Chapter 34
L ater that afternoon, Amyra, Ivy, and I met with the event planners to plan the wedding.
We had just five months to organize an event that draws several times more people than the Tournaments did.
Eliza was already busy preparing a wedding dress that she promises would outshine all other dresses she’s designed this year for me.
The first thing we discussed was where to hold the ceremony.
my people held most weddings in the capital at the temple for Amata, the Goddess of love and fertility.
It certainly made sense. It didn’t feel right for me.
I could only imagine promising myself to one person in that temple, and it was Amyra.
Dedicating myself to Spencer there didn’t feel right.
Our marriage wasn’t one for love, it was a political choice.
Instead, I insisted on holding it in the temple for Mina.
Since she’s the Goddess for Peace and Order, this seemed like a good choice.
Perhaps if I dedicated my marriage to peace, the threats Egan made could be harder to follow through on.
Perhaps it would protect my kingdom from the recklessness I showed in not controlling my magic and causing such devastation to Egan’s country.
I couldn’t share all these reasons with the event planners, so it wasn’t easy to convince anyone of this choice, but eventually, they relented .
Once that was in place, I stepped back from the rest of the choices.
I allowed the planners, Ivy, and Amyra to discuss and debate the choices.
Amyra’s excitement with this was so palpable, it felt like she was planning her own wedding.
Her excitement added to the guilt I feel.
She insisted on being involved in this, and wanted to ensure it’s the best day I could have, but how could it be, when I couldn’t marry her?
I tried to not let my guilt show, allowing Ivy and Amyra to make selections for the flowers, the color scheme, and even the food the reception after would serve.
‘ Quit moping, you’re getting married! ’ Mina’s voice shoved my thoughts aside.
‘ I thought I told you to stay out of my head .’ I hoped my anger at her intrusion was palpable for her.
‘ I told you I would take them under advisement. I did. And I will stay out once you can keep me out. You need to get stronger. ’ Her brief lecture did not make me feel any happier, but I supposed I deserved it. At least with her around, we could know when I would finally keep Death out of my head.
‘I know I’m not due for another thirty minutes, but I’m bored. I’ll be coming now.’
‘No! Wait. I don’t need people to know who you are, not yet. Please let me end this meeting first.’
‘ Too late! ’ Her peppy tone was so irritating. With it, a knock sounded on the door of my office.
I rolled my eyes. “My apologies. It sounds like my next meeting has come early. Are we able to wrap up here?”
The lead planner shook her head. “No, we don’t have enough information yet. Our next meeting won't be for two weeks, and we need to place orders before then. We really need the full meeting.”
As she was protesting, Ivy was already heading to the door. I hadn’t told her or Amyra about Mina being here, so she didn’t know of this meeting yet. Her curiosity most certainly led her to opening the door and allowing Mina to enter.
“Oh, perfect, I love planning weddings. It wasn’t my area of expertise back in the day, but I love a delightful party.” Mina announced as she breezes past Ivy, leaving her at the door.
“Uh, wait, who are you?” Ivy stood there, not sure if she should close the door or ask a guard to come intervene.
“Sorry, Ivy, she’s fine. She’s the next meeting. She will sit over on the far couch and let us wrap this up, won’t you?” I gave Mina a pointed glare, letting her know there wasn’t room for debate. Mina smirked and took the seat I showed, but didn’t stay quiet.
“Oh, I could, but I see you’ve chosen my temple for the wedding, and I would love to offer some insight.”
“Your temple?” The planner raised her eyebrow. “I know the Priestesses at the temples, and you aren’t wearing their clothes or the clothes of anyone I recognize.”
“Ah, ok, thank you. I apologize; we will have to reschedule.” I stood up.
“Ivy, please make room for my schedule in the next couple days to finish this meeting. We will meet for an hour.”
I needed to set ground rules fast. And I needed to get Spencer in the room. He was supposed to join me for this meeting. I turned. “Amyra, I’m so sorry to ask this of you, but could you please retrieve Prince Spencer? He should be with Emberly.”
Amyra nodded. “Of course, I will be back soon.”
She stood, curtsied to me, and left. Seeing her use the formal curtsy like that felt jarring after I spent the meeting, wishing I could openly love her.
Ivy agreed to see the planners in the morning for scheduling, and they packed up their notes and leave as well.
Once they had left, Mina moved to join Ivy and me at the table.
