Page 5

Chapter five

I marched through the great hall of the castle with a bag hoisted over my shoulder. I made sure to plaster on my smug and arrogant mask as the members of the court followed me with their eyes. Leenia, Evinee, and Zerrial followed closely behind, their scornful demeanors on display for all to see.

Therosi Servi and his father Revenor were in a casual conversation with a few other high lords and ladies. I stopped behind them, clearing my voice to get their attention. They turned towards me, their smiles falling into disappointment and rage.

“Ambassador Lyklor,” said Revenor, nodding towards me.

“How was your night of silence?” added Therosi. “How did the princess fare against the great Erendrial Lyklor?”

I smirked, pulling the bag from my shoulder, and dropping it to their feet with a plop. The four attackers’ heads rolled from the bag, blood pooling around them. The other lords and ladies gasped, taking a step back.

“Any of these fellows look familiar to the two of you?” I asked.

They brought their faces up to mine; disgust flared behind their eyes.

Revenor’s face went red as he tried to control himself. “We’ve never seen these males, Ambassador Lyklor. It would appear you have more enemies than you know what to do with,” he replied.

I gave a faint laugh. “Really? You’ve never seen these males? Either of you? That’s funny, because one of them had this around his neck,” I said, tossing Therosi the pendant.

“Obviously someone is trying to frame us, Father,” said Therosi in a calm and mocking tone. “We would never lift a hand against the future king of Doonak. No matter how lowborn he is.”

I strode up to Therosi, trying to remain calm. I got into his face, causing his body to tense with discomfort.

“Oh, Therosi. Are you that much of a sore loser? I mean, I guess the whole court did witness your failure. I would say I can relate, but I can’t, as I was the one that beat you. How humiliating that must have been. Losing to a lowborn bastard like me,” I said, clicking my tongue against my teeth.

“You cheated,” Therosi growled between his teeth. “Somehow, you rigged the challenges in your favor. There is no way you could ever beat me on an even playing field. You will die before you ever sit on the throne of Doonak. Mark my words.”

His father put a hand on his shoulder to stop him from saying more. “Ambassador Lyklor, please excuse my son’s fit of rage. As I am sure you can understand, he is still very disappointed he will not have the honor of claiming the princess as his wife. I believe my son has come to care for her over the past few months,” said Revenor calmly.

I turned my eyes back to Therosi and smiled. “Yes, I can only imagine the jealousy you must be feeling. Imagining all that power, underneath another male,” I said, baiting him for another explosion. I was taking a page from Gen’s book, getting my enemy to display their instabilities in front of the court, like she had done with Lady Calavi.

“Well, looks like someone has made a mess,” came Gen’s voice as she appeared next to us.

I closed my eyes and tensed, knowing she heard the comment about bedding her for power. I was only trying to get a rise out of Therosi, but she would take the comment as more proof that she couldn’t trust me.

“Princess Genevieve,” said Revenor. “It appears there was an attack on your betrothed today. We were just discussing who had the motive to orchestrate this act.”

Therosi looked at her with lust in his eyes.

Gen turned to me and smiled. “Are you well, Ambassador Lyklor?” she asked casually.

“I am, princess, thank you for your concern,” I replied formally.

“I will have additional guards placed around you until the ceremony tonight. We can’t have my future husband beheaded before he makes it to the altar, now can we? The servants have spent too much time on my dress. It would be a waste,” she said, turning to leave.

I turned back to Therosi, leaning into his ear. “Stay the hell away from my wife,” I whispered, gritting my teeth together, restraining myself from stopping his heart right then and there.

I spent the rest of the day by myself. I still couldn’t believe that I was going to be married: something I had sworn to myself I would never do. I laughed, thinking back on the male I used to be. It wasn’t that long ago that I would have hung myself for even considering what I was about to do.

I had one more thing to gather before the ceremony this evening. I made my way into the city to the jeweler. I had placed my order the same night I had been announced as Doonak’s future king. I slid the small box into my pocket and went back to my room.

The servants entered my room and began to prepare for the ceremony. They dressed me in a flawless black wool suit with satin trim, tailored pants, and shiny black boots. They trimmed my hair and cleaned the base of my neck.

