Unintended

By Justine Alley Dowsett, Murandy Damodred and Sara Biddle

Everything happens for a reason... Four people. Four very different lives. Four tales interwoven. Meet Kenzie en Shareed, the High Clan Chief's daughter who is sent south to fulfill a treaty by marriage only to marry the wrong man; Kadrean Authier, the Crown Prince who must come to terms with his new bride, even if he doesn't much like t

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mirror World Publishing
• Release date: Aug 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781987976083

Justine Alley Dowsett

Justine Alley Dowsett is the author of eight novels and one of the founders of Mirror World Publishing. Her books, which she often co-writes with her sister, Murandy Damodred, range from young adult science fiction to dark fantasy/romance. She earned a BA in Drama from the University of Windsor, honed her skills as an entrepreneur by tackling video game production, and now she dedicates her time to writing, publishing, and occasionally roleplaying with her friends.

Book preview

Unintended

Justine Alley Dowsett

Murandy Damodred

Also by Justine Alley Dowsett and Murandy Damodred

The Mirror Series

Mirror’s Hope

Mirror’s Heart

Neo Central

By Justine Alley Dowsett

The Crimson Winter Trilogy

Ruins of Sapphire

Lands of Jade

City of Ruby

All of these titles are available from

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www.mirrorworldpublishing.com

FIRST EDITION

Unintended © 2015 by Mirror World Publishing

Cover Art © 2015 by Sara Biddle

All Rights Reserved.

*This book is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the authors’ imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual locales, events or persons is entirely coincidental.

Mirror World Publishing

Windsor, Ontario

www.mirrorworldpublishing.com

[e-mail]

Edited by: Robert Dowsett

ISBN: 978-1-987976-08-3

Cassie,

For providing us with inspiration, motivation, and a never-ending supply of virtual cookies; this one is for you.

The Kingdom of Ismera

Chapter One

The rolling hills and grasslands of Ismera were strange to her in the beginning. Now, after nearly a month of riding through them, they had begun to seem commonplace. What the High Clan Chief’s daughter was not prepared for, however, were the high turrets of the palace she was headed towards and the sprawling city of Ismer that surrounded it. Even more surprising than all that was the fanfare that greeted her when at last she reached the city’s high-walled gate.

A handsome man atop a white horse rode boldly out to greet her, without so much as a weapon drawn or a friend to watch his back.

They are much more trusting here of strangers than they are back at home, she noted. Unless, it’s only that they don’t consider me a stranger.

Mackenzie en Shareed of Haldoram straightened her back, instinctively preparing herself to make a good impression. She felt her breath catch in her throat as he came closer and she realized that the man before her, with his sunny hair, tanned skin and bright blue eyes, could be none other than the man she’d ridden all the way here to marry. She felt her usually flawlessly tanned skin flush an uncomfortable shade of red as she watched him dismount and walk the rest of the way to her side, a wide grin spreading across his face at the sight of her.

I didn’t expect him to be so handsome. Kenzie found that as much as she might want to, she couldn’t deny the pounding of her heart or the fluttering in her stomach. I’m very fortunate to be attracted to him so easily.

If he took notice of her discomfort he didn’t show it, bowing over her hand and kissing it lightly. Princess Mackenzie, let me be the first to welcome you to the City of Ismer.

Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Kenzie reached for the marriage bracelet she’d woven herself for this very occasion. Unhooking it carefully from her belt, she caught his hand before he could take it away and swiftly wrapped the small, white-flowered wreath about his wrist, tying it with a practiced motion.

She could see in her husband-to-be’s eyes that he was confused, but she didn’t have time to explain it to him now. That would come later, after they were entwined together in their marriage bed. Right now, only the ritual mattered.

I have to do this now, she affirmed silently. Once I enter this city of theirs and am completely surrounded by Ismeran culture and politics it will be too late to marry him in my own way, in front of my people and by our customs. It’s the only way I will feel comfortable with his arrangement. I can marry him in the Ismeran way afterwards.

The barest nod over her shoulder was enough to bring Seraphina over. Her mentor and friend had accompanied her this far and now she played her part of the wedding ceremony by bringing forth the wreath that Prince Kadrean would place upon her head, sealing their arrangement and making them man and wife.

Aging Seraphina bowed before the Prince, despite the aching old bones she always complained of, holding out the wreath before her in offering.

Take it, Seraphina urged him, her English much less accented than Kenzie knew her own to be. You must place it upon her head and say the words.

