by D. L. Boyles
As much as he hated to admit it, his mother was right. He could not hold on, expecting to find a soul bond when it was possible one might not exist. Not everyone had such a thing; there were plenty of happy couples who did not have a soul bond. The marriage bond united fae well enough, and as far as that distant feeling that she was out there? Well, maybe that was just something else that he was feeling, a piece of himself in the world, gone missing with his brother. Giving up on finding that bond, however, felt like a betrayal to the things he’d stood for and hoped for, for so long.
And to imagine finding happiness with a young girl who was the daughter of his most despised foe? It didn’t settle well with Philip, but it was still a growing feeling he could not shake. He was drawn to Audora, enjoyed her delight and innocence. He’d always thought her vain and conceited, but he was discovering that she was delightful and naive. She’d been sheltered because of her curse in more ways than one.
“This is divine,” Audora’s exclamation about the vendor’s food drew his attention. Grease dripped down her chin as she bit into the chex stix—fried meat and potatoes stuffed inside a long, stick-shaped piece of crispy dough. He laughed and grabbed his handkerchief from his pocket, wiping the liquid from her face. She blushed wildly, which only endeared her to him more. This plan of his may be backfiring. He had not planned to like the princess from Wessix, but there was no way to escape her presence without feeling drawn to her in some way.
By the time the holiday celebrations came to an end and all of the guests had left, Philip had to admit that he would miss Princess Audora. She’d given excitement to the mundane.
Philip sighed heavily as he rode his horse, Shadow, towards the sand dunes. Looking at them now, he smiled, remembering the reaction Audora had when she’d first seen them and stepped foot into the ocean. Perhaps he could let go of his dream. Perhaps there was no one else out there for him beyond a foreign, human princess.
∞∞∞
The journey home from Endari was much happier than the trip there. Their caravan travelled along the Briar Patch, the expansive thicket of briar roses and their deadly thorns, lining the road. Audora was frightened by them on the way to Endari, but now, she looked at them in wonder. How could something so beautiful also be so deadly?
During the festivities of the Summer Solstice, Philip explained that the thorns of the briar rose were poisonous to all fae, but that the petals and the pistil of the flowers were healing. It seemed so fantastical to her. Bees and other flying insects buzzed busily over the blossoms, which were in full bloom as the carriage trod past. While those thorns held a frightening future for Audora, she wondered if perhaps she’d found her antidote…Philip.
Prince Philip was kind to her, patient with her unending questions, and somewhat warm. They shared a love of horses, too. What began as an attempt to just find a little bit of happiness before she was relegated to the curse that would consume her life, ended with hope that she might have found more…she may have found love.
He gave no indication, of course, that he felt such a way. And Audora, herself, wasn’t entirely sure, but…Well, she tried so many avenues to find love at this point, what was the harm in attempting one more?
“You’ve been very quiet.”
Her mother’s voice drew her attention from the briar patch they were riding along and thoughts about Philip. “I am contemplating, Mother. Do you think that Prince Philip…”
“What? That he could be your true love?” Queen Isadora coughed and flashed a scowl at her. “He is a fae. One can never really trust such men.”
“Males. You explained very thoroughly that humans have men and women, while the rest of the continent refers to them as males and females.”
Her mother rolled her eyes. “Exactly why you cannot trust such men. Or women, for that matter.”
“Then why did you insist on traveling to Endari?” It made little sense to Audora. Her mother was insistent on this trip and presented it as an opportunity to further their search for Audora’s true love’s kiss.
“Proper princesses do not question their mothers.” Her mother did not raise her voice, but she may as well have done so for all the vehemence in her words.
Audora opened her mouth to speak, but her mother raised her hand. “I’ll not hear another word about Prince Philip, Audora. He is not the one. You expressed enough times that you believe your true love either dead or missing.” The queen rolled her shoulders. “You’ve made fool enough of yourself between all of your very public trysts and ridiculous spectacles. Let’s try to return to Wessix with our heads held high, hmm?”
And that was the end of the discussion. It was not, however, the end to Audora’s confusion. Her mother had always supported her need to find true love. For her entire life, her mother had thrown party after party, flaunted every eligible bachelor west of the Candes Mountains in Audora’s direction. Her mother pushed Audora forward with unrelenting pursual of true love. That was the reason for this trip to Endari, yet now her mother was angry.
Her eighteenth birthday was drawing near. There was little time to find the cure to her curse. Maybe her mother was trying to prepare herself for losing her only daughter by pushing her away? That was the only thing that made sense. Her mother’s sudden change of demeanor must be a coping mechanism, regardless of how cruel it seemed, to steel herself against the realities of Malecinth’s curse.
∞∞∞
“I think I shall marry the princess from Wessix.”
“What?” Even with the male’s hood up, Philip could see the rage on his face. Maybe not in literal terms, but it was evident without being seen.
“She is kind and sweet and innocent. Nothing like her mother.”
