EPILOGUE – Part 2
Days Later
SOUNDTRACK: Forever by ILLENIUM, Tom Grennan, and Alna.
~ DONAVYN ~
I stood in my apartment, jaw aching because my teeth were clenched so tightly.
“We didn’t have to be apart for the entire night,” I grumbled, staring into the mirror and cursing because I looked ridiculous.
The queen’s modiste had tailored me a nobleman’s suit for the occasion, but I’d never had to tie one of the ornate cravats—only those for my military uniform.
Now the blasted thing kept tangling in my fingers and—
“I really thought you were above nerves,” Ronen said with a teasing smile as he came to stand in front of me and started tugging at the stupid tie.
I let him take it, but kept my eyes up. “I am. I’m twitchy because these fucking trousers ride up my ass.”
Ronen snorted and nodded knowingly, but moments later he had the cravat tied, then stepped back. “I thought every nobleman was given lessons in this shit.”
“I wasn’t born noble,” I said gruffly, turning to look for the over-tight jacket that wouldn’t allow enough movement if I had to fight. But apparently no one considered combat when designing wedding suits.
I winced as I slid my arms into the sleeves, then shrugged it up over my shoulders where it limited my movement by almost half.
Ronen sighed and came to stand behind me, brushing the shoulders off and pulling the high collar of the shirt out of the jacket collar.
“I know it’s really a little late for this, but I’m going to have to ask you to be patient with the squad,” he said quietly.
I frowned, tugging at the cuffs under the jacket sleeves.
“Why is that?” My head immediately filled with possible explanations—the few wild dragons who’d remained and were slowly assimilating with the herd.
The sudden influx of new prospects—including a handful of females which the queen made very clear we weren’t to turn away—because everyone had heard the rumors about the changes in the Palace after the queen’s official coronation as true Ruler.
“Because she’s their sister and they’re still feeling… protective.”
I huffed and looked at him in the mirror’s surface, catching his eyes over my shoulder. “Just her squad brothers?” I asked, trying not to smile too much.
“I am… not overly concerned,” Ronen said tightly.
With a grin, I turned to face him and clamped a hand to his shoulder.
“I am grateful and touched that you all watch for her as you do—I’ll rely on that when the time comes that I can’t be near.
But one thing is certain, Ronen.” I leaned into his ear and whispered.
“If you, or any of those other dirty little pricks so much as look at her sideways in this dress today, I will personally remove your testicles.”
Then I clapped him on the arm and yanked at my jacket one more time. “Let’s go get married!”
~ brEN ~
It was strange to be in the queen’s rooms without rushing. I’d only ever been attended here when we were frantically training for the mission. But Diaan had insisted that on this day, of all days, she would host my preparation. I still wasn’t sure whether to be glad for it.
“There you are, now keep your eyes closed until the maids bring the mirror,” Diaan said, her tone strangely pleasant. I did as she said and kept my eyes closed. She’d made me do so since the maids brought in the dress she’d prepared.
I knew I shouldn’t have indulged her, but she was queen. And if Fyrehold had taught me anything, it was that I enjoyed the pretty clothes a great deal more than I would have expected.
Of course, I’d never be able to throw a decent kick in skirts. But I was willing to bet we could leave the fighting to the guards, or the Furyknights today.
I wanted to look pretty when I said vows to Donavyn. And I was still giddy that he’d been the one to insist that we move ahead—quickly—with the nuptials. We were already bonded, and I knew this wouldn’t change anything about that. But it felt… special.
I swallowed hard and kept my eyes screwed tightly shut until the sound of something heavy sliding across the floor stopped.
“Open your eyes,” Diaan said quietly.
I did. And my mouth dropped open.
The maids had started with my hair, sweeping the top half into a complicated twist, then pulling down sweet tendrils around my face that dusted my collarbones, while the back tumbled down in waves and curls against my bare back.
Bare, because Donavyn had insisted she could design the dress only if it didn’t have those blasted tiny buttons. I’d almost spluttered when he said that to the queen’s face. But she’d smiled. And made me promise to let the modistes create the perfect dress.
I thought I didn’t care, but I’d grown nervous on my way to the Palace last night—we spent the night apart, because the queen insisted it was a worthwhile tradition, and would make it far less likely for my squad brothers to pull a prank that might ruin the occasion.
