19. NINETEEN
NINETEEN
Darius
Every detail of finery around me is a waste of money.
A rich blue runner leads from the double doors at the back of the room to the dais where I wait.
Rows of intricately carved wooden pews line either side of it.
White jasmine and blue hydrangea cover every end cap and sconce, their petals littering the floor.
The finest craftsmen and artisans transformed the space into regal perfection, each detail highlighted by the sunlight reflecting off the polished stone walls.
Sergal certainly outdid himself, though it probably helped that Princess Mina’s requirements were so few. Elegance and a show of wealth to win over the people, but simplicity to assure our safety.
I didn’t expect my bride to be so pragmatic on such a big day, but somehow it fits her.
Staefan stands to my left, smiling tightly as we scan the crowd. Two hundred guests were selected for their contributions to the empire, a few from each territory. The families of each councilor and their selected lady-in-waiting are also in attendance.
They all chat quietly, waiting for the procession to start. Guards stand at even intervals around the great hall, handpicked to ensure the wedding succeeds without issue.
There are more than a few who oppose our union, but none that would be so bold as to make a move now. Not with all the preparations we made. Still, Alexi and a few other spies are out of sight and ready to strike if necessary.
Nothing will stop our contract from being formalized today.
The back doors creak open and silence falls over the guests in a wave as they turn around. Mina’s ladies-in-waiting enter, one by one, and march down the long aisle. They curtsy deeply before going to stand by the front pews. Jaime joins them in a custom dress as well.
Mina insisted that she enjoy tonight along with the others.
No one dares to breathe as the bride enters. They assess her like vultures spotting prey.
Mina tilts her head in greeting to those gathered. She takes rhythmic steps forward, scanning the crowd with a smile. No one moves to attack. The shadows remain still.
As Mina gets closer, our eyes meet through her delicate lace veil. The rest of the room fades. Despite my careful assessment for threats moments before, I can’t quite summon the willpower to drag my gaze away.
Mina is breathtaking on her own, but the dress magnifies her beauty. The radiance of the room dims in comparison. She’s confident and regal to the world, yet I sense the smallest touch of nerves. Ones that match my own.
Mina slowly assesses my appearance from my shoes to the crown I rarely wear. Pride swells in my chest at the desire that flashes across her face for a brief moment. She meets my gaze again with a soft smile, and my heartbeat trips.
This is a contract marriage.
I should feel nothing for the woman growing closer with each step, yet my body betrays me, drawn inexplicably to her. I leave my superior position and walk down the last few steps to greet her.
Mina reaches for my hand. I squeeze hers reassuringly before bringing it to my mouth in greeting. A gesture I hope conveys that we are in this together.
“Blessings to Darius Lucian Gilchrist, Emperor of Veloria,” she says loudly enough for the others to hear her, bringing our procession back on script.
We walk hand in hand back to the dais, positioning ourselves on either side of the minister. He bows to Mina and clears his throat to address the crowd.
“We are gathered here today on a most joyous occasion. To witness the covenant of not only two people but two mighty lands. The grand Empire of Veloria—” Cheers interrupt his speech and he waves his hands to silence them. “—and Kalisham, our distant friends to the south.”
He nods for Staefan to approach, carrying a delicate gold tiara on a blue satin pillow. The minister holds a scroll and quill, which he reads from in a booming voice.
“Princess Mina Nasrin Ardeshir of Kalisham, do you vow to serve the emperor, completing your duties with grace and wisdom, and to assist him in any way you can?”
Her eyes flicker to mine, an acknowledgment of our secret plan hidden behind her sweet smile—the pain and anger hidden behind a mask of joy.
“I vow to help the emperor achieve his goals and to serve Veloria with grace and wisdom.”
Not the exact words, but the meaning of her change isn’t lost on me. The words are close enough to appease the minister without vowing to become my submissive. She signs her name at the bottom right of the scroll before he turns it back to keep reading.
“Emperor Darius Lucian Gilchrist, do you vow to honor your wife with the same grace and wisdom in which you lead this mighty empire?”
“I vow to honor my wife with the same grace and wisdom in which I lead Veloria,” I say confidently. Our eyes meet as I add an amendment of my own. “I vow to help my queen achieve her goals and usher in the next era of this great empire.”
We share a conspiratorial smile. Our wedding vows and the terms of our agreement spoken for the world to witness, even if they don’t understand our true message to one another.
Contract or not, from now on we’re partners. Kalisham is as good as ours, and with its knowledge and resources, no one will be able to challenge Veloria or the changes I make for the better.
The minister clears his throat again to bring our attention back to him. I sign my name to the bottom left, binding us officially on paper.
The minister takes the crown from Staefan and motions for Mina to bow. I hold out my hand, and she takes it before dipping into a low curtsy. The old man’s hands are surprisingly steady as he lifts Mina’s veil and places the crown on her head.
