Soren
The kingdom of Arvelon sits in the far south of Thyndara, the most remote and distrusted territory on our continent. While Solaris granted Elysara's royals the power to summon divine weapons, the Lunaris Goddess bestowed Arvelon's rulers with something far more unsettling—the ability to transform into creatures of the night.
Fearsome shapeshifters capable of taking terrifying forms with abilities that make most people's skin crawl.
This connection to Lunaris and their transformation abilities has fueled fear and suspicion since the Darkrift War ended.
Back then, monsters emerged from the deepest corners of the earth—creatures people misattributed to the Lunaris Goddess.
These abominations infected humans, turning them into horrific beings with elongated arms that could tear through skin and bone with lethal precision. Their sharp, rotting teeth and predatory movements on all fours made them hunt like apex predators in some grotesque parody of nature.
People called them the Shadowspawn, and they terrorized every kingdom on Thyndara. As a consequence, this made Arvelon's rulers seem cursed by association.
Just like me.
The thought of Lyra's impending bond to them, even though Arvelon, by rank, is the second-strongest kingdom, is an endless source of worry. She's wild and free-spirited, and I fear how she'll adapt to a place our upbringing conditioned us to view with suspicion.
However, marriage is necessary for access to Starlithium, a rare metal many believe to be remnants of fallen stars that Lunaris drew to earth during the Darkrift War. It's the only substance certain to kill Shadowspawn, and its growing scarcity requires more secure collection and distribution methods.
Our geographical position at Thyndara's heart makes us crucial for creating safer trade routes. This marriage will be Elysara's golden opportunity to regain the other kingdoms' trust and cement our position as the continent's true power.
"At least the ceremony will be beautiful," I say, trying to steer my thoughts away from darker paths. "Even if it's going to be absurdly grand."
"Isn't it exciting, though?" Brioni's voice carries mischief as she leans forward. "Think about the power couple you and Tarian will make!"
I almost choke on my wine. "Power couple?"
"Oh, come on," Rialla joins in. "The blessed knight and the…" She pauses, seeming to realize what she was about to say.
"The cursed prince?" I finish for her, keeping my voice light despite the familiar sting.
My Mama, Lady Zoela Aran, had been the high priestess of Elysara and the most faithful servant of the Solaris goddess. She died giving birth to me. During her pregnancy, a violent illness overcame her, her heart poisoned by some unknown means.
The whispers started at once. People claimed I was the one who had poisoned her from within.
When I emerged into the world without the goddess's blessing, it confirmed everyone's worst suspicions.
The blessing of the Solaris Goddess has always been the cornerstone of our royal legitimacy. When the gods bestowed their favor upon the royals of the nine kingdoms during the Darkrift War, Solaris rewarded the first heir of Elysara with magical weapons that the heir could summon at will. At Papa's birth, intricate golden tattoos seared across his skin.
These marks of divine favor allow him to summon weapons infused with the goddess's own radiance with only a thought—gleaming lances that pierce through any armor, shields that deflect the darkest magic, swords that burn with holy fire.
Those weapons made him the rightful king and our kingdom's hero. They're the closest things to the gods themselves that walk among mortals.
But when I was born, first heir and sole male child, I received nothing. No tattoos. No divine weapons. No blessing at all.
Many advisors and courtiers urged Papa to abandon me, convinced I posed a danger to the entire kingdom. But Papa, a devoted believer in the goddess, insisted everything happened for a purpose. He said it wasn't for mortals to question the will of the divine.
There was also the undeniable fact that I'm the perfect image of my Mama. Fair skin that seems to glow, golden eyes that mirror her own, and what people whispered was a touch of the goddess's own beauty.
Papa couldn't bring himself to abandon me after Mama used her dying breath to beg him to care for me, believing it was the goddess's true wish.
Because of this, Papa allowed me to live in comfort within the palace walls.
