A pending decision

Seraphina's POV

I let out a frustrated sigh, lifting my gaze to meet King Orion's steady eyes. "Do I have any say in this?" I asked, my voice carrying more edge than I intended. "Or is this just something I'm expected to go along with, no matter how I feel about it?"

The king studied me for a moment, as if gauging my words. Then, to my slight surprise, he tilted his head. "Are you saying you want to refuse? Do you not want to marry my son?"

I opened my mouth to say yes because, of course, I wanted to refuse. Because I had never once imagined myself marrying some prince, even if he was the son of the most powerful man in Aldoria. Because I had feelings for someone else—someone who wasn't a man.

But I stopped myself just before the words could slip out.