TheOtherNoble

“You are the least objectionable groom of all the ones I’ve seen,” Anaisa replied seriously. 

“Thank you for the glowing compliment,” Trace grinned, “but that didn’t quite answer my question.” 
___

Anaisa is an orphan and a pariah. In an ultimate act of betrayal, her father, a Count of the Realm, is accused of deserting and betraying the army in a time of war. Not only is he immediately executed for the offense, but the king declares he must have been a fake all along! His two daughters are stripped of their titles and inheritance, replaced by a distant cousin and cast out of their home with nothing. Anaisa swears someday she will get her title and lands back, but in the mean time, she and her sister Katia have to figure out how to survive. 

Trace is an anomaly among his people; instead of revealing their son as a magic user and thrusting him into the public eye, his parents kept it a secret to allow him to choose the kind of life he wanted. Trace found himself content to rest and play in his own dream world instead of invading the nighttime visions of others.

As an adult, his choice to remain unknown is thrown into jeopardy when a mysterious blackmailer forces Trace to enlist in the territorial war between nations, threatening to reveal his secret if the demand is not met. With the war now over, Trace believes he can finally go home to his farm and live the simple, unremarkable life he’s always desired. 

When Anaisa and Trace are thrown together by a royal edict, the sisters find themselves unwittingly tangled in the web of mystery and intrigue that surrounds the blackmailer’s escalating assignments for Trace. Anaisa begins to suspect it may be connected to the plot to replace her family in the noble court. As the scheme continues to unfold, lives, loves, marriages, and magic will be put to the test to see what forces in the world are strongest.

Dreamwalker's Bride

Anaisa changed back into less ornate clothing in time for the doctor to pay his visit and declare her healthy enough to attend the ball, provided that she tolerated food well and didn't overly tire herself before the event.

Sapphira eagerly ordered food from the kitchens in order to put some weight on Anaisa's frame before the event.

"No one wants a scrawny princess," She insisted as Anaisa protested the number of dishes that began arriving. Fine sweets, rich creams and cheeses and cakes. Succulent meats, and all manner of other foods.

"Why do we need all of this??" Anaisa exclaimed in consternation as yet more food was brought in.

"These are the dishes for the ball. We have to taste and approve of each one. Or rather, you do, Your Highness." Sapphira smirked. "Please enjoy and give me feedback to relay to the kitchens."

Anaisa tried to give Sapphira a stern look, but wound up giggling instead.

Tasting time