These Hollow Vows

I can’t imagine spending my life with anyone else. You’re the one who’s always made me laugh. You’re the one who makes me feel like I can still be me without letting my duty to my crown swallow me whole. And yet that same duty might require losing you

“May you always have a star to wish on, Abriella, and a reason to believe.”

That no matter how hopeless I feel, there’s always a little more hope inside me. That no matter how faithless I think I am, there is always something to believe in.”

“Abriella, every star in that sky shines for you.”

Riaan shakes his head. “Not nearly as often as we used to. This one’s too busy for me. Preparing to be king. Choosing a bride.” He shoots me a meaningful look, then adds, “Though if you ask me, he should just grovel until you agree to take the position.”

Breathe, Abriella. You have to breathe. You can’t trade oxygen for courage.

“May you always have a star to wish on, Abriella, and a reason to believe.” He begins to fade into the darkness.

wanted to believe we were friends and that the connection I felt when we touched meant something. Instead, the connection was nothing more than a crown I don’t want. A crown he needs. A crown he planned to kill me to take.

“My heart is in your hands, Abriella,” he says, a breath before our lips meet.

“Abriella, every star in that sky shines for you.”