Cursed by the Phantom Prince (Once Upon A Curse)

Chapter 3

3

TOREN

T hey’d accepted

It had been a week since the missive arrived informing my father that the Court of Dawn queen was willing to entertain our proposal. I hadn’t thought it would work, but Larek had assured me that the queen was a forward-thinking woman who felt the need for change in this realm as much as I did. I just hoped that her daughter felt the same way.

My stomach churned at the thought of the Court of Dawn’s princess. My court had withdrawn from the realm when she was proclaimed the heir. I’d never met her, but my spies had confirmed that she had no blood relation to the queen. Which meant this princess had been plucked from the lower class and had royalty thrust upon her because to refuse such an offer was lunacy. Being from humble beginnings, it wasn’t a surprise that there was little to no information about her before she became the heir.

Not that any of that mattered.

Regardless of her upbringing, she was the only heir that was of marrying age and a female. Not that gender mattered. My loyalist guard, Lir, whom I was pretending to be, had a husband and just recently adopted an orphaned Fae child. I’d given him an extended leave of absence so they could all adjust to being a family. It couldn’t have worked out any more perfectly since his absence allowed me to slip into his position easily.

My father was not aware that I had left the Moon Court lands and traveled to the Court of Dawn disguised as my most trusted guard. When a marriage proposal was extended it was the right of the extendee to send someone loyal to look after his would-be bride. Since the only guard I trusted was Lir, there was no other choice but for me to go in his stead.

I wasn’t upset about the arrangement. I’d be able to see with my own eyes what sort of person this princess was and if she was fit to stand at my side. The thought of another sharing my burdens was enticing, though guilt would be the basis of the whole marriage, but I had to do what needed to be done.

I just hoped that in the end she could forgive me.

“Do you think this is wise?” Larek asked again, making me bite my tongue or I’d say something I’d regret.

“Honestly…no.” It had been my answer all the other times he’d asked me.

“But you’re still doing it?”

I sighed, adjusting my seat in the saddle praying for patience. The Court of Stars prince wasn’t a terrible companion; he just couldn’t read social cues and didn’t know when to let things go. I’d known Larek for years since our courts usually sided with each other until the king, Larek’s father, decided that being a power in the world wasn’t what he or his people really wanted. So after centuries the court withdrew from the realm politically, choosing instead to become neutral

I respected and even understood this decision, but the timing wasn’t ideal.

Because the Court of Stars had withdrawn support from my court it meant that there was now an imbalance of power. My court was large, formidable, and cunning, which meant that alliances had to be made since our allies no longer supported anyone. There were a millennia of reasons why the Sun Court would never be my first choice. The bad blood between the two largest courts in the realm ran deep, as did memories. My father would rather see his court eradicated before he’d attempt any sort of peace with the Sun Court.

Which was why the Court of Dawn and its female heir had been the only choice.

“I have to,” I replied, stopping myself from reaching up to rub at the annoying fabric covering my face.

“I’m sure with time a different solution would present itself.”

I gritted my teeth, having heard this over and over for the past three days. Could an alternative solution present itself? Yes, with time. Was that ideal? Absolutely not. There was no more time to just sit and wait and see. The black rot was on the move and no longer contained to just the Moon Court. It was spreading and would devour everything in its path. The only thing standing in its way was me, which was why this alliance needed to happen, why I had to marry.

“I agree, but time is the one thing we do not have.”

Larek sighed, brushing his silvery hair away from his face while his falcon, Ithildin, glared at me with green eyes that seemed to see everything, even the things better left hidden.

“We’ll arrive at the palace by mid afternoon,” Larek said, changing the subject. “That won’t give us much time to freshen up.”

“Freshen up for what?”

I’ll be honest, I’d left the itinerary up to him since I would be busy protecting the princess. I’d be expected to attend everything anyway. I needed some sort of unpredictability in my life.

“Etiquette dictates that a formal meal will be offered after a guest’s arrival. It’s safe to assume that we’ll be expected to attend.”

“Great.” Last thing I wanted to do was mind my manners, but I had a part to play and what was expected was what I needed to do.

“I don’t suppose you’ll lighten up before we arrive.”

“I’ll have you know that I am a delight,” I replied with a scowl.

“Can I ask a favor? Leave the brooding in your saddlebag. You may be in disguise now, but this girl you’re about to meet will hopefully soon be your wife. The best you can do is at least attempt to win her over.”

“I’m here as her protector, Larek. Getting to know each other will come later after the marriage ceremony.”

“You don’t know anything about women, do you?”

