Pariah (The New Covenant Series) (26 page)

I gritted my teeth together and
hissed. Riven ran to me. “What happened, Lara?” he yelled, kneeling in front of me. I nodded to my leg, and he said, “Oh no. Jellyfish sting. Burns huh?” I nodded and winced at the fiery whelps that clawed over my pale skin. Lil and Matthias reached us, and Riven asked Matthias to run and get some rags and vinegar. He took off toward the palace. I called it a palace anyway in its magnificent, white, open-air glory.

Riven and Lil acted as my c
rutches and helped me limp back to the blankets. Matthias returned, and Riven quickly soaked a rag with vinegar and draped it gingerly over the stings. He held his hand over the rag, applying gentle pressure. Then I realized it.

He had his hands on my upper thi
gh. This was a bit too intimate for me. I tried to back away. “No,” he said. “I know, Solara. But you’ll feel better if you just let me help you. I’ve seen plenty of these and have even been stung myself a few times.” I nodded and was thankful for his help. The stinging and burning eased after fifteen minutes or so, and I told him as much so that he could let me go.

Our time at the beach was cut short after my clash with nature
when we were summoned back to be readied for the wedding ceremony. Faric and Rebekah had already gone in to be prepared. Riven carried our blanket and the extra rags and vinegar into our room for us where we met the servants who would prepare us for the evening. There was a small door open just off the table in our room that I wasn’t even aware was there. It housed a tub and small fireplace. A tub had been filled, and I was ushered into the room first.

I bathed in cool water in an effort not to aggravate the still
stinging flesh on my leg. As I dried myself and wrapped my body in a soft towel, the servant entered and began to rub a delicious smelling oil into my shoulders and back. Her hand stopped as she touched the mark, and she avoided it after that. I wondered if it had felt strange to her, maybe shocked or burned her. It was just a thought but a neat one anyway. Maybe it would burn Martus if he touched me. I shuddered at the thought. I was definitely not looking forward to holding up my end of the bargain but would keep my word and hoped that he indeed could decipher the strange markings that made up the cross on my spine. I was led to the basin room where a vanity had been set up.

Riven was led to the bath, and then his servant left him to help
assist with the mess that was my hair. They massaged coconut oil into my scalp and hair, and it smelled divine. It was definitely my weakness. Everyone said I smelled like lavender, and while the lavender I have smelled was very nice, I couldn’t detect the scent on my skin as others had claimed. I wished I naturally smelled like coconut.
Mmmmm.

They brushed and untangled my
hair and again twisted and braided it and pinned its curls on my head in an intricate updo. It was beautiful. They even placed tiny sparkly seashells throughout my hair. My eyes were dramatically outlined with charcoal and brushed shimmering powder over my face. My lips were painted the color of pomegranate. Another woman entered the room, and Riven’s servant went to gather his wedding attire.

The ladies laced me in a tight corset with stiff boning running
up its length. It was also cut as low in the back as the one I’d worn for the reveal. The girl asked that I raise my arms so that they could pull the dress over my head gently, avoiding my hair. The pair went to work, lacing a beautiful full-length black ball gown.

The skirt was covered in billowin
g ruffles. The top was sculpted in a sweetheart neckline and plunged low in the back, revealing the entire mark. It was decorated with black beads that reflected the light, creating a sparkling effect along the delicate lines of the bodice. They placed delicate black satin kitten-heeled shoes on my feet.

My obsidian ring stood out s
harply on my pale hand, shining along with my beautiful black gown. The pair threaded black, beaded earrings through the holes in my ears, so long they brushed the tops of my shoulders. A black ribbon with another piece of obsidian, cut into the shape of a teardrop, was tied around my neck. Once I met their approval, I met Riven back in the bedroom. He was handsome, dressed in a crisp white shirt, black coat, and pants with black shining loafers. His hair was styled perfectly, and his smile glistened as he looked me over. I smiled back and took his offered arm. We walked toward the ballroom together. He leaned in and said, “You look beautiful.”

