The Princess Test: Tales of Tessagonia, #3

By Mary W. Jensen

Three wedding events. Three magical dresses. Three princess tests.

When a prince brings home a foreign peasant girl for his bride, his family doubts her worthiness. They present a series of secret tests to ensure she won't be an embarrassment to the royal family. Can Zuleika live up to their expectations and become the queen her prince believes she can be?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mary W. Jensen
• Release date: Oct 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9798224302758

Mary W. Jensen

Mary W. Jensen lives in Utah with her husband and son. Mary is the middle of nine children, and escaped the loudness of reality by immersing herself in books and poetry. From chaos comes creation. Her poetry has been published in the webzines Moon Drenched Fables and Abyss & Apex. She is also co-author of the poetry book Lifelines published by InkSpotter Publishing.

Book preview

1

After a fever defeated King Ramon's frail body, the kingdom of Senatin expected Prince Marcos to marry and take the throne. The eldest child, Rosa, had already abdicated by her refusal to marry. Instead of complying with expectation, Marcos disappeared. As tradition was only for a married couple to rule, Queen Adriana stepped aside and her daughter Selena stepped up as regent, with her nobleman husband, until Marcos was either pronounced dead, officially gave up his right to the throne, or married and took his rightful crown.

Marcos had sailed the seas and the Outer Isles for a year before coming to Teluk-malu, Zuleika's island home. He claimed to be a merchant. He told her of the loss of his father to illness, and how he didn't feel ready to walk in his footsteps. He made no mention of a crown.

Marcos and Zuleika fell in love, drawn together as the tides to the shore. He didn't tell her his whole truth until he proposed. Not a merchant, a prince! And he wanted her to be his queen. But if she were the ocean tides, he was her shore. Her home. And so she left hers for his.

Zuleika marveled at all the stone and people as their carriage entered the city. It seemed her entire island could sit within the city walls. They were so far inland that she could no longer hear or smell the ocean. She hadn't thought that was possible. She wished her Amah had ridden with them at least, but she would arrive later with their luggage. Marcos hadn't wanted to wait for them to unload the ship before rushing back home. And so far, everyone she had seen was of Marcos' dusky complexion, or paler. She didn't see anyone as dark as herself.

They pulled into the courtyard of the castle proper. She had never seen a castle before, only heard of them in stories. It loomed over her, blocking out the setting sun.

Marcos stepped out of the carriage, then turned to lift her down. His grip was solid, grounding her. He leaned down to kiss her gently. You'll be fine. I'm right here.