“Well Princess, will you introduce me to your friend? Is she staying for this meeting too, or am I super top secret for even her?”
Ivy’s eyebrows raised at her brazen tone. I grimaced, similarly not impressed by it, but ignored it. “Lady Ivy, this is Mina. She arrived this morning and is here to help me.”
I watched Ivy’s face, hoping I didn't need to explain too much. She didn’t show any recognition of the name, unfortunately.
“What a flimsy introduction. Princess, I thought you would have been better raised. I am not merely Mina; I am the Goddess of Peace and Order. Your Princess has awoken me, and I am here to help her fulfill the prophecy.”
Ivy’s eyes widened until I thought they might fall out. “I, uh, what? I’m sorry, I don’t know the etiquette for meeting a goddess. Can I get you something to eat? Drink? Do you even eat or drink?”
Her reaction gave me pause. Before Mother died, I’d have been just as awestruck. What had changed? Who am I to find her presence annoying?
Mina smirked, saying, “No thank you. I mean, tea is nice if you intend to serve it, anyway. While I’m on this land, I need to eat, same as any other person.” She turned to me and added, “You could learn a bit from this friend of yours.”
My face blushed. “I will take your wishes under advisement.” I didn’t hide my smirk from my reply.
Mina barked a laugh. “You’re feisty, an excellent trait for a future Queen. Be careful with that lip. Until you earn your respect with the other gods and goddesses, that type of attitude will get you into immense trouble.”
“Other gods and goddesses? How many will join us?” I paled at the thought of having to host the entire court.
Mina smiled. “Oh, my sweet child, you shall meet them all as your training progresses.”
I looked at Ivy, who looked just as shocked as I felt.
Amyra opened the door at that moment, arriving with Spencer. “Pardon my intrusion, here is Prince Spencer, as you requested. Shall I stay? I was unaware of this meeting.” She bowed her head, waiting for my instruction.
“Amyra, please come sit and stay.” Mina invited. Amyra straightened, closed the door, and chose a seat next to Spencer, who had sat next to me. “This little love triangle is quite intriguing. Tell me, Princess, why choose a husband when you clearly hold love for your girlfriend?”
I glanced to my left at both of them. Spencer sensed my hesitation and spoke for me.
“Lyla must make some unfortunate choices to strengthen her claim to the throne. While she would love to declare her love for Amyra, her Council and other countries would question her judgment to shun the expectation to have a King and Queen ruling over Elthas.”
Mina raised her eyebrow. “So, if you could set the rules, what would you do?”
I didn’t want to hurt Spencer, but I also didn't want to lie. I panicked, trying to tell the truth without causing heartache. Eventually, I answered.
“Amyra would be my queen, if I had a real say in the situation.”
I avoided looking at Spencer. I didn’t want to know how that hit him. I wished I could see Amyra’s face, though.
“Interesting,” Mina replied. “And Amyra, what do you think of that?”
Amyra cleared her throat. “I have never considered this line of thought, because it’s too foolish to daydream that way. I’m happy with what Lyla can offer me, and only want what’s best for her, and for Elthas.”
Mina tsked. “Such a political answer. You would love it, wouldn’t you?”
I finally dared to look at Amyra, and found her staring at her lap, discomfort written all over her face. “Mina, what’s the point of this line of questioning?” I demanded.
“Are you not intrigued by her answer?” Mina returned.
“No, she doesn’t need to explain herself. As she said, this is fanciful, never going to happen. There’s no point in wishing for the impossible.”
Mina smiled. “Is it really impossible when you don’t know yet what you can change?”
My breath hitched. Could I reshape the world to allow our kind of love to be lived out loud?
Mina started nodding. “Now you’re really imagining it. Yes, you can change this. You could right now, but you would face a lot of resistance because your little priestesses have guarded the truth about you too much, and no one knows what you are tasked to do. What you will become.”
“And what is it that I will become?”
“See? You saw the truth, you read it on that parchment, and you still don’t know. There’s so much to teach you and so little time left.”
“As you’ve said already. Tell me, is the time limit because of the God of Death?”
“God of Death?” Mina seemed surprised by that. I started to question everything.
“Ye-yeah. There has been another who mind-speaks like you, all godlike in my head, who is the one that wants me dead. Isn’t that why you’re here? To help us confront him?”
Mina sat forward. “Tell me everything.”