Аманда Хокинг - Torn

The break was good for me. When I got up the next day, I still didn’t feel like had all my energy back, but I looked alright enough for Tove to believe me.

During training, I told Tove about how I’d done mindspeak on Duncan, but it only worked when I was irritated. Using that logic, Tove spent most of the morning trying to irritate me into using it. Sometimes it worked, but most of the time, I just got annoyed.

We were getting ready to break for lunch when Thomas came down. Since coming back to the palace, he’d been guarding Elora, and she had sent him to retrieve me.

“So…” I began, filling the silence with small talk as we walked to her drawing room. “How is being back in the palace?”

I looked up at him. His brown hair had been slicked down, making him look more like Finn, but there was something much softer about his features. I didn’t know how to explain it, but he looked like a kept man.

“It looked different when I lived here,” Thomas replied in the same cool way Finn always answered my questions.

“Did it?” I asked, “The Queen likes to redecorate,” Thomas said.

“She never seemed much like a decorator to me,” I said honestly.

“People aren’t always what they seem.”

I didn’t have anything to respond with, so we walked the rest of the way to the parlor in silence. Thomas held open the door for me, and Elora was lying on the chaise lounge when I came in.

“Thank you, Thomas.” Elora smiled at him, and it might have been the most sincere I’d ever seen her look before.

Thomas bowed before leaving, but he didn’t say anything. I found something almost sad in that. Or would’ve, if I’d approved of my mother having an affair with a married man.

“You needed to see me?” I asked Elora and sat down on the couch nearest to her.

“Yes. I’d hoped to meet you in my study, but…” She shook her head and trailed off, as if I’d know what that meant. She looked worn, but not as bad as I’d seen her the other day. She seemed to be on the mend.

“Have you made any progress with the Vittra?” I asked.

“Yes, actually.” Elora had been lying back, but she moved so she was sitting up a bit. “I’ve been in contact with the Vittra Queen. She’s quite fond of the Markis Staad for reasons that remain a complete mystery to me, but she’s willing to do an exchange for him.”

“That’s great news,” I said, but my cheer felt a bit forced. I was happy that Loki wouldn’t be executed, but I was surprised to find that I felt a bit sad to see him go.

“Yes, it is,” Elora agreed, but she didn’t sound happy. She only sounded tired and melancholy.

“Is something the matter?” I asked gently, and she shook her head.

“No, actually, everything’s… as it should be.” She smoothed out her dress and forced a thin smile. “The Vittra agreed to no more attacks until after the coronation.”

“The coronation?” I asked.

“The coronation where you become Queen,” Elora elaborated.

“I’m not going to be Queen for a while, am I?” I asked, feeling nervous at the prospect. As much training as I’d done lately, I still felt completely unprepared to rule. “Like a long while, right?”

“Not for a while, no,” Elora smiled wanly. “But time has a way of creeping up on you.”

“Well, I’m in no rush.” I leaned back on the couch. “You can keep the crown as long as you’d like.”

“I will.” Elora actually laughed at that, but it sounded hollow and sad.

“Wait. I don’t understand. The King agreed to peace until after I’m Queen?” I asked. “Won’t that be too late to like kidnap me?”

“Oren’s always believed he can take anything he wants,” Elora said. “But he wants valuable things, and you only get more valuable as a Queen. I imagine that he thinks you’ll be an even greater ally then.”

“Why would I be his ally?” I asked.

“You are his daughter,” she said, almost regretfully. “He sees no reason that you won’t come around to his way of thinking.” She looked up at me, her dark eyes distant. “You must protect yourself, Princess. Rely on the people around you, and defend yourself by any means you can.”

“I’m trying,” I reassured her. “Tove and I have been training all morning, and he says I’m doing quite well.”

“Tove is very powerful.” Elora nodded in agreement. “That’s why it’s essential to keep him close to you.”

“Well, he’s staying down the hall from me,” I said.

“He is powerful,” Elora reiterated. “But he’s not strong enough to lead.”

“I don’t know,” I shrugged. “He has good insight.”

“He’s scatterbrained and often irrational.” She stared off at nothing for a moment. “But he is loyal, and he will stand by your side.”

“Yeah…” I didn’t understand what she was getting at. “Tove’s a great guy.”

“I am relieved to hear you say that.” Elora exhaled and rubbed her temple. “I didn’t have it in me to fight with you today.”

“Fight with me about what?” I asked.

“Tove.” She looked at me like it should be obvious. “I didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what?” I leaned forward, totally confused.

“I thought I just told you. A moment ago.” Her brow furrowed, showing even more wrinkles. “It’s all going so fast.”

“What is?” I stood up, feeling real concern for her. “What are you talking about?”

“You only just got here, and I thought I’d have more time.” She shook her head.

“Well, anyway, it’s all been arranged.”

“What?” I repeated.

“Your marriage.” Elora looked up at me, wondering why I didn’t understand what she meant already. “You and Tove are to be married as soon as you turn eighteen.”

“Whoa.” I held up my hands and took a step back, as if that would defend me somehow. “What?”

“It’s the only way.” Elora lowered her eyes and shook her head, as if she’d done everything she could to prevent it. But considering how much she loathed Tove’s mother Aurora, she probably had done everything she could. “To protect the kingdom and to protect the crown.”

“What?” I repeated. “But I turn eighteen in three months.”

“At least Aurora will be planning it all,” Elora said wearily. “She’ll have the wedding of the century ready by then.”

“No, Elora.” I waved my hands. “I can’t marry Tove!”

“Why ever not?” She batted her dark lashes at me.

“Because I don’t love him!”

“Love is a fairy tale that mänks tell their children so they’ll have grandchildren,” Elora brushed me off. “Love has nothing to do with marriage.”

“I… You can’t really expect me…” I sighed and shook my head. “I can’t.”

“You must.” Elora stood up, pushing herself up with her arm, and she steadied herself on the chaise for a moment, as if she might fall. When she was certain she was safe, she stepped towards me. “Princess, it is the only way.”

“The only way to what?” I asked “No. I’d rather not be Queen than marry someone I don’t love.”

“Don’t say that!” Elora snapped, and the familiar venom returned to her words. “A Princess must never say that!”

“Well… I can’t do it! I refuse to marry him! Or anyone, unless I want to!”

“Princess, listen to me!” Elora walked towards me so she could put her hands on my arms. “The Trylle already think you should be shipped to the Vittra because of who your father is, and that is all the ammo Aurora needs to get you overthrown.”

“I don’t care about the crown,” I insisted. “I never did.”

“Once you’re overthrown, you’ll be exiled to live with the Vittra, and I know that you don’t think the Markis Staad seems that bad,” Elora went on. “Maybe he isn’t.