Elysium awoke the next morning to the sound of trumpets echoing through the streets.
Celeste burst through her door, nearly slamming it into the wall. Still heavy with sleep, Elysium barely had time to sit up before Celeste grabbed her shoulders and shook her.
"You need to get up!" Celeste exclaimed. "Lupus is here to see you!"
Elysium's heart dropped to her stomach. Cheers roared faintly from outside the palace walls as she scrambled from her bed, hastily pulling on her sage gown. As she slipped into her heels, Celeste pinned her chestnut curls up, leaving a few soft strands brushing the nape of her neck.
Celeste practically marched her down the grand staircase and into the foyer.
Lupus stood waiting, his crown in one hand and his gloves in the other. When Elysium entered, he smiled brightly.
"I'm glad to see you, Ely," he said, bowing deeply before her.
Elysium felt her throat tighten as she curtsied in return.
"I was wondering if we might speak in private?"
Her courtiers whispered excitedly behind her, exchanging eager glances. She nodded and led Lupus toward the library.
The library's crystal walls shimmered with embedded gemstones. Painted clouds stretched across the ceiling, and vines and flowers intertwined along towering bookshelves. Doves fluttered lazily overhead. The scent of vanilla and sage filled the air, a scent that reminded Elysium why she loved her kingdom so fiercely.
She rested her back lightly against one of the polished desks and turned to him.
"I was thinking," Lupus began carefully, almost nervously, "that we could ensure lasting peace if Alaria and Valkareth were to…" He paused. "Merge."
Elysium blinked.
"Marry me, Ely," he said, stepping forward and taking her hands in his. "And we will rule together."
Her mind raced.
It made sense... politically. Valkareth had the strongest military, the finest ironwork, the most disciplined armies. An alliance would reinforce their borders against Sheol. It would strengthen Alaria's defenses.
Elysium studied his face, his steel-gray eyes searching hers with urgency.
He could protect her people.
And that was what mattered most.
"I agree," she said softly.
Relief washed over Lupus's features. He cupped her face in his hands.
"This is the beginning of a new future for Alaria," he murmured. "A future where you are protected."
She nodded.
Then he kissed her.
Elysium felt her heart flutter, though something inside her twisted faintly, subtly, uneasily. She kissed him back, resting her hand lightly against his chest.
Outside, cheers erupted as the announcement spread.
Moments later, they stepped onto the palace steps together. Sunlight flooded across the crystal palace, blinding and brilliant. Lupus squeezed her hand as the people of Alaria celebrated below.
Elysium forced a smile.
Inside, her stomach churned.
"We must hold the engagement ball tomorrow," Lupus said as he mounted his horse.
She nodded again.
He blew her a kiss before riding off with his escort.
Only once he disappeared beyond the gates did she allow herself a quiet breath.
Celeste stood waiting near a granite pillar, arms folded.
"You may fool everyone else," Celeste said carefully, "but you cannot fool me."
Elysium walked toward her and rested her head against her friend's shoulder.
"It's what's best for Alaria," she whispered.
Celeste stepped back, searching her face.
"But is it what's best for you?"
Elysium bit her lip. Her thoughts spun violently, but her voice remained steady.
"If it benefits Alaria, then so be it."
Celeste sighed but said nothing more.
They moved through the back corridors toward the stables.
Elysium grabbed her olive riding hood and tied it around her neck, pulling it over her head. Loose chestnut strands framed her face as she opened Vail's stall.
Her black Clydesdale stamped eagerly. She had received Vail as a coronation gift two years ago, and they had been inseparable ever since.
She mounted smoothly, patting his flank.
"Be careful, Ely," Celeste warned, holding the reins for a moment longer than necessary.
Elysium only nodded before snapping the reins and riding into the forest.
The wind rushed against her face as Vail galloped across the grass. Hooves thundered against damp earth, carrying her past sacred groves and white-stone outposts. The forest swallowed her whole.
Animals stirred around her, foxes darting through brush, birds scattering overhead.
Alaria had always been a wildlife sanctuary. While other kingdoms had culled animals during famine or war, Alaria preserved them. Nature and kingdom were intertwined.
Dire wolves served as royal protectors. Amarok had been assigned to her the day she was born.
Though the royal bloodlines were immortal, there existed rare magical weapons capable of killing them. Those weapons had been outlawed and destroyed long ago.
At least, that was what history claimed.
Amarok's steady panting echoed behind her. She leaned down to stroke his thick gray coat as he kept pace beside Vail. His golden eyes gleamed with vigilance before he darted ahead, ever watchful.
As they neared the southern border, Vail grew restless. His ears flattened; he huffed sharply.
Elysium slowed him.
They were too close to Sheol.
A low growl rumbled from the trees.
Branches snapped.
Vail reared suddenly, and Elysium clutched his mane to steady herself.
From the shadows emerged a man.
His eyes were too dark, his pupils slightly elongated. Veins glowed faintly beneath his skin like embers beneath ash. Bronze skin bore soot-like markings and ritual scars along his jaw. His fingernails were blackened from forge work.
A cruel smile spread across his face. A dagger slid from his sleeve.
"You're on Alarian territory," Elysium warned.
The man laughed; manic, unhinged. He dug his fingernails into his palms until blood seeped down his wrists.
Amarok stepped forward, hackles raised, lips peeling back to reveal his fangs.
The man lunged.
Vail bucked violently, throwing Elysium to the ground. The impact knocked the air from her lungs.
The attacker rushed toward her, blade raised.
She lifted her arm to shield her face—
A sickening snap filled the clearing.
Elysium opened her eyes.
Amarok stood over the man's broken body, jaws clamped around him. Blood soaked into the grass. The dagger slipped from lifeless fingers.
Amarok released him, then raised his muzzle and howled. Within seconds, the rest of the pack emerged from the trees.
One wolf gripped the body's sleeve and dragged it toward the border; a warning.
Elysium remained on the ground, stunned, hand pressed to her chest.
If Sheol was bold enough to test their borders in daylight…
Perhaps she had made the right decision.
Back at the palace, she bathed in steaming water, trying to wash away the scent of blood and fear.
Celeste sat nearby.
"We are planning the engagement ball for tomorrow," she said carefully.
Elysium sank lower into the bathwater.
"I know."
"I also sent our captains to Sheol to speak with their generals."
"This won't stop until I marry Lupus," Elysium murmured.
Celeste sighed.
"Then get some rest. You have a long night ahead."