Book 4 Chapter 1

18th of Starfall, 24th Year of the 11th Rebirth Dinas Rhosyn, Evergrowth The Wedding of Princess Taeya Living-Rose & Francis Silver-Axe

Betha had lived in Dinas Rhosyn as the Evergrowth Princess for twelve years. She’d seen the wedding dresses of her predecessors, had eyed them from across the dressing room while the girls fussed over her, and had snuck in there a few times to finger the fine, delicate fabrics and imagine her wedding. Her dream had been a grand one. A dress with a sweeping skirt and lots of lace, music, lights, dancing, a feast, and a huge guest list. No matter how big the event became in her mind, she remained at the center of it all. It stung a little to be sitting on the sidelines now, watching the Evergrowth Princess marry her soulmate. Taeya and Francis held the places of honour today and Betha could barely keep her distaste hidden. Taeya was wearing a simple, undyed, linen dress, and had roses in her hair. She looks like a peasant, Betha thought. Francis was, at least, wearing something nicer than he usually wore. But there’s nothing to set this wedding apart from any other, nothing except some roses and some extra prayers. My wedding won’t look anything like this. Not that any of the gathered nobles seemed to care what their new princess was wearing. In fact, they all seemed captivated by it, oohing and aahing, saying things like ‘doesn’t it let the natural beauty of the woman shine through?’ And none of them paid any attention to Betha even though only weeks ago she’d been their princess. Hadn’t she stayed in their homes, risking her life to travel this province and perform protection rituals? Ungrateful louts. Dark Spirits take them all. She barely spoke through the ceremony or the dinner that followed. She snarled at the few nobles who did try to approach her and even snapped at her fellow princesses. The only one she refused to speak harshly to was the boy, James. She’d taken a real liking to him and happily let him fill the final seat at the dinner table, the seat that would have belonged to her prince. Now I’m the last and everyone on the whole island will be watching me, waiting to see who the final prince will be. She looked around the table. Rheeya’s prince was a common-born miner, Taeya’s was noble-born but a younger son of a younger son with no lands or titles. Instead he’d been a carpenter. Betha strongly disliked Kaelen’s smug attitude but at least the Metalkin prince, like Vonica’s prince, was twice-named and came from a strong branch of a proper noble family. It’s a hodge-podge group. Nothing at all like our predecessors’. Dinner had been served and mostly eaten and Taeya was beginning to feel nervous. She fussed with the dishes in front of her. Francis reached out and squeezed her hand. “I know,” he said. “But it’s time.” She nodded. Taking a deep breath, she stood. Betha would have called for silence, or had one of the stewards do it, but Taeya just stood and waited. Conversations stuttered to a halt as people hushed their companions and silence settled over the hall. Betha’s mood soured further. “Twenty-four years ago, four infant girls were brought to the island instead of five. This was only the beginning of what is becoming the most unusual of rebirths.” She paused and scanned the crowd. Her stewards had seated the familiar faces, the princesses and their princes, the Silver-Axe family, and the Edgefields, closest to the head table and Taeya felt reassured by their presence. “Perhaps the biggest upheaval came only weeks ago when we discovered that Princess Betha and I were given the wrong names at birth and sent to the wrong provinces twelve years ago. The next few months will be a time of change and adaptation as I learn how to be the Evergrowth Princess. But today is a joyous day, and there will be plenty of time in the coming weeks to discuss serious matters. Let’s spend this evening celebrating a future of peace and prosperity.” Francis stood and escorted Taeya onto the dance floor as the music began. Conversations resumed, and other couples moved to dance. Johann stood and offered his hand to Vonica. “Shall we?” She smiled and accepted both his hand and his invitation. “Excuse me,” Kaelen said. “There are people here I should speak with while we’re here.” When he’d gone Mallory sighed, her gaze lingering on the dance floor. For a moment Betha’s anger shifted focus. She waved down a passing servant. Softly, so her fellow princess wouldn’t hear, she said, “Princess Mallory would like to dance but Prince Kaelen is unavailable at the moment. Find her a suitable partner.” “Yes, of course.” The next song was just starting when a young noble approached the table and bowed. “Princess Jewel-Rose, you look lovely this evening. Would you honour me with a dance?” “I’m not really familiar with your …” “Yes, she will,” Betha said. “Go, haven fun.” Mallory smiled and took the young man’s hand, following him to the dance floor. “Do you want to dance?” James said. “No. I’d like to get out of here. I’m not much in the mood for dancing and parties.” He hopped from his seat. “I can escort you back to your room.” He stood with one hand out and the other behind his back. She laughed. “I see you’ve been paying attention to your lessons.” He grinned at her. “Are you sure you want to leave early and miss out on the food and excitement?” He considered this for a moment. “You could ask them to bring food to your room. And besides, you have the best stories.” “You’re right, I could get us some food,” Betha said. “Let’s go then. We’ll find someone who can bring us food and tell Rheeya where you’ve gone.”
Later that evening Betha was sitting in her room staring into the fire when a knock brought her to the door. She hurried to answer it and found Tomas in the hallway. “I’ve come to collect my charge,” he said. “He’s asleep in that chair there,” Betha said, stepping aside to allow Tomas in. “You know he told me a bit about his life before Rheeya. He’s lucky he had you, and your father.” “It was a hard life,” Tomas said. “But he had family.” She smiled at James as Tomas scooped him up and stopped herself from touching his hair. “You had the other princesses,” Tomas said. “I know they’re not blood but family is what you make it. You’ll find yours, just give it time.” “Do you think my stewards will be so patient?” “No. But you know now, don’t let them dictate where you search and don’t let them cross anyone off your list without your permission.” He’d made his way to the door. “Thanks for this,” he said, meaning the boy. “You’ve made his evening.” “I always miss him between visits. Good night, Tomas.” “Good night Betha.” Betha turned and looked around the room. It felt empty now. After tonight she only had two more sleeps in this room and then she’d be northward bound. “Oh well,” she muttered. “I never liked this room anyway.”