The reverend’s booming voice filled the cathedral despite how open it was. “We’re gathered here today as a realm to witness the marriage of Princess Jayne Lilibeth Frost and her consort, Sinclair Miller Crowe. If there is any among you who has reason this union should not go forward, speak now.”
Silence followed. Thankfully, the reverend didn’t let it linger long.
“We will now be led in the singing of “Blessed Day” by Wren Evergreen.”
Wren was the lead soloist in the Baker’s Choir, and her voice was as pure and sweet as sugar. She took the small dais prepared on the right side and began.
On the second note, the crowd around us joined in. And I did mean the crowd. Everyone inside and outside of the cathedral sang. The sound vibrated off the ice structure, echoed off the surrounding buildings, and saturated the air with the kind of music only a multitude of voices could produce.
The song was one traditionally sung at happy occasions, and while short, the sweetness of the last note lingered over us like a cool rain.
“That was nice,” Sin whispered.
I answered with a very small nod and smile. Singing was a big elf thing, and there’d be a lot more of it over his lifetime, so I was glad he’d liked it.
The reverend looked at us. “Love is different for everyone. We feel it differently. We react to it differently. We process it differently. Finding someone who feels and reacts and processes it the same way you do is a difficult task. One you have both accomplished.”
Soft, happy laughter lifted off the crowd.
“Now a new task lies ahead of you. The one of starting your life together. As a unit. A team. And a family. To do that, you must nurture the love that brought you together and cling to the understanding you have for each other.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught heads nodding.
“There will be good times, and great times, and times that try you. But it is my wish, and I am sure the wish of every citizen in attendance today, that you won’t let those trying times get the best of you. Remember that you are far stronger together than you are apart.”
Sin and I smiled at each other. We already knew how true that was.
“Let us now begin the vows.” He turned slightly toward Sin. “Sinclair Miller Crowe, do you take this woman to love and honor for the rest of your life, promising to cherish her above all others?”
“I do.” Sin spoke without taking his eyes off me.
The reverend looked at me. “Princess Jayne Lilibeth Frost, do you take this man to love and honor for the rest of your life, promising to cherish him above all others?”
I kept my gaze on Sin. “I do.”
The reverend reached into his jacket and pulled out the rings. We’d put Anson in charge of delivering them. The reverend held them in one hand, lifting them up so everyone could see them. “These rings are unbroken and never-ending circles that represent the commitment this couple shares for one another. Their love for each other is as strong and enduring as these bands.”
He brought the rings back down between us. “Every time you look at them, I hope you’re reminded of the vows you made this day and the love you hold in your hearts for each other.”
He palmed Sin’s ring, pinching mine between his fingers so he could hold it out to Sinclair.
Sin released my hand to take it.
“Place the ring on her finger,” the reverend directed.
I held my hand out, and Sin positioned the ring while the reverend spoke. “Repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.”
Sinclair slipped the ring all the way on. His eyes sparkled with such happiness, I had to smile back. “With this ring, I thee wed.”
The reverend gave me Sin’s platinum band, and I repeated the words just as he had. “With this ring, I thee wed.”
The reverend spread his hands wide and addressed the gathered crowd. “It is my great honor to pronounce Princess Jayne and Prince Consort Sinclair as husband and wife.” He looked at us again. “You may now kiss the bride.”
Sin pulled me into his arms, and cheers erupted, but the moment his mouth touched mine, the outside world disappeared. My husband was kissing me, and nothing else mattered.
But then a new and somewhat unexplainable sound reached our ears. Laughter. We broke the kiss to see what was causing it.
Wasn’t hard to figure out. A little furry black body wearing a purple bow tie was running down the aisle toward us, meowing his head off.
The oohing and aahing and oh, how cutes overtook the laughter. I just stood there, shaking my head as Spider came trotting up to me.
He sat on my train and meowed up at me with great volume. I guessed he’d chosen not to speak because of the size of the crowd. Smart cat, that one. He would have caused a riot, I was sure.
I gazed down at him with a mix of amusement and love. Such a stinker. I tipped my head. “I suppose you’re hungry?”
He answered with a long meow that set off a new wave of laughter.
I looked at the crowd. “My cat, everyone.” I shook my head at him, then held out my arms. “Come on.”
He took a giant leap and landed in them.
Sin laughed. “My wife, everyone.”
That got the biggest laugh, and on that note, we headed back to the carriage with Spider acting as my bouquet. (I’d let my first attendant hang on to my real one.) The laughter turned into cheering and applause, and by the time we reached the carriage, my cheeks ached from all the smiling.
I let Spider get into the carriage on his own, where he went back to sit by Sugar. Sin helped me in, then the footmen dealt with my train again.
At last we were in and the door was closed. We had a half-hour journey home because of the slow pace and the parade route, but Sin and I were together, and that was all that mattered.
He grinned at me. “We’re married.”
“I know. Crazy, right?”
He kissed me. “I love you. But I’m glad that part is over.”
I laughed. “Me too. That was a lot of people. And I’m used to a lot of people. But that was different.”
Spider was sitting up, pawing at the carriage’s crystal-clear sides.
