My mother wore this on the night she met my father.
I want you to have it.
B.
The silken cover slides between my fingertips as I push it aside. Baelen’s mother fell ill with a deadly fever when Baelen was ten years old. She was pregnant at the time and neither she nor his baby sister survived. The impact on Baelen was… indescribable. He didn’t become bitter, angry, or reclusive, but he was somehow set apart from everyone else afterward. The only one he reached out to, connected with—for some reason I’ll never understand—was me. Maybe it was because I never pushed him to talk when he didn’t want to, never assumed he was happy when he wasn’t, never asked anything from him. I was just…there. His father refused to remarry despite pressure from the other Houses and Baelen became the only heir to the Rath name.
I slide the wrapping open to reveal the dress beneath. It rustles into my arms, a deep purple with a plunging gauzy neckline, fitted through the bodice and waist, and falling to a cascade of silken folds from the hips. Delicate fabric flowers adorn the base of the bodice and drip across the waist and hips. It’s elegant but also understated, and most importantly, it won’t outshine Jordan’s dress.
I place it carefully back into the box while I bathe and dry my hair. I opt not to tie my hair back into my usual braid, leaving it out, tucked behind my ears and falling in waves to my waist.
I don’t even consider not wearing the dress. I’ve told Baelen I won’t yield. In fact, the whole city knows. But he chose to send me this anyway. I can’t try to read anything into it other than what he said in his note: It was important to him and he wants me to have it. I allow myself to feel grateful for his thoughtful gift.
When I pull on the dress, I discover that the folds concealed two high slits running up each leg. I ponder what to do with my weapons belts. They’ll be visible and obvious, and it feels wrong to take daggers to a wedding. Even if I could conceal them, it wouldn’t feel right. I study my gloves and belts, trying to decide what to do with them, until Reisha speaks up from the side of the room.
“How are you at catching?” she asks.
“Not bad. I guess.”
“Then, carry your gloves, but let me hold the weapons for you and I promise I’ll get them to you if you need them.”
When I nod my agreement, her expression becomes stern, “But I also promise you, youwon’tneed them, because we aren’t going to let anything happen to ruin this night.”
She means it—not just for me but for Jordan whom they all love. My Storm Command is made up of twenty females who live to protect me. Their whole lives are contained within these walls. They don’t have boyfriends or husbands. They just have each other. And they have me.
When I emerge, Jordan is ready and so is my Storm Command. They’ve opted for full battle dress and I’m quietly relieved. I have no doubt they could handle themselves in silk dresses, but I’m much more comfortable with them presenting a formidable force. They are my protectors, my security, and my defenders. I’m lucky to also call them my friends.
“Princess,” Jordan says, “It’s been an honor.”
“The honor is all mine.”
I proceed ahead of her since I need to arrive first. The wedding is taking place under the spreading oak in the middle of the courtyard. Jordan doesn’t know yet, but Elise has spellcast the open space with glittering lanterns and twinkling stars—and a protective shield that only allows family and friends inside the area. We have the whole courtyard to ourselves.
Jordan waits just inside the courtyard, hidden from view by a line of my ladies. My feet walk a path of rose petals strewn along the way to the oak. A line of my warriors walks on either side of me, giving me a clear view of what lies ahead.
Sebastian waits under the oak. His cousin, Simon, stands beside him. It seems like a lifetime ago that I thought Simon was going to be the champion in the trials. Now he’s smiling, a far cry from the tension of the Heartstone Ceremony. Guests sit on gilded seats on either side of the wide path. I recognize Sebastian’s mother and of course his grandfather, Teilo Splendor. I hold my breath, waiting to see if Baelen is among them.
I don’t see him.
I push away my disappointment. I wanted him to know that I accepted his gift. And if I’m really honest, I’ll admit that I wanted him to see me in it. The dress is beautiful and fits me perfectly. But this night isn’t about me or the trials. It’s about Jordan.
I’m surprised when I locate Jasper among the guests though. As everyone rises to their feet, he gives me a nod, forever serious, his earlier emotions hidden again. I acknowledge him with my own nod before moving to the front.
“Sebastian,” I greet him as I pass by.
“Princess.”
I stand before the trunk of the tree, briefly noting that a small table has been placed there like I asked. At the back of the crowd, Elise gestures to a choir of elves. They begin to sing as Jordan approaches. She’s flanked on either side by warriors and tears glisten in her eyes. From the moment she appears, Sebastian can’t tear his eyes off her. She reaches his side and he takes her hand in his. For a moment, their foreheads touch, before drawing apart and giving me their attention.
I lift my voice when the choir falls silent. “There are moments in our lives that pass too quickly but leave us forever changed. This is one of those moments. Sebastian and Jordan have waited their whole lives to be here together, and we are blessed to share this time with them.”
I turn to Simon. “Simon Splendor, please place the rings on the table. Don’t hand them directly to me.”
He looks uncertain. This is the part that everyone’s nervous about—me handling metal—but I’m not worried. I’ve learned quickly to control my power.
When he places the rings on the table, I take one in each hand, placing them in my palms and turning them upward. I keep a leash on the power raging through me so that the gold rings rest quietly against my skin.
“Sebastian and Jordan, may your love be as gentle as a summer rain shower.”
