Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
Even as a young girl I never imagined a wedding. I delighted in the colors and music when a celebration took place in the village, but I still never saw myself at the center of it. If I had, I still would have been woefully unprepared for the frenzy now unfolding around me.
A mix of romance and diplomacy that I can’t help laughing at. With the reluctant approval of the council, an announcement had been made. Their king would soon wed.
I’m grateful for the flurry of decisions, as it distracts me from thinking about whispers and looks.
I’ve spent far too much of my life caring about that.
I am not particular about what flowers flank the aisle or what color ribbons are tied here and there.
I deflect to the chatter of others, letting those I have started to count as friends debate the merits of pale green or sky blue accents.
It’s all happening so fast. A blessing as that means soon it will all be done, and I get to focus on what really matters—spending each and every day with the man I love. Building a life together. Making his place my home.
I smile more as I walk the halls. Home. Most importantly with Vale, but I find myself loving Caerhollan too.
Its history, its heart. At times I will stop in my tracks and just breathe it in.
The castle is alive, the mountain has a pulse.
I press my palm to the cool stone walls and carry a silent wish in my heart that I may grow to be a queen this land deserves, even if only for a short time.
Queen. It still feels so strange. In two weeks time, Vale will not only take me as his wife but usher all of Caerhollan into a new era with me at his side.
No grand declaration has been made about this fact yet.
He answers plainly to any that ask, but for now we are hoping excitement about the wedding will earn favor in the hearts of the masses.
Immediately after the ceremony, another will take place, a coronation.
The council had their concerns, but Vale stood his ground.
He lights up when he speaks. Not only of me, but of the future he envisions.
Of opening up the borders between kingdoms more, brokering kinship beyond the great fall gathering.
Another reason for the swift arrival of our nuptials.
To establish us as a unified crown before we are to be presented to other kingdoms.
It pains him that his sister will not be able to join us. However, he and I, our dearest friends, and even the council all agree winning over our own kingdom must happen first and foremost. If word were to travel ahead of the event, who knows what may happen. How others might react.
Overall I think they’ve gotten more used to me being here. My presence in the halls, at their gatherings, and at his side.
“I’ve never seen him so happy.” I have heard it from Soria and Ace, my two most trusted allies outside of Vale, but its echo from those I find myself becoming more acquainted with is a soothing elixir to my doubts.
Even if they remain unsure of me, of a mortal in their realm, they do all seem to truly relish seeing their king so happy.
Stepping out of the dress I’d worn for tea with the ladies and into greater finery for the evening, I stare at my reflection in the mirror. Soria’s words ring my mind: “You must be dazzling.”
I carry the pressure with me. I remain sincere more than performative, but each time I feel my smile grow weary and my energy fade, I steel myself in something greater.
Love for Vale, love for this land, love for its people.
I cannot withdraw into myself, not for my own sake, but for them.
I do not fight to survive, I harness my strength to be the version of me they most deserve.
I haven’t been to the conservatory in days.
Even my time with Ace in the library is altered, studying history and customs no longer out of sheer curiosity but also duty.
By the time I find myself in Vale’s arms at the end of the day, my fire is dimmed.
Our intimacy sweet comfort more than blazing passion.
I do not mind. I cherish our love in every form.
The tired, dazzling woman looks back at me in the mirror, counting down the days until her future arrives.
Fortified with a deep resolve and even deeper love, she stands tall.
Poised and polished. I think back to when I first arrived.
Scared and exhausted, having ridden through the night.
Leaving everything I had known, the peace I thought would leave me content for all my days.
It feels like so long ago, though little more than a season has passed.
Two very different sides of me; the truth of who I am perhaps lying somewhere in the middle.
Looking down at the ring on my hand, no longer a secret, my thumb tugs at the band just inside my palm. My nails are longer and filed into a delicate curve. No dirt embedded under jagged edges.
I inhale deeply. I can honor who I was, who I am, and who I will be. I pull a jasmine bloom from a nearby vase and tuck it behind my ear. Once this had been the finest adornment I might wear; even now it carries a sacred beauty.
A knock comes at the door just before Vale enters. His smile is wide, his eyes gleaming as he takes me in, the layered scarlet gown hanging over each curve of my body. “It’s not too much, is it?” I ask slowly, stepping toward him, showcasing Soria’s handiwork.
“It’s not nearly enough,” the low rumble in his voice reaches me before his hands gently settle on my hips.
The heat radiating off his body makes the silk underneath the gown feel cool against my skin by contrast. “No jewel or gown will ever do justice to your beauty, to that flame I am so honored to see.” His lips press firm and gentle against my lips, and I melt into him.
The click of Soria’s heels brings me back to reality. Banquets and entertaining various members of court is no longer new; however, this is the first formal gathering since the announcement. Tonight, I will be on display as the woman he has chosen.
Nervous energy rattles through me. Less the concern of their approval and more my own pressure at being what they deserve. I do not wish to merely be the woman at his side. If I am to take a place of such importance, I want to be worthy.
Taking his arm as we make our way to the hall, I search within me for that flame. They had prepared me for tonight. This wouldn’t be like the other banquets. There would be music, food, wine, and revelry. There would also be rebirth. Before we share our vows before all, I will make a vow of my own.
