She squared her shoulders as she looked up at Alex.
“Take me to my aunt, then. I shall face my fate without fear.”
Edmund's laughter rang out behind them as they began walking through the gardens toward the castle.
“It's just a bath and a nice dress, Joss,” he called after her. “I'm sure you'll survive.”
∞∞∞
“Oh, not that one, Aunt Merri, I'm begging you.”
Josselyn grimaced at the elaborate, blue gown Lady Merridale held out. “It's so tight and stuffy, I can hardly breathe with it on.”
Lady Merridale harrumphed and continued to hold out the offending gown.
“It is both regal and elegant, two attributes that you are quite lacking at the moment. Must I remind you of the importance of this meeting? Prince Stefan, who is second in line to the Antoski crown, has come to negotiate a treaty with us. We must put our best foot forward. Surely you wish for peace along the border?”
Placing her hands on her hips, Josselyn gave her aunt an indignant look.
“I hardly see how my discomfort will benefit anyone. The green gown with the gold sash is just as elegant as this monstrosity, and it is far more comfortable to wear.”
Lady Merridale looked at Josselyn aghast.
“You must be joking, my dear. It's sleeveless. Your arms would be bare!”
“So? It's summer, everyone is wearing short sleeves. It's perfectly respectable.”
“Not everyone has the mark of a beast on them, do they?”
She looked pointedly at Josselyn's right forearm, where four black claw marks stood out against her tanned skin. Josselyn looked down, tracing the marks with her finger.
“It's just a birthmark. Lots of people have them. Besides, Mother always said it made me special. She called me her little wildcat.”
Lady Merridale sighed and laid the blue gown out on the bed.
“My sister was blinded by a mother's love. Others, I'm afraid, will not see it in the same light. Therefore, you will cover your arms, mind your manners, and sit quietly as your father leads us into a more peaceful era.”
She turned to the corner of the room where Josselyn's maid was standing, wringing her hands and watching the two women with rounded eyes.
“I'll leave this hoyden to you. See if you can't manage to do something with that mane she calls hair.”
Turning back to the princess, she leveled her with her sternest look.
“Your guard will collect you when it is time for you to join the meeting. Be sure you're ready by then.”
“His name is Alex, Aunt Merri, and you've known him since he was two.”
“Don't remind me. I have no idea what your parents were thinking, taking that boy in. They should have had him dumped off with the first group of gypsies that passed by, instead of bringing him here.”
“His entire caravan was massacred by Antoski soldiers! He was the only survivor, practically a babe, when my parents took him in. Surely, you're not so cold that you would begrudge such a child the warmth and security of a home?”
“Of course not. I just don't see why his home had to be in the royal castle.”
“It's not like he was in the nursery with me.”
“Really, Josselyn, I do not wish to discuss your guard with you. Be a dutiful niece, for once in your life, and make yourself presentable.”
With that, the Duchess turned and swept out of the room.
Josselyn sighed and looked over at her maid.
“Royalty, am I right?”
The girl bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing. “Shall I help you into your dress now, Your Highness?” She asked, reaching for the blue gown Lady Merridale had laid out.
“Why, yes, Jane, you may.”
Then, with an impish grin, she added, “The green one hanging in the wardrobe there should do quite nicely, don't you think?”
She fell back onto the bed and raised her marked arm above her head.
“Don't worry Mama, no one is going to keep this wildcat in a cage.”
Chapter Two
An hour later, Josselyn found herself standing in front of the large, wooden doors leading to the royal meeting room. Her hair was artfully piled on top of her head, with a simple gold tiara resting above her forehead. Her deep green, silk gown draped elegantly over her lean figure.
“Your Highness.”
Alex stepped forward, pulling the doors open and bowing Josselyn into the room. She glided past him, head high and shoulders straightened. He followed behind her, taking up his position by the door.
Josselyn crossed the large room, which was lined on the left with several windows that stretched from the floor to the ceiling, allowing sunlight to flood the room. The other walls were covered in tapestries, depicting Eldour's long and rich history.
As she approached the meeting table, one of the tapestries caught her eye. It portrayed a battlefield, crowded with fighting men and those already fallen. In the middle of the chaos was a single female archer riding astride an impossibly large wolf. Something about the woman called to her, as if she were looking at a kindred spirit. Perhaps it was simply because she was a woman unafraid to be a leader amid a sea of men.
“Ah, Princess Josselyn, thank you for joining us. Please, have a seat.”
Lord Burgundy's nasal voice interrupted her musings, and she tore her eyes away from the wall to join the people already seated at the long, wooden table.
“Your Majesty.”
She bowed her head towards her father, King Frederic deLure of Eldour, who sat at the table's head. Lord Burgundy, his chief adviser, and General Weston, the head of his army, sat across from her, to the king's left. She greeted them both in turn before turning to the chair on her right.
“Lady Merridale, good afternoon.”
She held back a grin as her aunt's eyes narrowed, her lips thinning out into a straight line before biting out a response.
“Good afternoon, Your Highness.”
King Frederic reached
