SIX YEARS AGO
Eighteen year old Lyanna sat in the castle library, surrounded by poetry and romance novels. She was reading about a princess who fell in love with a wandering knight when her mother called her.
"Lyanna, darling. Put the book down. We need to talk."
Lyanna's stomach clenched at the sound of Queen Isabelle's tone. That mix of sweetness and firmness meant something unpleasant was coming.
She marked the page and looked up to see her mother standing at the door. Behind her, Lyanna's father, King Edmund, looked uncomfortable.
"What is it, Mother?"
Isabelle stepped into the room and sat on the chair opposite her.
"You're eighteen now." Isabelle began. "Your father and I have been thinking about your future, and a very advantageous opportunity has come up."
"What kind of opportunity?"
"A marriage proposal." Isabelle said with a smile. "From a very powerful family. The alliance would solidify our position for generations."
