Chapter 13: Echoes in the Night

In truth, as much as Aster didn’t like the idea of marrying the King, he did like talking about what he wanted to wear for the wedding. Once she got his measurements, Nathalya pulled out a sketching pad and a pencil and began to draw. She drew the basic shape of his body first, then began asking him questions about what he wanted. They talked for hours about styles, colors, and finally, she drew something up that he liked.

When they parted for the day, it was well past sunset and nearly to the ringing of the evening bells. Rowan left as well, to bring Aster and himself something to eat. Aster thanked him quietly, and once he was alone, he began to dress down for bed.

Now that he was alone with his thoughts, he couldn’t help but think about the dilemma he found himself in. If he had known at the start of all this that he would be walking a very fine line between two horrible fates, he would have made his choice much more carefully. He wished he’d known then what he knew now.