Sin hooked his thumb toward Spider. “We should probably be waving too.”
“You’re right, we should.” I gave him a wink. “Don’t want people thinking the Prince Consort is too good for a little friendly gesture.”
“No, we do not.” He snorted. “I can’t believe that’s my title now.”
I started waving. “Yep, you’re stuck with being royal.” I glanced over my shoulder, so in love with him that I ached with it. “You’re also stuck being married to one.”
He looked back at me, grabbing my hand and squeezing it. “I couldn’t be happier about that.”
At the end of our journey, we arrived at the main entrance to the palace. This was not the day to go in through the side entrance. And just like when I’d descended the steps with Ezreal, every available staff member had assembled to welcome us home as husband and wife.
Sin let out a low whistle. “Is that everyone who works in the palace?”
“Not everyone. There’s no way the kitchen staff could be out here, not with the massive dinner they’re about to put on. Plus, I’m sure there’s still security at their checkpoints and a good number of valets getting ready to deal with all the vehicles that are about to arrive.”
“Even so, that’s a small country out there.”
I nodded. “It is. Our country.”
He took a breath as the carriage rolled to a gentle stop. “The footmen are going to take Spider and Sugar back to your apartment?”
“Yes, and Allene is going to take their fancy collars off them and get them fed.”
“Great. I like her a lot. She’s really nice. Your whole team is.”
“They’re wonderful. I wouldn’t look like this without them. And tomorrow I’m giving them all a weeklong vacation in Vegas. Your mom helped me set it up. They’re going to see your
parents’ show and everything.”
“Hey, that’s awesome.”
I shrugged. “They’ve earned it. This wedding was a lot of work.” Then I let out a little sigh. “I’m sorry we didn’t manage to plan a honeymoon. I didn’t anticipate how much time getting the new apartment ready was going to take. And we still won’t be in for a week.”
He smiled and lifted one shoulder. “We’ll get to the honeymoon. We have all kinds of time. Working on the apartment was important.”
“Thanks for being so understanding.”
“Of course.” The door opened, and a fresh, cool breeze blew in. Sin leaned closer. “And now, after all that work, the fun part is finally here.”
We had to wait behind closed doors before entering the great hall. When we did go through, Ezreal would announce us to all the guests inside.
The hall was at full capacity with both adjoining galleries opened up, which meant there were about a thousand people on the other side of the doors, waiting for us. A fraction compared to the number who’d turned out to watch the ceremony, but I also knew there were smaller versions of this party going on all over the realm this evening.
Miniature wedding cakes would be eaten in our honor. None, of course, with the particular layers of flavor that ours had, but tomorrow, White’s Fine Pastries would begin production of Royal Wedding Cupcakes in the three flavors we’d chosen.
I was sure other bakeries would copy the flavors. It happened. But I didn’t think any would quite match the deliciousness of what Julianne had provided for us.
“You’re thinking about the cake, aren’t you?”
I looked at Sin and laughed. “Do you really know me that well?”
He nodded. “Yeah, I do. Plus, you get a certain little gleam in your eye when you’re thinking about sweets.”
“I do?”
“Yep.” He shook his head, clearly amused. “You know the cake cutting isn’t for a while yet. We have to eat dinner first, have our first dance, all that stuff.”
“I know. But I can’t wait to eat some. After all this excitement, I could use the boost.”
“I’m sure we’ll find something for you once we get inside.” He was grinning in such a way that I knew he was up to something.
“What?”
He shrugged one shoulder. “I might have asked the kitchen staff to have a couple bottles of Dr Pepper on ice and waiting for you at your seat on the dais.”
This man. “Well, now I’m really glad I married you.”
He snorted. “Is that what finally did it? Good to know.”
I slid my arm around him and hugged him tight. “Today’s been pretty amazing.”
“It has been. And tonight’s going to be a blast.”
Ezreal slipped through the doors. “How are you doing? Are you ready to go in?”
We both nodded.
“Great. I’ll announce you, then the footmen will open the doors.” He smiled. “Here we go.”
He went back into the great hall, and I could hear a microphone click on. “Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests of the realm, please join me in welcoming for the first time as husband and wife, Princess Jayne and Prince Consort Sinclair.”
A cheer went up, and the doors opened.
We walked out, holding hands and waving. The room was lit as if twilight had fallen. Snow drifted from the ceiling in big flakes that dissolved without a trace the moment they touched our skin. The space looked like an enchanted winter wonderland. It was beautiful.
But better than that was the sea of smiling faces. There were many people I knew only in passing because they held certain offices or were the heads of organizations, but there were also many I knew and loved. Lots of folks from Nocturne Falls had come, which touched me deeply. Sin and I owed that town so much.
A happier time I couldn’t imagine. The dais, where we’d be seated, also held my parents, my aunt and uncle, Sin’s parents, and his great-aunt, Zinnia, who’d come up only last night. I hadn’t met her yet, but I was looking forward to it.
All of our wedding attendants were seated at the tables closest to the dais, along with the most distinguished guests. Most of the Nocturne Falls folks—like Birdie and her beau, Jack, and all my friends from the toy store—were at those tables.