A servant was about to finish off my tie when a knock came at the door. It was Evinee. She smiled at me as the servants gathered their materials and left. I stood in front of the mirror, finishing the knot of my tie. She made her way over, taking the tie from my hands and securing it to my neck. She took a step back and smiled as she looked me over.

“You look very handsome,” she said, brushing her hands down the front of my jacket.

“Really? I was going more for sexy and dashing,” I said playfully.

She laughed at me before her expression shifted to discomfort. She dropped her eyes from mine, biting the side of her lip anxiously.

“What is it? What’s going on?” I asked.

She hesitated. “Are you sure you want to go through with this? I mean, I know you both have been through a lot together, but she doesn’t deserve you, Eren.”

“I’m the one that doesn’t deserve her,” I admitted.

She smacked her lips together in annoyance, stepping away from me.

“When did you develop such a bad taste for the princess?” I inquired.

“I don’t dislike her, I … I just don’t think she’s right for you. The way she’s been treating you, even though you’ve done everything to keep her safe. You’ve risked everything for her, and she is still torturing you. I just—” She stopped, taking a deep breath.

“You what?”

“I just want you to know that you have other options. She isn’t the only one that could make you happy,” she said slowly, raising her eyes to mine.

I fought to keep my mouth from falling open in shock. Evinee had never displayed her emotions before. She never showed interest in anyone. Even when we had slept together, it was always evident that it was only sex.

I took a step towards her, reaching my hands to both of her arms. “Evinee, where is this coming from?”

“The thought of you bound to someone that doesn’t care for you kills me, Eren. I always thought that eventually, someday, we’d find our way to each other. Then, she showed up and a year later you’re about to tie your life to hers forever. I’m not afraid of you. I know who you are, and I accept you completely. There is not a part about you that I don’t admire.

“I want to be that female for you. I want to be the one you love. I know you care about me. When we are together, there is something between us that I’ve yet to feel with another. Just give us a chance. Call off the wedding and give me a chance. I promise you; I can make you happy.” Desperation laced every word.

“Evinee, you’re right. I do care about you, and I always will. Our times together were special and unforgettable, but … I don’t feel for you what I do for her. I am sorry, but she is who I want. Who I need,” I said as kindly as possible.

A small tear fell from her eye. I took her into my arms.

“Whoever you end up with will be one of the luckiest males in the world.”

“You’re making a mistake,” she whispered.

“But it is my mistake to make, if it is indeed that.”

She nodded, pulling away from my touch. “I guess the next time we speak I’ll be speaking to the crowned prince,” she said with a light laugh.

“Weird, right?” I let a moment pass while she stood in front of me uncomfortably. “Evinee, you mean more to me than you realize. I hope you know that. I will always be there for you.”

“Yeah, just not in the way I want,” she said before leaving my room.

I took a deep breath, trying to push what just happened from my mind. I got the small wooden box out of the drawer and slid it into my pocket. It was time to bind my life to Gen’s … forever.

I stood at the top of the platform as the court members took their seats. A black runner lined the aisle, with six pillars of red roses stretching towards the dark magic that danced along the ceiling. Candles and bright balls of starlight were scattered throughout the throne room. Large beams of yellow light lining the walls. Diamonds suspended in the air twirled and refracted the light. Flower arrangements with gold vases garnished every table, and gold serving ware decorated the place settings. The court members looked extravagant. I looked for the king, but I couldn’t find him. Usually, he would have been waiting on the platform with the groom.

The lights dimmed as a beautiful orchestra of stringed instruments began to strum softly. Off to the side, my family smiled back at me—except Evinee. Levos, Gen’s friend and ambassador from the light court, and Vena, Gen’s cousin, were on the opposite side of the aisle. Levos glared up at me like he wanted to rip my head from my shoulders.

The two large doors to the throne room opened. Lily made her way down the aisle. She wore a beautiful white thin lace dress. Her hair was half up with flowers adorning the small braids and she held a bouquet. Her eyes caught Zerrial’s and beamed at the very sight of him. He gave a small laugh and smiled back at her with pride.

She took her place off to the side of the platform as Gen and the king graced the threshold. As she descended the aisle, white rose petals began to fall from the sky like snow. She wore a stunning black lace dress that hugged every curve of her body perfectly. It covered her arms, shoulder, and neck. I didn’t have to see the reverse side of her dress to know it revealed the length of her bare back. A long train flowed behind it. A small opening at her chest revealed her cleavage.

