Although it was called a cape, the garment was more of a truncated white shirt with long sleeves. The lacy hem of the shirt ended just below the wearer’s collarbone in front, and just over the shoulder blades in back. The collar, a ruffled band of ornate white lace about three fingers wide, stood straight up around the neck. At the ruffle’s upper edge shone a serpentine line of tiny white diamonds. The cape was meant to be worn under gowns and other clothing throughout the engagement period.
After Jaimin explained to Elaina how the cape worked, she insisted on putting it on.
“I don’t want you to freeze,” he said. “And you’d have to get your arms out of your gown sleeves. I’m sure the guards are watching.”
“That’s fine, Jem,” said Elaina.
Jaimin at once noticed something odd was happening to the snow. Some of the snowflakes had stopped in mid-air. “What are you up to?” he asked.
“Just watch,” said Elaina. “I told you I’m an artist.”
Then he realized what she was doing. She was holding certain snowflakes in place so that they formed into a perfect dome around them. More and more frozen flakes filled in the dome, obscuring the outside world. Soon the prince and princess were in a private space with glittering walls lit up by moonlight.
Elaina faced away from Jaimin and let her cloak fall to the ground. “Please undo my gown,” she said. Jaimin unfastened the gown’s clasp with care, hesitant to touch her bare skin because his gloves were so cold. She slipped her arms from her gown sleeves. “Put it on,” she said.
Jaimin eased the engagement cape over her head, and guided her arms into its sleeves. She slid her arms back into her gown sleeves and he fastened the gown’s clasp once more. She turned back around. Her cheeks were red from joy and from the cold, and she looked stunning.
They leaned in and lost themselves in a wonderful kiss. The snow dome slowly turned to vapor. Jaimin and Elaina felt a profound sense of peace, believing that from that moment on even when they were physically apart they would still be together. And this made them feel stronger, and more alive, than they ever had before.
EPILOGUE
A few days’ journey to the south, on a secluded beach, another lovely young lady sat before a fire with her husband. She had no idea why he’d been sent to far-off Audicia, and she knew better than to ask. What mattered was that he was back now, and that the king had granted him extended leave to witness the birth of their child. “I hope our boys finish off those Arrans so everyone can sleep in peace,” she said, shaking the sand from her long brown hair.
“It’s those islanders your father’s really after.”
“I’ve never understood his obsession with them,” said Eleonora. “But if they need to die too, let’s get it over with.”
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The adventure will continue in:
PRINCIPALITY: BOOK TWO
The Captive Twin
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
R. J. Francis could rightfully call quaint New England, the beaches of Southern California, the misty Pacific Northwest, or magical New Zealand home. Currently, the Kiwi-American author resides in the green hills overlooking Wellington, New Zealand.
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