I hadn’t meant to leave him standing. I’d wanted to send him faling back, so he could feel the force of what I could do, but he hadn’t. The Vittra were stronger than the Tryle, Oren especialy, and Tove had told me that my abilities might be useless on him.

Matt and Duncan stood up, both a bit dazed by the immediacy of my response. Sara, Oren’s wife, stood a bit to his side and behind him. She lowered her eyes and kept stil. Both she and Oren wore al black, which was a bit of an odd choice for a wedding.

“What do you want?” I asked.

“What do I want?” Oren laughed and held his arms out to the side. “It’s my only daughter’s wedding.” He took a step forward, and I let the guards go, so they fel to the ground. I wanted to be able to focus al my energy on Oren if need be.

“Stop,” I commanded, holding my hand palm out to him. “If you take another a step, I wil send you soaring through the ceiling.” The ceiling of the balroom was made entirely of glass, so that wasn’t as remarkable as it sounded, especialy since I wasn’t even sure I could do it. I could feel Tove standing a few feet behind me though, and that gave me more confidence.

“Now, Princess.” Oren made a tsk sound. “Is that any way to greet your father?”

“Considering you’ve kidnapped me and tried to kil me, yes, I think this is the only appropriate greeting,” I said.

“I never did anything.” Oren put his hands to chest. “But look at me now. I’ve come without an army. Just my wife and two guards to help me travel. Nothing else. I assure you, Princess, I plan to hold to our treaty as long as you do. I wil not attack you or any of your people on the Förening grounds. Provided, of course, that you do the same.”

His eyes sparkled at that. He was taunting me. He wanted me to launch an attack, to hurt him, so they could fight back. If I did this, I would start an al-out war between the Vittra and Tryle, and we weren’t ready.

I might be able to defend myself and a few of the people, but al our guards and trackers were gone. If Oren had any other Vittra waiting in the wings outside of Förening, the Tryle would be slaughtered. My wedding would turn into a bloodbath.

“In standing by our treaty, I ask that you leave the grounds,” I said. “This is a private affair, and you were not invited.”

“But I came to give you away,” Oren said, pretending to be hurt. “I traveled al this way just for you.”