“Thanks. You look handsome as well.” I smiled.

“Remember, we have to make it look real?” As if I needed reminding. I stopped us and leaned up, placing a kiss on his cheek.

Then I whispered, “I know.”
He blushed and laughed, and we started forward again.

Lil and Matthias met us inside. Lil also wore a black ball gown
that had only one strap on the shoulder. Black rosettes crossed the bodice, and her gown flowed straight to the floor. It wasn’t full like mine, but she looked hot. Divine, actually. Matthias was dressed like Riven, and his ebony skin and light brown eyes danced while he stole glances at my best friend. I caught him looking, and he smiled and cleared his throat. I smiled back and was so glad he seemed interested. I wondered if she felt the same. I’d corner her about it as soon as possible.

An older gentleman ushered us to the front of a set of seats
placed in rows, and we seated ourselves as couples. Others filled the chairs behind us. A white-bearded bald man in thick flowing white robes entered the hallway and stood in front of us and the crowd. Martus stepped forward adorned in a completely white suit with matching stark-white shirt and tie. His bronzed skin and dark hair sharply contrasted the color of purity. He glanced at us and then back at the robed man. Faric entered the room in a black suit with white shirt, in much the same fashion as Riven and Matthias but with tails on his jacket. He smiled at Riven and glanced at the rest of us. He looked so happy and anxious to begin this chapter of his life with Rebekah. I was happy that his father was keeping his end of the deal.

Faric nodded his head toward me. I nodded back slightly
and smiled. Rebekah entered in a beautiful full white ball gown with a lace overlay on the skirt and bodice and unlined lace sleeves, revealing her ivory skin underneath. Her hair was long and curled, and a glistening diamond tiara graced her brow. She beamed her cherry smile at Faric, and they clasped hands. They repeated their vows after the priest and in front of God and His witnesses, promising to love one another for an eternity.

Smiles and tears flowed freely,
and Faric bent her backward and kissed her passionately after she was declared his own. It was beautiful. Martus’s smirking face caught my eye, and he stared at me unabashedly. I felt as though I’d been caught in the web of a very poisonous spider and was thrashing to free myself from the sticky silk.

Riven’s hand clasped mine,
and I tore my gaze from Martus and sought solace in Riven’s tranquil teal pools. The couple was led to the dance floor where a band sat to the side and asked to perform a first dance as a married couple. They twirled gracefully with happily lit faces. Soon, Martus stood up and dinged his fork against his crystal goblet. “May I have your attention please,” he shouted over the noise in the room. “It has come to my attention that my son, Riven has married the beautiful Solara. And while I did not attend, I would like to ask them to join the newlyweds for a dance before we open the floor for all.” He clapped his hands, and the crowd erupted in applause.

“Show time,” Riven whispered as he reached for my hand.

Riven grasped my waist, grazing his thumb over the skin of my back. Man, this dress was low cut in the back. He clasped one hand in his, and my other hand rested against his chest. He smiled down at me, and the music started. He led me in circles in a beautiful waltz. His eyes and smile never left my own. The music slowed and then stopped. I pulled him closer and wrapped my hands around his neck. Both of his hands were on my back now, one drawing slow circles on my skin. I shivered but not because I was cold.

He bent down and whispere
d. His breath was hot and moist against my ear. “I’ve waited on this moment since the reveal. I wanted to be yours then.” He looked at me, determination and hunger in his eyes.

“Thank you, Riven,” I said and laid my head on his shoulde
r. He nuzzled his chin into the crook of my neck. We danced laced together intimately until the wedding banquet dinner commenced. After the amazing and rich dinner, offering delicacies of every form of sea life imaginable, grilled vegetables, and succulent fruits, and after the wedding cake was distributed and enjoyed,

Riven led me back to the dan
ce floor. We enjoyed a few more songs. Lil and Matthias seemed very cozy on the floor as well. I winked and smiled at her, giving her my “I know you are enjoying Matthias the hottie, and he is as well. You go girl” look. She laughed and faked a scoff and twirled away.

