The snowstorm cleared up overnight. In the morning, they found that the snow was powdery and light. It made an easy path for the horses to continue on. It was almost magical to watch out of the window, the horses' hooves turned the snow into clouds as the carriage raced on its way back to the castle.

Alina would have known they were in the final hours of their trip even if Felix hadn't informed her. The king's men sat taller on their steads and even Felix straightened himself up, as though the king could see the miles that stretched before them and the city.

When the palace came into view, the stark contrasts between it and Christian's were like night and day. Where Christian's castle was dark, this was bright. White brick with an admiral colored roof and lined with windows and turrets. It was an impressive sight to behold, that was for certain. Alina was sure she would have been awestruck under normal circumstances. Perhaps if she hadn't been living in an enchanted castle for the last few months.

"Someone will lead you to your quarters for rest," Felix offered as they pulled through the iron gates of the castle. "I doubt the king will see you this evening. You deserve to rest and freshen up after the journey."

Alina would prefer to just meet King Belmont and get it over with, given the choice. Perhaps receive a ration of food and a good horse to make her way back. Or at least enough personal space to use her ring and have it magically whisk her back to the castle grounds.

If she used her ring, she would be back in a matter of moments. Hope shot through her. With her ring, she could make it back in time for the full moon. "There isn't any way to see him today?"

"He is King, Milady. I imagine he is busy."

"Of course. What was I thinking?" She sighed and laid her head back in frustration.

Felix smiled at her and patted her knee. "I'll inquire and see if he will see you first thing tomorrow."

"Thank you, Lord Felix."

A footman opened the door of the carriage and stairs appeared from below. Felix stood and exited first before offering his hand to Alina to help her down, which she accepted. Over the course of their carriage ride together they became amiable, at least.

"Lady Alina, this is Lady Ella. She will be your Lady-in-Waiting for the duration of your stay here and will show you to your quarters."

"Lady-in-Waiting?" Alina questioned. However, Felix just bowed and made his way into the palace.

Ella curtsied and offered Alina a smile.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Milady. This way." Ella motioned towards the palace and bid Alina follow.

The beauty of Ella intimidated Alina, even after having grown up with her fair sisters. Ella's skin was a sepia, reddish-brown that provided a striking contrast to the winter wonderland around them. Her dark hair shone like obsidian compared to Alina's dull, chestnut brown.

"Are you coming, Milady?" Ella called out behind her.

Alina rushed to catch up before they both entered the palace together. The opulence struck Alina. The entry was open and... almost glittery. It was a stark comparison to what she was accustomed to. It seemed too open, too bright to be homey and comfortable.

"Why do I have a Lady-in-Waiting?" Alina demanded as they marched through the hallways.

"For companionship, I would imagine. I'll show you how to navigate court life here and introduce you to the other ladies. My father may not be a duke but being the daughter of a baron is well enough for me to be your Lady-in-Waiting."

"That's... that's not what I meant. Wait, navigate court life?" Alina pressed a hand to her diaphragm, her breath catching. She halted her walk and, noticing the lack of echoing footsteps, Ella halted a few steps behind her. "Am... Am I expected to stay here long enough that I need to understand how to navigate court life?"

Ella smiled at her as they stopped at the door. "That's something you must take up with the king. These are your quarters. If you like, I'll have something sent up for you to eat."

"That would be wonderful, thank you."

"Excellent. Please rest, Milady. Everything will make more sense in the morning, I'm sure."

With a gentle squeeze on Alina's shoulder, Ella left down the hallway in a swish of skirts. Alina stared at the closed door, remembering a time only a few months ago when she'd been in the same position: in an unknown castle with no idea why she was there or what they meant her to do. Then too, they left her at a bedroom door and told her to rest with uncertainty cloying at her as surely as though it were trying to burst from her insides. She closed her eyes and taking a shaky breath, Alina opened the door and stepped in.

Ella arrived mid-morning the next day with a swath of ladies to make Alina ready to meet the king. The first thing on the agenda was a bath, sorely needed after being on the road. The ladies filled the tub with steaming water as the fragrance of roses, lavender and sweet things drifted towards her. It reminded her of the last time she'd seen Elizabeth, her dearest friend, and had spent the day preparing themselves for the Yule Ball.

It seemed so long ago now, but it had only been about a fortnight since then.

Two other girls waited in the room, holding towels and hanging out clothes. Alina wanted to protest to help and an audience while bathing; however, after taking care of Charles for a week and being on the road, she could only concentrate on how enticing the hot water was. In record time she stripped down and submerged in the liquid heaven.

Alina's eyes fluttered closed while the ladies washed her hair and body and massaged therapeutic oils into her arms and hands. Perhaps she died in the blizzard and was now in heaven.

Too soon Alina rose from the waters. The ladies dried her off and guided her into an adjacent room that rivaled her bedroom at Christian's castle.

Alina glanced down at the ring on her finger, glowing dimly in the light of morning. She needed to keep her head on straight. She needed to conclude whatever business the King had with her and make her way back to Christian, their people, and Charles.

Alina watched the ladies do her hair in an elaborate braided updo and decorate it with jeweled hair fasteners before they adorned the top with... a tiara.

Why were people always trying to put a damn crown on her head?

"Is that appropriate?" Alina questioned as she watched one girl pin the jeweled devil to the top of her head.

"I am only doing as instructed." The girl continued with her work.

"Instructed by whom?"

"It looks beautiful," Ella changed the topic and Alina scowled at her.

