Beautiful poured water from the pitcher into a basin, then dipped a wash towel and gently wiped the smudges from her face. She brushed her hair with care, then paused to twirl one of her curls around her little finger—Seeker adored her curls.
Her favorite dress was laid out on the bed. It wasn’t fancy, but it was still beautiful. As her fingers brushed a ring on a silver chain—the one Secret had given her with the King’s invitation—her memory stirred.
Beautiful busied herself sweeping the floor of the little house in Dark Land. Her mom would be home from the fields soon, and together they’d prepare dinner before her dad returned from the ocean.
She had barely set aside the broom when a knock echoed at the front door. The man who stood there wore a simple, finely made cloak of deep royal blue, and around his neck hung a slender chain bearing the seal of the King.
“I am Secret, and I dwell with those who are on high,” he said, his voice quiet but compelling. “The King invites you to journey to Beulah as a Pilgrim.”
“How can I journey to Beulah, seeing as I am just a girl, and I have no one to walk with me?”
“Have you no friends or family?” Secret asked.
“I am only the baby,” she said. “My brothers and sisters left years ago, and my parents refused to go with them.” Her fingers curled around the edge of her skirt. “What chance do I have?” She glanced toward the window, as if there was nothing to see. “And my friends—none would leave this place.”
Secret handed her the King’s invitation. On it was written “Beautiful,” sealed with the signet of the King. Then he took her hand and placed a small velvet pouch in it. Inside was a golden ring, set with a deep black onyx. It was clearly not meant for her—much too large for her small fingers.
Secret smiled. “The King will send one to walk with you. That ring belongs to him.”
Beautiful bowed low. “Please tell the King—I accept his invitation.” She turned the ring over in her hand, studying it. “When I find him, I will give it to him. And I will love him.” Her eyes blazed. “And only him.”
He nodded—not in simple agreement, but as witness to her vow. He handed her a small ornate wooden box. “Godspeed, Beautiful, daughter of the King.” And with that, he was gone.
Beautiful changed into the dress she’d laid out—the red and black one she’d been wearing when she met Seeker. She slipped the necklace over her head, and tucked the ring into her dress, close to her heart. It belonged to Seeker now. He just didn’t know it yet.
She dabbed on a touch of perfume from the carved, ornate box the King had given her. The sweet fragrance of lilies filled the room. She ran the brush through her hair one last time, making sure every strand was in place.
Yes, she was aware of the time. How long had she kept him waiting? It didn’t matter. She had to be perfect for him.
When at last she stepped into the common room, Seeker greeted her with a smile—the same smile that had captured her heart in the wheat fields.
