er

the soft fabric shimmering with every movement. It's a beautiful dress, hand-sewn with threads of silver

nobles, all in the hopes of finding my One. The thought alone makes me clench my fists

is. I have

y from the mirror, heading toward the door where Akin waits. He'

ready?"

pounding in my chest. "A

ce corridors, the sound of our footsteps echoing off the marble floors. My palms are

" he assures me, his

by the compliment. He rar

isper, too stunne

and I can hear the distant murmur of voices, the music, the clinking of glasses. The grand chandelier is glowing

st look. "I'll be ne

The herald stands beside me, poised and ready to announce my arrival. H

Princess Maeril

g down into a hush as I take my first step down the staircase. My gown trails s

van fae, the horns of the Briarwood folk, the towering forms of the Stonekin. The tension in the room is palpable, a mix of curio

ure is su

t immediately. My mother always spoke of a pull, a connection so strong that it's undeniable. She felt it the

tly, I wait for that feeling. I scan the faces in the ro

thing

ers, each one silently judging me. I can feel the weight of their gazes, some curious, others assessing. I try

one of th

golden glow over everything. Musicians play softly in the corner, the delicate notes of a harp weav

that doesn't quite fit. My magic flickers weakly inside

k

eyes never leave Maerilee, though I make sure to stay unobtrusive, just as I always do. I'm no

ght and shimmers as she moves is enough to steal anyone's breath. But it's not the go

nt when that nervousness deepens into something darker. She's searching for her One. I

sternation on her face. She's scanning the crowd, hoping, waiting for the spa

ous for her, but a

er across the room and felt that pull, that undeniable bond that will tie her

ledge that, I'm ang

r full power, and she can't manifest it alone. Her One, whoever he is, will be the key to unlocking that. And I want that

sing her. And I don't kno

rgy, running barefoot through the palace gardens while I tried to keep up with her. She was always faster than me back t

, of course. It was forbidden, but tha

s crying, sitting in the dirt with her dress torn, and I rushed over to her, panicked

gh tears and hiccups. "It d

de in her even then. She hated crying. Hated showing weakness. I

ll anyone, ok

I promised. I would'v

re along the way, things shifted. She stopped being just the

day, I looked at her, and she wasn't just the girl with scraped knees and a fierce deter

and her destiny is tied to another. The entire kingdom depends on her finding her One, on th

that doesn't stop my heart from breakin

orn in two. Part of me wants her to find him, to feel that connection and finally be at