Lochhollow's Lament #atozchallenge

 

For the A to Z Challenge, I'm having twenty-six flash fiction pieces from my Foxwick Kingdom and its surrounding neighbors. Soon A to Z Flashes of Foxwick will be available in e-book format. You can add this to your Goodreads list here.

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Lochhollow’s Lament

Verona took one last look at her rooms. The hearth sat empty, sending a chill into the air. Her clothes had been packed into many trunks, and her wardrobes’ doors stood open. Everything Lochhollow’s princess owned settled into trunks, bags, and the lone satchel in her hands.

A sob settled in her throat and threatened to drown her in her sorrow. How could she leave her parents’ castle, her home, for Foxwick?

“They’re here, m’lady.” The servant curtsied before her.

“Thank you.” Verona tried to swallow her pain, but it wouldn’t go down. Each step clicked along the stone floors and brought her closer to her future husband.

She’d met Leon once before. When he traveled to Lochhollow to request aid, her family agreed. Lochhollow had sent men to fight Foxwick’s battles against Wintermill. Leon was handsome in a strong, kingly way, but she hadn’t realized that chance encounter had changed everything. If he’d never seen her or danced with her at the ball, then perhaps he wouldn’t want her as a wife.

When she arrived at the courtyard, her breath caught in her chest. She clutched the satchel to her as the carriage doors opened. Her father and mother motioned for her to come forward. As if stone had encased her feet, she stumbled toward the carriage.

“Do I have to leave?” She begged her parents for a reprieve.

Tears filled her mother’s eyes, and she looked away.

Her father’s hand tightened around her arm, not in anger but in sorrow. “G-go on now, my sweet child. This is the life of princesses.”

And in that moment, Verona would’ve given anything to give away her title and remain with her family.

Now if you want to learn more about authors, I’m featuring up to three per day on my blog Surrounded by Books Reviews. To find the other participants, click here.