“Alright, then. Let's get this over with.”
∞∞∞
Half an hour later, Josselyn had been stripped down and scrubbed within an inch of her life. Her lady's maid, Jane, had been summoned to assist her, and the poor girl had burst into uncontrollable sobs when she saw her. Even now Josselyn heard the occasional sniffle as the girl buttoned up the long column of tiny, pearl shaped buttons that fastened the back of her ivory gown. The sleeves of the gown flowed around her arms, opening in wide bells that trailed down well past her hands. The neckline was cut low, with gold accenting its heart-shaped border and a matching gold sash draped loosely around her hips.
“It's alright, Jane. I'm going to be fine.”
The maid sniffled again, moving around to Josselyn's front and wringing her hands. “I'm sorry, Your Highness, I don't mean to be a bother, it's just... everything's been so uncertain since that man took over the castle, and now here you are, being forced to marry him...” She shook her head, a fresh batch of tears welling up in her eyes. “It's just too sad.”
Josselyn placed a hand on the girl's nervous ones. “I'll do what I must, but trust me – I will never stop fighting. So you needn't cry for me. He's the one who will be weeping if I have half the chance.”
In a whirl of skirts, she turned and strode to the door, pulling it open and nodding to the guard who waited to escort her down to the prince. The man gestured for her to proceed him, keeping his distance as he watched her with wary eyes. She swept past him, her head held at a regal tilt as she lead the way down to the throne room where the nuptials were to take place. Guards hurried to open the large doors for her, their heads dipping instinctively as she passed by them, all dangerous beauty and power.
“Ah, there she is. Doesn't my bride look enchanting tonight?”
Prince Stefan stood on the dais beside a terrified looking Lord Burgundy. Beads of sweat glistened on the portly adviser's forehead as he watched the princess approach. “Yes, of course, Your Highness. Most... most enchanting, indeed.” He swallowed, his nervous eyes darting around the room at the guards who lined both walls.
Josselyn regarded him coolly, ignoring the prince completely. Her expression hardened as she found Edmund and her aunt, both still bound and gagged, held captive off to the side.
“I thought we agreed that they would be spared.” She turned her gaze toward the prince. “Why are they still being held like that?”
The prince gave her a knowing look. “A little collateral, in case you should have any second thoughts. I'm sure you understand.”
Her lips flattened into a thin line as she regarded him. “And my guard? You promised he would be treated, but how am I to know you didn't just cart him off to be killed?”
“I give you my word, the boy has been given the best care available.”
She snorted. “As if I would take you at your word. I want to see him. Once I'm assured that he's alive, then and only then will I proceed with this... sham of a wedding.”
“My patience is running thin, princess,” the prince hissed. “The gypsy mutt that you're so fond of is fine. Now let's get on with it, before I decide I only need one hostage for collateral instead of two.”
“Now, you listen here, princeling,” Josselyn seethed, jabbing her finger against the prince's chest. Hard. “If I find out you've deceived me as to the welfare of my guard, or any one of my other citizens, for that matter, I will end you, king or not. Let your father start a war over it, and we'll see who comes out victorious.”
The prince paled but, surprisingly, held his ground. “As I said before, I gave you my word. So if you have no further objections..." Josselyn raised her eyebrows, crossing her arms over her chest. He cleared his throat. “Then Lord Burgundy here has agreed to officiate the ceremony, as is his right as the royal adviser.”
Lord Burgundy shuffled his feet, his eyes looking anywhere but at Josselyn. “Ah, yes, then... if you're ready...”
A commotion at the door distracted him from what he was about to say, as all the heads in the room turned toward the noise. Josselyn let out a startled gasp.
Alex stood in the doorway, hunched over and breathing heavily, with guards on either side of him holding his arms. A red stain blossomed on the rough, tan tunic that someone must have changed him into, but he paid it no mind as his eyes sought her out, his face a strange mixture of panic and rage.
“Don't do it, Josselyn!”
He grunted with pain as one of the guards pulled him back with a jerk. Josselyn felt her mark begin to tingle as she leaped off the dais, her blazing eyes boring holes in the guards that held him.
“Touch even one more hair on his head, and I will maul you,” she growled, sending the guards scurrying to the side as she approached. Alex stumbled toward her, his hand moving to press against his wound.
“You don't have to do this, Josselyn. You're stronger than all of them combined, and they know it. Don't let him force you into something you don't want.”
Josselyn watched him with sad eyes. “I might be able to take them, but at what cost? They'll kill Edmund and Aunt Merri... and you...” She shook her head. “No, this is my only choice. I'm sorry.”
The pain in his eyes was too much to bear, and she quickly turned away, walking back up to the dais even as her heart fell to pieces with each step. The prince watched her return with a look of such smug triumph that it made the palm of her hand itch with the need to slap it off his face.
Lord Burgundy cleared his throat. “Where were we now... ah, yes...Your Highness, do you, Josselyn deLure, crown princess of Eldour, accept this man, Stefan Ascania, second prince of Adem, as your husband and
