Chapter 11

 

 

I contemplated searching for Percifal, but without knowing where he was, the very notion seemed impossible. I wouldn’t even know where to look for him. So I agreed to marry the duke of Cansbroke. A man I’d never met and wouldn’t until my wedding day. It wasn’t unheard of for a man and woman to have never met before marrying. Some parents arranged marriages for their sons or daughters in order to raise their status.

I didn’t understand why Thaimis hadn’t followed through with his plan. Nor could I comprehend how he could give me up so easily. He could have told me if he’d changed his mind about overthrowing King Zaeden. I was actually falling in love with him... I thought he’d felt the same way. Instead, he’d ripped my heart out. I tried my best to get over him, but I was miserable nonetheless.

King Zaeden had decided to put off the war until after my wedding, which was to be held in the summer. At least I felt like I was helping Sarantoa in a sense—whether or not I wanted to marry this unknown man.

My mother assured me my betrothed was kind and gentle. She’d met him at one of our balls and had been writing to him about me recently. She only had my best interest at heart, she repeatedly assured me of this. I tried not to be angry with her, but it was difficult. She was sending me away from my home.

I reluctantly agreed to let King Zaeden be the one to give me away at my wedding. I was appalled by the notion. My mother advised against declining him to my dismay. She was worried it would raise his suspicions about our part in Percifal’s disappearance. He still thought of me as family. That thought made me feel sick, but I didn’t want to cause my mother trouble, especially since I was going to be leaving her.

When spring had ended and summer began opening her warm arms to the land, Secily aided me in planning my wedding. She, herself, had been married the autumn before. She wore the same dress I’d seen her wear all those springs ago in the Looking Pool.

“Are you even excited to meet him?” she asked, blowing a strand of black hair off her face.

I swallowed one of the pieces of cake we were sampling before answering. “No. He’s taking me away from my home… away from you. I dread the day we meet.”

She made a sad face at me before replying, “Oh, Chel, I’ll miss you too! You won’t be all that far. We will see each other still. Besides, I hear he’s quite handsome—and kind.”

“At least there’s that.”

“It’s better than being married off to some cruel scoundrel.” She pouted dramatically.

“Of course, you’re right. What do you think of this cake?” I poked at the one we’d just tasted.

“I think it’s a winner.”

“Vanilla cream it is.”

She squealed and took another bite, closing her eyes at the sweet, delightful taste.

When it came to the dress, I let the seamstress decide on the material and design. I really didn’t care about this wedding and its details. I felt more like I was going to my own funeral than getting married.

I received a letter from the duke a few sunrises before the wedding.

 

Dearest Chelela,

I want you to know how happy you have made me by agreeing to this marriage. I know you do not know me yet, but perhaps you can learn to like or even love me someday. Your mother has told me all about you, and you sound like a wonderful woman. I hope I will make you happy.

With devotion,

Valron Michester,

Duke of Cansbroke.

 

P.S. I’m probably as nervous for our wedding as you are.

 

I folded the letter back up and stuffed it away. Well, Valron Michester, if only you knew, I thought. His words seemed kind, but I didn’t believe I was as lovely as Mother had made me out to be—quite the opposite actually. Also, I wasn’t nervous. Angry… depressed? Perhaps. He would soon find out what kind of woman he’d agreed to bind himself to.

He arrived the night before our wedding. I wasn’t to meet him, of course. It was bad luck to see one’s bride the night before a wedding, but I snuck a peek at him from my window when his carriage arrived. The carriage itself was white and trimmed with silver. His house’s emblem was painted on the doors in blue and grey.

I had a hard time making out his face. It was too dark in the torchlight, but I caught a flash of his broad shoulders as he exited the carriage. He wore a dark blue tunic with a silver belt and white breeches. From his clothing alone, I could tell he was of noble birth.

I let the curtain fall back as Mother entered my room.

“I’ve brought you some tea to help you rest.” She offered the porcelain cup to me.

“Thank you, Mother,” I grumbled. I’d prefer wine. I didn’t voice that thought.

