Chapter 69
Kiera
Wearing a royal gown, no matter how beautiful, was still a pain.
“You’ll get sweat stains on the silk if you keep pacing,” Melaena reminded me for the second time as she lounged on my bed, eating grapes.
I huffed and made to throw myself in a chair before remembering to sit carefully. Wrinkles were almost as bad as sweat stains.
“The wedding is in one hour,” I said. “Delysia will never forgive me if she misses it.”
Melaena shrugged one bare shoulder. Her strapless turquoise dress hugged her body like water. “Then we’ll dawdle as best we can. The kingdom will wait for its queen.”
“I’m not sure its king will,” I grumbled, but I couldn’t stop my smile.
King. Queen. Holy Four, this is really happening.
Melaena giggled. “Probably not. Aiden will storm the palace and carry you to the Temple if we don’t show on time.”
I kicked off my golden slippers. “Could be entertaining, though.”
“When was the last you heard from your sister?”
“I received her letter two days ago. She wrote that she and Henry were on their way back from the southern coast. They were going to stay the night in The Hollow before getting here.” I glanced at Delysia’s curly handwriting in the letter on my table. “She seems very happy.”
“I imagine she is. A sweet little wedding to our new High General followed by a honeymoon along Rellmira’s finest coasts is very romantic.”
I smiled, gazing out of my open balcony doors. A playful breeze toyed with my silk skirts, smelling of fresh grass and endless possibility.
It’d been two months since Aiden had proposed to me.
We would’ve married sooner, if not for his insistence that we construct another throne and crown for me first. My throne, the twin of his, now also sat on the dais, waiting for me. My crown was likely at the Temple, also next to his.
Meanwhile, construction continued on a more permanent bridge between the palace and the city.
I’d grown quite adept at crossing the rope ladder, but I was excited for the day I could walk on solid stone once more.
After Henry and Delysia had returned from cleaning out the Twaryn fort, with Wicked and Ozlow in hand, they asked to get married quickly and with little fanfare.
Aiden and I agreed.
Everett, even though he was one of their newest Teachers in training, helped perform the ceremony in the Temple. Librius, our High Teacher, presided. I brought as many fresh flowers as I could from Mother’s garden.
I spent much of my spare time reviving the garden she loved so much. The only battles I fought anymore were against the weeds that never gave me rest. Aiden helped when he could, crawling on his hands and knees through the dirt, sweat on his brow, despite his new status.
More often than not, we ended up stealing kisses amid the lilies and jasmine and would run to the bathing pool covered in dirt.
It was sheer bliss.
With each passing day, we carved away more of Father’s and Renwell’s influence and memory and created something beautiful in their place.
I didn’t feel the need to skulk through the crested halls as the forgotten princess or the shameful apprentice.
I held my head high and greeted those I walked past with mirrored smiles.
I strolled arm-in-arm with Aiden, laughing and telling him a story from my day and discussing everything under the sun.
I looked forward to every part of the day, meals with Aiden or with friends like Melaena and overseeing repairs to the city and the reintegration of former refugees and prisoners.
At night, I would attend a show at The Silk Dancer or throw knives at The Weary Traveler or lounge on the Temple roof. Always with Aiden.
Then we’d spend the last few hours of the day wrapped in each other’s arms, whispering our hearts. Every morning began with a smile and kiss before the day’s work.
I had never felt freer—or happier—in my life.
And today . . . Today I would get to promise forever.
Yet, this last hour was taking forever to pass.
I rose to my bare feet and padded around my room once more. I smiled at Aiden’s dirty, everyday boots that he’d left by his side of the bed. He’d be wearing a new, shiny pair today. Waiting for me in the Temple.
Anticipation bubbled under my skin, and I cast about for a distraction. “Have the votes come in yet?” I asked Melaena as she idly twirled her long black curls.
She pursed her lips, clearly pondering on what answer to give, which could only mean one thing.
I sank onto the bed next to her. “They did! Tell me.”
“I didn’t want to until after your wedding.”
“I need a distraction, or else I’ll keep pacing and ruin this dress.” I started to rise in mock threat.
She laughed, pushing me back down. “Very well, very well. The votes came in and . . . I have been nominated as a People’s Councilor for Aquinon.”
I gasped, my hands flying to my cheeks. “Melaena! That is wonderful! Of course, I figured you would get it, but I’m so happy for you. And for Aquinon. You will do amazing things on the Council.”
