I kept my eyes on him as Leo led me down the aisle. Those icy blue pools were the only things anchoring me to the palace, that allowed me to move forward when my entire body screamed to run away.
When Leo set my hand in Galen’s, I finally shifted my focus to the king. He gave me a thin-lipped smile and turned to face the priest. I quickly scanned the front rows to find Lady Reaux and Marigold on the left, with her nanny at her side. Isabella Grimaldi was front and center in her wheelchair, an elegant tiara of twisted golden vines resting on her head. To the right sat my mother, Rose, and Katrine, with Leo joining them. Devora took my flowers and sat next to Katrine. The regent families were unable to attend, what with us moving up the date and the sudden arrival of all the island refugees. But what looked like the entire North Territory filled the seats behind our families.
“This evening, we are gathered together by the will of the Fates to witness His Majesty Galen Theodore Orion Grimaldi, Sovereign King of Mysthelm, unite in matrimony with Her Majesty Clarissa Valienne Aris, Empress-Elect of the Veridian Empire,” the elderly priest began, his voice ringing through the hall.
As he performed the ceremony, speaking words of unity, love, and devotion to a prosperous Mysthelm, my mind spun with the events of the last three weeks. Those stolen moments with Thorne echoed around me, piercing my heart.
“Breathe, Empress.”
“We would be lucky to have you as our queen.”
“Don’t be afraid of me. You’re safe.”
Galen slid a ring onto my finger, repeating meaningless words after the priest.
“You’re strong for everybody else in your life, Clarissa Aris. Who is strong foryou?”
“I feelyou.”
I took the ring from a pocket sewn into my dress and pushed it over the leather glove of Galen’s ring finger.I barely heard the words coming from my mouth as I pledged my loyalty and fidelity to him.
“Then we fall together.”
“Lie to me, Empress.”
“If we’re going to feel guilty about something, it should be this.”
The priest cleared his throat. “Your Majesty, you may kiss your bride and Queen to seal this bond of marriage.”
Galen gripped my hand as he faced me and leaned in.
My eyes slid over to Thorne’s.
I love you.
Galen’s rough lips met mine.
Familiar magic sparked at his touch, flowing over me like a breath of fresh air.
But something was off this time.
When I pulled away, the priest spoke over the smattering of polite applause. “I am honored to present to you the King and Queen of Mysthelm, Galen and?—”
His words faltered.
Galen’s lips parted as he stumbled backward. When he looked up at me in confusion, I almost screamed at the sight.
A crack appeared on his cheek.
The brown skin at his neck slowly faded to gray.
“Clarissa—what—” he croaked out, before his lips turned to ash.
Flakes of skin peeled away and drifted to our feet as I surged forward and gripped his cheeks.
He fell to his knees, and I went with him. The entire room burst into screams.
“Galen!” I shouted, urging my magic to siphon the curse from him.
