The Dark Prince’s Chosen Bride

An Unexpected Kindness

Her trunk was dropped on the ground at her feet, her entire life packed in a box and thrown out like garbage. Not her entire life, Emilia realized suddenly.

“Wait!” She yelled to the hastily retreating footman. “Where is my dog?”

“You are only allowed the trunk you brought.”

“Please…” Emilia begged, embarrassed for a moment by the desperation in her voice. “I can’t leave without him…”

The footman simply shrugged and turned on his heel.

Then, Emilia felt the Dark Prince towering behind her, his hands coming up to clasp her shoulders. The weight and warmth of her betrothed’s hands reached her beneath her cloak.

Her betrothed.

“Bring my bride her dog. Now.” There was menace in the Prince’s voice, and the footman paled before nearly tripping over himself as he backed away

“Right away, your Highness.”

Faren guided Emilia to the side of the carriage and helped her inside.

“Get comfortable,” he said to her. His tone was gentle, as if she was some scared rabbit about to bolt under the nearest thicket. ”I’ll wait for them to bring your dog and load your trunk. “

“Thank you…” Emilia said,stunned, as the Prince firmly closed the door, shutting her into the carriage.

“Is there no driver?” Emilia squeaked, the wheels of the carriage creaking to life.

Gallant had been brought on his lead and now sat straight as a sentinel at her side. The Prince sat across from her, stretched along the bench like a cat napping in the sunshine. He appeared wholly unconcerned.

The great stag was making sure, mighty strides down the road, yet there was no coachman holding the reins.

“Don’t be alarmed,” Prince Faren gave Emilia an indulgent smile, like he was explaining thunder to a child. “Tior is a singular creature. He is unlike any of the steeds you may be accustomed to. Also, he is magically bound to my bloodline and as such can find his way back home without a coachman,” Faren explained.

“Magically bound?”

“He is tied to the land with magic and will be compelled to guide us safely home.”

“Do you not have normal horses or mules in the Dark Realm?”

A deep chuckle rumbled from Faren’s throat. “Yes, and most folk in our land do use them. But, Tior is unique… an ancient forest spirit that has been bound to my family for generations in repayment of a debt of honor. It’s a rare thing.”

“Oh…” was all she could say. Her brain was too busy taking in the reality of her new life to come up with clever words. Ancient spirits and fay bonds. Magical ties to a magical land. A fairy husband she had just met. A husband.

The magic she could get used to, but being some stranger’s wife…

It wasn’t that she was opposed to marriage. Her parents had already broached the topic of presenting Emilia with some possible suitors in the coming year. But her parents had been firm that although it would be an arranged marriage, she could refuse any of the men.

These men would have courted her, gotten to know her. Emilia would have chosen a man whose values most suited her own, who she could see herself growing to love with the passing years.

But now she was to be married to a man she had no say in choosing. She barely even knew his name.

Miles passed in silence. Emilia couldn’t think of a single thing to say to the Prince so she just stared out the window and watched the lush green pastures of the capital fade away into towering, uncanny forests of pine.

She wondered if her parents had headed home yet, bearing the news that she was gone. What would they tell William? Would Harriet and Mrs. Gibbs shed silent tears as they cleared out her bedroom? Before she knew it, she felt her lip tremble and had to push away thoughts of her home before she sobbed in front of the Prince. She would not weep. She would not.

For his part, Faren looked unbothered. He leaned back, his shoulders relaxed and his long legs crossed lazily. As if his own life hadn’t just been changed,too. As if he hadn’t had to just choose a wife like plucking an apple from a tree and hoping it wasn’t mealy and sour.

Instead, he seemed more concerned about his stomach.

He tossed open the lid of a basket that had been stored below the seat, laden with tantalizing little nibbles for the road,and pulled out a shining cherry. His teeth sunk into the dark fruit, working the flesh from the pit, before slowly licking the juice from his lips.

“You seem very collected, Your Highness,” Emilia finally bit out, trying to keep the sharpness out of her voice. Her entire world had been turned on its head and he seemed to care so little.

“If I’m honest, I am relieved it’s all over. The niceties of the Human Realm can be exhausting. I’m sure you are looking forward to getting settled and rested, too.”

“I suppose. The events of the last few days were…emotionally draining, to say the least.”

“Indeed, your friend - Christine, I believe- looked like she was about to faint. I imagine the other women will be happy to rest after all that pageantry, even if they are disappointed.”

“Disappointed? Well, maybe a few will be. But most will be relieved to be going home with their families.”

“Truly? After having to petition to join and then prepare for the bridal selection process, wouldn’t most women be unhappy they were not chosen?”

Emilia’s jaw dropped so quickly she was sure it would break on the floor. “You think all of those women petitioned to be there?”

A frown creased that handsome face. Now, the Prince seemed bothered. “Not all of the women were there by choice?”

Emilia was sick of feeling shocked today, yet here she was again. She couldn’t believe the Dark Prince didn’t know how his bridal candidates were selected.

But perhaps he knew as little about her realm as she knew about his…

“My father was sent a royal summons and was given one week to prepare. Neither my parents nor myself volunteered to be a part of this. And while the King didn’t make any threats to ensure compliance… it was understood that had my parents refused to send me, he could have stripped their titles and lands. You do not refuse a King.”

A threatening, enraged look flashed across Faren’s face briefly, and then softened before he brought his eyes to Emilia’s. She almost thought she had seen a shimmer of gold flicker across his cheeks, but the face looking back at her was the same honey-tone it had been a moment ago..

“Truly, I thought all of those women had offered to be apart of the ceremony.” The Prince spoke softly, so softly.

Emilia believed him, though she couldn’t explain why.

Maybe it was the look of sheer confusion and anger on his face. Maybe it was because she knew nothing of the customs of the Dark Realm. Maybe it was the kindness he had shown her in allowing Gallant to come.

“Alright,” she sighed. What’s done is done, she supposed.

She looked through the basket of food. She found a little jar of round, hard caramels and popped one in her mouth. “I am here, however it came about. What happens now?”

“We will go to my home and you will have the evening to yourself. You can move your things into my suites right away, and take the night to rest.” There must have been alarm in Emilia’s eyes because the Prince quickly continued.

“I’ll stay in one of my sister’s spare rooms, so you will have privacy. In the morning my step-mother will host you at breakfast, where you can meet my family. The rest of the day will be spent getting ready for our wedding. After sunset tomorrow, we will get married before the court.”

“I suppose I should rest now, while I can.”

“I suggest you eat a little bit more before you sleep, it will be a smooth journey, but we won’t be home before supper.”

She couldn’t argue with his logic, so she grabbed a petite custard tart and quickly ate it. After the tart was gone, she realized she was hungrier than she had thought and helped herself to some sugar-crusted walnuts and molasses cookies. She wasn’t going to be shy and dainty with how she ate in front of this man. He had picked her, so he just had to deal with her.

When her stomach sated, she buried her face into Gallant’s warm fur and forced herself to doze. And though she was in a strange coach pulled by a strange beast headed to a strange land, she found herself lulled into an easy sleep.

She slept too soundly to notice the way the Prince was studying her.