The queen consort’s face remained blank.
Gerard didn’t respond.Fire and flames!Is he really encouraging me to fuck around and spread my seed on my fucking wedding day?
Gerard turned to face the door leading into the chamber. Hopefully the ceremony would start soon.
Finally, the monk standing at the door opened it. In the ceremony chamber, the grand monk stood on a dais at the front.
“Dragon Warrior Prince Gerard Drachen,” the grand monk announced. “Accompanying him are King Alaric Drachen and Queen Consort Adelina Drachen of Draconia. They are presenting Prince Gerard Drachen, recognising that he is acting as a representative of the Royal House and the Kingdom of Draconia. His marriage will act as one of the marriages that will seal the peace treaty.”
Gerard came forward into the large chamber. The tall, barren walls had been made of smooth white marble. Large glass windows allowed in light. But on this cloudy day, the room remained a dull grey.
No onlookers were present. Only those involved in the sacred binding were allowed. They’d have a wedding banquet afterwards for the guests.
Gerard walked to the dais and the grand monk. Four more monks, two on either side of the grand monk, stood. They wore beige robes with the white dove. Their copper chains hung around their neck.
A white wooden table stood before the grand monk. On it were a bowl of ink, a quill, and a scroll.
In the ancient language of Lorentath, a language that the monks and only a few others spoke, the terms of their marriage contract had been written out.
Gerard would sign his name and be bound to Elias until one of them died. He took in a deep breath. His chest rising. Soon he’d be bound to Elias for life. He smiled.
The scroll listed what would be required of them in their marriage, including consummating the marriage, being true to each other, living with their spouse, and not attempting to murder their spouse. Breaking any of those would result in madness, illness, and death.
Gerard stared at the scroll. As soon as his father had told him he’d be expected to marry someone at the peace assembly, he’d accepted it. He would do his duty for Draconia. But although he knew he’d go to his wedding willingly, he’d not expected to be happy about it.
Warmth suffused Gerard’s body. The grand monk turned to the door off the ceremony chamber. The door swung open. Gerard leaned forward. His stomach somersaulted.
Elias wore deep-blue robes that hugged the contours of his body. Gold thread had been embroidered into the blue fabric to look like lightning. His white hair, piled on top of his head, had been curled and twisted elaborately. Gold pins stood out from his hair, and golden chains hung from them. Crystals, shaped like lightning, dangled from each chain.
Gerard’s breath caught.
And he is mine. I am marrying him. He will be my husband.
Gerard beamed. Elias smiled back.
“Prince Elias Storm,” the grand monk announced. “Accompanying him are Emperor Hugo Storm and Empress Emmeline Aella of the combined Kingdoms of Zephyrias and Voltaria. They are presenting Prince Elias Storm, recognising that he is acting as a representative of the Royal House and the combined Kingdoms of Zephyrias and Voltaria. His marriage will act as one of the marriages that will seal the peace treaty.”
Elias walked forward, movements fluid andgraceful. His blue robes rustled against the floor. Gerard refused to blink. He did not wish to miss a millisecond of watching the vision that was Elias. And Gerard still could not stop smiling.
He’d only known Elias a few weeks. That really wasn’t enough time to get to know someone. But Elias made him laugh in a way that no one had since his attack. He’d made Gerard feel desirable. He’d thought that would never happen again. He made Gerard look towards the future with joy and hope.
Elias reached out his hand as he approached Gerard.
Gerard took it, squeezing. “You look beautiful. As always.”
Elias’s eyes twinkled. His gaze flitted over Gerard. “You look pretty handsome yourself.”
And Gerard believed him. It was why that morning, he’d put effort into his appearance. He’d put on his best clothes and even spent time in front of the mirror fixing himself. He’d wanted to look good. For Elias.
The grand monk cleared his throat. With reluctance, Gerard and Elias tore their gazes from the other and turned towards him. Grand Monk Ferdinand glanced between them, thin lips curling into a smile. His watery grey eyes twinkled.
“Now that I have your attention, let us continue.” The grand monk drew a long golden needle from within his robes. “For this ceremony, I will need a drop of each of your blood. Please hold out your hands.”
Elias and Gerard both obeyed, holding out their free hands whilst the other remained held by their soon-to-be spouse.
The other four monks started chanting in Lorentath. Gerard had no idea what they were saying.
The grand monk pricked the needle into Gerard’s pointer finger, causing a sharp sting of pain. The grand monk guided the finger over the bowl of ink. Blood dripped into the bowl, and the grand monk released his hand. He turned to Elias. He repeated the same actions. But when Elias’s blood fell into the bowl, the ink began to swirl.
