Kaelan's hands tightened unconsciously at his sides.
He stared toward the center of the royal garden, his expression growing increasingly ugly.
Then Emperor Alexander gave a short laugh and waved his hand.
"Very well. Since Zion didn't have any problem with this, this marriage shall be decided."
The words were simple.
The effect was not.
With that single sentence, the fate of two people was settled before the entire imperial court.
Zion and Callista exchanged a glance.
For perhaps the first time that evening, neither of them knew quite how to react.
They had both understood the political reasoning behind the proposal, but neither had expected Emperor Alexander to agree so readily.
A marriage contract was not a casual arrangement.
It bound two families together, changed political relationships, and determined the future of the people involved.
Yet somehow, tonight, it had fallen upon them almost effortlessly.
Callista's brows lifted slightly.
