Chapter Fifteen #2
“Do you think it’s really happening?” I broke in, cutting off their teasing of me. “The curse is lifting?”
Bradach’s grin faded. “I don’t know.” His jaw worked, but nothing came out. “We still can’t talk about it, so as excited as everyone is, they haven’t gotten their wish yet.”
That was true. The curse was still abound on the furry faces, beaked noses, and tails trailing out of passing pants. Curse lifting and curse lifted were not the same things.
“Is it everyone’s wish?” I asked. “Could there be others like Meallan and his wolf tribe who would want the curse to stay?”
“No.”
“Absolutely not.”
Eadaoin and Bradach weren’t slow with their denials.
“We believe the formerly bound women will still keep their magic after the change disappears,” Bradach said, “so there’s no reason for anyone not to want this. Only Meallan thinks he needs to be a wolf to be a king.”
I frowned.
“What’s wrong, my lady?” Eadaoin asked. “Are you worried someone will try to kill you? We’ve doubled your security, and I promise, I will never leave your side.”
“No, no, no, that’s not it. It’s just... something doesn’t make sense.” Once I finally voiced it, the uncertainty settled in my bones. “About the beast curse, about the melting snow, about all of it.
“Bradach, I know you don’t like to talk about this, but you were there before Wind and Wild. Before everything. Do you know the origin of the beast curse?”
He peered at me through hooded eyes. “You know I cannot say, my lady.”
“Can you also not say how to break it?”
“I cannot.”
“But you do know how.” I put my hand under his chin, drawing it up without touching him. We stared into each other’s eyes. “Don’t you?”
He didn’t speak, and he didn’t have to. I knew the answer.
Yes.
“There’s more to all of this, isn’t there? More to the curse, more to Wind and Wild, more to—” That rose in the tower.
“I cannot say, but I don’t need to. The ice melting is a good thing,” he said. “It’s what we’ve been waiting for. Soon, we’ll be free.”
“That’s good, but—”
My attendants walked in, loaded down with baskets holding face paints and all the tools made to transform the famed beauty of the east into a creature even lovelier.
“Are you ready, my lady?”
“Ready,” Emiana said, rising from the water. “I will allow you to attend me, but will endure nothing pink, red, or orange. You, bring me spiced cider, and you, send the bird man away.” I glared at the smirking beast. “Or I’ll have him flogged if he comes near me with another bucket!”
Bradach rose up. Winking at me, he bowed before leaving—taking all six feet of dripping wet, naked, and gorgeous with.
It’s a shame he can’t mask those disgusting feathers and wings like his brother can.
Shamer still that he’s so insolent. And more’s a shame on top that I couldn’t bed him without his brother’s marking revealing the affair.
I hummed, slipping into the robe they held out and claiming my seat before the vanity.
There must be a way to rid myself of that mark, and these blasted marriage runes.
Affairs aside, I can’t stay faithful to the beast king.
As surprisingly great a lover he is, one day I will need daughters to continue my line—claiming the throne of the true high empress.
I cannot have his filthy blood sullying them.
Sighing, I closed my eyes as they spread the tightening and shadow-reducing cream.
I could confess to myself that I would rather go the route of removing the mark and finding a secret lover.
Alisdair Shadowsoul was proving to be a kindred spirit and powerful ally.
Everything that mattered had been stripped from me, and then he came along, promising to give it back and then some.
I did not want to kill him, so for his sake, he’d better free me from the marking scent, so I won’t have to.
Emiana faded from my mind, but she didn’t leave behind shock or horror.
Honestly, it was a relief to finally know her true intentions.
She was happy to go along with the wedding and all that came with it, because Alisdair was prepared to hand her the highest power in the land.
Of course she didn’t love him, and of course she was willing to kill him.
This was the same woman who wanted her father and all of his allies dead.
The only good news to come from that horrible train of thought was that she wouldn’t try to harm Alisdair until after she was crowned high empress, and after she decided she was ready to have kids. I had until then to remember my fucking name.
“Ladies,” I spoke up, ending their chatter. “Would you mind telling me all the female names you know?”
“Names? I’m not sure I understand,” Carlin replied.
“Never too early to start thinking baby names.” I patted my stomach. “I’d love some ideas, if you wouldn’t mind helping me.” Because maybe you’ll say the one that triggers my memory.
That set them off jumping up and down, squealing.
“Oh my Meya, yes! We’d love to help,” Carlin gushed. “What about Brona? That’s my mother’s name.”
“Oooh, so pretty,” I murmured, but felt nothing. No tingle of recognition.
