“It’s nearly time!” Freya exclaimed, bursting into the room with a wreath of pink flowers for Norah’s head and a pink jewel surrounded by green jeweled leaves for her to wear on her neck. Then she handed Norah a bouquet of flowers and led her excitedly into the hall.
Norah hadn’t known how many people to expect at the wedding. After Phillip had fallen sick and their parents had died, Freya had shrunk the palace staff down to the smallest number they could survive with in an effort to economize, as well as keep news of the prince’s condition quiet.
“We’ll announce the wedding after it’s taken place,” Freya had explained that morning. And though she didn’t speak it, Norah knew what shewasn’tsaying.
After Phillip’s communication has been restored.
But what if it wasn’t restored? What then?
Norah was nearly dizzy by the time they reached the garden. Sir Oliver had kindly volunteered to walk her down the aisle, an offer Norah had happily accepted. But it wasn’t his presence that brought her a sudden and unexpected sense of peace.
It was the tall man standing at the end of the aisle, his brown eyes bright with what Norah assumed to be joy and hope.
What about love, though?she wondered.Could there be love?
Even as she considered this, however, Norah recalled the way his lips had felt on hers the day before, and she suddenly felt as though she could breathe a little easier again. Maybe theycoulddo this. She could very easily wake up to his kisses every morning. And if her love and her power somehow managed toheal him… maybe she wouldn’t be alone after all. Perhaps she could have her adventure at his side, and they could live happily ever after together.
He was wearing a full military uniform like the one he’d been wearing the night he’d rescued her, only this one had more braids and buttons, and it made his shoulders look even wider than they usually did. His long blond hair had been tied back neatly at the nape of his neck, and his face had been carefully shaved. It was all very impressive, but Norah suddenly had the desire to throw herself into his arms, where he could hold her and chase away all the doubts that plagued her. She didn’t care how many soldiers and staff were there, or how many visiting members of the inner nobility. She just wantedhim.
But, as it was generally frowned upon for brides to race down the aisle, Norah had to content herself with Sir Oliver’s stately pace. The man was a bred nobleman through and through, which meant he was not going to hurry their steps one bit. But they did eventually reach Phillip and the holy man at the end of the aisle, and Norah was finally able to draw a deep breath when her hand was once again in Phillip’s.
And that was a good sign, wasn’t it? Perhaps her love would be enough after all.
It was ironic, really. Even thoughshewas the one who was supposed to have the healing powers, it was the man who couldn’t speak who had a soothing power over her.
The holy man was beaming almost as widely as Lady Freya as he began discussing the vows. He had a pleasant voice that rose and fell with the friendly breeze that danced through the trees. The flowers were still fragrant and bright with their yellows, pinks, reds, oranges, and whites, despite the late summer month, and the morning sun was shooting beautiful golden beams through the air that danced and played with the moving leaves. And as Norah spoke her vows, her own voice joined in the songof happiness the Maker seemed to have spoken into the world that morning.
If she could have picked the place and hour for her wedding, this would have been it. The groom was a good man. The best kind of man, really. Her family would have been thrilled if they could have known she was marrying the man they had chosen for her. Even better, she was giving an entire kingdom a new chance at life.
Shewashappy after all.
So why did she still feel so afraid?
“Your Highness,” the holy man said, “would you please seal your union before these witnesses with the sign of a sacred kiss?”
Norah’s heart beat faster than a hummingbird’s wings as Phillip gently placed one hand on her hip and the other on her arm and drew her toward him. And with a kiss both gentle yet passionate, both fiery and serene, full of hope and promise, he declared her his in the presence of all gathered there.
The shouts and cheers were much louder than Norah had expected from such a small group of people, but even they were nearly drowned out by the sound of her own heart in her ears. Was he going to try to speak here and now? Would all of those cheering see whether or not her love had healed him?
And if it hadn’t… what would they think of her then?
But to her immense relief, Phillip didn’t try to speak to her or the crowd. Rather, he took her by the hand and dragged her off into one of the many gazebos, one covered almost completely by yellow and pink climbing roses. Gently, he sat her down on the bench and took her other hand in his as well. Then his lips parted as he drew in a deep breath.
And nothing came out.
Not a single word.
Not even a sound.
He was just as mute as he had been the night they’d met.
Norah stared at him, frozen as he tried again and againto speak, her own horror rapidly reflected on his face. Miserably, she watched as his expression changed to one of frustration, and then to heartbreak. Which really was the worst of them all.
Norah had gambled on a dream. And, having lost, now she was living a nightmare in return. Only this one was real, and there was no waking up from her failure.
“Phillip, I–” she began, her voice cracking as she spoke. But she was cut off by the sound of explosions coming from the direction of the harbor.
Chapter 16
