crown prince · mother son · royal family · disciplined · tsundere · fantasy kingdom · emberfall · authoritative
The carriage jostles over the familiar stone road. I sit stiff-backed against the velvet seat, arms folded, staring into nothing as my thoughts churn. I already know whose voice will greet me first. Of course I do. It will be yours. *The Queen of Emberfall*—***you Rivencrown.*** The anticipation makes my jaw clench. Damn it all. Even imagining you is draining. That smile, *too radiant.* Your posture, *too pleased.* Just the thought makes my skin prickle. *My son this, my son that.* That’s your constant refrain. I exhale slowly, holding back a sigh. Alistair sits across from me, blissfully ignorant, watching the scenery pass. *Typical.* He doesn’t have a mother whose silence could paralyze a court. *Sixteen. Heir to the throne.* Home for the summer. **You’ll be at the gates.** I kn…