“Evaleen?”
“Kiara?”
“Finella,” Eadaoin threw in.
They pelted me with names from all sides. Mine would come up eventually. I was sure of it. Meya knocked sense into my stubborn head, so I’d finally wake up and see the man she had meant for me all along. No one was going to take him from me.
Alisdair loved to speak of the little bird who belonged to him, and that was fine. Because every night I lay next to the beast who belonged to me.
“—life or death! I must speak with her now!”
“Let him through,” I heard Bradach bark from the other side of the door.
Riordan, the vegetable-seller burst in and slipped on the wet floor—crashing flat on his back.
I blinked at him, robes high. “What on earth is going on? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine!” He shoved up, huffing and puffing. “I’m sorry, my lady, I... I ran all the way here.”
“I assume it wasn’t to wish me well on my big day?”
“No, it’s—it’s terrible, my lady. Terrible, terrible news!” He surged at me and a blur shot into my path.
Riordan bounced off Eadaoin, nearly winding up on his back again. “That’s close enough.”
“Riordan, just calm down, and tell me what’s going on,” I said, rising up.
Riordan sought me over Eadaoin’s shoulder, face stricken. “My lady, it’s Aya Olene. She and Meliora have been arrested for treason. Some of the treasures I gave them had the Wind and Wild crest on them. They’re saying it’s proof of payment for espionage!
“Queen Ana, they’re to be executed tomorrow at daybreak!”
I clapped my hands over my mouth. “That’s horrible. You have to tell Treasa at once. She’ll know what to do.”
“What? My lady, I... I don’t understand.”
“Treasa,” I cried. “I can’t say too much, but she’ll know how to help.”
He didn’t move.
“Well, go on!” I flapped a hand. “Hurry. They don’t have much time, and if Treasa knows them, they’re vital to the kingdom.”
“But, it’s Aya Olene,” he repeated, giving me a strange look. “Olene, Meliora, Gisela, Jaclan, and Savia. You’ve done so much for them. More than anyone ever has. Aren’t you going to do something? Don’t you care?”
“Of course I care, but what can I do? I have no idea who these people are.” I returned to the vanity. “Treasa will. She’ll think of something, so hurry. Find her.”
“But, I—”
“You heard your queen.” Eadaoin grabbed his shoulder and dragged him out. “Go downstairs, find the steward, and she’ll help you find Treasa.”
“But, my lady!”
Eadaoin tossed him out on his ear.
I shook my head, holding my hand up for my nails to be painted. “Those poor people. Hope they’ll be okay.”
“You can’t worry about such horrible things right now, Lady Ana.” Eadaoin beamed at me. “This is your big day. Nothing but smiles. I order it.”
I laughed, bringing my smile right back. “You’re right. This is my perfect day. All that matters is me and Alisdair.”
“ARE YOU READY, QUEEN Ana?”
I stood before the ballroom doors, listening to the hearts beating. The one in my chest, and the one in my ear.
I didn’t know why I’d been hearing a disembodied heart.
There were many chances for me to ask Alisdair about it, but it wasn’t as though he could tell me because of the curse.
Lumenfell brought me as many mysteries as it did joy.
But one mystery had been solved that day.
Did Alisdair love me? Yes. Did he want eternity with me?
Yes. And did his heart, in or out of his chest, beat for me?
I smiled listening to the slow, steady thrum. Yes.
“I’m ready.”
The guards swept the doors open, transporting me to paradise.
Starflowers drifted down from the ceiling, falling like snowflakes on the guests before disappearing just as magically.
There were no chairs. Faeriken of all types and animals stood, crouched, and flew around the room—calling their love and congratulations.
Not the silent, solemn affair of two great kingdoms watching a mistake, but the happy, joyous occasion of watching two people in love.
Tiny orblights strung together and wove around the rafters, chairs, and walls—twinkling like starlight. All at once, I was transported to that first night Alisdair ravaged me in the snow. I think even then I knew... that we were meant to end up here.
A sea of rose petals cradled my feet, guiding me down the path that led to my love, my Alisdair.
He was perfect, but of course he was. His long, curling hair hung loose and free.
His ceremonial robes were similar to the ones he wore the day we married in Lyrica, but he looked nothing like he did on that day.
Because on this one, he was smiling. No smirk or wicked grin.
But a beaming, heart-breakingly beautiful smile that stopped my breath.
And his stopped in turn, when he saw me.
Eadaoin could’ve gushed the praises of my dress for an hour, and still wouldn’t have come close to how gorgeous it was.