Looking as confused as ever, the Prince took the woven white flowers and did as instructed.

What words, exactly?

I be bhur agus thu de agamsa, Kenzie spoke in her native tongue, making sure to properly enunciate each syllable so he could follow along.

I be burr… he began, trying his hardest to stumble through the words that were foreign to him, a Gus who de Gamsa.

That’s good enough, I suppose… Kenzie frowned, regarding him. Though I thought that being the heir to these lands, he would have some knowledge of Gaelic.

You may call me Kenzie, she told him, dismissing her negative thoughts with a smile, before leaning in to kiss him, as was customary.

Seraphina and the other clanspeople who’d made the journey with her began to cheer, but their cheers were cut short when her new husband pulled back from her in surprise. Whoa! I don’t know what’s expected between two strangers in the North, but here in the South it’s customary to save that kind of greeting for your husband.

Yes?

Yes… he agreed, searching her eyes as if to gauge how much of the language she understood, so I have a fiancée and you have a Prince who’s waiting very anxiously to meet you up at the Palace.

Kenzie suddenly felt ill and more than a little dizzy. You are not Prince Kadrean…? The golden-haired stranger she’d just married wore a look of concern mixed with confusion. Then who are you?

Uh… He cleared his throat, made a little uncomfortable by the stares of the clanspeople. Lord Garron D’Arbonne…at your service, Your Highness.

An uncomfortable silence fell over them and the clansfolk, but Kenzie couldn’t find it in her to break it or fill it with anything meaningful. Her entire focus was on keeping herself from hyperventilating.

I just married this Garron D’Arbonne…not the Prince. Not my intended. Kenzie was in full panic at the gravity of the error she had just committed. How can I fix this?! The marriage bond is forever, never able to be undone. A man can remarry, under certain circumstances, but can a woman? Would they even allow such a thing?

My father will be so disappointed in me. He wanted this treaty between our lands to work. I’ve only just arrived and I’ve already ruined it. What am I going to do?!

Well, Garron cleared his throat again, we should be going. I’m sure Prince Kadrean is eager to meet you.

Gesturing forward, her husband held out his arm for her.

No, I mustn’t think of him that way, she admonished herself. He is my husband, but he’s right, I’m supposed to marry Prince Kadrean. There is a treaty. Our marriage is law. It must happen.

I’m so stupid. I could have avoided this if I had just thought to ask his name.

Her mentor had spent long hours making sure she understood the nuances of Ismeran culture, so Kenzie knew what was expected of her now. She slid her arm into Garron’s, even though she felt very conscious about doing so, and her people’s cheers resumed.

What’s that all about? Garron leaned into whisper to her, which didn’t help her self-consciousness.

My people are happy for us, she did her best to explain, Most of them do not know English.

Oh, he answered simply, considering this a moment. I’m glad they approve…but what are they happy about, exactly? Pardon my questions, but I feel as if I’m missing something here.

Garron took hold of the reins of his horse as they reached it, and with Seraphina leading both Kenzie’s horse and her own they were now reaching the open gates of the city, where it seemed that more people waited to greet them.

They approve of our recent marriage… Kenzie meant to say the words clearly and confidently, but they came out as a whisper instead.

Unfortunately, Garron heard her. Our what? he demanded as the roar of the crowd and the renewed fanfare swallowed them and there was no more time for words.

For a moment, Kenzie was lost in the adoration of her newfound people and was surprised by the sheer number of Ismerans who had made the trip out to greet her. She understood that in Ismera people lived in cities, and in cities the homes were much more tightly packed together than they were in her own lands, but still there were far more people than she expected. They stood shoulder to shoulder just inside the gate, with the exception of a small path left clear for her to reach the waiting carriage that filled a sizeable space, and they were eagerly smiling and waving to her.

The embarrassment and shame she felt over what had just happened was still with her, but the crowd’s energy was infectious and she couldn’t help but feel her spirits lifted by their adulation. She smiled and waved back at them, feeling that it would be rude not to do otherwise. They did not need to know that she secretly dreaded meeting the man she’d actually came here to marry.

Your Highness? Garron’s voice drew her attention back to him. He was standing next to the ornate carriage and holding the door open for her. Somewhere in the shuffle he had handed his white horse off to someone else, or at least it was nowhere to be seen at the moment.