I couldn’t fault her on that logic, so I’d thanked her and agreed. But last night, I’d grown nervous. What if the dress was a monstrosity? What if I looked ridiculous?
I should have known…
I stared at myself in that shining surface and shook my head.
A sweet, floral lace covered my breasts, and swept across my upper arms in drapes that pretended to be sleeves.
The boning of the dress left a plunging V of the lace fabric visible right at the front that tapered to a point at my waist, then the silk swept away in a skirt that parted like curtains to reveal the lace again, draping prettily to the floor.
But it wasn’t the silk that dropped my jaw.
That V at the front was formed with half-sheer silk, layered over the lace.
The shape looked like nothing less than ivory flames, pouring up from my waist, the fingers of fire sculpting against my shape and holding my breasts in place just as a man’s hands would.
The boning sucked my body into that perfect, severe hourglass that I wanted to hate, but couldn’t deny its allure.
Then the silk fell from both hips in long swathes that gathered in rich folds and swept into a long train at the back.
The ivory of the dress contrasted with my burnished brown hair and set my eyes alight and made my skin appear to glow. Even the areas that were darker because of the sun had been blended smooth by the maids using the queen’s discreet powders.
I looked… stunning.
Clapping both hands to my mouth, I stared at myself in the mirror until my vision blurred.
“Thank you!” I gasped, turning to the queen, who smiled at me benevolently. “Thank you. I can’t… it’s beautiful!”
“And none of those little buttons on the spine, though he’ll have a bugger of a time with the corset laces at the back,” she chuckled. “I asked them to make them particularly tight because there’s nothing so much fun as a man who can’t get his hands on you fast enough.”
I would have blushed, but I’d grown used to the innuendos and suggestive conversation in Fyrehold. Diaan’s quips were minor by comparison.
While I looked back and forth between her and the mirror, she clapped her hands and continued with her instructions.
“Now, the reception afterwards in the banquet hall will be boring—but we won’t require you both to stay late.
I know you need to change and get away with the dragons.
So, please, just indulge us for the meal, then we’ll have the Cryer call you out.
I do plan to announce Donavyn’s official promotion during the speeches, but that’s little more than taking the time to tell the nobles they missed out.
You’d be surprised how many believe they can serve the queen.
” She rolled her eyes. “But I will not waver. Donavyn will be my chief Advisor, and the head of Queen’s Council.
Please do let me make the announcement, though,” she said with a chiding look, as if I could barely wait to get out of the room and start whispering about it, though we’d known for days now that she planned it.
I wished it didn’t have to happen at our wedding. But there had been so many logistics, and so much to do lately… at least we wouldn’t have to attend another formal event until he was actually raised.
So, I just nodded and made listening noises, continuing to glance at myself in the mirror while she laid out her plans. I’d stopped listening, still fascinated by the details of the dress, when something she said caught my attention and I blinked.
“What… what was that? Can you—I’m sorry I was distracted.”
She gave me a knowing smile and patted my hand. “I said that I’ve told the Captains that you’re to be given a week.”
“We?” I asked faintly.
“You and Donavyn,” she said with a slight frown.
“I’ll admit I was irritated when he rejected my offer of the country estate, but I suppose I can understand that you don’t want the servants around—they can be pesky when you’re trying to find privacy.
But I’ve told Donavyn that as part of his promotion, he’ll receive Alexi’s old hunting cottage.
There’s a clearing there, and a lake for the dragons.
The patrol lines are nowhere near—though I understand he’s arranged to have a few dragons in the skies to ensure you don’t receive unwanted visitors,” she said with a wink.
“Yes, yes, but… you said a week?”
Her brows rose. “Yes. You both need far more than three nights—I don’t know what Donavyn was thinking.”
“He was thinking about duty, and all the change—” I said faintly.
Diaan flapped a hand and rolled her eyes. “Men are always so fucking practical. Dear God, if we can’t survive without him for a week—when we know where he is—then we have much bigger issues in Vosgaarde,” she said with a dismissive snort. “I’m certain we’ll be fine.”
“That’s… thank you!” I breathed.
“You’re welcome,” she said, with a pleased smile. She told the maids to take the mirror away then and warned me not to sit down—because it would crush the back of the dress, which I didn’t want to do until after the ceremony.