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She called and Sassi emerged. “Follow us, Sassi.”
“Yes, Princess.”
“Has your bot changed?”
“Yes. New eyes and other things. I will tell you it all after this ceremony.” There, she’d set a date for her confession. Eeep.
He clicked his fingers. “I knew it. There were eye stalks before.”
“Yes. Remind me if I forget to tell you.”
Did her voice tremble? Drake sent her an odd glance.
The coach rattled through the streets flanked by cavalry, but less men than usual. Down to the lower city they went and for once she felt safer here than in the upper city. Mauleons were not Drake’s enemy. Humans with hostile intentions would never dare invade here.
He helped her from the coach when it halted and before her loomed a wide stone building, several stories high. Only a carved oval feature above the entry, with an inscription in archaic mauleon language, hinted at something unusual.
“What does that say?” she asked softly as they walked up the stairs to the entry. “Abandon hope all ye who enter?”
“Close.” Drake’s lips twitched. “Once we get through the next door you’re to halt while I make adjustments to your clothing, and to you.”
Clutching her silver cloak to her body, she regarded him from the corner of her eyes. So mysterious, and she’d bet he’d done that deliberately.
“Are you trying to frighten me?”
“Of course.” His dark eyebrows waggled. “It makes your nipples go all erect.”
“Shhh!” Alarmed the guards behind them might hear, she decided to be silent until they passed through the next set of enameled black doors.
Past those was a small foyer with an attendant ready to hang their coat and cloak. Beyond, a room opened out. A table with twenty or so chairs ran the length of the room, from left to right, where three shallow steps climbed to a dais. Most of the chairs were occupied by mauleons. A few were watching her and Drake’s entrance. On the dais, light gray cloth draped over a square—Was that a bed?
Oh, no. Not for them, surely?
“Queen-to-be Calliope?” The female mauleon had her hand out. Clearly, she waited for the cloak.
Though reluctant to expose herself, Calli took a breath then allowed Drake to pull the cloak from her. The attendants here wore blue uniforms. The guests seemed to be in more somber colors. Drake was in black and gray. Other couples sat or stood and chatted. None wore anything quite as revealing as her dress.
“Are you sure I should be dressed like this?” She gestured at the dress.
“You will be fine in this.” He took her arm and walked her a few steps forward where a large golden pillow waited on the floor. “Kneel here. We are the guests of honor, my princess. Though the ceremony is normal for when a high mauleon takes a new mate, tonight is especially significant. The mauleons worry that I subjugate myself to you by not declaring myself king. For the sake of peace, I hold back from that.” He waited, looking at her. “Think.”
Kneel?
This night she must give herself to him. She was declaring to his people that she held the lesser power in the relationship. Well then. The Dywins were arrogant, he’d once said.
She’d done this before, just not before others.
With a steadying mantra, Calli drew serenity upon herself and kneeled. Then she looked to Drake.
The room quietened and all turned to watch the spectacle. Though she rather hoped spectacle was the wrong word.
Drake raised his hands at his sides, palm uppermost. “I thank you for coming to this union of I, Drake Gessfangen and Queen-to-be Calliope Dywin.”
The crowd cheered though it seemed a weak and almost expectant cheer, as if more was to come.
When Drake turned to her, she steeled herself.
“Do not fear, my love.”