With one final wave to the crowd, Kenzie took Garron’s hand and allowed him to help her up into the carriage. She held her dark brown skirts out of the way to avoid tripping on the narrow carriage steps and took her seat, waiting for Garron to join her in the confined space and wondering how she was going to survive a whole carriage ride in such close quarters with him. Instead, Seraphina’s silver-haired head poked into the carriage, followed by the rest of her.

The older Saeguardian woman turned about and offered her hand to help Garron into the carriage. Garron’s amusement at this was written all over his face as he took the seat across from Kenzie and allowed Seraphina to shut the carriage door.

You said something as we were coming into the city, Your Highness, Garron began, pinning Kenzie with his blue-eyed stare as he attempted to pick up where they left off.

Nevermind that now, Seraphina interrupted, we have bigger problems. In the eyes of everyone who came with us the two of you are married now…and that’s going to make Mackenzie’s engagement to the Ismeran Prince difficult. We need to figure out how to deal with this and quickly.

First off, call me Kenzie, not Your Highness and not Mackenzie, please, Kenzie speared both of them with a disapproving look. Second, the marriage bond is forever, and only Clan Chiefs have the right to marry more than one person.

Garron’s eyes widened noticeably. Let me get this straight. You’re both saying that I married…Kenzie…just now? He looked as incredulous as he sounded. Because of the flowers and the words? He waited for their nods before continuing. But it’s not like there was an officiant there…

My people witnessed our union, Kenzie explained, we are, in fact, married.

He swallowed uncomfortably. "But...doesn’t there have to be a, you know, union for there to be a…union? I mean, wouldn’t we have to consummate the marriage?"

Yes. Kenzie blushed at the reminder and the realization that she was actually looking forward to the marriage bed if it meant that she got to lie with Garron. She was finding it hard to think straight with him only just out of her reach; the scent of him was intoxicating. That would be expected.

I see. More throat clearing. Well then, it’s simple. We need only to avoid consummating our…marriage…and then you can marry the Prince as planned, right?

It’s not quite so simple, My Lord, Seraphina interjected, but it may have to become so. Treaties have been made that rely upon the marriage between Mackenzie and Prince Kadrean. Neither Mackenzie’s father, the High Clan Chief, nor King Raymundo of Ismer, would want this arrangement to fall through.

Simple? Kenzie demanded, feeling more than a little hurt by the way both her trusted companion and her new husband were tossing aside the vows she had just made, never mind that they had been in error. I can never speak those words to another man. What I have done shames myself and my family, and you want me to just forget it was done, and worse, lie about it?

Garron looked surprised at her vehemence, but it was Seraphina who spoke. No one is asking you to lie, child, but you may have to admit your mistake and accept what comes of it. Perhaps it will not matter so much that you have spoken the words of marriage in your tongue to this man when you have not consummated the marriage and do not intend to do so. If you ask his forgiveness for your error in judgement, King Raymundo may still allow you to marry his son and fulfill the obligations of the treaty that was signed.

The words mean something to me, Kenzie insisted to Seraphina before rounding on Garron, and marriage is more than just sex!

To Kenzie’s surprise, Garron was shocked by her outburst and his face immediately flushed red as his shock combined with embarrassment.

I…agree, he said after a moment, marriage is much more than physical contact. It’s…I mean, I would like my marriage to be with a woman I can love and respect, someone I can build a family with. But I’m engaged, same as you are, to someone else. Your soon-to-be sister-in-law, in fact, Princess Margaret. The details were just finalized last week. I owe it to her as much as you owe it to Prince Kadrean to follow through with the agreements that were made.

I’m sorry to disappoint you, Kenzie told him, feeling frustrated that she couldn’t make her new husband understand something that was in her blood and in her bones. She’d grown up believing in the sanctity of the marriage bond and she’d been raised to know that she would one day say those words and mean it, serving her husband until her dying breath. That’s fine if you can live a lie…but I am not a person who can do that.

Not wanting to listen to any more of the conversation that only served to remind her of the gravity of what she had done, Kenzie stood, bowing over to still fit within the domed ceiling of the carriage. Wobbling with the rocking motion of the carriage, she made for the door which took all of one step to reach.

What are you doing?! Garron demanded, startled.

Leaving, Kenzie stated, throwing the door of the carriage open and immediately regretting her rash decision as soon as she saw just how quickly the ground was passing beneath them.

Garron stood, reaching out to stop her from launching herself out the carriage door, but as soon as he had done so the carriage jolted to a stop, sending Kenzie flying backward into Garron’s waiting arms.

