Wedding Hells (Schooled in Magic Book 8) (42 page)

She had to smile when she placed it. “I look like Princess Leia.”

“Oh, I don’t think so, My Lady,” the maid said. “Princess Leia has blonde hair.”

Emily blinked in surprise, then realized that there must be a
real
Princess Leia somewhere on the Nameless World. She shrugged, dismissing the thought, and turned to face the door as someone knocked. The maid opened it, revealing Nightingale. Emily groaned inwardly as he bowed low, and held out an arm. She took it, reluctantly, and allowed him to lead her through the corridors and into the king’s private audience chamber.

“My Lady,” he said, gravely. “You do know the protocol?”

“We’ve rehearsed it,” Emily said, tartly. She could see why the king used Nightingale, but his fawning gave her the creeps. “This isn’t the public ceremony anyway.”

“It is regarded as bad luck if something goes wrong at any point during the wedding,” Nightingale said. Emily glared daggers at him. Too much could go wrong, even in private, where it could be covered up. He let go of her arm as Caleb entered the room. “The princess will be along shortly.”

Caleb glanced after Nightingale as he retreated. “Is he always like that?”

“He’s often worse,” Emily said, quietly. She looked him up and down, then smiled. They’d pushed Caleb into a uniform that looked too grand to be practical, complete with gold braid and a pair of medals she didn’t recognize. But he looked good in it. “What did you do to earn a medal?”

“Survived the first year at Stronghold, I think,” Caleb said, glancing down at one of the medals. “The other is a sign of the king’s personal favor.”

“Oh,” Emily said.

She took his hand and stepped backwards as King Randor entered the room and walked up to the throne. Instead of sitting, however, he turned to face the room and waited as the door opened again, revealing a small line of guests. Emily smiled as she saw the Gorgon, wearing a silver dress that showed off her greenish skin, and Aloha, wearing a long white dress very much like Emily’s. Aloha gave her a sharp look when Emily waved, then followed the Gorgon as she hurried over to Emily’s side. Clearly, she still bore a grudge.

“I’m glad you made it,” Emily said. Frieda joined them, wearing a red dress and a hairstyle very like Emily’s. “I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to come.”

“Alassa cleared my way through the gates,” the Gorgon said. She sounded tired and worn. “I still had to wear a glamor in the city.”

“I’m sure there’s a room for you in the castle,” Caleb offered. “Imaiqah could have arranged one...”

“I don’t like the castle,” the Gorgon said, shaking her head. Her snakes hissed in unison. “It’s too
human
for me. As long as I keep the door in the inn locked and warded, I should be fine.”

Emily winced. The human population was terrified of gorgons. If someone realized what she was, the Gorgon would find herself the target of an angry mob and, as powerful as she was, she might not be able to protect herself indefinitely. But, at the same time, she understood the Gorgon’s feelings. King Randor’s castle would be far too crowded for the Gorgon to endure for long.

She looked past her, at Aloha. “And you? Where are you staying?”

“I have a room in the same inn,” Aloha said, curtly. “There were some
interesting
pieces of literature under the pillowcase too.”

Emily shivered. “Interesting?”

“About how overthrowing the monarchy would lead to a land of milk and honey,” Aloha said. “They were
very
interesting.”

“Don’t mention those here,” Emily said. “The king would not be happy.”

Aloha snorted, but held her peace. Emily sighed and turned to watch as the final guests entered the chamber. Queen Marlena, looking better than she’d been two weeks ago, strode up and stood next to her husband, wearing a long yellow dress. King Randor gave her a smile that Emily would have thought was affectionate, if she hadn’t known he’d been sleeping with Alicia and dozens of other girls. But then, maybe he
did
like her. He’d just been forced to share his bed with others for reasons of state.

And I’m sure he hated every minute
, she thought, sarcastically. She glanced across at Sir Hawker and Galina, both wearing fancy clothes that seemed ill-suited even though they fitted perfectly, and did her best to give them a reassuring smile.
At least Jade won’t be sleeping with every pretty girl that catches his eye
.

