From Darkness Won Part 68

The king's chambers. I think you will like it.

Is there an open place where I can practice my leg sweep on you?

He chuckled. As a matter of fact, there is.

Excellent. I shall bid you farewell, then, Achan. Please let go of my mind so I can sleep, or I will have no energy for leg sweeping tomorrow.

We mustn't have that. Sleep well, Vrell Sparrow. Until the c.o.c.k crows.

Until then. Good night.

Achan fought the temptation to remain in her bedchamber and watch her sleep. After tonight, he would never be parted from Sparrow again.

He returned to his body and stared at the organza canopy above his bed. He could never rest now without help, so he reached out for Shung's mind, heard the man's heavy snoring, and relaxed, drugged by his Shield's deep sleep.

Averella could not breathe. "That is too tight!"

"Once more and I will be done." Lady Coraline Orthrop pulled the ties of Averella's corset again.

Averella swore she heard a rib crack. "I will not be able to walk."

"Pish posh. A corset does not affect your legs."

"If my brain can only think of the pain and lack of air, it will not have time to tell my legs to move."

"You are terribly dramatic, Averella. How ever will the king put up with you?"

"The same way every man finds a way to put up with his wife, I suppose. Are not all women dramatic at times?"

"Just you remember to show him respect."

"Oh, he knows I respect him. But how will a tight corset matter? I can tell you now he cares little for these things."

Lady Coraline smiled. "He may think he cares little now, but once he sees you in it, I have no doubt he will ask you to wear it again."

Averella rolled her eyes. "All the more reason he never see me in it. Then he will not be disappointed when I burn it."

"At least you will not have to wear it for long."

Lady Coraline's singsong tone brought a flush to Averella's cheeks, but she held her tongue. The less she reacted, the less Lady Coraline would provoke her.

"Let's get your dress on now." Lady Coraline gathered the sides of Averella's wedding gown and held it down on the floor. "Step in."

Averella put a hand on Lady Coraline's shoulder and stepped into the gown. Lady Coraline pulled it up, twisted it the right direction, then helped Averella get her arms into the sleeves.

Averella had to admit, the gown was lovely, even if the waist was two sizes too small. The dress was all blue, as blue symbolized purity, peace, loyalty, and trust.

It had a fitted bodice, long fitted sleeves, and a flowing skirt made of pale blue brocade heavily embroidered with golden thread and pearls. Embroidered blue brocade accented the gown with a cuff around each upper arm, an inlay on the top of the bodice, and a loose belt that dangled in front.

Mother said Achan would be wearing blue as well. Averella could not wait to see him.

Once Lady Coraline had laced up the gown, Syrah fetched the matching blue cape that was lined in gold satin. It attached with two sapphire brooches that clipped to the front of the dress just below each shoulder, allowing the cape to drape off the shoulders and trail on the ground. A third sapphire brooch clipped onto the belt in the center front.

Lady Coraline had already attacked Averella's hair. It was down, as a bride's hair usually was for her wedding. But Lady Coraline had curled much of it with an iron rod that was still perched in the embers of the fireplace.

Now that Averella was dressed, Lady Coraline set a gold circlet on Averella's head. It was encrusted with sapphires and rubies-a gift from Achan that had belonged to his mother.

Lady Coraline attached a two-layer white organza veil to the circlet then turned Averella to face a full-length mirror. "There now. It is not trousers, but it is blue."

"It makes me look as though I have a figure."

"You look radiant, and you do have a figure."

"If only something could be done for my voice."

"The prince loves you as you are, so you told me. You would not be you with another woman's figure or voice." Lady Coraline peered over Averella's shoulder and met her gaze in the mirrorgla.s.s. "Are you ready, my dear?"

"As ready as a girl can be on her wedding day, I suppose."

"Are you frightened about the ceremony?"

"No."

"About the celebration?"

"No."

"About tonight?"

Averella turned her head and met Lady Coraline's eyes. "I am nervous, but not afraid."

"You are fortunate to be marrying someone you love."

Averella looked back at her reflection in the mirrorgla.s.s and sighed. "I know."

A pressure squeezed in on Averella's mind and her mother said, It is time, dearest. Are you ready?

Yes. "Mother is coming," she said to Lady Coraline.

Lady Coraline scowled. "I hate it when you do that. You and your mother and your bloodvoices."

"And my husband."

Lady Coraline rolled her eyes. "Yes, child. Your children will likely have it too. What ever will I do?"

"Get used to it."

Achan couldn't breathe. It wasn't the layers of blue silk and velvet he was wearing, though he wondered at the cost of his outfit. If silk and velvet were cheaper than coats of chain, maybe he could outfit his army in wedding ensembles. They felt equally thick and brought the same inescapable heat.

