Drask flew behind us, and thankfully, Brenna didn’t appear to notice. Or, if she did, she no longer cared. He landed on the back of a bench nearby and watched us, his head tilting one way, then the other.
We stopped in front of the huge wooden doors, and while Reyla fluffed Brenna’s dress, I blotted her eyes. No one would think much of a bride’s tears; they’d assume she was overcome with joy. But streaked cosmetics would only make her look garish.
As if such a thing mattered.
We’re here,I told Vexxion.Let the game begin.
My hand shook, and my heart kept flinging itself around inside my chest. A mix of excitement and anticipation surgedup my throat, and it was all I could do to swallow it back. I’d worked hard to get to this moment.
Soon, Kinart. Soon.
I’d kill his murderer with the blade Vexxion would place in my hand, and my friend could then rest in peace. Maybe after that, things would improve for my fellow Nullens.
May the fates give me the strength to see this through. May they protect me. And may this plan succeed.
One of the guards cleared his throat before they opened the tall wooden doors. Music swelled inside the throne room, lilting through the opening in a pretty tune that was a sharp contrast to what would happen in a short time.
Reyla gripped Brenna’s shoulders and stared into her eyes. “You look lovely. You’re the prettiest bride I’ve ever seen.”
Brenna sniffed and jerked out a nod.
When Reyla stepped back, I gave Brenna a quick hug, taking care not to crush her dress or flowers. “You can do this. We’re proud of you.”
Reyla nodded, her gaze seeking mine. She was as worried about this as me, though for a completely different reason.
“You’re right. I can do this,” Brenna whispered. Her bleak gaze skated back and forth between Reyla and I. “Thank you. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.” Her chin stiffened, and resolution filled her eyes. She sucked in a breath and while it sagged out of her, her spine remained straight. With a nod, she tightened her grip on her bouquet and sedately walked into the throne room.
Reyla and I followed, ensuring her dress flowed beautifully behind her.
As we paced down the aisle with light music lilting ahead, I heard the flutter of Drask’s wings as he entered the room. When they stopped, I assumed he’d found a perch where he could watch.
I kept my gaze lowered, though I took in all the fae lords and ladies dressed in their finest from the corner of my eye. They stood on either side of the aisle, huffing and whispering about Brenna. A few sneered, but that was to be expected. Others smiled and a few wiped away tears.
The king waited beside the arch at the end of the room with the high advisor and Kerune standing to his right. An elder dressed in a pristine black robe watched us through rheumy eyes as we made our way toward the king.
I didn’t see Vexxion, but he had to be here somewhere.
Finally, we reached the end of the aisle.
Brenna walked slowly over to stand beside the king. Reyla and I arranged her train before taking our places on her left. My fingers twitched at my sides. I wanted to pull a blade if only to draw comfort from it. I hated being unarmed.
Silence eclipsed the room broken only by the shuffle of the fae lords and ladies as they settled in their chairs, plus Madrood’s low growl from the side of the room.
I couldn’t believe the king would have a dragon at his wedding.
The elder cleared his throat. “Welcome. Welcome, my friends.” His gaze scanned the room before landing on the soon-to-be-wedded couple, the warm smile he gave them creating a mockery of what was about to come. “We gather at this glorious moment to bring together two who must never beparted. Brenna Marella Abelesk, daughter of King Abelesk of the Nullen Territory and Ivenrail Puledeir Levestan, high lord of Bledmire Court as well as the fair and just king of all of faerie. May the fates bless them today as we celebrate their union and the joining of our two kingdoms.”
A low murmur from the fae caught my attention, but I didn’t look their way. I was too busy trying to keep my teeth from chattering. I couldn’t wait for Vexxion to change me from this silly dress to my leathers, to feel the security of my blades strapped to my sides he’d place there at the same time.
The elder spoke about their love for each other—how trite—plus the importance of maintaining a relationship of respect. As if. The king planned to drain everything wonderful from Brenna soon, leaving only a shell of her former self behind.
Finally, the elder moved onto their vows. I watched with a polite expression on my face as they each spoke, and I was proud of the strength in Brenna’s voice. She didn’t want to be here, and she didn’t want to wed Ivenrail, but she was going through with what everyone expected of her.
When they’d finished, he had them hold hands. “If you will ignite the candle to symbolize your union.” He gave each of them a slender, lit taper and gestured to the large candle sitting on a small table behind him, moving out of the way for them to step closer.
Their tapers dipped forward, and the candle’s wick caught, bursting into a beautiful blue and lavender flame that made Reyla release a low gasp. The flame flickered and dipped as the elder took their tapers and extinguished them, then gestured for the couple to step backward, into their original places.
The elder lifted his arms and his voice. “I pronounce you wedded. Congratulations, Brenna and Ivenrail. Ivenrail? Please, kiss your new wife and solidify your marriage.”