Diamonds sewn into the fabric made it look like she was a living star. Her hair was pinned back away from her face in loose curls with a diamond crown adorning her head. Diamond earrings fell from her small, pointed ears. She had a bright red lip, and silver dust softly covered her face. She held a bouquet of red roses. She was perfect.

Her father escorted her down the aisle just as the human custom called for. He held onto her tightly and smiled with pride; something I had rarely seen the king do. They made their way towards me, and I couldn’t help but smile down at her. This beautiful female was to be mine. Her heavy eyes looked back at me. She didn’t smile or reveal a single emotion. I extended my hand to her as the priestess made her way to the platform. The king stood off to the side. Gen took my hand, joining me on the platform.

I realized then that, even though the dress was stunning, I wouldn’t be able to see my imprint on her lovely skin. Dark alfar brides usually made sure their gowns revealed their bodies where the imprint would appear. She knew this tradition. She had to. Did she choose to cover up to punish me? To protest the marriage? I pushed the thought out of my head. Even though I was disappointed, I still had cause to celebrate. I would be her husband, and she would be my wife.

I took a deep breath and grinned at her. She handed Lily her flowers and then turned her attention to the priestess. The officiant began to read scripts from the book of Azeer. She gave him thanks for the union and our power. Each court member in the throne room slit their hands, allowing their blood to flow freely to the floor. The priestess began her magic, drawing the blood around us in a circle. It symbolized the union of our race and our kingdom.

We knelt in front of each other while the priestess continued her prayers and wrapped our hands in a black silk ribbon. When we approached the end of the ceremony, I signaled to the priestess to give me a moment.

Gen looked from her to me with suspicion. I chuckled at her paranoid brain. I pulled the small wooden box from my pocket and opened it in front of her. I had designed the wedding ring myself. The band was silver and lined with small black diamonds. The large stone in the setting was the same emerald shade as her eyes. It was shaped into a seven-pointed star.

I pulled it from the box and took her left hand. She looked shocked and taken off guard, which was what I had hoped for. Her hand shook while I slid the ring onto her finger. It was out of the norm for alfar. We didn’t wear wedding rings, but the female I was marrying was part human. I loved that side of her and wanted to honor it.

I leaned into her ear and whispered so only she could hear. “With this ring I take thee, Genevieve Drezmore, to be my beautiful wife. To have and to hold from this day forward. For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer. In sickness and in health, to love and to cherish from this day on. I give myself to you completely and take you as you are. Perfect in every way.” I pulled away and looked into her eyes, hoping to see a sign of love, but she dropped her attention to her hand and just stared at the ring.

The king brought forward our marriage contract. We slit our palms and signed our names to the parchment that would bind us together forever. I took her hand in mine while our blood mixed and accepted one another’s commitment. Now that the contract was solidified, a faint golden light reached across from me to Gen.

It illuminated her shoulder as my imprint transferred to her body. She looked down at her left shoulder for a moment while the light danced underneath the dress. I so desperately wanted to pull back the fabric so I could see how it looked on her beautiful sun-kissed skin. I wanted to drag my fingers along the lines. I wanted proof that she was officially, finally mine, but nothing was visible. She had made sure of that.

The priestess ended with a few final prayers. I leaned in to kiss her. I knew it would make her uncomfortable, but it was custom. I took her lips with mine and gently pressed against her.

A black fog descended from the dark magic on the ceiling. It surrounded us as we stood in the center of the court’s blood circle. The power was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It was raw, wild, and pure. We pulled away from each other and looked into the haze. It was like standing in the middle of a lightning storm. I smiled, turning my eyes to her. She too was smiling while she took in the phenomenon.

The court gasped and clapped at the display of power. This had never happened before during a wedding ceremony. I didn’t know if it was because she had the Dark Flame, or if it was a sign that Azeer agreed with the union.

I held onto her hand as we turned to face the court. They clapped and cheered while they looked upon the future king and queen of Doonak. I turned back to the king and knelt before him. Gen went to his side and took the crown that lay in a box. The metal was silver and shaped into flames, with diamonds inlaid throughout the surface. A green stone that matched Gen’s eyes sat in the center.

