Chapter 39
He left before I awoke, which didn’t surprise me as much as I thought it would have. We’d watched the sunrise together before I fell back asleep. He had left the balcony curtains wide open and as the orange, pink hues flowed across the stoned floor and up the bed frame, rainbows danced across the space. Light reflected through the windows in a magical, almost whimsical way.
I woke up feeling different.
Aching from the tips of my fingers to my toes, my head filled with feelings of wanting for a new life and a new beginning. I didn’t want to leave the comfortable silk sheets. I’d have stayed there until he returned but today would be the day we made vows to each other, of commitment and hopefully, one day love.
After dressing in my cami and matching dress robe, a maid brought a tray of breakfast shortly afterwards. It was strange how she knew I’d be awake but grateful for the food as I was famished. A bowl of hot steaming porridge with freshly cut apples and honey, was delightfully sweet and perfect to get the day started. My nerves weren’t barking at my door. Yet, I knew it wouldn’t be too long until they arrived.
“Oh, good! You’re awake!”
April startled me as she appeared suddenly in the room, along with Vanessa and Morgana, all three dressed in beautiful lilac and pale pink chiffon dresses. Each with their own twist. Morgana had her blonde hair curled and it seemed longer, as if it had grown overnight.
Vanessa’s, however, seemed the complete opposite, her long brown hair up in a beautiful up-do and decorated with small diamonds. April wore her strawberry blond in a fishtail plait, running down between her shoulder and collarbone.
Even though they were all sisters, they didn’t all appear the same, there were some similarities but nothing that stuck out. Not like my siblings and I, where we shared most of the same things in looks.
“How was your night?”
Morgana plonked herself beside me, her eyes lighting up with glee as she stared at me. It was almost like she was peering deep within my soul. April collected the candle which still sat in its candlestick and smiled as she saw some of the dried wax down the side of it. Whereas Vanessa stood near the balcony doorway. If only she knew what we’d been up to there.
“It was eventful.” I shovelled another spoonful into my mouth, hoping it would change the subject, but Morgana pressed on further.
“Well, there is definitely something different about you. You seem lighter.”
“It smells like sex in here,” Vanessa said suddenly.
My cheeks ran red. Did it smell? Oh no! Perhaps we should have left the door open all night. Seeing my face of embarrassment, April coughed to cover up a laugh, and the room fell silent for a few seconds.
“Sorry, that was a bit forward. Sometimes my mouth runs away before my mind can catch up,” she admitted and I was grateful for her honesty.
“Consummating before marriage. Very naughty.” Morgana winked at me, trying to clear the tension with humour. I just buried my awkwardness further down, hoping not to answer any more questions.
“We…we did the marriage rites.”
It’s all I could say as I no longer wanted my breakfast, unable to stomach anymore spoonfuls. With some more awkward silence, April dropped herself down in the smaller chair with her hands on her lap, as if she were waiting for something.
“I am pleased you have relaxed a bit around his majesty,” April spoke in a more elegant tone.
Her two sisters rolled their eyes in response, and I awkwardly drank more of my tea, the nerves starting.
“To commit your body and soul to someone can be difficult. I remember our parents would discuss their wedding day with us and how our mother—Queen Helena—fought Father every step of the way. Morgana is like her in that regard, never believing in love or marriage. But once she met Father, her mind and heart soon changed.”
It was pleasant to hear of Nicholas’s and their parents clearly had been deeply in love. A part of me wished I knew them or had the chance to meet them. I’m sure it would explain a lot of Nichols’s behaviour and why he guarded himself with many faces.
“Do you think they”d have accepted me as Nicholas’s consort and wife?”
Vanessa looked away as did Morgana lowering her eyes from me. Was this question too sensitive? Or would they have demanded I be sent home?
“When I found out where Nicholas would run off to during the day, I ran and told our mother. We were just children then and I still remember her putting a finger to her lips and telling me to be quiet and not tell a soul—to keep it secret. She always knew where he was going and who he was seeing. She was gifted with sight, a powerful ability where she would be able to see anyone, just by holding something of theirs.” April studied me, as if to see if I were paying attention.
“I’ve read stories of Queen Helena’s great beauty and power, even my father mentioned that when he was here, he never wanted to anger her, for fear of what she would do to him with her wrath.”
“Funny how he thought that, and yet he was the reason she lost her sister,” Vanessa chimed in coldly.
I felt the sting in my heart at her words. I never thought of my father as someone who would hurt another, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Norok, Talia, and I were never allowed near our borders or to mix with ‘strange’ Fae. Perhaps he was always looking over his shoulder for Helena to show up and act out her vengeance.
“Ness, we don’t know the whole story and we don’t want to put a downer on this special day,” Morgana said, taking hold of my hand and squeezing it gently.
Clearing her throat, to bring my attention back to her, April stood from her chair and paced back and forth in front of the fire. “Mother was also cursed with the sight that would tell of one’s death day. I believe she saw hers and Father’s death day. It took all of us by surprise as a few nights before we had attended a banquet. Nicholas and I could tell something was wrong. They kept talking about when he would become king, and looking back on it now, it was because they knew that week, he would become our new king.”
Another squeeze from Morgana as she appeared to hold back tears. She looked over to Vanessa, who was also trying desperately not to cry. They all seemed so close to each other—connected.
“Mother told me about you many times. How she would see you with Nicholas and her smile would light up watching him laugh with you. I would like to think she always wanted to meet you, but fate had a different path in mind. Today, we will pay homage to their memories, and both you and Nicholas will light a candle for them.”
Morg took hold of Vanessa’s hands and looked lovingly at her sister as a few tears escaped Vanessa’s eyes.
“We will celebrate today in starlight as two kingdoms join together, to become one. Granted, you may bring war to our shores, but as our soon to be queen, we will always be at your side protecting you.”
Never had I heard such devotion. I’d become so used to people only wanting a piece of me as I had the ear of my father. I may have been the spare heir and I was still the princess of the Crystal line. Therefore, I carried great weight and sway within the court. No one really cared about me, only when I became useful to them, to be used as a pawn to their own game.
“Thank you,” I said, dipping my chin.
“Ornella, you are our sister now, and we will always have your back as we do each other’s.”
Morgana smiled brightly as she wiped away some tears and then quickly stood up, as if being called to order. Vanessa did the same, straightening her back, as did April. Someone must have sent them an order or maybe they knew it was time to prepare.
“I will see you soon, my Annwyl.”
Nicholas. We each shared the same look as if we all heard his voice and my cheeks blushed. The memory of last night was so vivid in my mind, I swore I could still feel his fingertips against my skin.
“If you keep thinking such thoughts, I will have to find you before the ceremony.”
I swore I could hear him growl slightly in my mind as a smile lifted up my cheeks. Joy covered me from head to toe as I thought more on his words and what I would eventually like him to do to me.
“I will see you soon, my king.”
And with that, April clapped her hands and ordered us to head to the dressing room, where the fun would begin. An afternoon of pampering, wine, and discussions over who would be attending today. She insisted I have another bath, which made sense after last night as I needed to arrive at my best.
“I’d like to keep my hair down for today. I know you’d all wish for it to be tucked up out of the way, but Nicholas likes my hair. So if we can show it off a bit, I would be grateful.”
April nodded at the lady’s maid who brushed my hair out after my bath, agreeing to my request. I was grateful, as keeping my hair up too tight always gave me a headache.
Nerves twisted in the pit of my stomach as they continued to pamper and prune me. This was far different to the morning of that dreaded mockery of a wedding before. This time I felt lighter and happier, knowing I made the right choice.
I was looking forward to the adventure I’d begin with Nicholas.