by Jenni James
PRAISE FOR JENNI JAMES
Beauty and the Beast (Faerie Tale Collection)
“Jenni James takes this well loved faerie tale and gives it a paranormal twist. Very well written and hard to put down, even on my cruise vacation where I had plenty to do. Looking forward to others in Jenni’s Faerie Tale series. A great escape!”
—Amazon reviewer, 5-star review
Pride & Popularity (The Jane Austen Diaries)
“This book was unputdownable. I highly recommend it to any fan of Jane Austen, young or old. Impatiently awaiting the rest of the series.”
—Jenny Ellis, Librarian and Jane Austen Society of North America
“Having read several other Young Adult retellings of Pride and Prejudice - I must admit that Pride and Popularity by Jenni James is my top choice and receives my highest recommendation! In my opinion, it is the most plausible, accessible, and well-crafted YA version of Pride and Prejudice I have read! I can hardly wait to read the [next] installment in this series!”
—Meredith, Austenesque Reviews
“I started reading Pride and Popularity and couldn’t put it down! I stayed up until 1:30 in the morning to finish. I’ve never been happier to lose sleep. I was still happy this morning. You can’t help but be happy when reading this feel good book. Thank you Jenni for the fun night!”
—Clean Teen Fiction
Northanger Alibi (The Jane Austen Diaries)
“Twilight obsessed teens (and their moms) will relate to Claire’s longing for the fantastical but will be surprised when they find the hero is even better than a vampire or werewolf. Hilarious, fun and romantic!”
—TwilightMOMS.com
“Stephenie Meyer meets Jane Austen in this humorous, romantic tale of a girl on a mission to find her very own Edward Cullen. I didn’t want it to end!”
—Mandy Hubbard, author of Prada & Prejudice
“We often speak of Jane Austen’s satiric wit, her social commentary, her invention of the domestic novel. But Jenni James, in this delicious retelling of Northanger Abbey, casts new light on Austen’s genius in portraying relationships and the foibles of human nature—in this case, the projection of our literary fantasies onto our daily experience.”
—M.M. Bennetts, author of May 1812
Prince Tennyson
“After reading Prince Tennyson, your heart will be warmed, tears will be shed, and loved ones will be more appreciated. Jenni James has written a story that will make you believe in miracles and tender mercies from above.”
—Sheila Staley, Book Reviewer & Writer
“Divinely inspired, beautifully written—a must read!”
—Gerald D. Benally, author of Premonition (2013)
“Prince Tennyson is a sweet story that will put tears in your eyes and hope in your heart at the same time.”
—Author Shanti Krishnamurty
ALSO BY JENNI JAMES
Jenni James Faerie Tale Collection:
Beauty and the Beast
Sleeping Beauty
Rumplestiltskin
Cinderella
Hansel and Gretel
Jack and the Beanstalk
The Frog Prince
The Jane Austen Diaries:
Pride & Popularity
Northanger Alibi
Persuaded
Emmalee
Mansfield Ranch
Sensible & Sensational
Prince Tennyson
Revitalizing Jane
Eternal Realm Series:
Eternity
This book is dedicated to my mom.
She did wonders raising her six dwarves
and is now helping with my seven!
Plus, she is a magical fairy grandmother.
CHAPTER ONE
RAVEN LAUGHED AS SHE looked across the ballroom at her new sister, Snow. They were the best of friends and had been for years—now she could not believe her luck! Sisters, truly sisters—it seemed like a magical wish come true. They had imagined and dreamed of it, and it was finally a reality. Snow’s father had proposed less than four months ago to Raven’s mother, Queen Melantha Flynn, a beautiful, widowed woman with two children.
Not that they were still children. Corlan was nearly twenty-two and Raven and Snow were both in their late teens, but Snow’s father would always consider them children. Raven watched as her beautiful new sister ran up to her, her long black curls bobbing as she came. There was not one person in Snow’s kingdom who had not instantly become enamored with the girl. She had a special quality about her—a naivety and zest for life, an inner joy—something that radiated from her happy smile and wound itself about the hearts of all those who were near her.
“It has finally happened!” Snow exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around Raven and hugged her tightly.
“I know, I know! I cannot believe today has come at last!”
Snow pulled back, her full red lips arching in a pretty smile against her pale skin, her black lashes fluttering briefly over her brilliant blue eyes. She was a stunning beauty. If Raven did not love her as much as she did, she would find the green tinges of jealously invading her thoughts, but as it was, she simply could not think ill of the enchanting Snow White. No one could.
“Where is Corlan?” Snow grinned. “I must hug my new brother as well.”
Raven glanced over to where Corlan stood, watching them intently, his eyes never straying from Snow. He had been head over heels for the girl since they were children. Long before their parents had agreed to marry, King Herbert, Snow’s father, had often brought her to play with them, the neighboring royal children, so she could experience friendship. He worried that without her mother, she would become too sad and lose the finer, elegant qualities needed to turn into a lady and ruler one day. And so he hoped to bring her out of the melancholy of losing her dear mother and into the warmth of the Flynn court.
