Chapter 36 #2
The planning of the extravagant event that is to be my wedding falls on me, so I spend the morning trying to be as uncooperative as possible.
When asked for colors I would like, I choose a horrible green shade, a dull yellow, and brown.
Only the greedy nobles are allowed to attend the wedding feast, so I demand boiled frog legs, jellied eels, and onion pies with extra pig liver, much to the dismay of the pompous courtiers attempting to assist me, trying to earn my favor.
By midday I am escorted back to my pretty prison.
The lady’s maids once again paint my lips and eyes.
Tonight’s gown has a neckline so high it covers the gold on my chest and reaches my neck.
It’s a pale gown the color of snow with silver embroidery on the corset and hem and down the long sleeves.
They adorn me with rings and bracelets, all silver.
They leave the collar, but all other chains are removed.
Everett knocks but does not wait for a response, entering with a wicked smile. “What a beautiful day it is.”
“Fuck off.” My glare only amuses him more.
He holds the door open, holding out his arm, motioning me to leave. I roll my eyes and brush past him, hoping to walk alone to dinner, but he easily catches up.
“Oh, but you look so lovely. I don’t think I have ever seen you in that color. So much yellow for you Gems.” He pretends to look thoughtful. “Though I do suppose the only time you would wear white is in a Zemra ceremonial dress, but that will never happen.”
His words hurt exactly how much he wanted them to. I do not hide the devastation on my face. Too hopeless for anger.
I stop in front of the throne room doors. “I would love nothing more than to remove the crown and slam it on your head. I’ve never wanted it. I will be dead soon. Why must you add cruelty?” I stare at him demanding an answer. “Were we ever friends?”
Everett’s face hardens. “I do not need friends. Having them has gotten me nowhere. You ruined everything! Grayden and I had a plan. I was there the night his father died. I was meant to have the crown! Now let’s go. Your future husband awaits.”
I scoff at him. “With any luck I’ll be dead before that ever happens.”
His smile grows cruel again, sending ice down my spine, but he looks past me. “Looks like your luck has run out again.”
Slowly I turn. Vera holds a long white veil slightly faded with time, tears in her eyes.
A wedding veil.
No.
I gasp out, “I do not need that. The wedding isn’t—”
Vera walks towards me with glossy eyes. “I’m so sorry, Highness. They forbade me from telling you.”
No, I will not marry that cruel man. I try to flee but Everett expects that; his arms lock around mine. I kick and thrash just like the last time he dragged me away from Leon in the garden, but now Tavien is not here to protect me.
The wide doors open and Grayden walks in.
The throne room is filled with courtiers dressed in their finest clothing.
My blood boils in my veins at the sight of them happily eating the food I grew yesterday.
Bastards. They are drinking wine and finding seats in the rows and rows of chairs, a long empty aisle down the middle.
On the dais, in front of the throne, is a wedding arch.
No flowers, no decorations, just my future tied to a horrible man.
Horror spreads like fire throughout me and I snarl at him, the sound full of rage. How dare he force me to marry him. How dare he try and turn me into his little pawn.
“What the fuck is going on?” Grayden angrily demands. He wears all black with a white sash, the same silver embroidery across his chest.
A matching set.
Seeing Grayden in his wedding attire sparks new fury within me. I choke on an angry sob. Leon is the only one I ever wanted to tie myself to. He is who I wanted to spend my life with.
The only one worthy of being called my husband.
Gods, where is Lyrora? We had a plan. I’m desperate to get to the Merawood Forest.
Two guards escort a miserable Cyanna to the large hallway we are standing in. Whatever fight I had in me drains out of me and I go limp in Everett’s arms.
“That's better,” Everett says in my ear, his tone mocking.
More wedding guests arrive at the end of the hall. “Get her out of their sight ’til the wedding,” Grayden demands.
Vera opens a door. “She is not ready yet, Your Majesty. I need more time.” Her words are strong but her hand shakes on the handle.
He rolls his eyes. “You have three minutes. I want this wedding done and over with.” He storms back into the throne room.
Everett finally lets me go and I follow Vera into the small sitting room.
In one corner a round table sits near large windows, a fine porcelain tea set for three, and couches on either side.
The deep crimson tablecloths and small hanging pots with tendrils of soft green leaves reminds me of Erenia’s rooms.