Women weren’t so different from men. Just slightly different body parts but they could be just as ruthless and cunning. I didn’t want an obedient wife, nor did I want her making rash decisions that could upset the balance further.

“I’m willing to learn,” I replied, glancing away as memories of my mother filled my mind.

She’d been a lovely woman, strong and capable. Her death had left a gaping hole in my chest once filled with love and acceptance; it was now empty and desolate. I’d pushed everyone out of my life once the curse had passed to me. I told myself it was for their safety, but deep down I had a hard time trusting anyone. It took Lir years to prove his loyalty and trustworthiness. He probably should have given up but he hadn’t and I was grateful.

The Court of Dawn’s lands were beautiful. Rolling hills of green grass and wildflowers with the occasional crop of trees that looked like the beginnings of a forest. Everything was colorful and vibrant, demanding attention from those traveling through. It couldn’t be more different from the cold emptiness that made up the south. It looked like the land here was in a perpetual state of spring that had the ability to fill one with hope.

I hadn’t realized when I first entered the court that the emotion I was feeling was hope, but now there was no denying it. The surrounding landscape seemed to breath new beginnings, making one's dreams seem tangible no matter how impossible they were.

The rest of the journey was made in silence; everyone was tired yet eager for our crossing to end. Early afternoon a distant city could be seen and by mid afternoon we’d arrived at the city gates.

Faevalorn was the Court of Dawn’s seat and it was magnificent to behold. The wall surrounding the city was made of white marble, making them glint and glimmer in the sunlight. The gate was made of gold, depicting a sword with rubies embedded in the hilt, pointed downward in the middle of a crown made up of roses, thorns, and vines that spread to either side. It was an incredible sight, one that set the tone for the entire court. Where there was beauty there was also the possibility of pain.

The gates opened as we approached, while I was describing the gate and its hidden message to Larek, who was impressed and appreciated the artistry.

“The Court of Dawn has always been small, but it has had an air of might. These are proud people who care about the land and each other.”

The concept was intriguing but also foreign. The Moon Court ruled with an iron fist, striking fear into the hearts of its people. It was all I had ever known but I was looking forward to learning how to rule with kindness and understanding rather than fear.

Like most cities, the palace was in the center, rising above everything else, making it the focal point. The roads leading to the palace were sloped downward toward it. I’d researched this city and the palace extensively, admiring the dual reasons for the palace positioning. If the outer walls were ever breached, the streets leading to the palace would funnel soldiers until only a certain number would be able to stand abreast, making infiltration nearly impossible. Having the high ground didn’t always necessarily mean victory. The second reason was taking into account the rainfall. Instead of water collecting in the streets, causing flooding to homes and businesses, the water would run downhill toward the palace, where it was collected in a reservoir and then distributed to the farm lands outside of the city walls.

The gradual decline toward the palace also allowed for easy deliveries. Instead of clogging up the streets with merchandise, supplies were instead loaded on a barge then sent to the other side of the city with an intricate pulley system. Since the edges and walls were higher than the majority of the buildings besides the palace, it didn’t take much effort to transport goods. There were hubs near the wall that you could collect or send things to. Then you just travel to the right hub, load up your supplies or merchandise and store it in your shop or home. This made traffic within easy to navigate since there weren’t wagons or teams of animals and people disrupting the flow.

“This place is ingenious,” I muttered to Larek as we dismounted our horses and handed them over to the stable master.

“A lot of thought and strategy went into this city’s design,” Larek agreed, adjusting his robe so it hung correctly. “I can’t wait to explore.”

“If we have time I’ll join you.” I’d like to get a closer look at the pulley setups they used.

“Prince Larek,” a male Fae with long, bone white hair stepped forward, bowing slightly at the waist. “Welcome to Faevalorn. I am the Queen’s Consort Fionn and will be showing you to your rooms.”

“A pleasure to meet you,” Larek said smoothly, accepting the staff that was handed to him by a member of his own guard. “This is Lir, the black guard sent to protect the princess while negotiations take place, sent by the Moon Court Prince himself.”

A hush fell over the courtyard as if the mere mention of the Moon Court was uncouth. Using my senses, I deduced that the Fae in attendance were fearful of the Moon Court and any mention of it or the prince was a topic that wasn’t discussed out in the open.

“A meal is being prepared so you may meet the queen and the princess. Please follow me to your rooms where you can freshen up.”

If Larek could see, I suspected that he would have glanced at me with a ‘I told you so’ look but instead it was Ithildin, who gave me a withering glare that spoke volumes.

Damn falcon.

I gritted my teeth, choosing to ignore the pesky bird from now on and instead turn my attention to meeting the queen, potentially my future mother in law, and my potential bride.