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That doesn't explain why there's no soul in the entire domain.
I let my instincts guide me. They rarely lead me astray these days. At long last, I reach the inner gardens, and see that all of my family's seated on the grass.
"There you are."Valina joins me on one side, as Estelle rushes to take my arm on the other. "We were wondering how long it would take you to find us."
I notice that the simple sheath dress I'd been wearing moments ago has morphed, turning sheer in places, blue and silver, with touches of green. It's quite beautiful, and goes really well with the parure I rarely ever remove these days—though I don't wear the diadem.
"You were looking for me? I figuredI wasn't invited to this party," I tease.
"Don't be ridiculous." Valina's nose wrinkles. "All right, you and I have to talk.I know I said I wouldn't arrange marriages for my descendants. My own clan forced me into mine, and it ended with a very sharp arrow into my late husband's heart."
"That he got from a hunting trip," Alessandre says out loud, lifting his glass in a silent salute to the dead guy.
We all laugh, aware that in that saidhunting tripValina's dearly departed was the prey. He deserved it, though.
"That said, it dawned on me that you might need a little push in the right direction. You have a big heart, and hurting others almost broke you, sweetheart. When he came to ask for your hand, I told Reiks he could have it so long as he pulled you out of the funk."
I glare at our matriarch. "And my opinion doesn't count, does it?"
"Of course it does, sweet. And as it happens, it aligns with mine: this boy is a fine gentleman, and will make you a lovely husband. It doesn't hurt that he's king of an enemy nation."
She's impossible. "I knew you were going to salivate over that."
"Whatever it takes to keep my family safe. Now, you'd better go join your boy. What sort of a wedding would it be if the bride didn't walk to the groom?"
I stare at her, dumbfounded, then I spot Reiks seated under an arch blooming with bright red flowers.
Oh, god.
I rush to him. "Let's run away. They've all lost their freaking minds." He laughs, but he doesn't seem inclined to move, so he doesn't get the gravity of the situation. "This is a wedding ceremony!" I hiss.
"I'm well aware. Your mother prepared it all. We'll have to have a ceremony at my home, of course, but I figured you might enjoy something simpler with your family first."
"You didn't propose!" I remind him. "Why are we getting married out of the blue?"
"Well, I could have proposed, but that would have given you a chance to say no." He smirks, rather delighted with himself. "Sit. I have something for you."
"Is it a dose of freaking sanity? We've known each other for weeks!"
"And I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you."He lifts an objecttucked behind the arch. A beautiful glass cup with intricate golden filigree.
I laugh. I can't help it. "The regalia."
"I did make you pay for it. It's only right that it becomes yours."
As if on cue, Valina advances and pours golden wine inside it. I only have moments to realize what Natheran is doing. "I, King Natheran Reiks the Seventh of Anderkan, swear to care for, love, honor, and protect you until my last breath and beyond, Alis."
The crowd cheers, some of them clapping. At a glance, I notice it's not just us Frejr or inhabitants of the Darklands: Zale's here, with a girl I recognize next to him. I think I spot Rovan of Flaur, too.
Nath brings the cup to his mouth, binding his words with the ancient goblet his ancestor used thousands of years ago. He's serious. He's done it. Made me his all over again.
He hands me the goblet, and there's only one thing I can do. I swear and I drink. What's a binding promise? I know Reiks is mine, and I will keep him until the end of forever.
No matter the cost.
