Then I realized this wasmyfairy tale.My life.I’d gotten my prince charming, and everything I ever wanted. A kingdom, a home… a family.Ethanwas my family. We were tied, now and forever. If there was a more beautiful realization than that, I’d never know it. I leaned over and placed my head on Ethan’s shoulder as we walked, feeling more blessed than I’d ever been.
We’d made it. Despite all that had tried to stop us… we’d won.
Then I saw Lady Magdalina’s face in the crowd. Her eyes were joyful, and yet… sad. So sad.
You deserve this day. It will be one of the last happy ones you’ll have.
My heart tumbled violently inside of me. I wanted her to be wrong. Ethan and I could find a way to maintain our happily-ever-after. This wasn’t the beginning of the end. He was mine, and I was his. What mattered is we were alive, and we were together…
I couldn’t stop the soft voice in my head that uttered,for now.
Chapter Nineteen
Ethan
Iwasmarried.I could hardly believe it.
The carriage ride back to the palace felt so sentimental. Emma’s head remained on my shoulder, and our hands were conjoined as the crowd outside applauded our union.
“What are you thinking about?” I asked.
She lifted her gaze. “I feel so happy. It’s like nothing could get me down. Do you think this is a sign that things will be better for us from now on?”
“Whether life gets easier or harder from this point on is of no consequence to me. I care only that you are at my side. The rest is minor details.”
I reached under the carriage’s seat and pulled out a thin wrapped box. I set it on her lap and said, “Your wedding present.”
“What did you get me now?” She gave me a teasing smile.
“Something befitting a queen.”
She unwrapped the paper and opened the box. Her eyes lit up as she held a white gold rose before her eyes. “This is beautiful.”
“And one of a kind. It’s made from a real rose, dipped in gold. It will last through the ages. As will our love.”
“It’s absolutely amazing.” She leaned in to kiss me. “I’ll keep it on my desk in my office. It’s such a priceless gift.”
We pulled up in front of the palace. I placed the rose back under the carriage seat for the servants to fetch before I stood. “Our public awaits.”
“And so does the party,” Emma said, fluffing her skirts.
I disembarked the carriage. The cheers from the crowd surrounding the palace were so loud, it nearly hurt my ears. The noise only got louder as I took Emma’s hand and helped her out of the carriage. Her long veil dragged the snow behind her as we ventured up the palace steps, to the enthusiasm of the crowd.
When we got inside, Emma’s veil was removed by Lady Wilmaette, along with the silver crowns we’d been given. “We’re running on time,” Wilmaette fretted. “But we’ll be behind if dinner doesn’t begin within the next five minutes, and you still have to be announced.”
“It’ll be fine, Wilmaette,” Emma said with a laugh. I loved her carefree nature. That she wasn’t stressed about such a big day made me enjoy it all the more.
Wilmaette sniffed. “It may be fine, but it won’t beperfect, my queen, which is what we strive for in Malovia. Your guests are waiting!”
We strolled down the hallway and toward the grand ballroom. The double doors opened, and the herald announced, “I introduce King Ethan Nowak of the Arcanea, and his bride, Emmaline Sosna, Queen of the Arcanea.”
There was polite applause, and we walked inside. I had the idea that the grand ballroom looked more impressive than my wildest daydreams could imagine. Towering vases of white roses stood on every table, which were swathed with cloths of ice blue. Bare trees stuck in glittering pots dangled icicles from their limbs, while the plates and champagne glasses were edged with designs of white frost.
An illusion had been cast over the room to make snow fall from the ceiling. The illusion became grander as I realized the spell had formed to make the surface of a lake above our heads, edges appearing on the surface as if someone was skating on it. The lighting in the room shifted from light blue, to dark sapphire, and back again. The dance floor was swathed by a projection of snowflakes, which coordinated with the music the string band was playing.
Even the cake was elaborate. It was six feet tall and the focus piece of the room, adorned with frost snowflakes and towering over the guests on a silver pedestal. The entire space had been transformed into a winter wonderland.
“Wilmaette outdid herself,” Emma muttered, looking around the room.