The fanfare from earlier resumed, causing Kenzie to realize the reason for the sudden stop. We’re here.

A blush came to Kenzie’s cheeks as she realized where she was.

Struggling against Garron, she fought to regain her footing and her composure. After pausing to give her a look of warning, Seraphina stood to block the entrance of the carriage and the view of what was going on inside. Kenzie used this much needed moment to right herself and attempted to make herself look presentable. She could feel Garron behind her doing the same. It wasn’t long before she was ushered out of the carriage and into the light of day.

The palace was huge; it was much larger than she had dreamed possible and seeing it from a distance had not done it justice. The courtyard she stepped out onto was paved in cobblestones and there stood easily ten times the amount of people that had been at the city gate. These ones were dressed in such fine clothes they put Kenzie’s own brown dress to shame.

She found herself gawking like an idiot and feeling totally undeserving of the praise of these total strangers. Despite her discomfort, they continued cheering and hailing her as their much-anticipated future queen, as she awkwardly descended the narrow carriage steps.

In all the commotion, Kenzie hardly noticed the man who had somehow effortlessly made his way through the crowd. Out of all the others in the courtyard, he alone approached until he was standing before her. He was fairly tall, with olive skin and lustrous black hair over stormy grey eyes, and he wore elegantly simple black clothing of very fine quality.

You’re Mackenzie en Shareed? he asked, not mincing words. Something in his eyes combined with the partial smirk on his face told her that somehow this fact was amusing to him.

It’s Kenzie, she corrected him almost automatically.

Kenzie, then, he agreed. Well, it seems that you and I are to be married, he informed her, whether she already knew or not. I’m Prince Kadrean.

Well, Kadrean, Kenzie copied his tone, adding a bit more bite to it than she intended, why didn’t you meet me at the gates like a proper gentleman?

Kadrean was taken aback by this but he recovered quickly, licking his lips as he considered the circumstance and looking her up and down once, as if appraising a mare he was about to purchase.

I believe you were offered exactly the amount of courtesy that you are due, all things considered.

Oh, I understand, Kenzie drew upon all the anger she felt at herself for her failures so far today and funneled it into the most hurtful words she could think up, you were too busy being pampered like a child to -

Prince Kadrean, Seraphina interrupted, stepping up beside Kenzie, we are so grateful to be welcomed to your home and pleased to make your acquaintance. I’m afraid your Princess is tired from her long journey and would do better meeting you after she has had opportunity to rest and rejuvenate herself. Please, can we come inside and be brought to some accommodations?

Of course, Kadrean answered, his pursed lips the only outward sign of his displeasure. Please, won’t you come inside?

Fine, Kenzie allowed, still seething, "lead the way, Your Highness."

Seraphina’s warning look this time was murderous. Ignoring her, Kenzie fought the urge to stick her tongue out at the Prince’s back, before turning her head around to see where Garron had gotten to.

He was right behind them, hurrying to fall in step with the procession, the white-flowered wedding bracelet shredded where it lay discarded by the wheel of the carriage. As Kenzie watched, the carriage started moving again and the perfect white flowers she had so painstakingly woven together from a rare out of season patch in her homeland were crushed and forgotten.

Chapter Two

Dusty and weary from her long days of travel, Kenzie was brought immediately before a large set of double doors that marked the entrance to the Palace Throne Room. She had hoped she would be given a chance to rest or at least make herself presentable, but she could see by the self-satisfied smirk on Kadrean’s face that that wasn’t to be the case.

It’s not respectable to go in there like this… she noted, gesturing to the state of her clothes.

No? Kadrean questioned, feigning ignorance to the awkward circumstance he was deliberately putting her in. I would think my father would prefer to see you as you are, rather than to be kept waiting, but if you would prefer…

Why did you tell him I was ready, then? Kenzie demanded, the anger she still hadn’t dismissed flaring white-hot. This could have been avoided if you had any sense of decency!

Seraphina shot her a warning look, but she didn’t dare reprimand Kenzie in front of the Prince.

"Contrary to what you might think of me, Mackenzie, Kadrean said her name with just the barest hint of condescension, enough to set her teeth on edge, but not enough for her to make a scene about it, I did not tell my father anything. He was informed of your arrival and requested that you be brought to greet him. I suggest that you approach my father with more respect that you’ve shown me or at the very least refrain from showing him the more caustic side of your personality."

