The young prince scowled as he paced back and forth. He’d been waiting with his mother for what felt like hours. There was nothing he could do.

Whoever came out of the passageway that led to his family’s kingdom, would be the person his mother had arranged him to wed.

Neyir’s mother, the Queen, held him still by the shoulder, as she inspected her son with sharp eyes.

“You were to have your hair tied back, boy.” She hisses. “And where is your gift I selected? Your betrothed will be here any moment.”

Neyir scowls, shrugging off his mother. He hated her and all that the kingdom stood for. Any of his brothers or sisters could have ascended to the throne. But instead his mother thought he would bring more fortune by marrying another royal, or someone of equal power.

“I didn’t bring it. I don’t even know this person or what they like. What if where they come from, a jewel encrusted box of human teeth and eyes is unnerving?”

He wasn’t allowed to leave the fortress, nor was he allowed to have friends. Too dangerous, his mother had told him. No romances either, of course. Wedlock would mean banishment.

As he stood stiffly, he wondered if there was, just a chance- a small chance, a sliver of hope, that perhaps this person could help him permanently leave the royal family…and even more…perhaps get rid of his mother…