“Blessings to Queen Mina.”
“Blessings to Queen Mina,” the room echoes with applause. Veloria has a queen, but one more step is required before I have a wife.
The joyous spirit of the room drops to a quiet murmur as Staefan hands me two white gold circles. The minister takes a step back, giving us space to speak our personal vows to one another.
The secrecy and intimacy of the act are a symbol of devotion in Kalisham, whereas here we wear rings and vows are mere words to be broken. Our vows are absolute, though, so I prefer Kalisham’s ways in this instance.
I spent the past few weeks building my resolve to keep her at a distance, but a few minutes in her presence completely unravels me. A strange feeling settles in my chest as she places her hands in mine.
“Darius…” She keeps her voice low, but formal. “The circumstances that brought me here were less than ideal, but I am grateful that the winds of fate led me to you. Together we will change what must be changed. For my family and home, I vow to honor the promises we made today.”
Her gaze holds the same seriousness as the night we met. A confidence that we won’t fail and a quiet rage that I feel in my bones.
She’s breathtaking.
“Mina. Change doesn’t come easily. There will be more hardships ahead of us than pleasant times, but I truly believe there are no two people more fit for the task ahead than us.
I vow to honor the promises we made today and every day since we met.
For your family, your home. For the future of the people of Veloria, we will succeed. ”
I hand Mina a simple white-gold band, and she slips it onto my left ring finger. I return the favor, admiring the way it fits her perfectly. A strange possessiveness steals its way into my chest, but I banish it.
She’s not actually mine.
The thought bothers me more than it should.
We turn our attention back to the minister. The old sentimental fool smiles warmly at us both, on the verge of tears. Even political marriages turn people sappy.
“I present Emperor Darius Lucian Gilchrist and Queen Mina Nasrin Ardeshir, husband and wife. You may now seal the vows,” he instructs.
Applause erupts from the crowd, but I focus only on Mina. Her jade eyes widen, and her breath hitches. I tighten my grip on her hands, afraid she might try to shy away.
This is one tradition she won’t be allowed to skip; she’s lucky that this was all they asked of us. A hundred years ago, there had to be witnesses to the full consummation.
Before I close the distance myself, she shuts her eyes and leans forward, bringing our lips together. The chaste kiss is over before I’m able to process what happened. Her shoulders sag in relief as she pulls away, turning to face the crowd.
I grab her waist and pull her flush against me. I saw her attraction earlier. I know she feels it too. If this is to be our only kiss, then it will be one she won’t forget.
With my free hand, I tilt her chin up and seal my lips against hers.
Her body stiffens at first but slowly melts into the kiss. The people in attendance are big on modesty, so I angle my back to them for a sliver of privacy.
Mina's soft lips part on a sweet sigh when I tease them with my tongue. She shivers as I brush my thumb over her throat and dip her.
For a brief second, our tongues meet in a delicious twist. All the blood leaves my brain. I want to explore every sigh and gasp until I know exactly what makes her come undone.
Mina laughs, pulling me back to our surroundings. “I think our vow is thoroughly sealed,” she whispers against my lips, breathing heavily.
I right us both and try to ignore the satisfaction her blush gives me.
Today’s battle is far from over, and I need to focus. We face the crowd, who are still cheering. I hold up my hand, and the thunderous congratulations quiet.
“Thank you all for bearing witness to our union. Please make your way to the gardens for the rest of today’s festivities. Drink, eat, and enjoy yourselves.”
We wait until the majority of the room clears out before heading to the gardens ourselves. A small contingent of guards surrounds us as we take an alternate path. They make sure everyone is outside before we position ourselves at the entrance.
As soon as we step out, the real battle will begin.
Mina’s grip on my elbow tightens a fraction. She glances behind us with a lonely smile. I search for whatever she sees but find only an empty hallway.
Whatever ghosts hold her attention stand with my own.
I whisper against the shell of her ear, “They walk with you, now and forever.”
Her jade eyes grow misty as they meet mine.
“Hide your tears, Mina. Never let these people see your heart, or they will try to take it.”
“Another unnecessary show of weakness?”
“Yes.”
My mother’s tears were always used against her, until eventually they dried up entirely. I don’t let myself picture how she would’ve enjoyed today, how she might have cried in joy for once. I bury her memory as far as it will go, locking it away until my nightmares dig her up later.
Mina studies me with a spirited arrogance I’m starting to enjoy. I see her lecture forming, but it’ll have to wait until later. “Ready to face the wolves?”
“When you are.” She rolls her shoulders back, confidence returning.
With a final glance to the empty space behind us, I signal for the guards to open the doors. We step out into the gardens, hundreds of adversaries grinning back at us.