**Three weeks later**Molly called her mother on her way home from work, like she did every night. “Hi mom,” she said cautiously. “Hi baby girl, happy birthday!” her mom answered. It was another good day for Sarah.“You remembered!” Molly exclaimed.“I did,” she said. “There should be a package waiting for you at home, too. The nurses helped me.”“Thank you, mom,” Molly said with happy tears.“I just wanted to send my daughter something special,” Sarah said. “Not every day is your birthday.”“I still appreciate it,” Molly replied. “That’s because you’re a good girl,” Sarah said. “How’s Tony?” she asked, changing the subject. “He’s good,” she responded. “We’re both still doing therapy separately, as well as going together. It’s been really helpful. I’m going to call him later and he’s going to bring over dinner.”“That’s great, Molly.”“I know,” she replied. “I’d forgotten how much I missed just talking to him. It’s great to be able to talk to him again.”“I’m just hap
Six months later, they were married in a ceremony held on the lawn of her mother’s nursing home. Their mothers held hands and wept happy tears as Tony and Molly exchanged vows they had written themselves. Molly started. “Tony, you are one of the few people in this world who truly see me. You’ve always seen me as so much more than I thought I was. You’ve helped me realize my worth, and that I do have something to offer the world. Every day you make me feel like the most beautiful woman on the planet. You encourage me, you don’t just listen to me – you hear me. We have been through so much together, and I can honestly say I wouldn’t have gotten through half of it without you by my side.” She stopped to wipe away her tears, but Tony got to them first. She smiled at him. “You are better than any fairy tale or romantic hero. You have saved me in so many ways. I promise I will always be honest and upfront with you. I will always support you, and you will always be the best thing that’s ev
Prologue The Princes Dupont and Grayson had never seen the mountains before. They were transfixed by the majesty of the landscape as their carriage entered the Duchy of Lydisia within the country of Alderei. The boys had been staring out of the carriage windows ever since crossing the border out of Eswen. “Sit back and close your mouths!” their father snapped. “You are princes of Eswen, not fish from the Southern Sea!” The boys sat back and put their heads down. “My dear, they are only admiring the scenery,” the Queen attempted to soothe her husband’s nerves. “We don’t have such mountains in Eswen.” “That doesn’t give them the right to forget their status.” The king snapped back, raising his hand and his voice. The Queen bowed her head, while the boys looked on in fear. The king addressed his family coldly, settling back into his seat. He was the only one on that side of carriage. The queen was stuffed in between the two boys on the other cushioned bench. “We must represent roya
**8 years later**“Father hates me,” Grayson cried to his older brother. “Father does not hate you,” Dupont attempted to reassure his little brother. “He does! He beat me again today for playing sorcerer!” Grayson lifted his shirt and showed Dupont the fresh marks from his father’s switch. Dupont flinched, involuntarily. He had never felt his father’s anger physically. “He says I will bring down the Demon King on my own head!” Dupont stroked his brother’s hair. “You know how Father feels about magic, Gray.” “I know. I wasn’t even playing sorcerer, though, “ he explained. “I was singing and just swinging a stick around.” “I will talk to Father,” Dupont said, determination in his eyes. He was 16 now. He had stood by long enough while his father beat Grayson for every slight, real or imagined. If he was to be a great king someday, he had to learn to stand up to injustice, even within his own family. “Please be careful, Duey,” Grayson pleaded. “I don’t want Father to turn on you, too
**4 years later** Abigail Alderei Castle had been a buzz for weeks with the expected arrival of the Prince and his family. The staff had gone all out – pruning the already immaculate gardens that surrounded the castle, mending the fences around the orchards, airing out and hanging the best tapestries. There was to be a reception in the entrance chamber upon their arrival, followed by a dinner in the Great Hall. As this would be their first visit to Alderei Castle, the queen wanted the grand estate to look its best. She wanted her daughter to be on her best behavior. She was not happy earlier that day, when said daughter was brought back to the castle, dirty and scratched up, having fallen out of a tree in an attempt to escape the impending wedding. Later that evening, I fixed my dress as I waited for the arrival of Prince Grayson of Eswen, who I had not seen in four years. Queen Sarah was currently running around the richly decorated hall nitpicking everything the servants did. I
Grayson “Mother, do I have to go through with this?” I asked quietly so Father would not hear me. He had already lectured me the whole way here, I was afraid he would get physical if he heard my complaint. It wouldn’t be the first time. My mother raised an eyebrow. “Are you questioning your father’s judgement, my love?” She adjusted the veil covering the lower half of her face to hide my father’s latest “correction.” “No, Mother,” I replied without hesitation. “I just wish I had more time to meet and get to know my bride… maybe find out if we are compatible. Maybe fall in love,” I mumbled the last part. I had grown up listening to the fairy tales my grandmother used to tell me. Even though my parents hadn’t married for love, I knew it happened. Queen Sarah and King Marcus had reportedly been a love match. They met on the battlefield, in fact, defending Alderei from Godfrey, the country to the north. She was the daughter of the previous King, Patryk, and Marcus was the son of an E
Abigail King Hayden’s comments about my father only believing women to be equal because he had no sons bothered me. I knew it wasn’t true – my father had always loved us deeply and treated us well, and women were treated as equals in Alderei. I knew it wasn’t that way everywhere, but I didn’t remember this side of the king. “I wonder what the queen was thinking when she agreed to the betrothal,” Rose muttered, as if reading my mind. “Alliances and security, most likely,” I replied, just loud enough for my sister to hear. “It was 14 years ago. Let’s hope the prince has remained more charming than his father.” Rose poked me in the ribs. “You and the prince seemed to be very taken with each other. He didn’t want to let you go once he hugged you.” I blushed, but poked Rose back, and she giggled. “We’ve always been friends,” I countered, then admitted, “He has grown to be very handsome…” “You can have him then,” Cat said, walking up to us. “Did you hear what his father said to me ab
Grayson Curse that damned dinner bell, I thought as we made our way back inside. She was about to say something that felt important, but the bell stopped her. I couldn’t believe how much I had missed her. Losing my best friend and my brother at the same time had left a huge hole in my life. With her next to me now, I could feel some of it start to fill in. The Hall was large and lavishly decorated in the colors of Alderei – a deep green and brown. It gave the room an earthy, comfortable feel. It was very unlike the halls of Eswen Castle which were mostly bare sandstone. My father did not believe in spending money on something as frivolous as decorations. I rather liked the look of the Hall here. I could see Abby smile in the corner of my eye as she watched me looking around the room. “Do you like it here?” she asked. It was the first she had spoken since we started our walk back. “It’s very… comfortable,” I said, uncertain if that was the right word. “It is,” she agreed. “Do