The officiant opens the boxes and hands us the rings. Marik’s ring is made of all-black metal. The wedding ring I chose was already in the royal collection, previously worn by one of the first Deer Queens. The band itself is made up of a subtle gold, comprised of deer antlers that combine to form a V, making room for the black stone of the engagement ring to sit.
Marik removes it from the box and goes to place it on my hand. The officiant says, “Woah, there. She hasn’t said ‘I do’ yet.” He chuckles, and laughs ripple through the crowd.
Marik’s cheeks turn pink.
“Alright, Marik. The moment you’ve been waiting for,” the officiant says, pausing so the crowd can laugh, which they do. “Marik, do you take Mae to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward; for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, ’til death do you part?”
“I do,” he says, his voice sounding breathless. I hold my left hand out, and he removes the engagement ring momentarily to slide the wedding ring onto my finger.
“Mae, do you take Marik to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward; for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, ’til death do you part?”
“I do,” I say, placing the black wedding band on his ring finger, my hands shaking as I do.
“Marik and Mae, you have both come here today of your own free will and professed your love and commitment to each other,” the officiant says. He takes a deep breath, then says loudly, “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife!”
He pauses for applause, then says, “Marik, you may now kiss your bride.”
He leans in, presses his body to mine, and dips me while he places his lips to mine. The crowd erupts into applause, and I smile against Marik’s lips, pure joy flooding through my body.
We stand to face the crowd hand-in-hand, both of us beaming. The crowd erupts into even louder cheering. I find Cally, tears streaming down her face. I scan the front row, finding my friends, but no Willa.
My eyes snag on Asmo and my heart lurches in my chest. He stares at me, at my hand clasped in his brother’s. My smile falters at the dead look in his eyes.
The officiant says to the crowd, “Now that our couple is legally married, it’s time to officially coronate your new High King!”
More cheers erupt. William comes back onto the stage, holding a larger velvet box, which I assume holds Marik’s crown. He hands the box to the officiant, who accepts it before turning to face the crowd. I stand beside Marik, still scanning the crowd for Willa.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the Woodland Kingdom, it is my honor to present His Highness Marik of House Serpent. Today, we have gathered here for his wedding to Her Highness Mae Bailey, High Queen, Queen of the Deer, and Queen of the Woodland Kingdom. We now gather to celebrate Marik’s official coronation and crowning as High King, King of the Woodland Kingdom.” He turns to Marik and says softly, “Marik, please repeat after me.”
“I solemnly swear that I, Marik of House Serpent,” he says, which Marik repeats.
“…will serve the people and the animals of the Deer Court and of the Woodland Kingdom in their best interests,” Marik repeats after him, his voice low and sober.
“I will ensure that my power will be used for the greater good of the court, its people, and the people of the Woodland Kingdom.” He pauses to let Marik repeat the words. He does, and the officiant continues. “I will govern, lead, and protect all of its citizens until the end of my reign.”
Again, Marik repeats him. “These promises that I have made will be honored to the best of my ability until the end of my reign,” he says. He repeats the words, and the officiant smiles.
“Marik of House Serpent, I now pronounce you His Majesty, High King of the Woodland Kingdom,” he booms, turning to face the crowd and exclaiming, “Ladies and gentlemen of the Woodland Kingdom, I present to you your High Queen and your High King!”
Everyone bows, resting on one knee, heads angled to the floor. At the sight of them, I’m reminded of my own coronation day, the way everyone bowed to me. The officiant opens the velvet box and says, “And now, for the crowning!” Marik goes to stand in front of the throne, and I step carefully over the stag sitting in front of mine, the train of my dress wrapping around him. The officiant places the crown on Marik’s head of black hair. He looks even more handsome with the crown resting on his head.
He makes eye contact with me, his eyes shifting, the pupils growing larger. He smiles as the officiant places the crown on his head, his eyes never leaving mine. His smile isn’t reaching his eyes. The way he’s looking at me is…odd.
Something’s wrong.
As soon as the crown is placed on his head, he sits on the throne, his hands resting on the armrests. He looks out to the crowd as if looking at the citizens of the kingdom through a new lens.
And then he throws his head back…and laughs. His eyes snap back to mine, the iris completely erased now, leaving his eyes pitch-black as he just sits there…laughing.
The crowd is confused by the reaction, murmurs rippling through the crowd.
Marik’s laugh grows quieter.
“Oh, Mae,” he says quietly, pity dripping from my name.
The entire room goes black.
Chapter 36
