I was confined to my bedroom after that. In the days following, neither the queen nor Jacob came to rescue me from my boredom. Maisy would offer no information when I pressed her and, judging by how red her cheeks became, she might have been ordered not to say a word. All of the progress I felt I had made was gone. I was back to sewing clothes and slippers out of everything and anything I could get my hands on.

But the task was becoming mundane and my mind began wandering, even when I tried different hemlines and waist positions that I saw on the staff's clothing. There were too many new things that wouldn't allow my mind to fall back into routine. I understood that Jacob had set up the meeting. He knew the prince would come. But what I didn't fully understand was why he wanted me to finally connect with the prince. Jacob was friends with the prince, wouldn't he side with his friend instead of me? Especially when the prince clearly wanted nothing to do with me.

But that wasn't entirely true, was it? There had been a moment when the prince, Leo, seemed quite taken by me. Or, at least interested. Once he determined that I was not impeding Jacob's and Maisy's courtship, he had spoken to me directly, even gave me tips. He had studied me just as intently as I had him. He had been taken by my siren charms.

Or maybe he thought I was garish. Maybe my sisters were right. He was certainly the standard of European beauty with smoldering eyes, light coloured hair and pale lips. There is a chance he was assessing me with the same interest as an exotic vegetable: a little intrigued beneath a layer of disgust.

A knock on my door made the tiny needle slip in my fingers, pricking my thumb. I let out a hiss and plunged my thumb in my mouth before gesturing to Maisy to open the door. Surely it was Jacob, coming to sweep her off her feet with a dazzling kiss.

I resumed my stitch, not bothering to peer up from the mass of fabric that covered both of my crossed legs and the floor around me. If I was going to be in my room for the rest of my time here then I was going to make the most beautiful gowns my sisters had ever seen and this one was a beautiful burgundy thanks to my useless curtains.

"Um, Princess Ember," Maisy hinted after a moment.

My head slowly rose and I caught a glimpse of blond hair and clasped hands, green velvet and gold stitching.

"Ah, Leo, hello," I greeted, already placing my next row of tight stitches. I was stunned that my voice came out with indifference. This was the man who had full control of my life, whether he cared or not.

There was a heavy pause. I wasn't used to human customs, but I knew that I was being the opposite of polite. I would never treat my own royalty in such a way. I wanted to squirm in the silence or at least look to Maisy for help, but I stitched on, pretending to be completely unbothered. I wasn't used to human customs, but I knew that I was being the opposite of polite. I would never treat my own royalty in such a way.

"My father has requested that you accompany me on a journey," Leo said finally.

Now I could not pretend not to care. My head lifted slowly. "A journey?" I repeated. "Like, away from the palace?" Too many thoughts entered my head at once. Was it safe? Would men outside of the palace walls behave differently? Or was Leo just coaxing me away from the crowds and therefore the protection, to do something heinous? 

"Yes, of course, it will be grueling. Multiple days on horseback. And we are going to the werewolf kingdom of all places. They are quite beastly, perhaps not the best suited for a first adventure outside of the palace walls. And those mountains, they add on so much time because we often have to dismount and hike up those wretched stone paths. It's freezing cold and the weather can change with the snap of-"

"Mountains?" My sewing was immediately forgotten. 

Leo didn't even flinch. "Oh yes, awful trek really. I will tell my father that you cannot bear it. It's certainly no place for a fine princess such as yourself," he continued, the corners of his perfect mouth quirking upwards as he gestured with his hands, indicating steep angles.

"I would love to see the mountains," I blurted. Dear god, what was I signing up for? Didn't he just tell me how awful it would be? Still, he was surely not coaxing me into a trap if he was also trying to deter me. "But, if I were to go, would Jacob come?"

"Jacob will be coming with me regardless of what you chose. He is a fine horseman and invaluable to my group. I need the best of the best to get through this ride. There will be no ill feelings if you decide to stay here, safe and warm."

"Well, surely, if your father wanted me to go, then there would be a little bit of upset if I didn't attend," I pressed. I was simply trying to understand the offer and why Leo would present it to me, only to tell me how wretched it was.

"My father is convinced that it will be important for you to meet the new werewolf queen. I fail to see how a siren pretending to be a princess will have any luck helping the werewolf king and I make amends."

"Amends for what?"

"Nothing you need to worry about."

At that, I paused for a moment. Was I not supposed to be queen by his side? Were we not supposed to rule this kingdom together?

"Well, if your father thinks it is a good idea, then I will accompany you."

"Really, you don't need to," Leo said suddenly. The arrogance slithered away. "You only just arrived here. It would not be a good introduction to our way of life."

"Actually, I have been here for quite some time. And, if you have forgotten, this is the only time when you have intentionally come to me. You leave me no choice. If I want to spend time with my future husband then I will have to do so in the mountains," I answered firmly. 

What he didn't know was that I only cared about seeing these beasts of stone. I wasn't much of an artist, but maybe I could draw them as I saw them. When I returned to my sisters I would be able to tell them all how mythical and wonderous they all were. I would reminisce for years to come. Spending time with him seemed like a small price to pay for a once in a lifetime journey.

Unfortunately, my delight and excitement only angered the prince. I watched his jaw tighten, his teeth clenching. His eyes narrowed in on me.

"I do not know what games you are trying to play, but I can assure you that you will not be the winner," Leo warned.

"That is your first mistake. I am not playing any games. I simply wish to go to the mountains and meet the werewolf queen. Just like your father requested."

"Those animals will eat you alive and spit you back out as if you were nothing. You have no idea what you're getting into."

"Perhaps not, but I will be getting out and that's all I care about. Now, if you'll excuse me, I really must start preparing a different dress for this excursion."

Leo said nothing in return. His mouth clicked shut and a few seconds later the door was closed behind him.

~~~Question of the Day~~~

What is the last book you read?