Gen placed the crown on my head gently before I brought my eyes to hers. Her eyebrow was raised, and her lips were pressed together. The king stepped up next to her and smiled, draping a band of jewels and silver around my neck. I stood up and turned back to the court as Gen took my hand.

“Kneel before the future king and queen of Doonak,” said the king with pride. “Princess Genevieve Drezmore and Prince Erendrial Valor Lyklor.”

The courts bowed to us. Bowed to me. For the first time in my life, I was higher than anyone that sat at court. I had done this. I had earned this, and someday, I would be their king.

I smiled, looking over to Gen. She was studying me while I basked in the glory. I tightened my grip around her hand, but she didn’t respond. She turned her focus back to the court as they stood to their feet with respect.

The rest of the night, the court feasted, drank, sang, and danced. The members were free with themselves, throwing formalities out of the window for one night. Each house paid their respect to us while we sat upon our thrones. My family stayed close, just in case anyone tried anything.

Icici made her way to the front and gave a deep curtsy before she stood, looking from me to Gen.

“Congratulations on the marriage, cousin,” she said with a forced smile.

“Thank you, Icici,” Gen replied with a nod.

“I couldn’t help but notice your dress does not allow your new imprint to be seen by the court,” added Icici. “Were you unaware of the tradition?”

Gen gave her a small smile before responding. “I am aware of the tradition, yes,” replied Gen.

Icici turned her eyes to me. She always knew exactly where to apply pressure. “It’s an honor for a husband to see the imprint on their wife’s body. Most married females design their whole wardrobes around the print, but I guess I can understand your resistance. I would be embarrassed to wear the imprint of a lowborn on my body for all to see.” She turned and left without another word.

I felt my pride take another hit. Was Gen embarrassed by me? Is that why she had covered it up? I saw Oz grab onto Evinee’s waist as she lunged towards Icici, ready to take her head off. The others looked at me with pity smiles, trying to be reassuring, but it was no use. I stayed quiet for the rest of the night.

After the celebration, I went back to my room and changed into more comfortable attire before making my way to her chamber. Even though nothing was going to happen, we still needed to make the others believe it had. If we didn’t appear to be trying for an heir, the houses would presume us weak and take matters into their own hands.

I knocked on the door. Atalee, Gen’s attendant, appeared on the other side in a matter of moments. She bowed and allowed me to enter before leaving. Gen was in a long, silk nightgown with a robe covering the rest of her exposed skin. She stood on the balcony looking up at her stars. I made my way over and stood by her quietly.

“You looked beautiful tonight,” I finally said.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

“Besides the groom, was the wedding everything you hoped it would be?”

“I had my best friend by my side and my father to walk me down the aisle. The room was beautiful. Yes, I would say it was almost perfect.”

I felt another twinge of pain, knowing I was what made the day imperfect. I turned towards her, taking in her beauty. Her light was slowly but surely growing again. It didn’t flicker out as often anymore.

“Do you like the ring?” I asked.

“It was … unexpected,” she said, finally turning towards me.

“Silver for my eyes, green for yours,” I replied, taking her hand in mine while running my thumb over her ring. She pulled away uncomfortably.

On the left side of her neck, a small black marking stuck up from underneath the fabric. The beginning of my imprint. I reached for the collar of her robe, making sure my skin didn’t touch hers. I had to see it. I had to know what it looked like on her. I pulled gently at the material, but her hand stopped me before I could see any more. I let my hand fall along with my face.

“You hate me that much?” I asked her.

She turned away without a word. I heard the pocket doors to her bedroom open. Tryverse Feynar, the male who I had found holding Gen a few days prior, walked towards us. Gen turned and smiled at him softly.

“What is this?” I asked, feeling territorial.

“It’s been ten minutes. Long enough for the court to believe we’ve done our marital duties. You may leave,” she said.

I looked back at Tryverse. He would get to see my mark before I did. He was going to touch her. To lay with her. On our wedding night.

“Gen, please. Can we just talk for a moment?” I asked.

“That won’t be necessary. Please leave, Prince Lyklor,” she ordered with hostility.

Tryverse smiled at me before he locked his eyes onto her. I took one more look at my princess as my heart broke. I turned and left my wife in the arms of another male.