I’d become so used to doing things on my own, but ever since Corvan and now mother have come into my life, I’ve realized that sometimes it’s good to be able to rely on others.
“Mother…” I shift uncomfortably, unused to asking such things. But here goes anyway. “Would you like to assist me… with the bridal preparations?”
After all, I don’t have anyone else but the maids. Gerent has recently overseen the hiring of a number of female maidservants from Sanzar. At last, Tyron Castle has both male and female employees.
She beams. “I would be delighted. You’re going to look so stunning that the boy will be rendered speechless.”
Boy? I laugh. “Only you could get away with calling Corvan that. He’ll be emperor soon. After we’re wed, there will be an official ceremony and a coronation.”
My mother raises one eyebrow. “And you will be empress. Don’t forget that.”
“I know.” My chest tightens. The thought of taking on such a responsibility is terribly daunting, but never once have I thought of shying away.
Not when I have Corvan by my side, and my formidable dryad mother behind me.
My destiny is my own now, and I’ll do everything in my power to protect all that we’ve fought for.
Corvan
I stand in the pavilion, staring out at the crystalline waters of the pond. The garden around us has been transformed into something utterly astonishing—a paradise made of blooms and lush plants and verdant trees. A swarm of blue-winged butterflies drifts upwards on a swirling breeze. The sun is high in the sky, bathing everything in pure brilliance.
The shade of the pavilion protects me. It’s been a day and a half since I’ve seen Finley, and thirst is creeping up on me again, but I pay it no heed. There will be plenty of time for that later. I’ve given her ample time to rest and prepare and ready herself for this moment, and the anticipation is killing me.
Anticipation makes everything sweeter.
It makes my once-cold heart beat again, and sets my senses on fire.
Even before she appears, I catch her intoxicating scent.
It’s sweetness and musk; fire and earth, sacred magic and life itself.
Immediately, my attention turns toward the path, which is surrounded by wild blooming hedges.
Our small party of guests stands to one side, in a clearing at the edge of the pond.
I glance at them.
Kaithar—resplendent in his maroon velvet suit—winks back.
Hecoa looks down upon us from her vantage point in Aralya’s tree, and it’s almost as if I can feel her benevolent presence.
Before me stands an Eresian priest, officiating over the ceremony. He wears simple white robes embroidered with an intricate motif of silver vines.
As for myself, I’m wearing a suit of deep grey over a white silk shirt. My accents are dark blue and silver—tie, cufflinks, subtle embroidered details.
Finley and I are similar in that sense. We appreciate the goodness of simple things.
My once-still heart beats faster. My thirst intensifies. I can’t help the sudden feeling of arousal that seeps into my chest and pools lower; in my belly, one step away from becoming full-blown arousal.
She has this effect on me, each and every time.
I wait.
Time slows to a trickle.
The anticipation of it all is almost unbearable.
My nostrils flare.
Her scent invades my consciousness, and all of a sudden, she’s there, walking down the path, bathed in glorious sunlight.
She wears an elegant blue gown of fluid silk that matches the colour of the sky and hugs her glorious curves. The jewels I gave her—the Pervashan rubies—dangle from her ears, the only ornamentation she wears.
Her feet are bare.
A crown of white blooms graces her long, unbound hair.
Alongside her, hand in hand, walks her mother, Aralya; proud, regal, and unmistakably dryad.
My mind goes completely blank. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t utter a single word right now. I’m just floored by Finley’s beauty.
She’s perfect, and she’s mine.
As they reach the bridge, Aralya lets go of her hand and waits. Finley makes her way toward me, a coy smile dancing across her lips.
My chest feels like it’s about to explode. Pride, love, desire.
Pure euphoria.
Never could I have imagined that a feeling like this existed.
What have I done to deserve such good fortune?
Finley reaches my side. I catch her scent—floral, intoxicating, sweeter than anything I’ve ever known. Instantly, I want to devour her. I want all of her.
It takes all of my self-control not to ravish her there and then.
Because the priest needs to say his vows.
My smile splits my face from ear to ear. I lean in and force myself to refrain from kissing her—not yet. “You look absolutely stunning.”
She trembles as she turns to me, her eyes meeting mine for just a heartbeat. “You’re not too bad yourself, Your Majesty.”
There’s a hint of mischief in her tone; a promise of wicked things to come. The way she addresses me like that—both teasing and adoring—nearly brings me to my knees.
Officially, as we prepare to say our vows, I have a raging erection.
“Let’s begin,” I say to the priest, a venerable old man called Hermus. He’s the head priest of the Eresian Temple in Sanzar, and right now, he looks more than a little overawed.
I don’t blame him.
But Hermus is experienced enough to know how these things should go, and he quietly gathers his composure.
He clears his throat.
“We are gathered here today, under the benevolence of both God and Goddess, to witness the union of two worthy souls. This is a Marriage Vow; a proclamation of an eternal bond that will sustain throughout both life and death. That you will both cherish one another, through times of both abundance and difficulty. That each of you will protect and uplift the other. That neither of you will ever stray from the love that has grown through your union. In the name of Eresus, God of Life, I ask whether you, Corvan Ithar Taelinor Duthriss, accept this bond?”
“I do.”
“And do you, Finley Araluen Solisar, accept this bond?”
She gives me a look; a sweet, smoldering look. I nearly lose it then and there. “I do.”
“There is nothing further needs to be said. I pronounce you both husband and wife.”
The priest raises his hands and places his palms on our foreheads. A warm, tingling energy passes between us.
Magic, no doubt.
I can’t explain it.
I simply accept it.
And all of a sudden, Finley is here before me, and I know nothing but her; her glorious beauty, her mesmerizing scent, her presence… engulfing every last one of my senses.
I lean in and kiss her, and her lips, as sweet as the first days of spring, seek mine; soft, hopeful, wanting.
“You’re mine now,” I whisper, lifting her into my arms. “Officially.”
Cheers and applause rise from the small crowd.
I catch a glimpse of Aralya. The dryad is beaming.
Finley smiles, and she’s utterly radiant—a goddess if I ever saw one. “As I ever was. And you… I just want to lay claim to you over and over again, Corvan Duthriss.”
“Well you can, Mrs Duthriss. My empress. And I’m going to show you what it truly means to become my wife.” I lean in and whisper into her ear, my tone becoming stern. “In my chambers. Now.”