A-Z Challenge. Day sixteen.

Since I ran out of time yesterday, here is day sixteen.

P is for Palace.

Music from the piano echoed through the ballroom, girls in ballgowns twirled in the arms of men in tuxedos. King Rowan gazed out at the dancers, a smile twitching on his lips.

"Talia shouldn't be dancing with that one," his wife, Queen Calista, said.

He looked over to see a frown marring her beautiful face. "Now, darling, you know Talia is doing it to get a rise out of you."

Calista sighed. "Of course she is," she muttered, watching as Talia twirled, shooting her a smirk. Calista rolled her eyes. "Today is supposed to be the day she chooses a husband."

Rowan laughed and scooped up Calista's hand. "I do believe she's chosen already and is merely dancing with those she considers friends."

Calista linked their fingers together. "And who has she chosen?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

Calista spared him a look.

"Mother, father," Katharina, their second daughter, curtsied before them.

Rowan grinned at his daughter. "Katharina," he said and held out his arm, still holding his wife's hand. "Enjoying the party?"

Katharina shrugged. "Sure," she said, not bothering to walk into her father's embrace. "Has Talia chosen yet?"

"Why don't you go ask her yourself?" Calista asked. "Your father believes so but both him and Talia are strange at the best of times."

Rowan turned with a pout.

Calista smiled gently at him, patting his cheek. "We love you just the way you are."

A bright smile before Calista kissed him. Katharina rolled her eyes and turned away, stepping down off the dais.

"Katharina," Talia said as she came up and threw an arm around her sisters shoulder. Katharina wrinkled her nose at the heavy sent of wine wafting from her sister. "Dance with me."

Katharina shrugged her arm off. "No thanks."

Talia pouted. "What's wrong?"

Katharina smiled. "You should be dancing with your soon to be husband."

"I've got all night for that," Talia said and headed back to the bar.

Katharina sighed before heading out to the balcony. The night was a little chilly, a wind blowing in from the ocean their palace overlooked. The balcony was lit by the two moons and Katharina tilted her head back, breathing in the fresh air.

"What is a pretty thing like you doing out here?"

Katharina turned to see Prince Alec leaning against the doorframe. She shrugged and turned back to the ocean. She heard his footsteps as he walked toward her.

"Tired of being in your sisters shadow?"

She looked at him from the corner of her eye before sighing. "No," she said. "I have no desire to run a kingdom. Talia is more than capable."

"Why the long face, then?"

She turned to face him and only saw curiosity, no judgment. She smiled. "I want to join the army."

His eyes widened.

She laughed. "Father had the same reaction. He hasn't said yes or no yet."

"You want to join the army?"

Katharina nodded. "The most enjoyable lessons for me are archery, sparing, and horseback."

"I," Alec started before laughing. "I'm impressed."

She smiled at him. "Thanks."

"Have you held a sword before?"

Katharina rolled her eyes. "The captain is generous and has been giving me lessons on and off since I was sixteen."

"And your father doesn't want you in the army because?"

"I'm sure it's something about not wanting me to be hurt."

The music stopped inside and Katharina turned around. "I guess Talia has finally chosen."

Alec held out his arm and Katharina took it, using it to guide him back into the ballroom. Talia stood beside her mother and father up on the dais, smiling at those gathered. Katharina stopped just inside the doors and smiled up at her sister.

"Ladies and gentlemen," King Rowan said, his voice booming across the ballroom. Those gathered buzzed with anticipation.

Talia crooked her finger at someone in the crowd and Katharina watched as Prince Carver made his way through the crowd. Katharina shook her head, wondering why she didn't figure it out before. Carver and Talia have always been close since they met when they were five.

Rowan beamed at Carver as he stepped onto the dais beside Talia. "Welcome to the family," he said and the room cheered, calling out catcalls as Carver dipped Talia, pressing a deep kiss to her lips.