Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Four

“We gather here today to celebrate the joining of Prince Frederick Chandler Marshall William Woeful, the second, of the Kingdom of Woe to Prince Brendon Banes of the Kingdom of Bane. This marriage represents a union not only between these two kingdoms, but for all people of the Desolated Lands.”

The Good Wizard continued his speech, explaining the history of our countries, the purpose of the spell, and the strength of the people. I wondered how our evil guests felt, listening to all of it. I peeked over to where Cyril and Lucinda sat, Mattias next to them. A slightly ominous aura separated them from the other guests. Despite their evil schemes and showmanship, I was glad to have them here. Mattias seemed to be thriving in his new role—maybe someday I’d find out how he ended up the apprentice to someone named the Soul Stealer.

Lucinda clutched Cyril’s hand and leaned over to whisper to him, her smile brighter than the sun. They were probably the happiest—and sappiest—couple I’d ever met. If Brendon and I could have a tenth of their joy, our marriage would be successful.

I turned my focus back on the ceremony and found Brendon watching me, his brow slightly furrowed. I smiled, trying to assure him that my wandering thoughts were because I didn’t care for long-winded speeches, not because I didn’t care for him.

The wizard finished his speech and now it was our time to follow his lead.

I took a deep breath and said, “I, Frederick Chandler Marshall William Woeful, the second, take you, Brendon Banes, as my lawfully wedded husband.”

Brendon grinned and repeated, “I, Brendon Banes, take you, Frederick Chandler Marshall William Woeful, the second, as my lawfully wedded husband.”

The Good Wizard presented us with a full rainbow of colored cords. He picked them up one by one, explaining the colors and their meanings and the vows they represented. Deep blue, for patience and devotion. Green, for prosperity and health. Yellow, for joy and balance. Orange, for kindness and encouragement. Red, for passion and strength.

As the wizard held up the red one, I grinned at Brendon. We wouldn’t have any problems upholding that vow.

Hands bound tightly together, the wizard finished his recitation with, “You may now seal this spell with a kiss.”

Our lips touched, chaste and swift. The spell twined around us, binding us more securely than the colored cords. We’re in this together until the end. The thought somewhat terrified me, weighing me down with expectation and worry for the future. Then Brendon smiled at me, and the fear melted away, replaced with excitement for our new life together.

The wedding was only the first part of a long, drawn-out day. Brendon and I were hustled to the dining hall and sat at the long table alone. A line of people stretched all the way down the hall and out the door, back to the ballroom.

Some came with gifts, wrapped in delicate papers and clothes. Some came with apologies, eyeing me sideways as they explained, “Our gift was meant for the princess.”

After the fifth time, Brendon leaned over and whispered in my ear, “I wish they would just give us the lingerie already.”

I choked on my laughter and grabbed his thigh under the table, squeezing it in warning. He snatched up my hand and brought it to his lips, blue eyes sparkling like the gems they resembled.

A heavy thump on the table drew our attention to an oversized package wrapped in black paper. How did they even get that in here? I wondered as I tried to peek around the edge to see who the giver was.

Cyril stood on the other side, wiping his brow. When I’d noticed he and his wife still in the crowd after the wedding, I’d asked the Good Wizard about it, and he’d explained: “You can’t keep the horses in the field once they’ve grown wings.” When I’d just stared at him blankly, he’d amended, “They already know the lands aren’t desolated, nothing I can do about it now.” We all just had to hope that Lucinda kept her husband in line.

I poked the package tentatively. “Is it evil? You didn’t box up one of your minions, did you?”

“Of course not,” Cyril replied, frowning at me. “They would burn the box down from the inside if anyone tried that. No, this is much better.”

Most of the presents would be opened in private, but Cyril tapped the side of the box and the ribbon at the top unwound itself. The sides fell, revealing a miniature scale model of my magic tower. The detail astounded me. I could open the windows and doors and peek inside to see exact replicas of the furniture. Right down to the mess of toys we’d left behind in the bedroom.

“Since you’re moving to Bane, I thought you might want to take this with you,” Cyril explained. “Every mage needs a proper lair.”

My brow furrowed and I looked into the tower again. “You’re not saying … this is my tower?”

