I welcomed my wedding ring being slid back onto my finger. It had felt odd to not have it there, for the measly hour it had taken to get ready and back to the dais. Funny how short a time it had taken for me to grow accustomed to the band.
“Edwin Grantham, speak your vows.”
I made my voice as even and sure, matching my husband’s. “You cannot possess me, for I belong to myself, but while we both wish for it, I give that which is mine to you. You cannot command me, for I am a free person, but I shall serve you in every way you require. You have my love, devotion, and loyalty that even death may not overturn.”
I slid James’s ring back onto his finger and was relieved the part where I had to speak more than three words was over.
Judge Galbraith’s voice was calm as he finished the wedding ceremony. “By the power conferred upon me, I pronounce you married. May no man, woman, child, or beast try to render asunder what has been promised on this day. Live long, well, and happily.”
We gave each other a quick kiss and smile, relieved no one had objected to the marriage. That had been a concern considering some of the unhappy rumblings from the court members. I think people were mostly flabbergasted a commoner dared to marry their golden prince, but James was so clearly ecstatic, they didn’t dare say so to his face. Given time, they’d simmer down. If someone was going to truly object, they’d been given the opening, and hadn’t taken it. That told me people might talk but there would be no significant push back for our marriage.
People clapped, congratulating us, and I gave everyone watching a smile of thanks. I did appreciate the support. It made the upset in my stomach die down some.
Judge Galbraith lifted both hands to ease everyone back into silence. “Now, now, we’re not done. Today, we are here to witness the crowning of our next monarchs. King Patrick, if you’ll step forward and pass the mantle on to your heir.”
Patrick and Beatrice had been waiting in the wings while we were married. Neither of them looked ecstatic to be there. They were happy to get their way, to have James take the throne, but they kept shooting daggers at me though smiles stayed pinned to their faces. Tough shit. I didn’t care what they thought of me ruling. Time would prove whether I was good or not.
I was also relieved my in-laws would be leaving tomorrow morning. I did not want to live the rest of my married lifewalking on eggshells. Better all around to put some distance between us.
Patrick stepped forward and took the crown off his head, cradling it in front of his chest. James knelt in front of him, poised to receive it.
Patrick spoke in a loud, firm voice. “Gods upon high, we beseech you to sanctify this crown, this country, this man so that he may lead us. Crown him with favor and abundant grace, with virtue, strength, and wisdom.”
Was the crown…shining?
Surely that was a trick of the light.
Nimus preserve me, I wasn’t imagining it. The crown really was glowing! Everyone paused and stared as the light grew brighter and brighter, the phoenix emblem engraved into the gold so bright it almost looked white.
Priest Edes stood nearby, wide eyes locked on the crown. He was there as a representative for all the gods and goddesses, and I needed answers more than I cared about formality.
“Priest Edes?” I almost poked him in the shoulder. “Is that what I think it is?”
“Asyn, Mother of All, has given her blessing,” he managed, voice ringing in the silence of the throne room.
I stared at him, then at the crown, and felt myself go a little faint. So, um, the gods were making it obvious James had their approval. For the first time in, oh, about five hundred years of monarchs. Fine, fine, all was fine. Damn, I wished I could drink. Today called for a drink.
Judge Galbraith sucked in a breath and visibly got ahold of himself. “King Patrick?”
“Er, right.” Patrick gave himself a shake and focused, although I noticed he handled the crown far more gingerly than before. The crown was placed on James’s head and former King Patrick intoned, “Rise, King James, and greet your people.”
James rose and lifted a hand to the thunderous applause and cheers of everyone. Then he too waved them down, grinning. “I’m not done yet. My first task upon becoming your king is to crown my spouse. Edwin Kronenscheld, kneel and receive your crown.”
A wave of sound ran through the crowd. A mixture of “I knew it!” and “He’s not serious?” There had been boundless rumors going about, but I’d thought the invitations had made it clear? Then again, I’d seen ample evidence of people who couldn’t actually read.
I knelt in front of my spouse exactly as James had just done. James had created a second crown for me, a lighter, slimmer version of the crown he wore. Mostly because his was heavy and I didn’t want to wear it for hours at a time in court sessions. With a dramatic swirl of deep red fabric, he first placed the royal mantle on my shoulders, signifying the Mantle of State. I tugged it into a better position while he picked up my crown.
James intoned in the formal language, “Gods upon high, we beseech you to sanctify this crown, this country, this man so that he may lead with me. Crown him with favor and abundant grace, with virtue, strength, and wisdom.”
That subtle change of “with me” was enough to signify I was entirely James’s equal. Not consort but a co-king. It set everyone off again, mostly with gasps, but there were a few hearty, if somewhat incredulous, laughs as well.
All of that choked off into silence as the crown started glowing in his hands. I stared at it incredulously, not expecting the gods to intervene here, too.
Now hold on a fucking minute. I was not the chosen one here. James was. Why was I also getting blessed by the gods?! This wasn’t a hypothetical question. I would appreciate an answer.
We all turned to Priest Edes, who was grinning now, like he was somehow in on a joke the rest of us had missed. He leaned into whisper near my ear, “Asyn says you too. James isn’t the only person the gods are depending on. You too.”
I…took it back. That was a great hypothetical question. No answers needed, no siree.
