Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 104842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Releasing his hand, I slipped my arm into his as we descended the stairs, our wedding party trailing behind us.
There were hugs for the king and queen first, and then they joined us in walking out into the grand salon, everyone else in the throne room waiting as we got into line. Sabira was the first one people got to greet and shake hands with, then Tiago, Hadrian, Zev, Ode, the queen, the king, then Varic, and finally me. I was the last because, as Varic said, he belonged to me now, I had taken the family as mine for all time, so of course, everyone in attendance understood who was most important.
“You realize it’s you,” I whispered to him before the first guest reached us. “You’re the one who’s going to be crowned king tomorrow.”
“I’m king now,” he murmured, kissing my cheek, running his fingers over the brooch he’d given me that was securely fastened to my cloak. “Of your heart.”
I groaned. “That’s really terrible.”
He shoulder-checked me. “Suck it up. You married me. I’m all yours now.”
I couldn’t stop smiling.
The receiving line was endless, but I enjoyed meeting everyone. Being married took away my hesitancy, and I talked more than I ever had. Cirillo came through with his family, and I was introduced and told them all how brave and selfless their son was and what a wonderful ruler of Ophir I knew he would be.
They looked stunned, Cirillo glowered at them, and his sister finally laughed.
“Listen,” she told him, making me chuckle. “We waited centuries for you to show everyone else what we saw, so give it a second to sink in.”
“I love this journey for you,” I told him.
Cirillo growled good-naturedly, then quickly stepped behind me, where Keres and Dae-Jung were standing, and hugged Keres. They had bonded during our time in Ophir, and he had recovered enough, I’d been told, to keep both she and Carice safe during the fighting with Decimus and his forces. Now, she had an open invitation to visit him whenever she was able.
Once he moved on, Keres stepped back behind me, as that was where I’d wanted my courtiers to stand—meaning her and Dae-Jung—and then to the left of them, Brenna and Kamari, who were in their dress uniforms for the ceremony, the deep crimson of the house of Maedoc. I loved the color, but Hadrian had told me unequivocally no. There would be no leathers made in that color.
Carice came dressed in beautiful pale-blush brocade, looking regal, and I told her so when her hand was in mine.
“Thank you, my consort,” she said, looking stunned, and I squeezed her hand. Chryos hugged me, which I didn’t expect but really liked. He would remain Varic’s nephew, proudly carrying on in Cassius’s name. I was happy about that, and so was Varic.
Alrek came through with one of the noble ladies of Ophir. Her face was hidden under a veil, and she was afraid to touch me, but when I offered my hand, after a moment, she took it in hers.
“With the blood of the senior builder running through your veins, I have no doubt that you will soon be restored, lady.”
“Thank you, my consort,” she whispered, clutching Alrek’s arm.
When he offered me his hand, I took it briefly but smiled. Much like Carice, I couldn’t imagine us ever being friends, him even more so, but he was helping Varic to rebuild Ophir, so I couldn’t fault him for his attempt at atonement. Second chances were a good thing, and everyone deserved forgiveness. But it could be Varic’s; it didn’t have to be mine. I wasn’t a saint, after all.
I enjoyed hearing the chatter around me, the nobles surprised that the prince had Hadrian and Tiago stand at his side instead of his cousin or a duke or an earl. People wanted to know all about Ode, and so many stood with her longer than they should have in the receiving line. Zev was utterly mobbed, and Ode had to actually lean in close, take his arm, and tell people that it was best not to keep the king waiting.
“My thanks, lady,” he told her, and she put her hand on his cheek. Apparently, all the women in my life wanted to mother my ex-champion.
In the ballroom, there were goblets of spiced blood for everyone, and when Varic and I were called to the center of the floor, we began the waltz. I had practiced with Tiago and Isabella, and lastly Varic, so I was ready and didn’t trip over my feet.
“Look at you, gliding over the floor,” he teased me as I counted the steps in my head.
“If you’re thinking that yes, I want to consummate my marriage tonight, I suggest you don’t tease me right now.”
He laughed loudly, pulled me closer, and kissed the side of my neck, which did nothing for my concentration, only covering me in goose bumps.