Darkness and Stars

The prince seemed to notice that all eyes were on him as he looked throughout the chamber and to everyone gathered. Astraa saw a flicker in his hands, a slight tremble that he could not control under the scrutiny. Whatever his purpose for traveling to Blackmarsh, he was nervous about it.

“Well,” he began with a sigh. He clasped his hands behind his back. “Your loyalty is expected,” he said to the room with certainty. “However… your hospitality is appreciated.”

The prince allowed the silence to settle after his words. With his title and power, he could let the silence linger as long as he wished. She was sure this was a way he enjoyed testing the patience of others. She looked up to observe him. To encourage him to continue.

“I have come from Highmarch with instruction,” he said.

Whatever this was about, it had already been decided elsewhere.

“Lady Fenwick will accompany me back to the capital,” he continued.

Astraa narrowed her gaze, but she felt the words settle heavily around her. There was no room left in the chamber for misunderstanding the meaning of this.

Her cousin, Edric, shifted beside the prince. It was a subtle movement that did not go unnoticed, though he said nothing.

“Arrangements have been made for Lady Fenwick to be received by Highmarch and prepared accordingly.”

The prince was looking at Astraa, and nowhere else. She suddenly felt like he was announcing a judgement against her that would have her head cut away from her shoulders as punishment.

“She is to be married,” he said. “To my brother, Prince Thauren.”

His brother. His older brother. The prince who would become their king.

A murmur rose. It was subtle and low at first, then building as the meaning settled fully into place. Advisors exchanged glances, some already smiling, others stepping forward as though drawn closer to the gravity of the moment.

“An honor,” someone whispered.

“Extraordinary.”

Edric did not hesitate to make himself part of this moment. “Your Highness,” he said, a smile breaking across his face, pride and opportunity intertwined. “This is an honor beyond expectation.”

Luc used the steadiness of being Captain of the Marsh Guard to his advantage, and he did not move.

His attention had not shifted to the prince, nor to Edric already celebrating, nor to the room that had begun to come alive with approval and excited speculation. His attention remained on her where it had been for more than a decade already. As though the meaning required a moment to take shape for him too.

Astraa felt something inside her shift. It did not break. Instead, it moved just enough to unsettle everything that had felt certain only moments before.

Jenny Stauffer | Author ✨