Beauty In Darkness

10

After Father finished his speech and the audience cheered for our union, the wedding feast commenced. Everyone I’d ever known sat at the long wooden tables and began to eat, while soft music played behind us. Raith was seated to my left, his perfectly sculpted face impassive and cold, his formal black clothes a sharp contrast to my bright white gown. He’d barely said a word to me all day and acted as if he’d rather be anywhere but at my side, even though he was the one who’d agreed to this marriage with my father. I knew it was a political alliance, and one he’d been coerced into, but surely he must hope for something more from it as well?

“Is the celebration not to your liking?” I asked him, keeping my voice low so only he could hear me amid the loud chatter in the room.

“It’s fine.” He stabbed at his food with his fork as if it had personally offended him.

“Then perhaps I’m the one not to your liking?” I asked before I could think better of it. “Maybe you would have preferred one of my other sisters?” His face remained impassive, and I huffed softly when he didn’t answer. “Well, too bad. I’m your wife now and you’ll have to deal with it. Just like I’ll have to deal with your brooding self for the rest of my days.”

His storm gray eyes found mine, and he looked almost amused at my outburst. “My brooding self simply dislikes weddings and being away from my home. That is all.”

“Oh.” I dropped my gaze to my plate and took a long sip of mead to cover my embarrassment. “What can you tell me of Ilidan?”

“It’s warmer than Talador,” he said, his tone dry.

I snorted. “Everywhere is warmer than here, or so I’m told.”

I waited for him to go on, but that seemed to be the extent of our discussion. We wouldn’t have much conversation in our marriage, it seemed. What did he expect of me anyway? A woman who would bear his heirs and stay out of his way? If so, he was going to be sorely disappointed.

“Ilidan is known for having dense forests, rich farmlands, and fine woolen textiles,” Lily said from across the table, where she’d obviously been eavesdropping. She’d never been to Ilidan herself either, so she was simply reciting what she’d learned from her tutors. Tutors I should have listened to more, instead of having my head in the clouds all the time. In my defense, no one ever predicted I’d marry the King of Ilidan, of all men. His people had been our enemies for so long, we only spoke of them in terms of strategy and war. Not marriage.

Raith’s dark gaze turned to Lily next. “We’re also one of the top exporters of iron and slate, but I doubt Rose cares about that.”

I sat up straighter. “You’re wrong. I want to learn everything I can about my new home. Especially if I’m to help you rule it.”

His scowl only deepened at that, while Lily watched us with wary eyes but had nothing further to offer. I was on my own, and would have to learn about Ilidan while I was there. No matter. I’d study what I could, ask questions of everyone who would listen, and do whatever it took to be a good queen, even if only to preserve the peace between the two kingdoms. I might not have planned for this role, but I was going to do my best at it.

As the meal finished, the music picked up and people began pairing off and moving to the far end of the hall to begin dancing. Many of my sisters joined in—Camellia with one of the guards, Jasmine with another nobleman, and Iris with a boy her age—and I ached to join them. To twirl around in my skirts, lose myself in the music, and have one last night of freedom and youth.

One glance at my new husband’s serious face put that out of my mind. “I’m guessing you’re not fond of dancing,” I said.

“Not particularly.”

I sighed and smoothed the skirt of my dress. “Why am I not surprised?”

Raith suddenly rose to his feet and my hopes lifted, thinking he’d changed his mind, especially when he offered his hand to help me up. As my fingers slid into his and he pulled me toward him, an awareness crept over me like a spark being lit. In his formal black suit, he looked especially handsome, and when our eyes locked, my breath hitched. His gaze held so many secrets and so much knowledge I wanted to uncover—about Ilidan, about my new husband, and about the magic that came so easily to him. And other knowledge too, of carnal pleasures I dared not think about for fear he’d see the flush of heat in my cheeks.

But my hopes of dancing were dashed when he said, “If the feast is over, then it’s time to say our goodbyes.”

“Already?” My throat tightened at the thought of all I was leaving behind. My bags were packed and I’d already made peace with my new life, but now that it was time to go, a mixture of sadness and fear gripped my heart. Yet there was something else fluttering about in my chest too—excitement. I was finally leaving this cold, dreary castle behind and journeying somewhere new, where I might be more than second daughter and spare to the heir. In Ilidan, of all places, I might find my true purpose.

Raith turned toward my father, his hand still clutching mine. “King Balsam, thank you for the hospitality and the alliance. I’m sure you’re quite ready for me to be gone from your kingdom.”

Father chuckled softly. “Impatient to be alone with your bride? I know how that is.” He waved his hand. “Go then and have my blessings. I’ll hold to the terms of our agreement.”

“As will I.” Raith bowed his head, before turning toward me. “I hope you’ve said your goodbyes already.”