Page 53

The sky is a glorious mix of orange, pink, terracotta and blue as the sun sets over the far plains of Arywyth. Kes, Ailish, Barra, Aaran, the prince and I are gathered in front of the terrace and the recently arrived castle cleric is trying his best to hide his confusion.

“Good evening, Pater Aemon,” I greet him. “You have been called here this evening to perform the sacrament of marriage.”

“Good evening, Your Majesty,” he replies, as he visibly relaxes.

“I would usually undertake such a sacrament in the chapel. However, if you wish for it to be performed in your chambers then, as your most humble servant, I can, of course, acquiesce to such a request. Pray tell, which one of these couples wishes to marry?”

I step forward and extend my hand to the prince. “It is I who intends to marry,” I inform him, “and I am taking Prince Ronan of Ellerban as my husband.”

His mouth falls open as he looks from me to the prince and back to me again.

He tries to speak but nothing more than a strangled croak escapes his lips.

He shakes his head and clears his throat.

“Forgive me, my Queen,” he stutters, “but I thought you said it’s you who wishes to marry.

” He laughs nervously as if he has just uttered the most ridiculous idea ever.

“That’s exactly what she said,” Kes says in a firm voice as she steps closer to the cleric. “Now I suggest you grab whatever it is you need to perform the ceremony and get on with it.”

He looks at Kes in alarm. “B...b..ut, the Queen is promised to Lord Greythorne,” he declares. “How can she be marrying a prince of Ellerban? And where is this prince? Is this emissary his proxy?”

The prince steps forward. “I am Prince Ronan of Ellerban,” he announces, “and the rightful heir to its throne. I came to Ardvalla in the guise of an emissary as I wished to woo the queen free of any interference from her courtiers or mine. She wishes to make me her husband, therefore I suggest you do as she asks before she loses her patience with you.”

Pater Aemon simply gawps at the prince and after some seconds he looks at me and asks, “But what of Lord Greythorne?”

At this stage I lose my patience. The sky is darkening and as I spy the moon starting to rise I’m reminded of the fact Greythorne is already on his way to Valensia.

“If I were you, Pater Aemon,” I say in a sharp voice, “I would worry less about Greythorne and more about the wishes of the queen who stands before you.”

The sharpness of my voice has the desired effect and he nods vigorously.

“Yes. Yes, of course, my Queen,” he stutters, “please forgive me. This has all come as quite a shock.” He fumbles in his pocket and produces a silver realt, the blessed symbol signifying the north star, the star of truth and integrity and the one which we all look to for guidance.

Before he can do anything else, Aaran steps toward him. “And make sure the ceremony is short and sweet,” he says in a voice underscored with threat.

Pater Aemon looks into his crystalline eyes and nods even more vigorously than before, “Y...yes,” he stutters as he raises the realt in front of me and the prince.

“Queen Elinor are you here of your own free will and do you wish to enter into the sacred sacrament of marriage today with Ronan, the prince of Ellerban?” he asks.

“I am and I do,” I reply.

“Prince Ronan of Ellerban, are you here of your own free will and do you wish to enter into the sacred sacrament of marriage today with Elinor, Queen of Ardvalla?”

The prince smiles, no doubt recounting how he came to be here. “I am and I do,” he replies.

“Queen Elinor, do you take Ronan, Prince of Ellerban as your husband, agree to care for him in sickness and in health and to put him above all others?”

I look at the prince and my heart flutters as he smiles at me. “I do,” I reply.

“Ronan, Prince of Ellerban, do you take Elinor, Queen of Ardvalla as your wife, agree to care for her in sickness and in health and to put her above all others?”

“I do,” he replies as his smile broadens.

Pater Aemon raises the realt higher. “By the power invested in me by the gods, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Go forth, be true to each other and may your union be blessed with healthy and happy children.”

Prince Ronan turns to me. “In Ellerban we seal the marriage with a kiss,” he informs me as he places his lips on mine and kisses me deeply.

Kes and Ailish start to clap and as much as I’m enjoying the prince’s kiss, I’m keenly aware the last lips to touch mine belong to the two men standing on either side of my new husband.

He stops kissing me and whispers into my ear, “And I’m looking forward to properly sealing our union later. ”

Kes jumps between us before I can reply and takes me into a warm embrace. “Congratulations, Elinor,” she says in a throaty voice, “I hope your marriage is a long and happy one.”

“Thank you, Kes,” I reply as I tighten my arms around her.

Ailish is next. “Congratulations, my Queen,” she says as she gives me a warm hug.

I thank her and am just about to say something to Pater Aemon when Aaran steps in front of me, takes me into a hard embrace and places his lips on my cheek, dangerously close to my lips.

“Congratulations, Queen Elinor,” he says, as he crushes me to his chest and I don’t miss the possessive tightening of his arms or the searing intensity of his gaze as he releases me.

“Thank you, Aaran,” I reply and try to quell the frisson of desire that ripples through me at his possessive touch. I turn to focus my attention on the prince but instead I find Barra standing before me.

He smiles a warm smile and takes me into his arms. “Congratulations, Queen Elinor,” he says as he places a gentle kiss on my cheek.

Then his lips move swiftly to my ear. “Don’t forget, I am your most humble servant, ready to do your bidding anytime.

” Then he releases me, and I grab the prince’s hand in an effort to ground myself.

I desire Prince Ronan, of that there is no doubt, and I’m already looking forward to consummating our marriage.

However, I can’t deny the attraction I also feel for the other Ellerban men currently standing in my chamber and I don’t know how to reconcile that against the vow I just took to put my husband “above all others.”

“Congratulations to you both,” Pater Aemon says as he places his hands together and bows before me and the prince.

It’s obvious from his expression that despite the ceremony he just performed, he’s not really sure what’s going on.

“I shall take my leave and allow you your small celebration in private.”

I glance quickly at Kes and a pre-agreed understanding passes between us.

“Pater Aemon,” she purrs into his ear, “I’m afraid you need to come with me.

There is some business I wish to discuss with you.

” She throws her arm around his shoulders and leads him to the door, closely followed by Ailish.

May the gods bless him, but he looks truly confused and concerned as they lead him away.

“Where are they taking him?” the prince asks.

“He will be a guest of the Khaleeni for the next few days,” I reply, “at least until such a time as we wish to reveal our marriage.”

The prince smiles. “I’ve no doubt you have the timing of that announcement carefully planned.”

I smile in return. “Oh, of that you can be sure. It’s going to be rather special.”

He takes my hand and kisses its palm. “I believe with a wife such as you I need never worry about planning ever again for the rest of my days. You really are quite good at it.”

I smile and as I stand there surrounded by the only three men I have ever been intimate with, it strikes me that I have no plan and no idea how to deal with this situation.