Kenzie was scandalized by his treatment of her. How dare he! she rebuked him silently, unable to do so out loud.

"Have a nice day, Your Highness," she managed, matching the veiled nature of his words by lacing hers with mockery.

Instead of more condescension, Kadrean surprised Kenzie by immediately folding into a deep bow of respect that showed not the slightest hint of facetiousness. You as well, My Lady.

With that, he departed. Kenzie watched his back until he was out of sight, her mind reeling from the encounter with the infuriating Prince. Who does he think he is? Is he making fun of me or isn’t he?

Kenzie, Seraphina cleared her throat, forcing Kenzie to tear herself away from the enigma of the Prince’s actions. The King, her mentor hissed in reminder. You musn’t keep him waiting.

Seraphina’s words did what they were supposed to and snapped her back to the present. While she’d been mentally preoccupied with the Prince, a palace guard had opened the large Throne Room doors and Kenzie found herself standing at the edge of a long red carpet that stretched before her into a long, high-ceilinged room. At the opposite end of the room was a dais raised to display the ivory throne of Ismer and the stern-faced King she had been brought here to greet.

Are you going to come in? The King spoke with an authoritative voice that clearly stated what he thought of her impertinence. Or is it that you expect that I should be the one to come to you?

Of…of course not, Your Majesty. Kenzie lifted her skirts and half-curtsied as she scurried forward. I was just finishing a conversation with your son, Prince Kadrean. He was making sure I was properly prepared to greet you.

Then I see that he has failed in his task.

Dressed in red silks lined with white fur and gold embroidery, King Raymundo was all dark stares under dark brows, and there was not a hint of softness about him. His jaw was hard like diamond, his eyes were obsidian marbles and when he spoke his words lacked inflection as if he really was a man made of stone.

My apologies, Kenzie bowed fully as she reached the proper distance of a supplicant come before the King. That was my failing and not your son’s. I am not used to such impressive accommodations and I found myself lost in the beauty of the palace and your city. I seem to have let it overtake my good manners, Your Majesty.

The silence in the Throne Room following her attempt to recover from a false start lasted just a moment longer than was comfortable. Kenzie felt a drop of sweat form on her brow as she waited for the King to acknowledge her apology. His guards and advisors were present, of course, but they said nothing either in support of or against her. Just like Seraphina, they did not dare.

Of course. Again there was no inflection to help lend meaning to his words. Welcome to Ismera, daughter of High Clan Chief Ducanni. Accommodations have been prepared for you and your marriage to my son will be made official just as soon as I can conclude negotiations with your father’s emissary.

About the marriage negotiations… Kenzie began tentatively, hating the necessity of broaching the subject, but knowing that she must approach this man with the utmost honesty or risk facing his ire at a later date. There was a slight misunderstanding when I got here...

Raymundo watched her closely but said nothing and so Kenzie found that she had no choice but to continue now that she had begun. When Lord Garron D’Arbonne greeted me at the gates, I mistook him for your son. I accidentally married him, under the customs of my people. I understand if this changes matters and if the result of my transgression is that you wish to send me home instead of honouring the treaty, I will not object.

You will not be going anywhere, Raymundo stated with finality. A treaty has been made and it is official, even if it is not yet finalized. You are here as security for that treaty and I was assured that you were well aware of your duties and were prepared to undertake them. Was I misinformed?

I am aware of my duties, Kenzie told him earnestly, but I married a different man and by the laws of my people I cannot marry another. If the treaty is not yet finalized perhaps there is still a chance to change the details. I will stay here as security if that is what you desire but I am not comfortable committing bigamy.

Very well, Raymundo sat back in his throne, startling Kenzie with his response, perhaps the details can still be changed, or at least clarified. Make a note, he commented to one of his men, who immediately produced a quill and the parchment needed to take down his King’s words. We will add a clause into the agreement with Haldoram which clearly states that the High Clan Chief’s daughter will be given lands and titles here in Ismera, so that she may be raised to the temporary status of a Lady of Ismera until her wedding. Therefore, she will be beholden to the laws and customs of this land until the time of her death.

He’s taking away my clan, my family…with this clause he makes me legally an Ismeran. He has no right. My father will not stand for this… But deep down Kenzie knew she must urge her father to accept it because to do otherwise would bring shame upon her clan and maybe even start a war. My father would be so disappointed in me. I have to decide which is worse, risking the dissolution of the treaty or letting this King get away with adding a clause that my father may overlook.

