Chapter 32
“Idon’t give a fuck about the laws, Marek. I’m marrying her.”
His brother’s expression was stern, his manner confrontational. “Remember, brother, you’re telling the king that you’re about to break his law. You may want to add a little deference to your tone.”
Zelup shrugged. “It is what it is. Dawn is my mate, and I will marry her with or without your blessing.”
Marek stood from his throne, taking a step down the dais. “Let me remind you, if you go through with your plan, you risk losing your place in the line of succession and being exiled. Are you sure she’s worth it?”
Zelup looked down on the little doll who was holding his hand, her face full of anxiety. “A thousand times over,” he replied.
Marek sighed. “Brother, you know our laws. Are you sure you want to—”
“Oh, shut it, Marek.” Jazmine stood from her place on the other throne and walked over to her husband, punching him in his arm. “You’ve already made the decision to allow the marriage. Why don’t you stop teasing him?”
Zelup felt his heart somersault at his sister-in-law’s words. “You will permit it?” he asked, his gaze turning to his older brother.
“Of course,” Marek said with a laugh. “My own wife is half-Territhian.”
“But she is also half-goddess,” Zelup countered.
“Well, Nojan’s wife is full Territhian.”
“And the Great Oracle as well as a Guardian.”
Marek stared at him, nonplussed. “Are you trying to talk me out of it?”
“No,” Zelup said with a laugh, picking up his bride-to-be and spinning her around. “Not at all.”
After escaping the throne room with the current King of Vartik’s blessing, Zelup led Dawn down a long hallway to a chamber at the end. It was only accessible through a handprint scan, and only his own and her handprints would open it. He drew her inside, his chest swelling with pride.
“Here it is,” he said. “My wedding gift to you.”
Her eyes were wide as she spun around with delight. “My very own laboratory. And it’s so state of the art that I don’t even know what half of these things do.”
Zelup laughed. “Don’t worry. I have every confidence that you’ll figure it out, and quick. You are a genius after all.”
She came over to him, putting her arms around his waist and lifting her face for a kiss. “I think you’re the genius,” she said. “After all, you have the good sense to marry me.”
“The best decision I’ll ever make.”
There was a bout of giggling from the doorway. Queen Jazmine entered, along with the Great Oracle of Territh and his little sister Kara.
“What’s so funny?” Zelup asked the gaggle of women.
Kara looked him up and down. “It’s just so unexpected. The high and mighty Zelup, always lecturing everyone on the rules, never putting a toe out of line, is now marrying a Territhian scientist who has him wrapped around her little finger.”
Zelup rolled his eyes at his sister’s teasing. “Just wait, sis,” he said. “One day, it will be your turn to fall in love. Let’s see how you fare.”
He thought he saw a flash of pain in his little sister’s eyes and instantly regretted his words, but she brushed it off and stepped forward, moving to embrace Dawn. “Thank you for whipping my brother into shape. He was no fun before.”
“You’re saying he’s fun now?” Dawn fired back, and the crowd laughed at him again.
“Okay, okay,” he said, raising his hands in self-defense. “That’s enough ribbing for now. Dawn has barely gotten settled in. I’m sure she wants to get started working.”
“You know,” his lovely bride-to-be said with wonder in her voice, “for once, I don’t.”
Zelup’s jaw dropped. “You don’t want to work? But… but…” His voice petered out.
