The newly-minted wife was curled up outside Erik’s den. She couldn’t remember if he was inside or not, but she wasn’t really paying attention. She was Tarben’s future queen now. The excitement thrummed inside of the lass’ body. Queen, queen, queen. She wondered if her mother would have been proud of her, to see her daughter wed to the heir of Tarben. Raven had been from Tarben herself.
Aegir and Marella had stifled Esmeray. They had turned their noses up at her, corralled her, policed her, and now? She was now wed to the heir of Tarben by their own permission. She would show them. She was the one laughing. They were surely glad to be rid of her, but she would show them. Their righteous, haughty faces would soon be grimacing. Oh, how Esmeray longed for that day. She allowed herself a little grin.

- this thread takes place in the past -

“Ice has a beauty, can’t be controlled!”