His commands heard, Raymundo returned his attention to Kenzie. I believe that settles the matter, don’t you?

Kenzie forced herself to meet the King’s cold black stare with as much pride as she could muster, but the tears brimming in her eyes betrayed her. As you command, Your Majesty.

As she spoke the words that would condemn her to a life at his mercy she couldn’t help but hope that the tearing pain in her heart in that moment was all the punishment she would get for what she had just allowed to happen.

One more thing, Raymundo’s voice stopped Kenzie in her tracks just as she was turning to depart. You have not consummated your engagement with Lord D’Arbonne, have you?

Anger and mortification caused her cheeks to burn hotly. And when would I have had the opportunity to do that? On the carriage ride up here? Or in the hallway, before I was presented to you?

Shock rippled across the faces of those assembled, and even the usually stoic and composed Seraphina looked like she might crumple at any moment, but the King’s expression did not change in the slightest.

A simple ‘no’ would have sufficed.

By the time two weeks had passed, Kenzie’s presence in the palace was all but forgotten. Her room, which was not small, at least by her standards, was tucked away in the farthest corner of the West Wing, also known as ‘Ambassador’s Hall’, and it was about as far as one could be from the Royal Family while still technically being within the walls of their oversized home.

I’m not even sure I remember what Kadrean looks like… Kenzie sighed, taking in her appearance in the vanity mirror before her as Seraphina silently tucked pins into her hair. Kenzie’s long and somewhat wavy auburn hair had been swirled delicately into a braid that circled about her head, while leaving some strands to fall naturally in an attempt to soften her strong jawline. There was nothing she could do about her high cheekbones, but hopefully the makeup Seraphina had applied to darken around her honey-brown eyes would draw attention away from them.

I’m not sure why I’m bothering to try and make a good impression. They have clearly already decided to dismiss me. I wonder if this engagement will even go through tonight or whether King Raymundo, or worse, his son, will just call me out for already being married to another man and send me home.

Though, maybe that would be a blessing…

Don’t fret about it, Seraphina instructed, misinterpreting the frustration on Kenzie’s face for anxiety. It was gracious of King Raymundo to forgive your mistake regarding Lord D’Arbonne and allow this arrangement to continue for the sake of the treaty. You have nothing to be worried about now. Tonight is just a formality, everything else has already been agreed upon.

It wasn’t often that Kenzie had had occasion in her life to dress up like this and wear makeup, which was exactly why she was letting Seraphina take charge of the process of making her look beautiful by Southern standards. She just wished that the rouge upon her lips and the white powder coating her face didn’t make her look and feel so unlike herself. She felt more like a doll about to be put on display than the High Clan Chief’s daughter.

Just because he forgave my misunderstanding doesn’t mean it didn’t happen and it doesn’t give me any more reason to want to marry that stuck-up Prince either, she protested, fidgeting with the brush that was meant to apply rouge to her cheeks and pretending that it was a knife and that the vanity table before her was Prince Kadrean’s face. If it wasn’t for this stupid treaty I would have packed up my things and headed home a week ago. I look ridiculous with all this stuff on my face, Seraphina. I don’t belong here.

Hush, Seraphina counseled, you look beautiful and don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise. You’ll do your father and the clan proud, I’m certain of it. You’ve come this far already, there’s only a little ways further to go before you’re safely married with a child in your womb.

I had almost forgotten about that part and was actually prepared to pretend to be happy this evening, Kenzie began, using sarcasm as a defense against how upset she was at the thought of actually having to go through with this. Now I have regretfully plummeted into a depression and will have to stay in for the night. You should go and tell everyone that I will be unable to make it. If they need a reason, tell them I can’t breathe in this torture device they call a dress. Does it have to be so tight?

In a fit of pique, Seraphina pulled hard on the corset’s drawstrings, strapping Kenzie even tighter into the gaudy red dress she loathed so much. It was obvious behind her mentor’s tightly pursed lips that she had plenty she wanted to say, but for the sake of civility the older woman kept her mouth shut as she continued to work.

Kenzie was frustrated and angry, but not with Seraphina if she was being honest, so she bore the woman’s ministrations with as much patience as she could.

Be honest. I look stupid, don’t I? Kenzie asked when Seraphina was finished. Where did you get this awful dress, anyways?

It was a gift, Seraphina answered stiffly, obviously still a little sore, from the Prince. He wanted to make sure you would fit in with the current fashion. The note he sent along with the dress said so.