Pride shone in her eyes. “Thank you. It’s such an honor to be chosen. To carry on the People’s Council as my parents hoped for, that I’ve fought for. It’s a dream come true, Kiera.”
I threw my arms around her, dresses be damned. “It truly is. For all of us. Do you know the other councilors?”
We pulled apart, and she dabbed her eyes. “Yes. Helene was chosen as the other Aquinon councilor.”
“That’s wonderful!”
Helene and Isabel had arrived back in Aquinon over a month ago. Helene had been hard at work since, helping me and Aiden reform the People’s Council, using Garyth’s connections to find allies and root out any potential threats.
We’d also helped her rebuild her home, which she turned into an orphanage and rehabilitation center for former prisoners.
Melaena named the two councilors for Winspere and Pravara as well. “They all seem like lovely people. I’m excited for our first meeting next week. We have much to discuss.”
“And we will be happy to hear it before our trip,” I assured her with a smile.
Aiden had suggested a royal tour through the kingdom after we married. That way, we could meet with as many Rellmirans as possible to promise we’d wash away the decades of my father’s influence.
We also planned a few destinations that had nothing to do with our royal duties.
Such as stealing away to see where Aiden grew up in Twaryn.
Perhaps climbing some trees and eating a few moonbloods as well.
Going for another naked swim, but this time off the southern coast where the water wouldn’t turn me blue, as Dagriel’s had.
It sounded perfect.
Just as I was about to start pacing again, my door burst open.
“I’m here! I’m here!” Delysia cried as she bustled inside.
“Finally!” I leaped to my feet and embraced my little sister.
She returned the hug, then yanked away. “Your dress, Kiera!”
Melaena chuckled. “Don’t bother. It’ll be a miracle from the Four if she makes it to the Temple intact.”
Delysia shook her head with a smile. “Some things never change. Now let’s tidy up so we can get you married!”
I called my new maid—a young girl named Tessa—back into the room. She helped Delysia change into her wedding finery, a rose-colored silk dress. Then all three of them circled me, tucking, pinning, and smoothing until they declared me ready.
Tessa brought in a tall mirror so I could see myself.
The vision was stunning. My long brown hair was brushed to a shine, a few golden strands sparkling in the sunlight. I liked to think they were little gifts from Mother.
Melaena had accented my dark eyebrows and red lips in a way that still looked like me.
Gold earrings shaped like suns hung from my ears, and a simple gold necklace looped around my neck. All of which had been Mother’s.
My dress was a work of art. Sweeping lines of gold silk overlaid satin skirts of deep orange and crimson. The fabric shimmered with gold flecks whenever I shifted. I was a gilded flame, glowing with happiness.
My scarf—the one Aiden had made for me—was cinched around my waist, the dressmaker having incorporated it into her design.
I looked like every version of myself that I cherished.
The beautiful, hopeful princess, but with the scars from years of fighting and surviving.
Melaena had offered to further cover the scar on my cheek, but I’d refused. Nikella had never hid from her scars. She’d worn them as proof of how strong she was.
I wanted to do the same. I didn’t want to hide anymore.
I was to be a queen, and I would live in the light.
“Mother would be so proud of you,” Delysia whispered, blotting tears away from her cheeks. “And so am I.”
My eyes burned, as did my heart. “Thank you, Lys. That means the world to me.”
She sniffed, fanning her eyes. “Ugh, now my eyes will be all red and puffy. We’d better go put your beautiful betrothed out of his misery.”
“You saw Aiden?” I asked eagerly.
“Yes, I left Henry with him, thinking maybe a few boring reports would get Aiden to stop pacing the Temple steps.”
I grinned and hurried out the door with Delysia and Melaena on my heels.
A few guards escorted us across the partially constructed bridge to meet our carriage. I was eager to ride Ozlow again, but this dress wouldn’t survive horseback. Besides, he seemed to enjoy his pampered life in the royal stables with Wicked.
We rolled through the city, many people waving as we passed, making their own way to the Temple for the wedding.
The Noble Quarter gate was open, as it had been for weeks. Guard still patrolled the quarters, but we no longer inhibited travel between them.
“Did your Dag friends arrive?” Delysia asked as we bumped along.
“Yes, about a week ago.” I smiled, remembering the nights we’d spent with Maz and his sisters at The Weary Traveler. Maz had given the whole tavern quite the eyeful of his new tattoo—a black heart inked on his right ass cheek.