Leon’s words come back to me, the ones from the gardens just before the strawberry plants swirled around him with my affection.
“The days leading up to the bazaar were agony for me, waiting to see you again. Erenia once tried to suffocate me with a pillow in the middle of tea when I spent an entire afternoon talking about you.”
“Is this Erenia’s tea room?” I whisper.
Vera nods, surprised. “Yes, she took tea here every morning, and in the afternoons, Princess Lyrora would accompany her.”
And because I need to know, I ask, “Did anyone else join them?”
She is thoughtful for a moment. “Yes, that missing healer, if the king was sleeping. I heard a rumor among the servants that she ran away to be with him, but they only ever seemed to be friends to me.”
I sit in one of the plush chairs, overwhelmed that Leon once sat in this room, thinking of me. Separated by realms, we both sat with our friends, who listened about our constant feelings for each other for years.
Both of us longing and lying to each other. Something deep within us recognizing fae souls meant to be together.
A fae king pretending to be a mortal healer.
A jewelsmith pretending to be a mortal woman.
If we had just been honest together from the start, would any of this have happened?
We could have started over as ourselves.
No lurking madness, no hourglass of slipping time stealing our future.
Were we destined to enjoy spending decades together, becoming mates?
We were fated and it all fell apart. Is he my soulbonded?
My Zemra.
Vera pins the veil to my hair, our reflections in the brass mirror. A veil is such a mortal tradition. I refuse to be tied to anyone but Leon, but everything feels hopeless in new, horrible ways.
Grayden’s wife. What a wretched dishonor.
Someone knocks on the door and to my endless displeasure it is Everett, Cyanna at his side to ensure my continued obedience.
“Come now, bride. It’s time for your little wedding.” He laughs while I stand and walk past him without a glance, making my way out the door.
Cyanna has a new gown, dressed like a courtier, her hair clean and lips painted.
I hold out my hand, and hers slips in. Words fail me, no reason to ask each other if we are all right.
How could we be? But we squeeze our hands, forgetting words that could never soothe our broken souls.
I try to pour out my love and regret into that touch, feeling it returned to me.
I will do anything to keep her safe, even marry this monster, and whatever else he asks of me.
Our moment is tainted too soon, as Everett grips under her arm and yanks her away from me. “We will be sitting in the front row, a reminder of what will happen if you choose to ruin this.”
Her lip wobbles but I shake my head while she is dragged away. Her eyes stay on me during the long walk to the front. The pain of her misery is yet another knife in my chest.
Lyrora is nowhere to be seen, and any hope we could convince Grayden to take me away is lost now. The ballroom where I had spent so many nights stealing moments with Leon is filled with courtiers. When they see me standing at the doors, they all rise from their seats.
Vera whispers, “It's time.” She holds out a bouquet of flowers for me and my heart stops. It is entirely made up of fragrant roses and vibrant geraniums. The petals are full and bright, and I cannot breathe.
No.
“Where did these flowers come from?” My voice is hollow, like my heart.
“Not many flowers bloom here but I found a small balcony garden which thankfully grew some. Aren’t they lovely? Whoever grew them took great care in their growth.”
The ballroom fades away, and I am transported back to my bedroom, the first time Leon stood there so many weeks ago.
He picks up the bottle of perfume I wear every day and brings it to his nose. “Floral, with something citrus underneath. Roses and geraniums? With a hint of what I would guess is lemons.” He breathes it in again. “Definitely a summer lemon.”
“Impressive. A man who knows his scents.”
He places the bottle back on the desk with care. “Jedrick was a late sleeper, and I enjoyed tending to my medical garden in the misty mornings, the one we met in. I have roses and geraniums planted there, too.”
My heart skips a beat. When I was in that garden in the Iron Castle, I saw those flowers. “Is that right?”
“Oh, yes, I planted them almost two years ago. Geranium leaves can be used as a pain reliever when placed in teas, and rose oil is good for the skin.” He turns and walks over with soft eyes to where I lean against one of the bed trees.
“The scent also reminded me of you. One night a month never seemed like enough.”
I bring the flowers to my nose and inhale deeply. My tears fall onto its delicate petals and disappear.
He grew this for me; he loved me even then. Long before the crown, long before he knew I was fae, he loved me.
Now he will never know how much I love him in return.
Music swells, a mortal tune I only vaguely know. “Your Highness,” Vera pleads, “you must walk now.”