“He is over there.” Raven nodded toward her brother.
She grinned at Corlan’s reaction as the stunning girl rushed toward him and threw her arms about his shoulders. He held her and closed his eyes briefly, no doubt reveling in the feel of her so close to him.
Snow pulled back, and Raven loved the way her brother’s eyes observed that lively face before him, watching each movement, each smile, each word as it came from her lips.
When would he tell her he was in love? Raven had been asking him for months now, but he would never answer.
Just then, a dashing young man stepped forward and bowed low before the pretty princess in her red-and-gold gown.
“Princess Snow,” Raven heard him say, “will you do me the honor of dancing the first set with me?”
Raven glanced around the grand ballroom. It would seem indeed that it was time to begin the entertainment her mother had requested. Several couples already lined the outskirts of the floor, waiting for the king and new queen to begin their nuptial dance.
“Snow is dancing with me for the first set,” Corlan answered.
Raven looked over at her brother. Bravo. He stood just a bit taller, with his arm wrapped around Snow’s shoulders.
Snow smiled sweetly at the man. “I promise to go out on the floor with you during the second.”
The man glanced from Snow to Corlan and then back to Snow again. He must have liked the smile on her face, for he bowed lower and said, “Your Highness, there is nothing I wish for more.”
She nodded, and then looked up at Corlan.
“Shall we?” he asked.
They really did make an incredible couple. Corlan was so tall and dashing, with his distinguished brown hair and lightly sun-kissed skin and deep green eyes. He was a sight to behold. But Snow, bless her heart, did not ever appear to prefer one man over the other. She seemed completely oblivious to the male species altogether
—enjoying them, of course, and smiling serenely and capturing their hearts one by one. But every suitor who came to stare and try his hand for the fair princess left with a confused look on his face, for they simply did not know what to make of her. Did she not like them? Did they do something wrong? She seemed happy enough, but pushed away their advances as if they were nothing to her. Again and again, Raven watched princes from all over the continent come and try their best to woo her, but to no avail.
“King Herbert and Queen Melantha will now take the floor,” the herald announced grandly.
Raven watched her mother, a stunning red-haired beauty glorious in pale-gold silk, step into the arms of her beloved Herbert as they began to waltz on the floor of the sparkling chandeliered room. The guests exclaimed over the couple as they passed by, tittering behind fans and whispering of their happiness for the great king and queen.
They had sent a surge of new hope throughout the land by uniting the two kingdoms. Raven could feel the excitement and joy buzzing through the air in pings of awareness at the exhilaration this wedding brought to all.
Raven smiled as her mother came near and then dipped and spun away as the music wound down. Even though she was in her early forties, there was no woman who could claim to have the beauty she still possessed—a vision of loveliness from her shining head of hair to her dainty, nimble feet.
The first set of dances were about to begin. Raven sighed and looked around the room, her heart clenching slightly within her chest. So many of the couples were already eagerly waiting to take their places on the dance floor. She had hoped that by now, a young man would have been inclined to ask for her hand during this particular set, today of all days when it was her mother’s wedding. But no young man made his way toward her. Indeed, most of them were across the room, keenly watching Snow and Corlan speak softly and laugh with one another.
It was no use. There would never be a man who saw her while her dear new sister was in the room. Taking a deep breath, she blinked back a few tears and attempted to paste on a smile. She refused to become a silly water pot today, when truly everything she could have wished for came true. This was the happiest day of her life.
“Excuse me, Princess Raven Flynn?” a dashing young man asked as he walked toward her and then bowed.
Butterflies flurried wildly within her chest. “Yes?” she replied a little breathlessly. He was unbelievably handsome, with his blond hair and deep brown eyes.
“Forgive me for being so forward and not waiting for a proper introduction. I am Prince Terrance from the Sybright court and was pointed in your direction. I was wondering if you knew if the Princess Snow White was free this set? I have only just arrived, by invitation of King Herbert, and have been eager to meet this paragon I have heard mentioned.”
“Oh.” Her smile tightened. “Of course.” She nodded, reminding herself that someone as attractive as he would only ever wish to be with Snow. “She is engaged at present,” she said as the dancers began to walk upon the floor. “But if you wait your turn, she is indeed very amiable and would be more than happy to stand up with you.”
“Perfect.” He smiled, showing off two adorable dimples as he did so.
Raven gasped, and then quickly bit her lip to keep from doing it again. She had always longed for a man with dimples.
Terrance grinned down at her, those indentations only deepening more. “Are you perchance free at the moment?” he asked, looking around as if amazed she was still standing with him and not upon the floor.
“Yes, I am.”
“And do you mean to dance?”
“Of course I do.”
He took a pace back and swept another bow. “Forgive me, princess! I did not realize. Please, would you do me the honor of stepping out with me?”
She giggled. “I would be delighted,” she said as she placed her hand within his and walked onto the floor.
