A good match, a realm-saving alliance for her people, was more important than her sex life.
She took a deep breath and rose from her bed, turning to avoid seeing the white gown her maids had delivered yesterday.
Her wedding dress.
Not the one she had saved for her marriage to Munin, but an Elven one.
She couldn’t be picky—she had fled from her realm. The wedding was happening quickly. There hadn’t been time to have a gown designed and made according to Idavoll custom.
The dress was a symbol of everything she had to give up for this alliance.
When it came to her role as heir to Idavoll, there was very little she wouldn’t do for her people. And she could think of worse things to do than Vali. In fact, when she thought of him, a smile tugged at her lips.
He had been more than attentive since the proposal, making sure she was comfortable and trying to get to know her. Maybe he was equally as nervous as her, and that was why he spent so much time with her.
When she was in the bath, she half expected her husband-to-be to come marching in, but no knock came at her door.
Only when she was in her robe, her maids twisting and pulling at her damp hair, were her thoughts interrupted by a knock. But it was not Vali who entered her chambers—it was Bo, the youngest of the Elven princes.
The three brothers still mourned the loss of their mother and brother. North recognized the grief in Bo’s eyes, though he tried to hide it with a beaming smile. Some scars ran too deep. She knew the feeling—she missed Souther every day, missed her parents.
Munin.
“Hey, sister,” Bo said in greeting.
“Sister?” North asked, feigning a wince.
“Here in Alfheim, we believe that when a pair marries, their families become one.”
“Interesting.”
Bo leaned closer. “I think it helps prevent inbreeding,” he whispered loudly.
North laughed and shoved him away.
“I don’t have a lot of time, I’m supposed to be in the garden helping Henny arrange all the flowers,” he said proudly.
North supposed as the youngest, he was happy to be involved in whatever his siblings allowed.
West was the same way.
“Vali asked me to give you this.” Bo presented her with a box wrapped beautifully in blue spun silk, topped with a ribbon made of daisies. “He would’ve brought it himself, but he knew mother would be yelling at him from Valhalla if he were to see you before the ceremony.” A sad smile played at the edges of the young Elven’s face.
“Thank you, Bo,” she said, laying a hand on his arm and taking the gift from him. Her eyes stung at the way he was trying to remain strong.
“Right, well, I should go. See you soon, sister!” he exclaimed, the sorrow vanishing from his face. He left as quickly as he’d come.
North hugged the gift to her body and waited until the maids had finished her hair and her face. After dismissing them, she placed the beautiful box on the desk and slid the daisies off carefully, so as not to wreck them. When she unwrapped the silk with trembling hands, her heart racing in anticipation, a letter fluttered out.
My Queen,
Happy wedding day, reluctant bride. I hope this letter finds you and not an empty room. I fear that you have run off with one of my more tempting brothers or escaped on your own with your vast strength to keep you company. If this letter does find you, I wish you to know two things. First, I am very happy you have stayed. Though this was sudden and not at all what either of us pictured for our weddings, I am honoured to be your husband, your partner in crown. Second, I am sorry that because of the quick timeframe, we have not been able to carry out many of your Fae traditions. I can only imagine that you may not feel yourself in an Elven gown. To try to rectify that, I hope this gift offers you some semblance of home and familiarity. If I am incorrect in my assumptions, please feel no obligation to wear it. I will not be offended.
Your reluctant husband,
That did not come out right. Without seeing my face, you cannot know that I meant it with humour. Apologies.
Forever your servant, not a joke,
