Chapter Two

L iana joined her family in the antechamber, and greeted Wesley first, giving him a kiss on both cheeks while shoving her irritation aside.

"I am so thrilled for you, Wesley. Jasmine is a lovely girl."

His smile was bright and easy. "Thank you, Sister. I am a lucky man. And thank you for coming."

"Alright, alright," Lady Monroe complained. "Let us move. We cannot keep everyone waiting."

Wesley walked to the wooden doors that led directly into the temple while the rest of the Monroe family followed. Liana stole a moment to hug her father in greeting before lining up with her middle brother, Carlisle. Charlotte would be escorted by her father, and Hannah was with young William. Everyone dressed in their finest attire once more, the men in the same tuxedo they always wore, while the women wore elaborate but different dresses than they wore to Liana's wedding. Gods forbid they wore the same dress twice in this society.

Wesley opened the doors and escorted their mother down the aisle. Liana was quite surprised to see so many people in the pews that were normally only filled on worship days. It seemed as though everyone came out for the eldest Monroe wedding too. Half of these mage wouldn't be there if Liana weren't queen, which irked her beyond belief. This was a special moment for Jasmine and Wesley, not some spectacle for them to ogle her.

Yet she had no choice but to smile and follow along, to pretend as if these same people hadn't shunned her for her entire life. She told herself it didn't matter. Today wasn't about her. All that mattered was celebrating her brother's marriage.

They took their seats among the first pew, Damien already sitting by himself there. She sat beside him, her younger siblings filling in the rest of the bench. Wesley stood on the dais alone with the priest and when the music began, everyone stood.

Escorted by her parents, Jasmine walked down the aisle in a beautiful gown of silver with a beaded bodice of pearls and silver. She was a pretty girl to be sure, and her beaming smile looked truly happy, something Liana couldn't have ever dreamed of being real until she met Damien. Liana slipped her hand into his while thinking of their own wedding weeks ago.

He raised a silent brow at her. "Not so mad at me anymore?" he asked silently into her mind.

Frowning, she replied. "I'm going to shave that damn brow off in your sleep one night."

He couldn't keep a smile from breaking free. "What do you have against my eyebrow?"

"It's cocky and self-righteous."

"I never knew hair could be so offensive."

Rolling her eyes, she bumped his shoulder with hers. "You are a thorn in my side, Husband. Now, pay attention."

The ceremony passed without incidence, the endless prayers to the gods drawn out beyond what she remembered from her own wedding. When the couple had their first kiss, Liana joined some of the other mage in sending sparks of celebratory magic into the air, her brothers cheering loudly as well.

Damien pulled her into a chaste kiss amid the cheering. "I love you," he whispered, making her heart melt at the tender gesture.

Jasmine's family and the Monroe's followed the couple down the aisle to where a carriage waited for the newlyweds. After their send off, with the raging crowd still surrounding them, Damien escorted her into their carriage.

"Liana, take your brothers, will you? They won't fit in our carriage," Lady Monroe explained, already shoving the boys in with them. "We will see you back at the house."

The boys sat opposite them, their fidgeting hands inspecting the elaborate design of the carriage. "This is so much nicer than our carriages," Carlisle exclaimed.

"Look how tall it is!" William shouted while jumping up and down trying to reach the top.

"It is huge!" Carlisle agreed as he stood and tried to run circles around his brother. There wasn't that much room and Liana had to pick up her feet to avoid being stepped on.

"Hey you two, sit down," she commanded. Carlisle grabbed William around the stomach and slammed him into the seat. She gasped, about to intervene for her little brother when he threw a spell at Carlisle that knocked him back. When they started wrestling, Liana gave up.

"Were you this irritating as a child?" she questioned Damien.

"Owen and I had our fun. Even more so when Asher was old enough to join." The smile fell from his face when his head snapped toward the boys. "That's enough," he said sternly, pulling them apart.

Liana gasped at the blood dripping from Carlisle's nose. "Now you've done it. Mother is going to scream at both of us."

"But William was the one that punched me."

"Yes, but William is the baby, Mother won't punish him for anything. You and I will take the blame for this, so hold still." She let her magic out slowly, directing it toward her brother's nose. Cautious to not let too much power out, she healed him quickly and wiped away any evidence of blood. "There, now sit still and behave for a few moments, we are almost there."

She straightened Carlisle's jacket and bowtie before doing the same for William and combing his hair flat once more.

To Damien she said through their minds, "Where is Phillipa when I need her?"

"Likely somewhere worrying about what trouble you're getting yourself into."

She took offense at his jesting. "Yes, well, it would be the two of us getting into trouble in this carriage if these leeches weren't here."

His eyes narrowed on her. "One day I will tire of your teasing, temptress."

Smirking, she pulled his hand into her own. "No, you won't."

***

No crowd greeted them once they reached the Monroe's manor, much to Liana's relief. Her brothers bolted out of the carriage and into the house, Henry shouting after them before bowing to the King and Queen. They were escorted to the backyard where the newlyweds were already dancing, no one else present yet.