“My dear,” she brushed my cheek and sat beside me. “I hope you know I’m doing what’s best for you. And I wouldn’t have you married to someone I didn’t think would be good to you.”

“I know.” I looked into my teacup, taking a long sip. It immediately warmed my belly.

“You will write to me from Cansbroke, won’t you?”

“Of course, but can’t I visit you?”

“I’d rather you not, at least not until this war is over.”

I closed my eyes, trying to shut out reality. “Is it really going to happen?”

“I’m afraid so. We can’t be sure when, but I’ve heard the king has been meeting with some of his soldiers. He’s preparing them for war.” She looked at me with sympathy. “When this is all over, you can visit as much as you’d like.”

I’d finished my tea but still held onto the empty cup.

She took the cup from me and rose. “Get some rest. You need to look beautiful for your special day tomorrow.”

“Anything for you, Mother,” I muttered.

She patted my hand and then left me to rest.

The tea did its job. I slept soundly. I daresay, without it, I would have tossed and turned all night long.

When I was woken the next day, everything became a blur. I had two bridesmaids to help prepare me for the day, plus Secily. I sat, staring at myself in the mirror. My eyes were empty as they braided my hair and powdered my face to make it appear even paler.

The dress they helped me into was made of indigo silk. The bodice was edged with brilliant diamonds. My seashell necklace was replaced with a silver one with sapphires; the earrings dangling from my ears were made to match.

Mother was waiting outside for me. She gasped at the sight of me. She was magnificent in a light blue gown and pearl jewelry. I rolled my eyes as she beamed at me, and we made our way to the gardens where the wedding was to be held.

King Zaeden came into view when we reached the gardens. He was dressed in his finest blue velvet robes and sapphire jewels. A magnificent crown sat on his head of dark, oiled curls, as if anyone would forget who was king. His face was radiant. No one would have guessed it was the face of a madman. I had never seen him look this well, even before the death of his queen. Maybe he had a point to prove to everyone.

Mother and I curtsied deeply before he held his arm out for me to take. Mother handed me off to him and joined my bridesmaids. I tried not to glower as I let him touch me.

“You look like a goddess, Chelela. The duke is a lucky man,” the king complimented. It was unwanted. I didn’t want his praise.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” I managed to sound genuine anyways.

“We will miss you.” His squeezed my arm against his body.

It took everything in me not to pull away. “I’ll miss being here,” I replied. Not a lie.

The music changed… our cue to start walking.

An aisle was made down the center of the many guests who sat in wooden chairs on the green grass. Blooming rose bushes surrounded the area, dotting the scenery with pink and white. Large slabs of rock had been placed at the front to act as a platform. Mother stood on one with my bridesmaids, and just to the side of them, Valron Michester waited. His indigo doublet with silver and diamond buttons matched my dress perfectly—too perfectly to be a coincidence. His wavy, shoulder-length, sable hair was combed off his forehead and tied at the nape of his neck. His piercingly light blue eyes lit up as he smiled at me. He wasn’t ugly—but he wasn’t Thaimis.

King Zaeden let go of my arm and found his place beside the duke when we reached the front. I tried to focus on Secily as one of Celestia’s priestesses rattled off the rights of marriage, but Valron’s stare kept drawing my eyes back to his. I took a few deep breaths to steady myself. When it came time for me to say my part, I caught sight of Thaimis. He stood toward the back of the crowd. As soon as our eyes met, he looked away. His face was like stone.

“Chelela?” the priestess asked softly.

Everyone was waiting for my answer. I had missed my cue. “Yes? Apologies.”

“Do you swear to our goddess, Celestia, to honour your vows of marriage?”

“Yes.” I didn’t hesitate, but the word rang hollow.

The priestess smiled pleasantly and had us join hands and raise them above our heads for everyone to see. The duke’s hand was smooth and free of callouses, a sign he led an easy life.

“Celestia blesses you both. You may kiss to seal your union,” the priestess said loud enough for everyone to hear.

My stomach dropped as Valron leaned toward me. I closed my eyes and waited for his lips. When they met mine, it was with a soft, closed mouth kiss. I was glad he wasn’t forceful.

