Dancing on Fire: Chapter Two

[Quick Author's Note: For those who read the last chapter, I added that Addison's father informed her that she would be marrying the Prince of Eldan. Enjoy!]

I don’t hate my father. Deep in my heart, I love him. In retrospect, I will also concede that I was being a bit melodramatic when I told him that he had kept me in this palace as a prisoner. I live a good life, far more privileged than most. I simply detest that my father is seeking to order me around like I am his slave instead of his daughter.

For many months relations between Eldan and our kingdom have been strained. Whispers of war have been on the tongues of many, but my father never confirms gossip. To send his precious daughter as the betrothed of the Prince would surely prove his consideration to their kingdom and his desire for peace. My main problem is that I do not wish to marry a stranger and abandon all that is familiar.

“Addie, there is urgent news. The whole palace is in an uproar.” Tillie rushed into my chambers, locking the door behind her.

Curiosity, my greatest foe, rose within me. “What has happened?”

“One of the kings has been murdered.” Her grey eyes were wide with disbelief even as the words came from her mouth. “The news has just arrived. I was in the kitchen when the runner arrived with the message. Evidently the King was murdered in his sleep. Now, the Prince is charging your father with his murder because of the representatives he sent to their palace last week to improve relations. The Prince believes them to be the murderers, and he plans to have them hanged tomorrow. Now, he is threatening war on the whole kingdom.” Breathless, Tillie fell to the seat beside me.

“Which King? What Kingdom?” The political affairs of my father were never discussed with me, but I hadn’t even heard from Tillie that men from our palace had been sent anywhere.

“King Larsyn from Eldan.”

I couldn’t fully believe I had heard correctly. “Excuse me? Eldan?”

Tillie only nodded, anxiety causing her to chew on her bottom lip.

“How can he expect me to go into Eldan as the betrothed of the Prince when their King has just been murdered?” I stood from my chair and began to pace in a circle around Tillie. “If I go now, I will not prevent a war. I will be caught in the middle of it.”

“I am not sure that your father would agree. He also did not know of this news before he spoke with you.” Tillie looked at her feet while she said it, and I knew she was trying to be respectful of me as the Princess. It bothered me when she would do that because it is as though she is distancing herself from me.

“You are correct, of course, but surely he cannot expect me to go now? Perhaps I will now be free. Or I shall at least have enough time to plan my escape from this place.” I shouldn’t speak this way, but I can’t help imagining what it would be like to live beyond these walls.

“You don’t mean that, Addie.” Tillie opened her mouth to say more, but I stopped her.

“Don’t I? My father treats me like an object to be used for his benefit rather than a woman with my own mind. I understand he does not wish for a war between Eldan and Lesentria, but I don’t want to marry someone for him.”

“You have known since you were young that you were destined to marry a Prince, Addie. You could not have possibly thought you would be the one to choose which Prince.” Tillie sympathizes with me, I know she does, but she is also an unfortunate voice of reason.

With a sigh, I slipped back into my seat and allowed my shoulders to sag. “I miss the way it used to be.” I feel Tillie slide closer to me, and I allow myself to rest my head on her shoulder.

She knows how I feel. She won’t let me face this pain alone. “You can make her proud, Addie. She would want you to be strong, and have courage.”

And then all at once I am remembering her again. The soft lines of her face, the twinkling of her eyes, and the auburn color of her hair. Her hands that were so gentle when she would take my hands and speak to me. Her tongue always emanating great wisdom and singing of pure joy. My father has become a different man without her.

A tear finds its way down my cheek, and I exhale slowly as another rolls down to join the first. Remembering her makes the pain worse, but the ache of missing her is ever present. “I want to be everything she wanted.” I whisper. “But I’m just not sure if I can be brave.”

“I can’t really say if your Momma would want things to be like they are without her.” My mother died from a hemorrhage giving birth to my sister, Melodie. It was only a month ago, but my father has since become secluded. When Momma was alive, family gatherings were common. Without her, the laughter has disappeared from our family, as have our gatherings.

“She couldn’t have wanted it to be this way, Tillie.” The thought of my mother seeing my father in his new form of perpetual sternness causes my stomach to turn. “If I do as my father asks, nothing will ever be the same.”

Tillie strokes my hair. “But maybe you will finally find what you’re looking for.”

It is those words that direct my dreams that night.