DESTINED TO LOVE, FATED TO CHOOSE

A'S

pun, and my memories were hazy. I tried to re

with silk sheets and plush pillows. I looked down at myself and saw I

staring back at me was almost unrecognizable. My hair wa

"Good morning, Princess. It's time to get read

cess? King and queen

d we walked to the throne room. The king an

're so glad you're here. You'll make

What family?

utside. My father and Marcus bur

hout permission!"

did what was necess

er voice calm. "Marcus,

, Your Majesty. But Ayla's father promised

er. Promised me to hi

yes pleading. "Ayla, I'm sorry

ing down my face. "You didn

tic glance. "We'll take care of you, Ay

ped, forced into a life I didn't wa

cussing my future. I was not present, but I knew w

aid. "Ayla's marriage to Marcus will strengthe

s is a fine young man, and he wi

eye to eye, King. Let us begin ma

noble families in the kingdom. We will make this a grand

re Ayla is prepared for the wedding

that. Ayla is a lovely young woman, an

I was to marry Marcus, and there

paring for the wedding. I tried on dresses, attended p

bout Ryker. Where was he?

ughts aside. I had no choice but t

coming wedding. They had planned a grand cer

n a dream, a nightmare tha

ore and more anxious. I knew I had to find

dn't stop talking about it. He would tell me abou

nod, but inside,

I was stuck in this arranged marriage,

more resigned to my fate. I knew I had

cus was happy, and my father was h

elf, like I was disappearing

ng. I had to find a way to

itting in my room, staring at the w

ock at the door. It wa

and queen want to

tood up. I kne

lt a sense of dread. What did the ki

the king and queen were sitting on

lk to you about the we

ling a sense

the queen said. "But we want you to know that

feeling a sens

a duty to fulfill," the king said. "You

anger, but I knew

es," I said, tryin

een nodded, loo

said. "We know this isn't easy for you, but w

feeling a sense

as walking to my doom. I knew I had to fin

through the motions of preparing for

se of anxiety. Tomorrow was the weddi

lm myself down. I knew I had to be s

n't help but think about Ryker. Whe