A large, cold
hand landed on my shoulder. Martus cleared his throat, and Riven stepped away from me but only slightly. “Excuse me, son. May I dance with your new
wife
?” The last word laced with disdain. Riven placed my hand into his father’s and said, “Of course, you are after all, her
father-in-law
now.” Riven smiled and winked at me. I missed the warm roughness of Riven’s hand immediately. Martus had cool, dry hands that sent shivers up my spin when he touched the skin of my exposed my lower back. Expertly, he led us around the floor amongst the other dancing couples.

“You are truly stunning, Sol
ara. Black suits you,” he said, looking down the bodice of my dress.
Gross. I hope his view is obstructed.
“Your mark is quite unique, and nothing that I expected. I cannot wait to dissect the markings on your delicate skin.” His hand slowly ran up my back.

I gulped, trying to swallow some coura
ge. “Well, you’ve upheld your end of the deal, so I uphold mine. You have my word.”

“Hmmm.
Your word
. Does it mean much, Solara?”

“Of course it does. Why w
ould you question my integrity, Martus?” I asked, furrowing my brows in disapproval.

“Well, you seem to be going alon
g with this little story my son appears to have concocted. You aren’t really married to him, are you?” He smirked.
Shoot. Busted. Okay, now what?

“We
are
married. Perhaps it didn’t take place in a church, and it wasn’t performed by a priest, but we made promises to one another before God, and our friends and both consider such promises as binding.” I stared at him, daring him to question me again.

“I see.” He laughed. “Okay, Okay. It’s just that I was
hoping
you weren’t truly married. I found it difficult to believe that you married again and so
quickly
after your first husband was slain.”
He knew where to gauge me. Darn him. I had to lie. Sorry, God.

“I was ordered to marry my fi
rst husband, sir. We only spent part of the evening of the reveal together before I fled the kingdom, so I didn’t know him well and certainly wasn’t in love with him at that point.” Okay so that was semi-true. I just left out the part that I had agreed for Wes to apply for my hand and for him to pull strings to make our union happen, that we spent an intimate wedding evening together before we were rudely interrupted, and though I wasn’t passionately in love with him yet, I felt we were headed in that direction.

Martus nodded. “Anyway, I’m not sure why it would matter to
you whether or not I am married unless you deem me unfit for your son.”

“No, Solara. I find you suitable. So suitable, in fact, that if you
weren’t married to my son, I should like to take you as my own.”

He lifted one side of his smil
e and gazed at me with the cold denim eyes.
Oh. No. Oh my goodness.

“Well, that would be very ina
ppropriate. I’m young enough to be your daughter, Martus,” I nervously laughed.

“Yes, well. You are also old
enough to be my lover. I’ve had younger than you.” He squinted in challenge.

“Well, I am married to your son, so...”
Get a hint you dirty old man!

He smiled and said, “I wi
ll make arrangements to examine your mark in the morning light. I will make sure the servants prepare you for our meeting.”

nodded and finally let go of
a breath I didn’t even know I’d been holding when he led me back to a very tense Riven, who was standing to the side of the dance floor, arms crossed in front of him, muscles rigid, and jaw flexed. He grabbed my hand from his father and led me back to our seats. We both drank a glass of white wine and wished Faric and Rebekah well as they passed by to retire for their wedding night. I was very happy for them both.

The love they held for each other was very app
arent. It must have been terribly painful to wait for one another’s safety for so long. Riven leaned in and asked if I was ready to head back to our room, and I nodded. I wanted as far away from Martus as possible. He disgusted me. I couldn’t believe his audacity. He truly was a disgusting man. I’m glad his sons were raised by Annette and were nothing like their father.