Or maybe the heat was due to his situation.

He stood deep in the temple garden at the end of a white wood pergola that was so draped in vines and flowers the scent was overpowering. Shung stood at his side, then Noam, Sir Gavin, and Sir Caleb. Across from him, Lady Gypsum and two maidens were dressed in blue and white gowns. Lady Gypsum grinned at Achan as if she knew some secret.

He glanced away.

Hundreds of chairs had been set up in the gardens, and not one was empty. The audience was divided by an aisle that ran from the double doors at the back of the southern arc of the keep to where Toros, Achan's priest, stood at the end of the aisle, facing the audience. Achan glanced down the aisle again.

Nothing.

He released a shaky breath and thought of the handful of mentha leaves he'd stashed in his pocket. He'd already eaten so many his tongue felt raw, but his stomach had yet to settle, so eating a few more wouldn't hurt. At least Sparrow would not be able to accuse him of having stink breath.

He reached into the narrow pocket in his doublet. His fingers did not find mentha leaves but his half of the coin. He drew it out, squeezed it, and tucked it back into his pocket.

His left-hand pocket furnished him with another store of mentha. He stuffed two leaves into his mouth as stealthily as he could and took a deep breath.

Arman, give me peace, I beg You.

The gardens were beautiful. The valances were thick with vines and white blossoms. Achan glanced at his future mother-in-law. The woman's eyes were also fixed on the entrance.

Bang!

He jumped as the doors at the back of the keep swung open. A man and woman stood in the open doorway.

Father and daughter.

A murmur ran through the crowd. A man to Achan's left began to play an eerie tune on the pipes. Achan shivered. What kind of song was this? It felt more like a death march than a wedding song.

His bride started forward. She was draped in what looked to be blue and gold gemstones. Her veil was so thick he couldn't even see her face.

Is that you under all those stones, Sparrow?

Does it look like someone else?

Can you even see where you're going?

No, but thankfully Sir Eagan can be my eyes.

Achan chuckled, thankful for bloodvoices and the chance to speak with his friend. How long is the garden walk, anyhow? Can't you take normal steps?

What ever is your hurry?

I feel as though everyone is staring at me, and I do not have a veil to hide behind.

You cannot see it, Your Highness, but I am rolling my eyes at your sad situation. And I cannot take normal steps because my gown is a vise tighter than an Eben's fist.

Mercy. Well... it looks quite nice.

She was still inching toward him. It had better look better than "nice," or you shall pay later.

You promise?

But Sir Eagan and Sparrow had reached the end of the pergola, and she said no more.

Toros spoke to Achan, drawing his gaze away from the heap of silk and jewels that was Sparrow. "You come here today, my prince, of your own free will to marry this lady?"

"Aye, that I do."

Sir Caleb shot Achan a dirty look, likely due to Achan's saying "aye" rather than "yes," but Sir Eagan smiled.

Toros addressed Sparrow. "Lady, is it true that you come here today of your own free will to be married to this prince?"

"Yes, it is true."

"Whose blessings accompany you?"

"That of her father and all her family." Sir Eagan kissed Sparrow's hand, then stepped behind her.

"Please join hands with your betrothed," Toros said.

Achan held out his hand, and Sparrow slipped hers into it. His heart leapt at her touch, despite them both wearing gloves. He readjusted his grip by sliding his fingers between hers and squeezed. Why did they make us wear gloves?

It is proper to wear gloves at formal occasions.

I still cannot see your face.

Perhaps I am Lady Jaira, and you will not know until our vows are sealed.

Now I'm truly frightened. Should I run?

You had better not.

"Above you are stars, below you stones. As time goes by, remember... Like a stone your love should be firm. Like a star your love should be constant. May the wisdom of your minds guide you. May the strength of your wills bind you. May the power of love and desire bring you joy. And may the strength of your dedication make you inseparable.

"Be free in giving affection and warmth. Be close, possess one another, but have understanding and patience. For storms will come, but if you obey Arman, they will pa.s.s quickly.

"Your Highness, I have not the right to bind you to the lady Averella. Only you have this right. If it be your desire, say so at this time and place your ring in her hand."

"It is my greatest desire." Achan lifted Sparrow's hand and pressed the man's ring he had chosen from the vault in her palm. He folded her fingers over it.

"Lady Averella, if it be your desire for Prince Gidon Hadar to be bound to you, place his ring on his finger."

Sparrow's head tipped down, and she patted the air in search of Achan's hand.

He reached out and touched her fingers. Looking for this?

Oh, hush up. She slid the ring onto his finger. The gold gleamed against his white glove. His chest tightened.

"Lady Averella," Toros said, "I have not the right to bind you to Prince Gidon Hadar. Only you have this right. If it be your desire, say so at this time and place your ring in his hand."