“Careful, Philip, or I might begin to think you’ve fallen into the same snare as Mazin,” Galancix said.
“It would be a beneficial alliance in more ways than one. You would be free to roam Wessix in search of our objective and Queen Isadora would be none the wiser.”
“No, she’d be more the wiser.” Galancix sputtered and grumbled. “It is a terrible idea. What of your intent to find your soul bond? That woman is still out there. Do not give up yet.”
Philip sighed and fell backwards onto his bed. “I know that I do not love Princess Audora, but I could learn to be happy with her.”
“Then you curse her and yourself. Only true love’s kiss will free her from Malecinth’s curse. You know it as does the entire continent of Shadoria. If you do not love her, let her be. Let her find love for herself.”
“But what if I do love her and I just don’t realize it yet? I might love her if I could let the other woman go.”
His friend shook his hooded head, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed in front of his chest. “A nameless female who may hold the key to your heart or a beautiful one who could possibly teach your heart to love. I do not envy your decision.” The man tapped his finger against his bicep a few times then shoved away from the wall. “Will you speak to your mother?”
“Yes,” Philip answered.
“And what would you have me do?” the man asked.
“Go. Seek out your lady. I will call for you if I need you.”
The man bowed then hurried from the room. Philip waited a few moments before exiting as well and heading towards his mother’s private dining room. She ate dinner there every evening, alone, before joining her guests in the great hall. Queen Milagros found it rude to indulge herself in front of others, or at least, that was what she said. Philip was certain it had a lot to do with his father and brother; it was a time for his mother to miss them. Even after all of these years, she still missed them both. Philip did as well, but he felt more guilt at their absence than anything else.
“Philip, this is a pleasant surprise. It is not often that my son elects to eat with me.” He smiled and kissed her cheek, allowing his mother’s servant to set a place for him.
She spoke to him briefly about the progress of the Endolian Dam—a project th
at has been taking a much longer time than anticipated to block the Injabi River from The Wilds. They also discussed the growing discord amongst the United Kingdoms: Quill, Nod, and Hurstone. The United Kingdoms were the fae lands that did not recognize any of the courts. Though they were united by treaty, they were struggling on what ought to be done about The Wilds.
The Wilds were exactly that. A wild place where magical creatures roamed uninhibited and without any laws to govern their magical deeds. Eastonia, Endari’s neighbor and home of the Spring Court—the land his brother had once ruled—struggled with The Wilds as well, flanked on their western boundary by them where thick forests, groves, and jungles housed more magical creatures than had even been discovered or known.
Philip would like to see Malesia, the northern neighbor of the United Kingdoms, offer their assistance in taming The Wilds. Prince Malecinth remained reluctant and deferred to his father too often. King Furrir, the king of Furi, had been extremely aloof, however, in correspondence. Now, the United Kingdoms were seeking assistance from the Summer Court in hopes that Endari could help push back or tame The Wilds and their magical creatures.
“It is not within my power, Philip, or I would help them. Whatever I burn down is replenished and only gives the forest the opportunity to regenerate itself and spread faster,” his mother said.
“And what would you have me do? That is why you bring this up, isn’t it? You wish for my help in some way.”
“You could persuade Prince Malecinth to help. It’s possible that the powers of the Autumn Court may be able to reduce or maybe slow the spread of The Wilds.”
“Mother, Prince Malecinth has been engaged to Everlynn for nearly two years now and he’s made no move to marry her. If that is the way he considers such matters, there would be little good in trying to persuade him to help with The Wilds.”
They argued the point for several minutes until they both fell quiet. Finally, with a lull in the conversation, Philip found an opening. “I have been considering marriage myself.”
His mother drew back for a moment as though he’d slapped her before a slow, cautious smile crept across her face. “You’ve given up on finding your soul bond?” Her smile shifted to a frown. “Philip, I do not wish you to abandon your quest simply to appease me.”
“I know, Mother, and while I am not completely certain of my true feelings, I cannot say that I would be unhappy with Princess Audora.”
“You realize she is cursed, Philip? If you are not her true love—what might be the same as a soul bonded mate—you cannot lift her curse.”
He shrugged. “Maybe I have to let go of the ideal before I can know for sure. But I’d like to try.”
Queen Milagros, his beautiful and bold mother, gave him a half-hearted smile. “Then, I shall send a messenger to Wessix and begin correspondence. There is much to consider, but I am sure that King Stefan and Queen Isadora will be more than pleased with the arrangement. I understood that Queen Isadora had begun to lose any hope that her daughter might find happiness.”
Chapter Eight
The Farewell and the Curse
“He’s here!” Princess Audora raced in a very undignified manner through the hallway and down the stairs. Her two ladies in waiting trailed behind her, trying to maintain a much more ladylike grace to their hurried pace.
