Twenty Eight
Shuddering, I made an effort to school my features, hoping that I didn’t look as miserable on the outside as I was feeling on the inside.
More reserved applause ensued as Adrian reached for my hand.
When I instinctively pulled away, he held on tighter and said under his breath, “We are a symbol.” My gaze darted to him, but he didn’t meet it, staring straight ahead.
Clenching my teeth, I threaded my fingers through his.
I wished we didn’t have to be a symbol and could simply be us, even though I didn’t know if there could still be an ‘us’.
“Today marks the day of great change,” Adrian’s voice boomed in the throne room, silencing the half-hearted cheers.
“Aubrielle and Emeraldia had been cut off from each other for a hundred years, each kingdom growing weaker on its own. This changes today. Emelin and I have entered into a wedding union to bridge the gap between our worlds and take us back to the better times when the Fae and mortals lived in peace. The change we set out to accomplish starts with trust. The wards between the kingdoms will remain down as a sign of the trust we place in each other. We have discovered that, through this union, we can help both our lands. We will continue to build upon our strengths and remediate our weaknesses. Together.” One side of his mouth turned up in a tentative smile as he looked at me, but I couldn’t force myself to smile back.
Not when he was speaking about trust mere weeks after betraying mine.
He must have noticed the shadows in my eyes because his smile faded.
“We should take our thrones,” he said low, gesturing to the small throne to my left.
Pulling my hand from his, I took a breath to steady myself, determined not to trip this time.
I walked a few steps to the sturdy silver throne with dark-blue cushions.
Positioning myself in front of it, I waited as Adrian strolled to his throne, which was bigger and more imposing than mine.
When we took our seats at the same time, I instantly felt out of place.
Perched on the throne, with my back ramrod straight, I wanted to scream, I don’t belong here!
Adrian rested his left arm on the arm of his throne in an invitation for me to take his hand if I wanted to accept it.
I didn’t, clasping my hands in my lap. He balled his hand into a fist and faced forward as faeries began flocking up the dais to congratulate us on our wedding and to pledge their loyalty.
After a few minutes, all the names and the flawless features became a blur until I came upon a familiar face I hadn’t seen since the day on the border two weeks ago.
Tom’s angular features were even sharper in his Fae form, making him appear harsh and unyielding. “My King, my Queen.” He bowed before Adrian and me after he had reached the top of the dais.
I couldn’t stop myself from leaning forward in my seat. “I know what you did,” I said through my teeth.
He squared his jaw. “Then you know that I will do anything for the crown.” His gaze flicked up to the top of my head. “Which you now wear, Your Majesty.”
I straightened from my lean and narrowed my eyes at him as he bowed again before descending the dais. He joined the other Fae filing out of the throne room.
“They’re going to the Banquet Hall,” Adrian informed me, following my gaze. “Once we’re finished here, we’ll join them for dinner and dancing.”
A grunt nearly escaped me because the night wouldn’t be ending any time soon. Sighing internally, I squared my shoulders and greeted yet another faerie. Not all those present decided to climb up the steps to pay homage to their new sovereigns, but I was more relieved than perturbed by the fact.
After a while, when the constant stream of faeries had trickled down, Adrian rose from his throne and offered me his hand.
We are a symbol, I reminded myself as I let him pull me up to my feet.
“We don’t have to stay long. The celebration will last well into the night,” Adrian said as we strode to the Banquet Hall.
I nodded, relieved and terrified all at the same time. I didn’t want to stay long at the celebration, but once I’d said goodbye to my family, they would return to Emeraldia, and I would remain in Aubrielle…alone.
“Emelin!” Luna’s high voice pulled me from my thoughts as soon as Adrian and I entered the Banquet Hall.
“Congratulations!” My cousin gave me a quick embrace.
“I’m so envious. You didn’t even want to be a queen.
Say, what about the prince? Is he available?
” She discreetly pointed at Tarn standing a few feet away.
“Oh, Luna, that’s a terrible idea.” I scowled at the prince’s back.
Tarn turned around and flashed a dazzling smile.
“Emelin,” he drawled, walking over to me.
Adrian, whose hand was still wrapped around mine, tightened his hold.