I draw my shoulders back, matching the tension tightening my chest as we enter the hall.
Ace gives my hand a squeeze before he and Soria walk ahead.
My lady’s maid and friend giving me a supportive nod before turning away.
Vale looks down at me with warmth and pride in his eyes as a sprightly tune begins to play, filling the hall with life.
We do not take our place behind the table.
He leads me to the center of the hall, commanding the room with his presence alone.
A hush falls and the music slows. With a resonant booming in his voice, he greets his kingdom.
“As you have heard, the time has come for me to take a wife.” He turns to me, a fleeting moment of softness, before turning back to the crowd waiting in anticipation.
He continues, speaking of the people and the land, urging them to accept me at his side, to usher in a new era amongst our lands.
“But, before I ask this of you all, I must ask first…” He turns facing me, both my hands in his until I am standing in front of him.
My eyes lock upward at the mighty king standing before me.
He reaches for the ceremonial blade at his side, and as I had practiced with Soria and Ace, I kneel before him.
“Mira, do you swear your loyalty to Caerhollan? To its lands and its people? To its king?” His eyes soften on the last words, and I see it.
“To me,” they say with all the love shared between us.
“I do.” The words ring loud and true. They ring through my chest and dance across the stone loud enough to reach each and every person in the grand hall. I have sworn my love to Vale in private time and time again, soon I will swear it before them all, but tonight, tonight my vow is for them.
“Then rise, Mira of Caerhollan.” The thunderous applause welcomes me as tears well at the corners of my eyes.
Vale extends this hand, helping me to stand, then raising it high for all.
Music swells and lifts the room into celebration.
I do not argue with myself if their joy is for their king's happiness or for sake of celebration alone.
I lose myself in the joy of the night. Of belonging.
Every sensation is heightened. I have never tasted roast pig that is so succulent or felt the earthy strength of the humble carrot as I do right now.
The wine tickles at my throat as its sweetness and tangy aroma invite me into the evening’s festivities.
I join the others—my people—on the dance floor, a wide circle of pure merriment as we skip arm in arm from one side to another, breaking and rejoining new partners.
Laugher fills my lungs as blush does my cheeks.
A dizzying array of mirth at every turn.
I dance and move like the wild flame. Untamed and free, my red skirt catching in the air as I twirl and spin. A rhythm that is alive carries me. I do not fight it.
When I finally stop, every part glowing with new life, I all but crash into Vale’s chest. My hands resting over his muscles, the world keeps spinning around me.
Yet he and I are frozen in time. The air around us warms, the torches flicker and glow.
And just for a heartbeat, as if the room itself inhales, I no longer hear the music, only the beating of his heart beneath my palm. There is only us.
Brute force pushes me aside, knocking the air from me and shattering the moment.
The music stops, no illusion from my state, it halts and the crowd falls silent.
An old woman dressed in a fine gown, wine goblet in hand dripping on the floor, shakes her crooked fingers my way.
“Mira of Caerhollan,” she says with poison in her tone, tilting her head slightly back with a laugh.
“You are not daughter of Caerhollan” she spits at me, lifting the glass to her lips once more, “and you never will be.” The hatred in her voice shakes me to my core.
“Watch your words,” Vale says low and sure, landing with weight while avoiding causing a scene.
I step back, a chill prickling at my skin.
The room has gone cold, dark even. Every torch and lantern dims. The pleasant, lively glow of the chamber stills.
Odrin and his guards move in hurried steps to Vale’s side, awaiting his command.
A bumbling man stumbles up, attempting to excuse the crone.
“My lord, I am so sorry. She doesn’t know what she says. The wine…”
“Take her now, before I have time to think on this unacceptable behavior,” Vale’s voice dark and low, each syllable a dagger meant to protect me.
Odrin leads the couple out of the hall, and Ace signals for the band to play on. I vaguely sense people starting to mill around me in an uneasy manner.
Vale is still seething, anger radiating off of him like steam.
“It’s alright.” I reach for him, loosening his first and threading my fingers through his own.
“I am unharmed.” The truth of it is an anchor, even as something unsteady moves through me.
I cannot stand to see him like this. Had that been a threat more than words, I shudder to think what he might do.
Soria approaches, calm and cautious in a poised statue of a woman.
At times, she is a greater warrior than any of us.
She casts a smile wide enough for all to see.
“Eyes are on you both,” she says without breaking the facade meant for others.
“What do you want them to see?” A gentle but stern reminder.
Vale resets and reaches his arm for me, leading me to the dance floor once more.
The musicians take their cue and shift to a slower tune.
There is comfort in the formality. Me locked in Vale’s hold, our hands outstretched as he leads me across the floor. We find our way back to the quiet ease. To each other.
Slowly but surely light and warmth fill the hall once more. The candles glow brightly. Our love shining true.
I refuse to let the hate of one woman take this night from us. From me. Is it selfish of me to love their king? Is it just one woman though? Wine may have loosened her lips too much, but how many choke back their own hatred right now?
No. I won’t let her get to me. Tonight, I am Mira of Caerhollan. And soon, soon I will be their queen.