens and I have been deliberating on a possible marriage candidate for one of their princes."
My fluttering heart fell, this time like a dead bird from the sky. "Have you found one?"
"We have."
Resentment reared up inside me.
"We have chosen you," she said.
"I haven't even begun my Voyage," I said quickly.
"I know. And I'm sorry. This was not something I wanted you to have on your mind while you were away."
I clenched my fists and tried to control my emotions. Talk of marriage did not occur until after Voyages. It was considered premature to do so because those involved were still on the cusp of adulthood. I didn't understand why this was happening now. I was the second child of the second princess, which put me in a position to choose my partner and avoid arranged marriage. Arranged marriages were for direct heirs.
"Why?" I asked.
Guilt marred my grandmother's elegant features. "Queens Daronnei and Emeotede refused to spare one of their princesses. They are suspicious of this alliance. All of Queen Lusca's princesses are engaged."
I did not believe that. I knew for a fact that there were at least two princesses of Queen Lusca's who were yet to be engaged. She had either quickly found them fiancés, or she was lying.
"I was chosen because I'm a throwaway," I said bitterly.
Grandmother's eyes widened. "Zemerri! Don't say such a thing! I would never have agreed to this if I thought it might harm you."
"Then why me?"
"Because you are the best match for this young man."
"I want to choose my husband."
"And you may do that. Only meet him and see."
I could not blame the other queens. Even I didn't like this alliance. What good reason would we have to ally ourselves with a foreign empire, and a dangerous one, at that? What benefit was there? We have never closely allied ourselves with anyone.
"What do my parents think?" I asked.
"They are uneasy. Your father is the least willing, and you know why."
Why would the other queens approve of this arrangement when they knew about my father? When everyone knew about him? I found this hard to fathom.