As things died down a bit, we took our seats so dinner could begin. A server approached and immediately filled my goblet with Dr Pepper. I took a sip, and the sugar hit me a second later, boosting my energy.
The night progressed perfectly. Dinner, dancing, cake, more dancing, more cake. It was all wonderful. No one seemed to want to go home, either, which was fine with me. This wasn’t a party that I wanted to end.
Eventually, with the first light of dawn already pinkening the horizon and our wedding breakfast only a scant couple of hours away, we left the great hall behind and headed to our respective apartments to change.
I was tired from the day, but still very much floating on a big cloud of happiness.
At my door, Sin pulled me into his arms and gave me a slow, easy kiss that lingered for a deliciously long time. I went tingly all over, and even though I was exhausted, I could just feel the bloom of fresh energy.
When he finally released me, I blinked up at him. “What was that all about?”
“Can’t a man kiss his wife?”
“Definitely. Anytime he wants. Just wondering if there was more to that than opportunity.”
He bent his head until our foreheads touched. “There kind of was. Mostly because we’re not really going to have a wedding night until tomorrow. Not with family here and us due in the dining room for breakfast in a couple hours. Plus, I know Allene is waiting for you in your apartment just like Will is waiting for me in mine.”
“True,” I said. “Too bad the new place isn’t done, or we could escape over there for a few hours. Next week can’t come soon enough.”
His right eyebrow lifted in disbelief. “You talk a big game, but I’m willing to bet you’d be asleep before I got you out of this dress.”
I chuckled. “I’m not even going to argue, because today has been a long day. In fact, the only thing that’s going to get me through breakfast is a shower hot enough to wake me up.” I tapped one of the studs on his shirt. “Want to join me?”
A wicked spark lit his gaze. “Well, Mrs. Crowe. That’s one of the best ideas you’ve had since we got married.”
“Stick around. This marriage is young.”
“Give me twenty minutes to get out of this suit?”
“Perfect. It’ll take me that long to ditch this dress and get Allene out of there. Although I’m sure she’ll understand.”
He planted a quick kiss on my mouth. “See you then.”
I backed toward my door, thankful that my train had been bustled up so that I didn’t trip over it. “I’ll leave it unlocked.”
I went in, not only leaving the door unlocked, but partially open. “Allene? I’m ready to take this gown off.”
She wasn’t in the living room, which was where I’d expected her to be, so I walked into the bedroom.
I stopped at the door. Allene was frozen to my desk chair with bands of ice. Her eyes were wild and pleading. One of my scarves wrapped her mouth, gagging her. She looked petrified.
The source of that fear was right behind her. Elma. And she had Spider by the scruff of his neck. A low, guttural growl vibrated out of him. There was no sign of Sugar, but Elma had scratches on her hands.
She was going to have worse than that when I got done with her. My hands clenched in anger. “What are you doing, Elma?”
“What does it look like, Princess? Ruining your perfect day. I didn’t get one, so you’re not going to either.”
How she’d escaped the holding cells, I had no idea, but she was wearing the same uniform as palace kitchen staff, so it was pretty clear how she’d gotten in. If anyone wanted to slip into the palace unnoticed, today was the day. With the extra help and wedding chaos, it had to have been easy.
Obviously.
I shook my head. “You did that to yourself. And you’re too late to ruin my perfect day. I’ve already had it. Now put my cat down and give yourself up. I’m sure the constable is looking for you.”
“No one’s looking for me. Not with the ice form I left under my sheets in my cell.”
“That will melt soon enough.” But it was obvious Elma’s gift of shimmer was strong. But then, if her father worked in the stables, she had to come from a family with strong magic. That was a prerequisite for reindeer handlers. I couldn’t underestimate her. “If you give yourself up, things will go easier on you.”
“Easier?” She snorted. “Nothing in my life has been easy. The man I love tried to marry another woman. How could he after all I did to help his mother?”
My hands clenched a little tighter. I was not doing this. Not now. Not after the most perfect day of my life. I took a few steps toward her. “You’re the reason his mother is sick. You poisoned her. And your life hasn’t been easy because of the choices you’ve made. How about a little personal responsibility? Huh? How about that, Elma?”
“Come any closer, and someone’s going to get hurt.” She thrust her hand out, and an ice dagger appeared in it. With the bands on Allene, the ice form in her cell, and now this dagger, her power had to be stretched thin.
I nodded. “I agree, someone is going to get hurt, but the odds are that someone’s going to be you.” I called up my power and produced a long double-bladed staff of hard, winter-elf ice. I began twirling it slowly, letting the light glint off the razor-sharp edges. “I’ve had years of training, Elma. Do you really want to try me?”
She laughed, a rather maniacal sound. “I don’t need to fight you to hurt you.”
She put the blade to Spider’s neck.
Every inch of me went cold, and a haze of red covered everything in my field of vision. I stopped twirling the staff. “You hurt that cat, and I will kill you. Slowly and painfully.”
A second of uncertainty crossed her face, like she’d realized she’d gone too far. But it only lasted a second. Then the crazy came back. “Maybe I’m ready to die.”
Miss Frost Says I Do: A Nocturne Falls Mystery (Jayne Frost Book 7) Page 19