King Randor nodded to a trumpeter, who blew a single long note as the doors swung open again. Alassa, wearing a green dress that set off her long golden hair, strode into the chamber, accompanied by Imaiqah and an older man dressed all in black. Emily couldn’t help wondering if he was a sorcerer, but she couldn’t sense even a hint of magic surrounding him. Alassa looked utterly composed, so much so that it had to be a mask. But then, she’d been attending formal ceremonies before she could walk.

But none like this
, Emily thought, as Alassa stopped in front of her father.
This is the most important day of her life
.

The black-clad man bowed to the king, then turned and stepped to one side. Imaiqah remained standing beside Alassa, serving as her Maid of Honor. Being there was a reward, Emily knew, for all her hard work during the wedding preparations. Imaiqah might not know it, but hundreds of society butterflies would be killing themselves with envy. A newcomer, someone who’d been born a commoner, had earned the social honor of the decade.

King Randor smiled at his daughter - it looked genuine, Emily noted - and then gave the trumpeter another signal. Jade entered the chamber as the final echoes of the note faded away, wearing a white uniform topped with gold braid. Emily glanced at Caleb, silently comparing the two outfits, and realized that Caleb was designated as a member of Jade’s party. At least they knew each other, she noted. They certainly had more in common than the aristocratic nincompoops who’d ruined Jade’s stag nights.

“Kneel,” King Randor ordered.

Alassa and Jade lowered themselves to their knees, slowly and carefully. King Randor looked down at them for a long moment, then took a step backwards. His voice, when he spoke, was calm.

“We are gathered today, in the sight of the gods, to join the hands of two young people in marriage,” he said. They will live together, they will serve together, they will raise children together and they will die together. Their souls will remain together forever when they go on to the next world.”

Emily shivered, remembering the vision the demon had shown her...

...It is Alassa’s wedding day. Blood stains the altar, her white dress is ripped and torn; in one hand, she holds a wand, in the other a staff. And she stares at Emily with accusation in her eyes...

...She pushed her fear aside. Holding the
real
ceremony in private would ensure that nothing could go wrong.

Randor paused for a long, chilling moment. “But there will come a time when they come to the throne of this kingdom,” he added. “Their union will shape the future of the entire country; their children, eventually, will come to rule in their turn. We call now upon the blessings of the gods for this union.”

“We call upon the blessings,” the crowd echoed.

King Randor smiled, rather tightly. “Jade, Son of Hawker. You will be my daughter’s protector and defender, the father of her children, the first amongst her advisors, but you will wield no power of your own. If she dies before her children are ready to take the throne, you will be their regent. You will never be able to rule in your own name.

“Do you understand the rights and obligations of a Royal Consort?”

“I do,” Jade said.

And hope to hell you can have children
, Emily thought. If Randor had managed to sire a second child, maybe it would be easier for Alassa to get pregnant. But if they couldn’t have children, the kingdom would be doomed.
And if you can’t, you may need to come up with something else before it’s too late
.

King Randor studied Jade for a long moment. “Do you, Jade, Son of Hawker, willingly pledge your hand to my daughter?”

“I do,” Jade said.

The king nodded and turned to Alassa. “Alassa, Daughter of Randor, Princess of Zangaria, Duchess of Iron, Marchioness of the Midlands and Patron of Steam. Do you understand the obligations and duties you are assuming towards your consort?”

“I do,” Alassa said.

“To accept him as your husband,” the king continued, “as the father of your children, as your protector, defender and advisor?”

“I do,” Alassa said, again.

“But always to remember that
you
are the Princess and will be the Queen of Zangaria,” King Randor warned. “Will you keep power in your hands and accept the responsibility that comes with it?”

“I will,” Alassa said.

Emily winced, inwardly. She’d known men who would have bitterly resented any reminder of their own powerlessness. But Jade had a different kind of power.

“Join hands,” the King ordered.

He produced a golden cord from his belt and carefully bound their wrists together, as he’d done for Alicia and Lord Barrows. “In the sight of the gods, you are united together as one,” he said, simply. “I call upon their blessings for this union.”

“We call upon their blessings,” the witnesses echoed.

“From this moment forth, you are husband and wife,” King Randor said. “Rise.”

