Merecot felt a pang of guilt. In her obsession with Aratay, had she failed one of her basic duties to Semo?
Glancing at Hanna, Merecot thought of a way to sidestep the issue.So long as Jastra and I aren’t the only ones who know how to reach the grove,Idon’t have to choose a successor. If I die, it can be someone else’s problem.She smiled at the elderly ambassador. “You will accompany us when we leave the celebration. But you’d better prepare your guards to accept your absence—they aren’t invited to the after party.”
With that, Merecot pivoted and strode through the garden, fast enough that she was certain Hanna couldn’t follow her, not without assistance. She didn’t want to answer any questions. Besides, she had a wedding to plan.
Ambassador Hanna sat placidly in the center of her chambers as a courtier held up a necklace. “The Crown was given this necklace by the stonemason Herro, on behalf of the knights of Nimoc, in gratitude for the creation of their town. Queen Rakka carved their town within a mountain—it is said to have been the grandest collection of caves ever seen, until it collapsed in the Tragedy of Enneva Falls.” The necklace was an elaborate twist of gold, cradling sapphires and rubies.
“It’s beautiful,” Hanna said.
The courtier looked delighted at her assessment. “Wait until you see the Bracelet of Joy! It took three generations of jewelers to piece together, legend says, and the last jeweler was said to cry tears of blood as she finished, which is why the diamonds look as red as rubies.”
“That sounds lovely as well.”
As Hanna was dressed in even more jewels, the courtier told her a story for each, and seemed happier and happier with Hanna’s responses—Hanna had the sense she didn’t have an attentive audience often. When she finished, Hanna felt as if she were dressed in the history of Semo, which was nearly certainly the point. “You look beautiful!” the courtier gushed. Waving toward a servant, she had a mirror brought in front of Hanna.
I look elegant.Not at all like the strict headmistress of an elite academy. She looked as frivolous as any courtier. The gown was layers of blue and purple, falling over one another like petals of a just-bloomed flower. Her white hair had been twisted with so much gold that it sparkled like sunshine, and the jewels... It felt as if she were wearing the sky around her neck and on her arms. “Thank you.”
“You’re most welcome, Ambassador Hanna.” The lady dropped into a curtsy.
Guards opened the bedroom door to admit Champion Ven. He’d been dressed too, albeit with far fewer jewels. He still wore his green leather armor, but it had been cleaned and mended, and he wore a stiff shirt underneath it. He tugged at the collar as if it were strangling him. His beard had also been trimmed and neatened, and his hair was smoothed. Hanna repressed a smirk. “You look very handsome, Champion Ven.”
He snorted. “Let’s get this over with.”
She clucked her tongue. “That’s not the attitude for the groom on his wedding day.”
“They tried to tell me I couldn’t take my weapons.” He scowled at the nearest guard, as if it were his fault. The guard shrank back.
Hanna noted he still carried his sword. She supposed “tried” was the operative word. “Have you ever even been to a wedding?” she asked, torn between exasperated and amused.
“I thought we’d find a tree to stand under, say vows, and then kiss hard enough to embarrass everyone who’s watching.”
“You’re such a romantic.”
“She doesn’t want romance; she wants insurance.” He shook his head. “Forget I said that. Just nerves.” He moved behind her chair and pushed her forward. “I’m supposed to escort you.”
Hanna couldn’t help being amused as she looked back and up at him. This wedding was a stroke of diplomatic brilliance, but she knew that wasn’t why Naelin was doing it. “She loves you, you know.”
He tugged on his collar again. “I know that. Love her too. Hate this shirt.”
“Stop tugging on it. You’ll stretch it out.”
“That’s the idea.”
Flanked by guards in ceremonial armor, they processed through the castle. Queen Merecot had called on the spirits to decorate for the wedding in mere hours, and the results were spectacular: the castle looked like a cake, with ivory buntings instead of frosting and bouquets of jewels instead of fondant flowers. Hanna admired it, even as she thought it was all a bit ridiculous.
Every courtier had dressed in his or her finest as well, draped in jewels that undoubtedly all had their own stories and histories. The West Room had been chosen for the site of the wedding, but it had been transformed with lush red carpets everywhere and golden ribbons dangling from the arched ceiling. On a dais, Queen Naelin waited with her children beside her, both dressed in gold and silver. Hanna felt Ven slow, nearly forgetting to walk, much less push her, when the two queens came into view.
Queen Merecot was beautiful, of course, in a midnight-blue gown, with her hair with its white streak artfully arranged to gleam in the sunlight that poured through the high windows. But Queen Naelin had also been transformed into an elegant creature out of legend. She looked serene, dressed in an exquisite gown of pale green, the color of new leaves in the spring. She didn’t wear a single Semoian jewel but instead had living vines wrapped around her bare arms. The leaves were deep green, all except for one golden leaf at the hollow of her throat.
Hanna sighed happily.
Whatever the reason, however ridiculous the extravagance, this would count as the pinnacle of her career: facilitating the wedding of the Mother of Aratay to the Hero of the Forest and cementing peaceful relations between Aratay and Semo.
She cried a few polite, happy tears, along with everyone else when the couple exchanged their vows—heartfelt declarations of love, in voices that carried through the West Room—and she cheered with everyone else when Champion Ven and Queen Naelin kissed, elegantly, framed by the sun that poured through the windows.
Hanna was beside them with a perfect view as they turned to face the adoring crowd.
And the look on the bride’s face was such a perfect mix of joy and sorrow that it nearly broke Hanna’s heart.Oh spirits,Hanna thought as her cheers faded in her throat.She’s found her perfect happiness... and she’s just realized that tonight, in the grove, she might lose it.
