Today’s theme is “Most Popular”. I’m not sure how that would work, since I generally only publish pieces that are complete or near to completion. But I am still working on The Divine Gambit, and even though it’s being published on FFNet and AO3 I guess it’s technically a WIP.
So for today, take a sample of the chapter that will be published on Friday!
Elizabeth sits at her table, waiting as she does every day. But this day is different; today, for the first time in as far back as she remembers, she is not waiting for her mother.
She takes a slow, steadying breath before smoothing a hand down the front of her dress. There are no little cakes or the gilded china she normally has laid out for the queen, just a simple teapot and three plain cups with saucers. She is dressed in formal clothing and a jewel at her throat, wanting to project the image of strength and nobility, without any softness or sweetness. There would be no warm reception for the guest she had been waiting to see for two days.
When the door opens, Elizabeth leaps from her seat, every nerve on edge in anticipation. Yet it is not who she feared: instead, a lovely young goddess dressed in an army uniform stalks inside, her gaze firm on the princess.
“Jelamet!” cries Elizabeth, hurrying around the table to greet her friend. “You came!”
“Of course I came, I always do when you send for me, but Elizabeth--”
She takes the princess’ hands, and Elizabeth looks questioningly into her friend’s studied gaze. “What is all this? I’ve been told you invited a demon prince to the palace. How could you do such a thing?”
“There is so much to tell you,” Elizabeth whispers, her heart inside of her throat. She squeezes the goddess’ hands reassuringly. “Come and sit, and I will explain.”
But Jelamet continues on, “Elizabeth, you cannot do this! When the queen finds out--if my father finds out! You’ll be in terrible trouble.” She searches Elizabeth’s face pleadingly. “Please, stop them, tell them to bar the gates.”
Elizabeth sighs. “He’s my betrothed,” she whispers, her eyes falling to the floor.
She feels Jelamet step backwards. “What? How?”
Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth says quietly, “I’ve been promised in marriage to the son of the Demon King. I have invited him here to meet with him first.”
A shocked silence fills the room, and the princess dares to glance up, only to see her friend’s face twisted into shock. “This can’t be true,” she says in surprise. “Why?”
“The queen told me herself.” Elizabeth’s voice trembles a bit, and she clutches her hands together, trying to remain steady. “I didn’t know.”
She watches as confusion turns to frustration over Jelamet’s expression. “I’m so sorry,” her friend says. “I don’t know what to say.”
Elizabeth breathes a deep sigh. “Say you’ll stay, and be with me when I meet this prince.”
Jelamet reaches forward and takes the princess by the elbows. “Of course I’ll stay, you can’t be alone when you meet him. I’ll protect you.”
With a smile, Elizabeth’s shoulders sag, and she leads the goddess to the table to sit. But before they can, there is a flurry of activity at the door, drawing both of their attentions.
A guard hurries in and bows. “Your Highness!” she says tightly, “There is--someone here for you! A demon!”
This is the moment she had feared, and her heart is at once seized with fear. But Elizabeth draws on her lessons of diplomacy and poise, willing herself to stay calm, drinking in several gulps of air. “Please show him in,” she manages to say evenly.