They taught, raised, molded, and educated me to be Elysara's next ruler. But those were false promises and hollow dreams. I'll never rule. It followed then that Papa married me off to the strongest alpha in the kingdom to protect our legacy and maintain stability.
I am weak. I am a freak.
How could I refuse and go against what's best for the kingdom? More so when I'm the only one who knows Tarian's actual nature. The soft side he hides beneath all that bravado and bloodshed.
That's what made me fall in love with him. That's why I don't care about the political machinations anymore. I know he'll be a good king, even if he doesn't know how to be a good husband.
"It's so wonderful having all four of us together again," I say, meaning every word. Warmth and nostalgia fill my chest as I look around at these faces I love so much.
"I was desperately in need of a girls' gathering," Brioni admits, lifting her cup to her lips. "I'm exhausted from managing the family business."
Lyra rejoins our group, sinking back into her chair. Her earlier sharpness has softened as she teases, "Then you need to find yourself a good alpha. Someone to help shoulder the burden."
"I don't need anyone tearing me apart who isn't a fitting match for me," Brioni retorts with a roll of her eyes.
"You're so cute, playing it safe," Rialla snorts. "But I seem to remember Lord Emil whisking away a certain someone at the House Varyn debutante. What happened to your 'standards' then?"
Brioni's cheeks flush pink. "Safe? Honey, I'm anything but safe. I know what I want."
Both Brioni and Rialla live in their respective duchies, far from the palace. Brioni comes from the Duchy of Southridge and House Thorne—a family of proud betas who rose through honorable service to the crown.
Now she's taken over as the lady of the house while her parents enjoy retirement, administering all the businesses within their territory. She's become one of the most successful businesswomen of our generation.
Rialla represents the Duchy of Westmar and the noble House Dum. She's the youngest of her siblings and, like me, an omega. She's also the luckiest among us—her parents actually approved when she wanted to marry an alpha commoner, bringing him into their family and house name.
Brioni and I first met when we were three, starting our lessons with Lady Eleonora here at the palace. Papa didn't want me growing up isolated, and despite knowing I'd never be normal in truth in others' eyes, he wanted to bring some normalcy into my life. So he invited children from the kingdom's most trusted families to study alongside me.
Lyra joined us when she was old enough, and we became inseparable.
By the time I turned sixteen, we attended Rialla's debutante.
She'd been as shy an omega as I was, but with my typical stubbornness, I asked Father if she could join our palace lessons. That's how we became a group of four, though Rialla quickly proved she wasn't shy at all once she decided to marry her commoner alpha.
Of all of us, I think she's always been the most self-aware.
"Please," I say, looking around at the faces of those who know me best. "I'm nervous about tomorrow, but that's an understatement. It's not every day someone gets married to the kingdom's most celebrated knight."
"And the most gorgeous alpha," Rialla adds with a wink.
"That too," I admit, smiling despite my anxiety. "Umm, but don't you think having representatives from all the kingdoms attending is excessive?"
"Soren, what's wrong with you?" Rialla's voice turns earnest. "You're the Crown Prince of Elysara. You deserve this celebration and so much more. Everyone knows how beloved the King is, so of course, he wants only the best for his heir."
Lyra takes a long drink of wine before responding. "Just try to enjoy it while you can. There won't be a second wedding."
I notice Rialla and Brioni both frown at her tone. The bitterness in her voice is impossible to miss.
"Thank you all for being here," I say, reaching out to squeeze hands around our little circle. "In truth, I don't know what I'd do without you."
"You'll be fine, Soren," Rialla assures me, squeezing back. "You're so much stronger than you give yourself credit for."
"I hope so," I whisper, looking up at the darkening sky.
Tomorrow, everything changes. Tomorrow, I become more than the cursed prince—I become half of something larger, something that could have real meaning.
Tonight, though, I'm still Soren, sitting with my dearest friends, pretending the weight of kingdoms doesn't rest on my shoulders.