“You look divine!” My scowl deepened as Tarn’s oily gaze slithered over me.
“You had better be careful, Brother, or I might steal her away.”
Adrian tensed next to me, his hand squeezing mine to the point of pain, as if he was barely containing his rage.
“Dance with me.” I pulled him away from his brother.
Instead of a long banquet table that would have been set up for a special occasion in Emeraldia, smaller tables were scattered around the outer edges of the room, leaving an open space in the center for dancing.
As I pulled Adrian in that direction, the few already dancing couples moved out of the way to accommodate our first dance as husband and wife.
Husband and wife. I drew up short at the thought. Thankfully, Adrian took the lead, placing his hand on my waist and lifting our already joined hands for a dance. As we started moving, my skirts suddenly felt lighter, and when I looked down and behind me, the endless train was gone.
“Did you remove my train?” I looked at Adrian.
“No, Thea did.” He nodded to the right, and I followed his gaze to the girl, who smiled and waved, standing with her sister, Cora.
I gave her an appreciative nod before refocusing on Adrian. “Tarn only said what he said to get a rise out of you.” I kept my voice low since we were surrounded by creatures with extraordinary hearing abilities.
“Well, he succeeded,” he replied equally low.
“He shouldn’t have. I would never do something like that.”
Adrian’s gaze softened. “I trust you.”
“I wish I could trust you,” I whispered, the words escaping before I could stop them.
“I wish for the same thing. I will work on earning your trust for as long as it takes.”
I stared at him for a few seconds before letting my gaze wander off.
It landed on Luna dancing with Tarn, and I grimaced as my heart sank.
Even though I didn’t know him, I didn’t believe that the prince had a single decent bone in his body.
Luna was playing with fire. I made a mental note to warn her about him as I dragged my gaze away from them.
It snagged on another familiar face—Adrian’s mate.
I still didn’t know her name because she hadn’t come up to the dais to pay her respects.
If I had thought her beautiful before, in her Fae form, she was truly stunning.
Her long, dark-brown locks fell around her slim figure in perfect waves, shimmering and glossy.
Her doe eyes were framed by the fullest black lashes, and her pillowy lips were the richest red hue. I could never compete with that.
“Ask me,” Adrian whispered.
“What?” I looked back at him.
“Ask me if I still have feelings for her,” he challenged as he had two weeks prior.
“It doesn’t matter. I want to get some air.” I stopped dancing and pulled my hand away from his. “Alone,” I added when he stepped to follow after me.
He scowled but stayed put as I walked out of the Banquet Hall through the open double doors.
They led into a garden, which looked enchanting under the silvery moonlight.
I strolled away from the castle, enjoying the balmy breeze.
The weather in Aubrielle was warm, while winter still reigned in Emeraldia.
I hoped to change that soon, though I wasn’t sure how long it would take to bring the kingdoms fully into balance.
Lost in thought, I walked for a while until the sound of running water drew my gaze up from the path under my feet.
A stately fountain sat to my left, with sparkling water cascading down the three-tier centerpiece into a large round basin.
I must have put a considerable distance between me and the castle because the roar of the celebration had become a muted hum.
Deciding to rest before heading back, I walked to the fountain and perched on the stone ledge of the pool.
The water inside it was glowing, illuminated by the small fish that radiated a silver light.
Mesmerized, I watched their unhurried undulating movements, until suddenly one of the fish jumped out of the water.
Another one followed, then another, and soon, they had created a circle, jumping right after the other.
A soft gasp of wonder left me as the corners of my lips curved up.
“You have a gorgeous smile. Unfortunate it never made an appearance during the ceremony,” a smooth, velvet voice drifted toward me. I turned away from the jumping fish and followed the sound to the tall, lithe Fae man who had stepped out of the shadowy part of the garden.
“Thank you, um…” The faerie was a member of the court, but I couldn’t recall his name.
“Lord Finnian, but you can call me Finn, Your Majesty.” He bowed with the grace of a dancer. When he looked up, I was instantly captivated by his eyes, which were golden like mine.
“Your eyes. They are similar to mine,” I observed, angling my head.