“Much easier to move things when they’re shrunken down.”

While I struggled to comprehend how he’d managed such a spell, Brendon politely thanked Cyril and moved it out of the way. His face was a bland sort of cheerfulness, and I wondered how he felt about the tower moving with us.

“Do you mind?” I whispered. “I mean, I did lock you in it, you might not have the best memories of it. I can leave it here—”

Brendon placed his hand on mine and grinned. “I think it’s a great gift.” He leaned closer, his breath brushing my ear as he said, “Now I’ll finally get to fuck you in it.”

The temperature in the room rose from the heat in his voice. If we didn’t still have a whole line of petitioners, I would pull him out of the room—no, too far, better to pull him under the table.

A throat cleared and we straightened, Brendon smirking like that cat who’d eaten the canary, and me still struggling to subdue my blush.

Mattias stood in front of us. He’d removed the billowing cloak to reveal a simple black tunic and pants. “I don’t have a gift,” he said, smiling in apology. “But I did want to wish you both every happiness.”

“Thank you. I hope the same for you,” I said with all sincerity. Though I’d recognized him immediately, he’d certainly changed in the four years since I’d last seen him. A new confidence to the way he stood, a dark determination in his eyes. Evil suited him. I wondered what might have happened if we’d done things differently. If he’d stayed, if we hadn’t grown so close only to push each other away. Somehow, I couldn’t picture that future, my mind shying away from hypotheticals since I already knew of a much better reality. Our relationship was better left in the past, for both of us.

Once he left, Brendon asked me, “Your ex?”

I nodded and said, “I’ll tell you all about it later.”

The line of well-wishers and gift-givers finally tapered off enough that I could see the rest of the room. My parents sat at a separate table with Brendon’s, our fathers laughing together while our mothers shared stiff but polite conversation.

Another line had formed, and I followed it with my eyes, tracking it to Cyril and Lucinda’s table. I realized half the people in line were holding books. They must have discovered her identity as the author Lucy Merriweather, and now our wedding reception had turned into an impromptu book signing.

“Do you see Kit anywhere?” Brendon asked.

I searched the room again and shook my head. “Nope, nor Franny.”

Brendon snorted and said, “I wonder how long they waited before slipping away.”

“Not long,” I guessed.

“Do you think anyone would notice?” He nodded toward a door.

It’d been at least five minutes since anyone had approached the table. Everyone seemed occupied with chatting, food, and each other’s company. I glanced at our parents’ table one last time. “Not if we act fast.”

We slipped out the side door without anyone stopping us.

Once in the hallway, Brendon scooped me up and laid me across his shoulders like a sack of potatoes.

“Brendon!” I hissed. “What are you doing?”

“Well, I thought it was high time I turned the tables on you.” He carried me up the stairs and kicked in the door to his guest room, tossing me onto the bed. “You’re now my prisoner,” he announced as he snapped the lock shut on the door.

I sprawled over the bed, hand to my forehead and exclaimed dramatically, “You fiend! How dare you tie me up and have your way with me!” I peeked at him hopefully.

He grinned and pulled colored cords out of his pocket, the same ones the Good Wizard had used in the binding ceremony. Before tying me up, he sat on the edge of the bed and gazed down at me. Sensing a serious discussion, I sat up, trying to rein in my lust and give him my full attention.

“Is this a happy ending?”

His question surprised me. Since I didn’t know how to answer, I shrugged and said, “It’s the last chapter, so it must be.”

“But are you happy?” he asked, running the rope through his hands in an endless loop, as if wondering if he could break the binds of the vows we made before king and country.

I grabbed his hands, stopping the nervous motion. “I am. Are you?”

He mulled over the question for a while, brow furrowed. “Am I happy to be wedded to a conniving little kidnapper who locked me in a magic tower for a week?” Before the sting of his words could pierce my heart, he added, “Gods help me, but I am.”

“So, you forgive me?” I asked, since he’d never officially accepted my apology.

He caressed my cheek and pressed his forehead against mine. “Forgive and more. Thank you, Rick, for saving me, even if that wasn’t your goal.”

“Then yes, this is a happy ending.” I closed the distance between us, speaking against his lips. “But more importantly, I think it’s a happy beginning.”