Standing as Seraphina backed away, Kenzie studied herself one last time in the mirror. There’s no way anyone could call this dress fashionable.

Lets just get this over with, she told Seraphina with one last sigh before she plastered a smile upon her face, we wouldn’t want to keep the guests waiting.

That’s a girl, Seraphina smiled indulgently, for some reason seeming to consider it a personal triumph that Kenzie had decided to play along.

The room she was escorted to was in a part of the palace she’d never seen before. As she followed the armed men down winding hallways it struck her again just how massive and sprawling this place really was. She despaired momentarily of ever learning her way around it and worried that she would always have to keep someone by her to show her the way. Nevertheless, she was safe enough on her clansman’s arm and he seemed in no danger of getting lost as he led her through the mazelike corridors.

The wide double doors opened at her arrival, manned on either side by servants posted there for that very task. They seem to have someone to do every little thing here. It seems a waste to have all these people just standing around waiting to perform some simple function.

Thank you, Niklaus, she whispered softly in Gaelic to the Jaram man who’d led her here before she missed her opportunity to do so. I don’t know what I would have done without you.

Niklaus, the Jaram Clan Chief’s younger brother nodded in acknowledgment of her words before stepping away quietly, as the opening doors revealed her to the Ismeran nobles waiting within.

Taking a deep breath and checking that her smile was in place, Kenzie forced herself to take a step forward. She kept her head held high and her eyes bright, but despite her best intention not to let anything get to her, it wasn’t long before the reality of what she was walking into caused the smile to fall from her face.

The women inside the intimately sized ballroom were dressed nothing like she was. It was also immediately clear by the looks on their tanned Southern faces what they thought of her appearance. Their gowns were light and airy, meant for the summer’s heat in Ismera, and they were an array of soft pastels, whereas Kenzie’s dress was a vibrant red with heavy gold embroidery and yellow jewels in gold-plated settings.

Kenzie realized that she’d been right to think this was dress gaudy and that the pasty white powder that Seraphina had applied to her face made her look like a doll. Perhaps the look she wore now had been in style in Seraphina’s day, and therefore the Saeguardian woman hadn’t known the difference, but it certainly wasn’t in style now. Prince Kadrean had intended for his bride-to-be to look the fool and his ploy had worked. Kenzie had simply been too trusting and too uneducated in the current fashion this far south to know she was being played.

Through the crowd of nearly silent onlookers, Kenzie caught sight of her intended. The smirk on his face was evidence enough that he had planned this moment and was very pleased with himself for pulling it off.

So this is how this is going to be. Kenzie felt her body hum with the force of the anger building inside her. I hate that man with every fiber of my being.

It seems like my knowledge of Ismeran fashion is a little out of date…I guess that is what happens when you ask a man for his input, right Prince Kadrean? She said the words loud enough that even across the room full of richly-dressed nobles, Kadrean should still be able hear her clearly.

Out of fashion? A blonde woman chimed in without the slightest hesitation in addressing the queen-to-be. "I think my grandmother may have owned a dress like that…though I doubt even she would have worn it in public."

A chorus of female laughter followed the cruel words and Kadrean’s amusement deepened, making Kenzie feel somewhat like a cornered animal. She subconsciously wrapped her arms around herself in a protective fashion and couldn’t help but feel somehow more vulnerable in this dress than she would have coming to this party in only her undergarments. She wished desperately that they would all focus their attention elsewhere. Even the anonymity she had faced these last two weeks was better than this.

That’s enough, ladies! an authoritative female voice commanded and Kenzie whirled to find herself face to face with the most beautiful woman she’d ever seen.

She was older than Kenzie but beautiful enough that her age seemed almost indeterminate. She had auburn hair like Kenzie’s own, but hers was silky where Kenzie’s was frizzy and her braid was like a crown sitting atop her head, making Kenzie feel like hers was a sloppy and unnecessary addition to her already cluttered appearance. Her skin was only lightly tanned and flawlessly creamy, with not a mark or blemish to be seen, and her irises were exactly the shade of burnt almond, matching the soft and expertly applied eye makeup she wore. And her dress, unlike Kenzie’s, was long, black and hugged her slim and graceful form like a second skin.

Yes, Queen Loretta, the girls chorused, before silencing and falling into place in a way that indicated they were more than used to obeying this woman’s every whim.

Never in my life have I ever felt inferior to another person, until now. Kenzie was in awe of the Queen as she crossed