Page 134 of His Realm

“Listen,” she told him, making me chuckle. “We waited centuries for you to show everyone else what we saw, so give it a second to sink in.”

“I love this journey for you,” I told him.

Cirillo growled good-naturedly, then quickly stepped behind me, where Keres and Dae-Jung were standing, and hugged Keres. They had bonded during our time in Ophir, and he had recovered enough, I’d been told, to keep both she and Carice safe during the fighting with Decimus and his forces. Now, she had an open invitation to visit him whenever she was able.

Once he moved on, Keres stepped back behind me, as that was where I’d wanted my courtiers to stand—meaning her and Dae-Jung—and then to the left of them, Brenna and Kamari, who were in their dress uniforms for the ceremony, the deep crimson of the house of Maedoc. I loved the color, but Hadrian had told me unequivocally no. There would be no leathers made in that color.

Carice came dressed in beautiful pale-blush brocade, looking regal, and I told her so when her hand was in mine.

“Thank you, my consort,” she said, looking stunned, and I squeezed her hand. Chryos hugged me, which I didn’t expect but really liked. He would remain Varic’s nephew, proudly carrying on in Cassius’s name. I was happy about that, and so was Varic.

Alrek came through with one of the noble ladies of Ophir. Her face was hidden under a veil, and she was afraid to touch me, but when I offered my hand, after a moment, she took it in hers.

“With the blood of the senior builder running through your veins, I have no doubt that you will soon be restored, lady.”

“Thank you, my consort,” she whispered, clutching Alrek’s arm.

When he offered me his hand, I took it briefly but smiled. Much like Carice, I couldn’t imagine us ever being friends, him even more so, but he was helping Varic to rebuild Ophir, so I couldn’t fault him for his attempt at atonement. Second chances were a good thing, and everyone deserved forgiveness. But it could be Varic’s; it didn’t have to be mine. I wasn’t a saint, after all.

I enjoyed hearing the chatter around me, the nobles surprised that the prince had Hadrian and Tiago stand at his side instead of his cousin or a duke or an earl. People wanted to know all about Ode, and so many stood with her longer than they should have in the receiving line. Zev was utterly mobbed, and Ode had to actually lean in close, take his arm, and tell people that it was best not to keep the king waiting.

“My thanks, lady,” he told her, and she put her hand on his cheek. Apparently, all the women in my life wanted to mother my ex-champion.

In the ballroom, there were goblets of spiced blood for everyone, and when Varic and I were called to the center of the floor, we began the waltz. I had practiced with Tiago and Isabella, and lastly Varic, so I was ready and didn’t trip over my feet.

“Look at you, gliding over the floor,” he teased me as I counted the steps in my head.

“If you’re thinking that yes, I want to consummate my marriage tonight, I suggest you don’t tease me right now.”

He laughed loudly, pulled me closer, and kissed the side of my neck, which did nothing for my concentration, only covering me in goose bumps.

I danced stiffly with the king, telling him I didn’t want to embarrass him.

“You could never embarrass me, Jason. You have my heart.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” I replied, so relieved when we changed partners, the king dancing with Varic, and me with the queen.

I held on tight to Isabella, and her smile lit her eyes. “I love you so,” she whispered.

“Rightbackatcha, lady,” I teased, grinning wildly.

Everyone heard her laugh; it was such a good sound.

When I was back in Varic’s arms, he traded me off to Ode, and then the two of us quietly moved away, the crowd parting easily, until we got to the stairs.

“Oh my God, you cannot leave your own wedding reception,” she scolded me.

I whimpered. “I have to eat before I pass out.”

She gripped my arm tight. “Yes. Please. I didn’t want to be a whiner, but you know, there’s no buffet at this thing, just lots and lots of wine, and I need food.”

“It’s blood,” I told her. “Not wine.”

“Yeah, okay, that makes more sense. I was wondering about that.”

I snickered, and we were going to start up the stairs together, when I glanced around and saw that Merikh was there. She smiled when I spotted her.

“Hey,” I greeted her. “You don’t have to be here. Varic cleared the whole palace so everyone could––”