I lower my gaze. I suppose he’s right. What husband would ever allow his wife to sleep surrounded by men? Even if they were her bonded guards?
“I don’t understand, though,” I mutter. “How will my marrying the prince help unite the two kingdoms?”
Kai smiles warmly. “You are the Chosen One. You will broker peace between the two kingdoms through marriage. Your ability to understand us through our mind speech in both human and animal forms is a gift. One that will help bridge the divide between humans and shifters.
“The prophecy foretells that you will teach the prince of us and through you, he will become more accepting... more understanding of who and what we are. He will see that we are not the demonic beasts many of the humans believe us to be.”
It’s strange to think that someone like me. A person of very little importance would be the key to something so critical.
“Can’t we simply just request an audience with him?” I ask. “Speak to him of a truce?”
Kai shakes his head.
“Why?”
He tenderly cups my cheek, brushing the pad of his thumb across my skin. “Because the Elders have foreseen it. Only through marriage to the Chosen One will his eyes be opened to our world and the path to peace.”
Finn smooths his hand down my arm. “Do you not want to be a princess, Ella?”
I lower my gaze. “I just... I don’t know what kind of man the prince may be.”
“He must be good,” Kai offers, and yet, in his blue eyes, I can see a hint of doubt. “If not, the Elders would have seen problems in your match to him.”
“Thank you, Kai. That makes me feel a bit better.”
I lie there a moment more, enjoying their presence and the feel of their comforting warmth all around me. Tonight is the royal ball. If the prince chooses me as they hope, he will take me as his bride right then and there. I will be sealed to him this evening.
I’m nervous, but I trust Kai and the others when they say this is how it’s supposed to be. They are my guards. They’re bonded to me and take care of me. They would never lead me down the wrong path. Of this, I am sure. I know it deep in my soul.
Chapter 10
Kai
Cash and Finn slip into Ella’s pocket, in their chipmunk forms, before she enters the carriage with her stepfamily, while Devon and Nyx hide beneath the bench, concealed behind Ella’s long dress.
I fly overhead, making sure to keep them in sight at all times as we make our way into the city.
When we reach the dressmaker, Devon and Nyx remain in the carriage. After all, a cat and a rabbit are too conspicuous to remain hidden like the rest of us are. I shift into my human form behind the building, making sure to appear as if I am wearing the elegant coat and pants of a wealthy gentleman. I choose a deep blue color to highlight my golden hair and blue eyes. Several ladies stare at me appreciatively as I enter the shop, but I pay them no mind as I search for Ella.
When I find her, I move to her side and then lean down and whisper in her ear. “Ask for the owner. Her name is Rina. Tell her that Devon sent you to pick up a dress.”
She smiles. “Is it my dress for the ball?”
“Yes. He paid handsomely for it. So I’m sure it will be a beautiful design.”
I scan the shop, watching for any danger as Ella goes off to find Rina. A woman comes from out of the back a moment later. My eyes widen slightly as soon as I see the peacock shifter.
Devon told me what she was, but it is strange to see a fellow shifter on this side of the veil. No wonder these dresses are so in demand. Only a creature of great beauty could create such gorgeous designs in turn. Rina hands her a package, and Ella places it in one of the many bags she is already carrying for her stepfamily.
It disturbs me how terrible they treat her. Even more troubling is how Ella accepts it as her life. She must have endured many things over the years. I wish we had been sent to her sooner.
Ella loses her grip on one of the bags, and it slips to the floor. Her stepmother slaps her hard across the cheek. “Clumsy girl! Mind what you are doing!”
My hands curl into fists at my side as anger rolls through me. I wish we could take Ella away from all this to our cottage in the woods. But it is forbidden to take a human beyond the veil. If we were discovered, the punishment would be severe.
I shake my head. The price is too high. We cannot risk taking her there.
Besides, I think to myself bitterly, she will catch the eye of the prince this night. And once she does, she will be royalty, and no one will ever harm her again.
Her stepmother raises her hand again, and I step between them, wrapping my hand around her forearm, stopping her abruptly. “Do not touch her,” I grind out.
Anger burns through me like fire as I stare down at her.
“I—I... she’s my stepdaughter, sir. I was only disciplining her.”
Holding her gaze, I lean down and whisper in her ear. “Do it again and you shall discover I possess a wrath like none you could possibly imagine.”
I relinquish my grip on her forearm, and she pulls away, her entire face completely pale. “Of—of course,” she says, and turns quickly to head back to the carriage.
Ella casts a glance at me over her shoulder, and I give her a bright smile. I know she did not want us to do anything unkind to her stepmother, but I also know she could not possibly have heard what I whispered in her stepmother’s ear.
And