Without a word, Damien pulled her to the side, servants quickly arriving with drinks when they sat. They left them alone in their happy bubble for a few moments longer before her parents arrived with a whole host of guests in tow. Liana stood to greet everyone and was surprised to find Elias still in town.

"I thought you would have left with my uncle," she stated after a proper greeting.

"I have another month until my training officially begins. I figured I could use that time to steal my girl."

Overjoyed to hear that, she looked for her sister. Charlotte stood beside Master Ranville who spoke with another council member, a blank look on her face. Her joy quickly faded at seeing her. No longer did she exude the effortless confidence Liana was used to. This woman was a shell of that, just a doll following her betrothed.

"The sooner you make her see reason the better. How can I help?"

Elias rubbed at his neck. "I'm not sure. I tried to talk to her, but she did not accept my proposal well."

Liana's eyes widened. "You proposed?" she whispered furiously. Damien took her empty glass and replaced it with a small plate of finger foods. She popped something in her mouth, chewing furiously. "What did she say?"

"Well, it wasn't a proposal exactly. I told her that I still loved her and that I didn't think Ranville was right for her."

She nearly choked on her next bite. "You told her you loved her again? When was the first time?"

"Last summer when your family visited. She turned me down then as well."

Liana gasped as she tugged on Damien's arm to get his attention away from Asher and Owen. "Damien, Elias proposed to Charlotte last year and she refused. He did again but she refused again."

Elias glowered. "Did you really have to tell the King that?"

She shrugged. "It's just Damien. Besides, he can help."

Planting his hands on his hips, he assessed Liana then started chuckling. "Little Ana, you haven't changed a bit."

Brows furrowed, she looked to Damien who didn't seem to have a clue either.

"Your disregard for authority and any propriety still endears me," he explained. "He may be just Damien to you, but he is still the King to everyone else."

She waved his worries off. "Let us help, Elias. Look at Charlotte. She looks miserable. I know she would be happy with you. Why else are you staying?"

Shaking his head, he wavered in his convictions. "To torture myself? Perhaps I should leave. She's rejected me twice. Her mind is made up. I cannot compete with the influential Master Ranville," he said with a sneer.

Damien cleared his throat subtly. "I have been looking for an excuse to dispose of him. All my queen must do is say the words."

Elias's eyes narrowed as he glanced back and forth between them. "Do I want to know what that means?"

She quickly shook her head. "Let's just say he's a vampire with a vendetta. So, please let us help. I'll talk with Charlotte. If that doesn't work… well, he'll do something." She gestured to Damien who smirked.

"Liana, please don't kill the man on my behalf."

"No one mentioned murder. Here, you just chat with Damien for a moment. I know you two will be great friends." She patted them both on the arm before heading toward Charlotte.

The group of three bowed at her approach. "Greetings. I must borrow my sister for a moment, gentlemen." Dragging Charlotte away, they walked toward the food table. "How are you, Charlotte?" She kept her voice light while filling a plate with more finger foods.

Charlotte grabbed a drink, her eyes unfocused on the food. "I am well. How are you, Liana?"

Pausing, she worked to keep the smile on her face at the blank response. "I am also well."

"Superb," Charlotte responded, her voice as pallid as her skin.

Liana gripped her arm, surprised when her magic surged forth. She yanked it back at the last second, worried what it would do. "Truly, Charlotte. What is wrong? You are not yourself."

She stepped out of reach and smiled. "I am fine, Liana. Now tell me of your marriage. How are things?"

All Liana wanted to do was grab Charlotte and run. On the way out, they'd grab her ensemble and Elias before Ranville knew what happened. Charlotte and Elias would fall madly in love, and everything would be perfect. As it stood, Liana kept her feet rooted to the ground.

"I spoke with Elias earlier, he mentioned that you two talked."

That got through to Charlotte. "That man knows nothing about honor," she fumed.

"Charlotte, he is the kindest and most honorable man I know. He has loved you since we were children. He doesn't want to give up on you."

"There is nothing to give up on. I was never his to love. I've never belonged to anyone but Father, and now to Ranville." Charlotte dropped her glass on the table and stormed back to Ranville who didn't even acknowledge her return.

Damien snuck up behind her. "That did not go well," she complained. Something wriggled at the back of her mind that had her asking, "Are you sure you questioned Ranville thoroughly?"

"I did. With your truth serum as well. Then Kinley wiped his memory of the entire event." She hummed; her eyes locked on the man in question. "Why do you ask?"

"I'm not quite sure. Something doesn't feel right."

He rubbed a hand up and down her back. "I know you want her to be happy, Liana, but we've been through this with Hannah. Just because you think she would be happier with someone else doesn't mean that is the truth. She has found a man that will provide a safe and stable life. Sometimes that is all someone needs to be happy."

Lips pursed, Liana took a sip of wine. She didn't quite agree on that. But she did have a sinking feeling that she wouldn't win this one. Ranville was influential and powerful in the mage community, not just in Sancta Valles either but the entire kingdom. Charlotte did well to capture his attention and would live a comfortable life full of mundane parties.

Liana didn't want to leave her sister to Ranville. She wanted Charlotte to fall madly in love like she had with Damien. But perhaps her husband was right, not everyone valued the same things as her.