Alassa and Jade rose. “You may now kiss,” King Randor said. “And be one.”

Emily smiled, feeling an odd lump in her throat, as Alassa and Jade kissed. There was something touching about it, even though it was surprisingly demure. But then, they couldn’t kiss passionately in front of both sets of parents. Emily squeezed Caleb’s hand tightly as Alassa and Jade broke apart, their wrists still bound together. They’d be joined at the wrist until they entered their quarters for the wedding night.

And hopefully it will be more satisfactory than poor Alicia’s,
she thought as Alassa accepted a hug from her new mother-in-law.
At least they love each other
.

She pushed the morbid thought aside as she watched the happy couple’s parents. Galina looked to be wiping away tears; beside her, her husband looked pleased, but stoic. Jade had done well for himself, yet it was clear that Sir Hawker didn’t like the Royal Court. Emily couldn’t really blame him. Queen Marlena was smiling broadly, her eyes brimming with unshed tears, while King Randor’s face was almost completely expressionless. Emily honestly wasn’t sure if he was pleased for his daughter or worried about the future.

But the future never stops
, Emily thought.
And the story doesn’t end just because they’re married
.

The doors opened, revealing the king’s private dining chamber. Emily - still holding Caleb’s hand - followed the rest of the guests into the room, smiling to herself when she noted that there were two High Tables, one clearly intended for the happy couple alone. Alassa and Jade sat down, waited for the servants to begin serving food and then started to feed each other. Emily shook her head, and glanced at Imaiqah. Her friend was grinning from ear to ear.

Nothing went wrong
, she thought, as the servants ladled food onto her plate. The wedding, the
true
wedding was over, and nothing had gone wrong.
They’re married now
.

Caleb cleared his throat. “Is that it? They’re married?”

“There’s a big public ceremony in two days,” Emily said. Alassa and Jade would have a day to themselves before they were expected to perform again. “But yes, they’re married now.”

“It seems a bit of an anticlimax,” Caleb commented.

“I think the happy couple would want a private ceremony first, just so they can get married without the whole world watching,” Emily said. She knew the ceremony was more than just two young people getting married, but she wouldn’t have liked to tie the knot in front of thousands of people, many of whom would be secretly hoping that something would go wrong. “The big ceremony is for the kingdom.”

They ate quickly, enjoying the food. She had a feeling Alassa had chosen it herself; there was the obligatory roast meat and potatoes, but there were also spiced dishes from Dragon’s Den and steak and chips from Cockatrice. The thought of burgers and pizza being turned into gourmet dinners made her smile, although she had heard of places where fancy burgers were sold for upwards of fifty dollars apiece. She’d just never visited any of them.

And never will
, she thought, as she finished her meal.
It would be a waste of money.

The room fell silent as King Randor rose to his feet. “I have no doubt that the pair of you have been bombarded with advice on how to make a marriage work,” he said, addressing the happy couple. “My own father insisted on forcing me to listen to the most embarrassing lectures, on subjects I shall leave to your imagination.”

Jade blushed, Emily noted; Alassa lowered her gaze.

“It is quite tempting, as a parent, to try to spare your children the agony of repeating the mistakes you made yourself,” Randor continued. “I could offer you both the benefit of my wisdom, but why should I expect you to take heed? It wasn’t as if I took much heed of my father.”

He smiled, broadly. “I shall content myself with making a simple observation,” he said, his voice growing warmer. “You two actually knew one another before asking my permission to wed. Many who marry at your station in life only meet their partners under carefully-controlled conditions. There is no chance to actually get to know the other person. Very few people truly show themselves when they know they’re being chaperoned. But you two met beforehand. You know each other on a level many other aristocratic partnerships cannot match.

“Do
not
let this make you become complacent. Marriage is a
permanent
partnership between a man and a woman. You will spend the rest of your lives together. The true test of your marriage will not come when you take part in the formal ceremony, or go off together on a long honeymoon, but when you face your first crisis. There will be moments when you will disagree, perhaps savagely, on something so fundamental that you will feel it is the end of your marriage.
Then
you will learn if you have something for the ages or not.