She stumbled with childlike excitement to her mother’s side and received a sidelong glare for the manner of her arrival. Her father, however, winked at her over the top of her mother’s head. Audora bit her bottom lip and tried not to laugh.
The herald announced Prince Philip’s arrival just as her ladies caught up, their breathing heavy as they sidled up behind her with barely whispered giggles. Both girls were silenced as soon as the handsome prince entered the room. His dark brown hair had a waviness to it as it flowed around his face, the points of his ears only slightly visible through its volume. His green eyes practically glowed set inside a face with handsomely sharp features and bronzed skin that looked as lively and youthful as the rest of him. Knowing that his age was far greater than her own made Audora hesitate, but only a little.
He wore a light brown calicoed tunic and tight dark brown breeches that were tucked into tall black boots. Over it all, he wore a deep burgundy embroidered jacket that made him look more like a king than a prince. Everything about Prince Philip was alluring and Audora could not help but be excited to see him. She could not wait to show him around Wessix as he had shown her around Endari.
Three of his guards, dressed in black and fitted with dark hooded cloaks, trailed behind him. Their swords were evident as they moved but their faces, as they had been in Endari, were fully obscured. They reminded her of The Hunter her mother employed. In Endari, they had been less noticeable but here, they seemed just as out of place as The Hunter.
“King Stefan, it is a pleasure to finally meet you.” Philip greeted her father and then her mother with endless grace before he finally turned to her, taking her hand in his and smiling. When he pressed his lips to her knuckles, she thought Rebecca might swoon. Even Sloane, who had been stoic and boorish of late, flashed him a genuine smile, her flirtatious demeanor almost returned. Philip noticed them and smiled in their direction, sending them into fits of giggles. Her mother glared over her shoulder at the two ladies and they immediately sobered.
“We are pleased to have you as our guest, Prince Philip,” her father greeted. “There is much to discuss.”
The queen whispered something into her father’s ear and the playful wink he’d flashed her only moments ago was gone, as was the light demeanor, replaced now by a scowl. Audora could not help but notice that her mother’s smile seemed less than enthusiastic also, and for the first time, she worried about this visit. Her father escorted Philip down the hallway of the castle and into a private meeting room, securely closing the door behind them. Her mother glared at the door and then at two of Philip’s guards, who were left to stand in the hallway.
“Is something wrong, Mother?” Her mother seemed not to hear her, but continued glaring at the door as though she might decide to burst inside uninvited. “Mother?”
“Hmm?”
“Maybe you and I could sit and have some tea?” Audora asked.
“Oh. Yes. Maybe. I have some things I need to tend to first. I’ll…um…I will meet you in the lounge after a while.” Her mother was acting very strange, glancing back periodically at Philip’s two guards before disappearing around the corner.
Turning to her two ladies, Audora resigned herself to tea, waiting impatiently for her father to include her in whatever discussions were needed. She could hardly believe that there was a man—male, she corrected herself—here to formally ask for her hand in marriage.
As she amused herself with Sloane and Rebecca, the former of the two doing her best to flirt with Philip’s guards who stalked the hallway, and the latter chittering on and on about how handsome Prince Philip is, her excitement began to wane.
It was late afternoon before Philip was announced in the lounge and he stomped into the room, three guards on his heels. He looked unhappy, but when his eyes fell on her, he smiled.
“Princess Audora. I’ve received permission from your father to escort you, or to have you escort me, rather, on a horseback ride.”
She bounced to her feet, but once she realized what he said, she nearly cried. They’d have to go to the stables. Riding horses with him hadn’t been so bad in Endari and it had been something she was looking forward to doing with him here. However, a sudden pang of sadness and guilt washed over her.
“Would you prefer not to go for a ride?” he asked.
She must not have hidden her emotions very well. “Oh. No. Er, that is…Yes, I would like to go for a ride.”
Prince Philip smiled that charming smile of his and held his arm out for her to take. They walked together to the stables and Audora did her best not to allow her emotions to get carried away again. She had walked with Philip many times before this and had not fel
t the slightest bit of hesitation. Now…
…this was her place—with Peter. It felt wrong to share it with another man, even if that man was to potentially become her husband. That thought frightened her more than any other. When in Endari, they had just been friends, two people enjoying one another’s time. It was carefree. Expectations were now in place and Audora did not precisely feel encouraged by them.
With their horses saddled and both Eric, who was reinstated as her guard, and one of Philip’s guards tagging along behind them, they made their way through the city then into the Pinewood Forest. This was the route she rode with Peter and again that pang of sadness returned.
“You’ve been unusually quiet,” he told her after a while, “and stoic.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just that…well, I had been so looking forward to your visit, but now…”
“It is different, isn’t it?”
She nodded, hoping that he understood or even felt what she was feeling. They’d had so much fun together in Endari, but here? The thrill of having a male suitor come so far just for her was a novelty and maybe, that is all it was. Because here in her home of Wessix, she felt nothing of the enthusiasm she’d felt before.