The tiara was beautiful, Alina couldn't deny that. Yellow gold embedded with white diamonds and pearlescent lapis stones. The three peaks, each with intricate engravings, coming to a point, the one in the middle being the highest.

Once the tiara was secure, the ladies ushered Alina up and over towards the dressing area, hidden behind a dressing wall.

They fastened Alina into a gorgeous gown to rival anything that Christian had given her, save for the golden ball gown. The powder blue dress had a sheer lace overlay and a full skirt. The bodice formed a heart shape, accentuating her chest. Lace traveled up to her clavicle and made its way down her arms in delicate floral patterns, ending at her wrist in full sleeves. With the dress and the tiara, she looked like a princess.

It made her uncomfortable.

"Well, it looks like you are fit to see the king now." Ella gave her a sweet smile. "Follow me. I hear he is looking forward to seeing you."

Ella exited the room, expecting Alina to follow in that quick, sure-stepped march Ella entered the palace with the day before. Alina lifted the hem of her dress just to keep pace.

"But why does the king want to see me?" Alina demanded as she matched Ella's stride.

"You'll find out soon enough. No one in the castle seems to have any idea. It is the best-kept secret this palace has ever had."

Alina huffed in irritation and continued on her path with Ella. They descended a grand staircase and took a left to stop at two large doors.

"This is the throne room; they instructed me to bring you here. I'll see you tonight at dinner."

"I-what?"

But Ella just turned and walked back into through a doorway off to the side, leaving Alina standing in front of two large, closed doors.

Was she supposed to knock?

She looked at the door, then down the hallway, waiting for someone to tell her what to do. No one was around. Hesitantly, she pulled her right fist up to knock on the door when the handles turned, causing her to startle and tuck the fist into the folds of her dress.

The double doors opened slowly, allowing her full access to the room.

She peered into the room and froze in horror.

There were at least a hundred people in the room, perhaps more, each person dressed in finery and jewels. They were parted right down the middle, making an aisle straight to the front of the room. Her eyes roamed over the people. She saw Felix to the left, standing in full regalia. Ella was there, standing near the back on the right side of the room. Alina turned her head to the focal point of the room.

The throne.

The king sitting on the throne.

King Belmont.

Startled, she recognized him. And not just from the profile stamped on the coins that served as currency for the kingdom.

No, she'd seen him before... in the mirror weeks ago. Hadn't that been him in this exact position? Had the mirror somehow shown her the future? Could it do that?

Beside him, on a smaller throne, sat a beautiful woman. The queen. She was even more beautiful than Alina's sisters, who always received praises for their looks for as long as she could remember. The queen had pale skin and dark, auburn hair pulled up into an intricate updo. A golden crown rested on her head and she was in a tight, velvet dress the color of pine. Her expression was blank as she stared down at Alina.

Everyone turned to look at Alina and she stood at the doorway, startled and almost shaking with nerves. What was she supposed to do? She glanced back to the king who beckoned her forward with one hand.

Alina took a deep, steadying breath and put one foot in front of the other, stepping into the room. Her hands squeezed into white fists within the folds of her skirts. Her heart pounded in her ears as she continued up the aisle. The surrounding people began to whisper and stare more.

"Breena," a lady gasped beside her, startling her.

The whispers diverged and merged with her rapid, unsteady beating heart like a cacophony of war.

It seemed like an eternity before Alina stood before the king and the whole room went quiet as a tomb. The sudden silence was jarring and terrifying. Alina didn't know what to do, or what to say. Only that she found herself before a king with no prior knowledge on how to act around nobility.

And she couldn't act the same as she did with Christian. She blushed.

So, she did the only thing that came to mind. She swept her gown out to the sides with her hands and curtsied low to her king.

"Rise," the King's voice rang out through the silent room. It was a deep baritone, commanding and sure.

Alina raised her body and head up until she was standing, back straight and staring at the king of their kingdom.

"I am very pleased to see you," King Belmont said from his throne, his voice carrying out around the room like an amphitheater. "But I suspect that you're confused about my summons."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Well then, let me clear some things up." He stood and descended the dais. He was as tall as a tree, she was sure. He towered above most everyone in the room. His shoulders were broad, as though he could carry the whole kingdom upon them. His hands looked rough - they told the story of a king who fought with and for his people rather than sitting on his throne. Chestnut hair with flecks of silver adorned his head, peeking out from beneath the crown sitting atop it.

King Belmont stopped directly in front of Alina and laid one of his weathered hands on her shoulder.

"May I present to you all my only child, the long-lost Princess Alina."

He grasped her other shoulder and turned her to face the crowd. Her shocked face, she was sure, was ashen and mirrored the look of the nobility as their stunned silence erupted into harsh and furious whispers.

"Bow," the king demanded of his nobility.

One by one the whole room bowed to Alina.

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AN: Hey everyone!

I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy during this trying time. The year 2020 has been a whirlwind for everyone, with each month bringing us something new and... unprecedented (anyone else getting tired of hearing this word?).

Although a lot has changed in the few months, I do have a few bright sides to share with you to lighten the mood:

I get to spend more time with my family and kiddos, staying home and exploring our province.My husband and I both work for amazing companies, who have mandated that we work from home since March and we remain that way (for now).With the ability to work from home, I've had more time... to write.

The last point is the most important to you all, I assume, since you've visited my author page. With that said, I have an exciting announcement:

Of Snow and Blood is now available for pre-order on Amazon! The official release date is June 30, 2020!

For more information, please feel free to follow me on my social media accounts or my website (links in my bio on my profile!!)