CHAPTER TWO
PRINCE TERRANCE WAS AN expert dancer. His graceful dips and spins allowed Raven to lose herself in the moment of being in his arms. She loved to dance. How she loved feeling this freedom and joy as the world spun with her. She enjoyed dancing so very much that she would eagerly step out on the floor with anyone who asked. However, to have such an agreeable partner as this—it was magical.
A soft smile played upon her lips as the musicians finished the first song and began the introduction to the second. Each partnership always danced two dances together in a set during the Olivian balls and wedding ceremonies. It was a custom, one she was particularly grateful for at this time.
“You dance exceptionally well,” Terrance said as they began the steps of the second dance.
“Thank you.”
“No, thank you. I had yet to meet such a wonderful partner. I am of a mind to keep you to myself all night long and not allow you a moment to dance with anyone else.”
Her heart began to pound. “Do not be silly.”
His dimples peeked out at her. “Indeed, I am not. I am as frank as I have ever been. Your dancing is unparalleled by anyone I have ever known. A good dancing partner is hard to find.”
Her cheeks felt warm again and she quickly looked away, not sure how to take such compliments. There were Snow and Corlan not five feet from them.
Snow smiled and waved a gloved hand as Corlan nodded.
“Who is that beautiful girl?” Terrance asked almost reverently, his steps slowing.
With her head turned away from him, Raven closed her eyes briefly and replied, “That vision of loveliness is my new sister and dearest friend, the princess Snow White.” She felt his hand clutch hers.
“So there she is! The rumors did not exaggerate her beauty at all. I have never seen such remarkable features and grace in all my life.”
Raven swallowed a sudden lump in her throat before whispering, “Yes, she is unbelievably kind and generous, too. One cannot help but love her.”
“She is a paragon among women! I thought the rumors must have been exaggerated.”
Her head still turned away, Raven was too emotional to speak. She only nodded as Terrance stopped dancing entirely in the center of the grand ballroom, mesmerized by the glorious girl before him.
“And look how elegant are her steps! This family has exceedingly choice dancing partners.”
No, Raven thought. There is only one exceedingly choice dancing partner in this family. And then there is one who is decidedly not choice or wanted at all. She blinked back the rising moisture in her eyes. Goodness, this would not do. “Excuse me.” She pulled away, refusing to meet his eyes. “I am suddenly very fatigued. Do you mind if we sit out the second song?”
“Are you tired?” His voice held an element of surprise. “Surely you would rather continue dancing,” he said as his feet began to move again.
Carry on and know that you are only watching and coveting another partner? “Nay.” Her feet did not budge. “Forgive my rudeness, but I am not feeling well. I must leave at once.” She dipped a quick curtsy and hurried off the floor before he could say another word.
Raven maneuvered around several guests as she made her way out of the grand ballroom and up quite a lot of stairs to the private wing of the castle. After a few more twists and turns, she was able to slip into her own personal rooms. They had been given to her just the week before.
Walking past the ornate canopied bed, she opted for the cream-colored chaise lounge situated beneath the large window. Not wanting to crush her gold-and-red gown—identical to Snow’s—she sat carefully against the pillowed armrest. In a few minutes she would go back down to the glittering wedding party, but for now, she needed a moment, some time alone to regroup her thoughts and remind herself of all the good things in her life.
For there were many.
She dashed at a few wayward tears. Why must she insist on crying today, of all days?
She had known for years the effect Snow had on everyone. It was not something new or even worth mentioning or caring about, let alone becoming emotiona
l over. There was nothing Raven could do. Snow would always be the sparkling, more attractive, sweet, engaging sister. Always. Raven would be the forgotten one.
There was nothing wrong with being forgotten. What girl truly wished to be the center of attention, anyway? It would be excessively awkward to know you could not make a move without another watching and deciphering your actions at all times. Who would want to live like that?
No. Raven preferred to be the one overlooked. It allowed for many times of quiet reflection, for the amusing game of people watching and clearing her head of silliness. And long moments of twiddling her thumbs and wishing to be included and hoping someone, somewhere, would find her pretty enough to enjoy her company.
Raven groaned and buried her head in her hands. Stop this foolishness at once. Just stop. It does not change one thing and only brings on a portion of melancholy no one needs to be introduced to at this time.
Frustrated with herself, she pushed off the chaise lounge, walked over to the carved vanity table, and sat down. Peering into the looking glass, she saw a very sullen young lady staring back at her. No wonder people do not like you overly much, she chided herself. Look at the way your lips are turned down. She forced a smile upon her face. It made a vast improvement to her features. She pinched her cheeks to bring the color back into them.
No matter how hard she tried, she would never be as beautiful as Snow, but at least she would be able to preserve a level of normalcy. So what if she never married or attracted a man? There was so much more to life than becoming a spouse. Even within her own land, there were many different ways she could become more useful—she simply needed to find them and not wither away, wondering if she would ever be included in someone’s life.
Perhaps the answer was not to be included, but rather, to start her own project or idea. Then it would not be as if she was overlooked or unwanted—indeed, she would be the one to include others. And she would be sure to find all those no one else wanted and let them know they were needed too.
