Chapter 4

That afternoon, I went to the Temple of Solyne, the seat Caelan ruled.

On the surface, the great spire housed the outer ministry, the relic vaults, and the council chambers.

Everyone on the continent knew what it really was.

I packed the access rune to the inner sanctum, the key-sigil to Caelan's private chamber, and several scrolls concerning the temple's outer affairs that he had asked me to organize.

At the reception desk, the attendant straightened the moment she saw me.

"Princess Elaria. Shall I notify the High Priest?"

"No." I set the bag on the desk. "Just give him this."

Then I turned to leave.

As I reached the dark-runed staircase, Caelan's voice drifted through a half-open door. Two Silver Vow guards stood outside, and I slowed without meaning to.

"You want me to take you to your bridal manicure on the seventh day?"

My fingers stiffened.

A moment later, his amused voice carried through the doorway.

"All right. I'll take you. I'll explain it to Elara."

I gave a bitter smile.

I had already decided to let go. What was I still hoping for?

Before the bonding, Caelan and I had planned one thing we never managed during our years together — to watch the sunrise above the cliffs.

He had been postponing it since winter, always saying he was busy and we'd go next time.

We had finally chosen this seventh day.

Now he had postponed it again.

But this time, I didn't care.

I pushed through the great temple doors and traveled straight back to Hartwell, the small coastal town in Marenthia where I had grown up.

The next morning, I was cleaning the old house my parents had left me there. Lady Mirelle and Lord Theron lived nearby, and Mirelle came over early.

"Elara, take a break."

I shook my head and told her I was almost done.

Mirelle took my hand and patted it gently.

"All these years, you've always been the one expected to be the older one. Expected to give in. You've suffered far too much."

She sighed, like she was turning over years of memories in her mind.

"Rosalind may have been adopted by your parents, but you always treated her like your own sister. You gave her everything. That child never learned when to stop taking."

She wiped the corner of her eye.

"The ministers and other dukes all knew. But they were afraid you'd feel uncomfortable, so no one dared say anything."

"Now you're both grown. You're about to start a family of your own. I thought you'd finally be free of looking after everyone else."

I smiled but said nothing.

After a while, I said, "Aunt Mirelle, you and Uncle Theron should move in. An empty house doesn't stay in good shape for long."

Mirelle looked startled.

"What do you mean, empty? You'll still come back after the bonding."

She smiled.

"I know you and Caelan will live at the inner sanctum, but you'll need somewhere to stay when you visit."

I agreed. But I kept insisting they move in.

Mirelle thought I was only being polite and refused several times.

I didn't explain.

I only thought that once I left, I might not come back for many years.

That evening, Caelan arrived for the pre-bonding family dinner as arranged.

Three Silver Vow carriages stopped outside. His guards stayed at the entrance. Rosalind stayed at his side like the hostess.

They both looked surprised when they saw me.

"Elara, what are you doing here?" Caelan asked, as if I had no reason to be there.