Alderon's POV
I knew something was wrong the moment Ronan stood to speak.
But nothing could have prepared me for the words that followed from my father.
"The wedding will take place this weekend," he declared, voice booming.
Silence hit the hall.
My stomach dropped.
I stared at him, stunned. "Father—"
He didn't even look in my direction. "Preparations will begin at dawn. Invitations will be sent tonight. The Crown Prince's engagement and union must be secured this week."
This week.
Before I could breathe. Before I could think. Before I could even decide if this was the life I wanted.
Beside me, Princess Elowen glowed with satisfaction. She didn't seem the least bit troubled by marrying a man she'd met just a few hours ago.
Of course she wasn't.
She was bred for this. Raised for this. Trained to smile sweetly as political decisions steamrolled the lives of others.
But I wasn't.
And for the first time in a long while, I felt trapped inside my own skin.
