“Presenting Prince Varen Thorne and Lady Thalassa.”

The announcer’s voice echoed across the grand ballroom as we made our entrance. The moment we crossed the threshold, the crowd instinctively parted, creating space for us.

Gasps and hushed whispers rippled through the gathering with every step we took toward the center of the room. It would be an understatement to say the commotion was caused solely by my striking gown and the exquisite emerald necklace resting between my ...