The crowd cheered, and that was it. I was now the wife of Duke Valron Michester—and the Duchess of Cansbroke.

Arm in arm, Valron and I led the way to the great hall to begin the festivities.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, wife.” Valron said with a note of humour.

I chuckled softly. Really, I wanted to run and hide, but I managed to keep up my charade of calmness. “And you, husband.”

Now it was his turn to laugh. “I’m sorry we weren’t able to meet before the wedding. Your mother was adamant we wait until today.”

My brows drew downward. “Perhaps she thought I wouldn’t like you and would change my mind.”

“Those were my very thoughts on the matter. I hope I will prove her wrong.”

“I hope so too.”

At least his reputation about him being kind was true. I didn’t believe Mother would have insisted I marry him if he were cruel, although, she barely knew him herself.

The great hall was decorated with splashes of blue, white and silver. Servants came around with trays as guests began to fill the hall. We were offered a variety of fruits and cheeses. Goblets of white wine were filled and passed around. A great deal of effort had gone into this celebration. Too bad I couldn’t have enjoyed it, but it seemed to me we were all celebrating my departure.

People approached me to offer their congratulations and well wishes. I accepted them all with grace. It was easy to slip behind a mask of joy.

“What a beautiful wedding… a shame your brother cannot be here to celebrate with you,” King Zaeden commented, tilting his head and searching my face with eyes that held no warmth.

I squeezed the goblet I held in my hand so tight I thought it might shatter. “Yes, Your Majesty, I do miss him. I wish he were here now.” I pasted a smile on my face and looked straight into his probing stare.

The king, still keeping his eyes on me, replied, “I see…”

I curtsied. “Your Majesty.” I excused myself before I could say something I’d regret.

Fuming, I wasn’t watching were I was going and almost walked right into Thaimis. Great, this day just keeps getting better and better.

He stood rigid.

“Er, sorry,” I apologized awkwardly.

“I was actually looking for you.”

“Oh?” Maybe he’d come to his senses. Please take me away from here.

“I wanted to offer my congratulations and wish you luck with your marriage.” The words fell from his mouth like mud. There was no emotion behind them.

I placed my hands on my hips. I’d had enough of pretending to be happy. “Oh really? You do? You wish me all the luck in the world? So that I may live a wonderful life being the wife of a duke I’ve just met? Well, take your congratulations and throw it to the hounds!”

He blinked slowly. I thought he might answer, but then he turned and strode away.

I stared after him, fuming like a stoked fire. Why would nothing get through to him? It was as though he wasn’t even the same person anymore. He lacked all the jovialness and passion I had begun to fall in love with.

The musicians took up a soft ballad and I was pulled from my thoughts by my new husband’s words. “I believe it’s up to us to start the dancing.” He offered his hand.

I gathered myself and put my mask back on. Smiling at Valron, I let him lead me to the dance floor.

I had to admit, he was a good dancer. I let him guide me through the motions of the dance.

I managed to get through the rest of the celebration without seeing Thaimis. Perhaps he’d retired early. I was grateful for it. Unfortunately, King Zaeden still lurked about, watching his subjects like a hawk watched its prey. I did my best to ignore his presence.

When the feasting and dancing were over, and my feet had blisters, it was time to retire to our bedchamber. Tomorrow, Valron and I would be travelling to Cansbroke—my new home. Tonight, I would be staying in the guest chamber that was prepared for Valron inside the palace.

The thought of lying with this man I barely knew made me feel ill. I didn’t know if I could do it… not yet. I’d only been with one other person in such a way, and he’d betrayed me.

After one of the maids assisted me with preparing for bed, helping me out of my gown and undoing my hair, I curled up on the edge of the mattress.

Valron came in shortly after. As he settled in underneath the covers, he chuckled to himself. “Don’t worry, wife. I won’t make you do anything you’re uncomfortable with. Get some sleep. I want you to be well rested for our travels home tomorrow.”

I relaxed a little, and soon enough, the sound of his soft snores filled the room. After I was finished feeling sorry for myself for the night, I fell asleep too.