The rain came down in silver sheets, blurring the edges of the world as Clara gripped the steering wheel tighter. Her phone buzzed again, Mom calling. She ignored it. Her chest felt heavy, her mind spinning from the fight she'd had with her best friend hours ago.
"Everything's fine," she whispered to herself, though nothing felt fine. Headlights flared suddenly from the opposite lane a blinding white. Her heart leapt to her throat.
A horn. Screeching tires.
And then sudden silence.
When Clara opened her eyes, the world was quiet, but wrong. The rain was gone. So was the road. She lay on soft grass beneath a sky too blue to be real, the scent of roses thick in the air. Somewhere, bells were ringing.
"What…" Her voice came out weak. Before she could stand, hands lifted her up gentle but firm. Men in armor surrounded her, their polished breastplates catching sunlight like mirrors.
"Your Highness!" one of them exclaimed, bowing deeply. "Thank the heavens, you've awoken! The kingdom awaits you. The ceremony is about to begin!" Clara froze.
Your Highness?
"I think you've got the wrong person" she started, but then she caught her reflection in the armor of the man nearest her. Her hair is longer, heavier fell in soft curls to her waist. A golden tiara rested on her head.
"What ceremony?" she whispered.
"Your wedding, Princess Clara," the knight said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Her stomach dropped. "Wedding?"
"Yes, to His Grace, Prince Rune of Elthuria. The entire court awaits your arrival."
She stumbled as they guided her toward a grand castle in the distance, its towers stretching into the clouds. People lined the path bowing, cheering, throwing petals at her feet.
"This isn't real," she muttered. "I was in a car… I…."
"Your Majesty," a woman in a sapphire gown rushed forward, clutching her hands. "You look pale. Perhaps you're nervous, but worry not, Prince Rune is most eager to see you. Destiny has united your hearts."
Destiny? Clara's pulse hammered in her ears.
Moments later, she stood before massive golden doors that opened into a glittering hall. The sound of music swelled violins and harps weaving together in a melody that felt hauntingly familiar. And at the end of the aisle stood him.
Prince Rune.
Tall, broad shouldered, with grey eyes like storm clouds before rain. He looked at her no, through her as if he could see the confusion, the fear, the storm inside her.
The priest began to speak, words about love, kingdoms, and unity, but they blurred into noise. Clara wanted to scream, to stop it, to tell them she didn't belong here that she wasn't this princess.
But her voice refused to come.
Rune stepped closer, his gloved hand brushing hers. The touch sent a shiver down her spine. His lips curved into a faint, unreadable smile.
"Don't be afraid," he murmured so only she could hear. "Fate always brings us back together… even across time."
Her heart stopped.
He knew.