Three Kings

by Nikki Jefford

  Jastra joined Mel at the window, leaning forward to stare at the lane below. “My, look how handsome Ryo is in his midnight blue suit.”

  “Really?” I asked, lifting a brow.

  Jastra faced me while Mel continued pressing her face to the window.

  “What?” Jastra asked innocently.

  “Not even a year ago you advised Liri to dispose of Ryo.”

  “You what?” Mel screeched. She whipped around, fingers curling into fists, and glared daggers at Jastra.

  Jastra’s lips formed a pout. She brushed teal curls over her shoulders. “Times have changed. I think the human world has made me go soft.”

  I snorted and rolled my eyes.

  Jastra grinned. “The little bugger’s grown on me.”

  “He’s not little!” Mel snapped.

  Jastra and I stared at her.

  Mel’s cheeks turned the color of her hair. “I mean, he’s a grown male.”

  “We’ll take your word for it,” Jastra said with a gleaming smile.

  Mel’s cheeks flamed darker. She stomped up to Jastra and put her hands on her hips. “You all take Ryo for granted. He stuck his neck out to get Teryani’s castle back. He risked his life fighting ogres here in Pinemist. All he ever does is help others with no thanks from any of you.” Her nostrils flared.

  Jastra’s eyes widened, and her lips went flat. She’d gone very still. Slowly, a smile lifted her cheeks. “You truly care about him.”

  I studied my sister’s face, intent on her response. Mel’s arms went slack. She stared down at her hand. She didn’t have to answer for me to feel her ache. My chest tightened.

  “Jastra, I’d like a moment alone with my sister.”

  Flipping her hair over her shoulder, Jastra walked out with a huff. Fae in-laws never seemed to understand the need for privacy in any form.

  Once we were alone, I swept up to Mel and hugged her. “I thought you’d be happy to see them.”

  “I am. Thank you.”

  I gave her a squeeze and a kiss on the head then stepped back. “Don’t listen to Jastra, or Sarfina, or even me for that matter. Just follow your heart.” I hated the way she refused to look me in the eyes.

  Mel’s chin trembled. “My heart doesn’t matter.”

  “Of course it does,” I said soothingly. “It’s the only thing that matters.”

  “You don’t understand, Aerith.” Mel’s voice cracked. She still avoided my stare.

  I frowned. “Then help me to.”

  Mel shook her head. “This is your day.”

  “Mel, I’m here for you—I don’t care what day it is.”

  Mel pushed the short pink sleeves of her dress up to her collarbones only to have them slide right back down her shoulders, leaving them bare. “Arg! What’s wrong with these sleeves?” she growled.

  “They’re supposed to hang that way.”

  “It’s annoying.”

  “You look beautiful.”

  “It doesn’t matter how I look. Today’s your day.”

  “Mel—”

  She turned away from me, staring toward the window. “What if I can’t choose? What if I don’t want to?”

  My brows pinched together. I inhaled deeply, releasing my breath slowly. “You survived Faerie. You’ll get through this.”

  Finally, Mel turned and looked at me with her fierce green eyes. “Don’t you have an opinion?” she demanded. “Don’t you want to advise me on whom to choose or, more likely, to stay away from?”

  “It’s not for me to decide,” I said. “And I don’t know the details.”

  Mel glowered at me. For some reason, it made me laugh. Her eyes narrowed.

  “How about we lay down the swords for today and just have some fun?” I spread my arms open in a gesture of peace.

  “Drink the wine?” Mel asked moodily.

  “I’m not drinking any, but you’re welcome to.” I placed a hand on my belly.

  “I’m not either. It’s something Albedo used to say.”

  “Bleh, you had to mention his name today.” I stuck my tongue out at her.

  Mel’s lips twitched. “Sorry. You’re right. I want to burn his name from my memory and dump the ashes in a sewer.” She jutted her chin. “So, if the guys are here, who is ruling over Dahlquist?”

  “Liri. He did promise that if there was anything I wanted I had only to say the word.” I smirked.

  “I doubt he was expecting you to call in that favor so soon.”

  “Even Liri knows better than to argue with a pregnant bride.”

  Mel laughed at that. It was all I needed to hear.

  A knock at the door proceeded Jastra’s entrance. She lifted her chest and announced, “Aerith, it’s time.”

  While our guests mingled in the front lawn and parlors, Jhaeros and I were escorted to separate white tents flanking a white gazebo with flowered vines wrapped around the open structure.

  Bouquets of pink and white bloomed from clear vases atop barrels that were tied off with shimmering ribbons. Wood stumps were stacked all around the back lawn, covered in white pillar candles that would be lit once the sun went down and the dancing began. There were ribbons and lanterns hanging from trees. I could already picture how magical it would look tonight.

  Sequestered inside the tent, a giddy excitement built inside me. When Jastra suggested I sit in the small tent’s one chair, I shook my head. I was way too animated to sit still. I peeled the tent flap back a few inches and watched guests being ushered out to stand facing the gazebo.

  Jastra paced back and forth in the small confines. “Where is Sarfina?” she hissed.

  “I saw her arrive with Ryo and Lyklor,” Mel offered.

  “She’s such a brat.” Jastra scowled. “I’ll be right back.” She pushed through the tent flap, leaving Mel and me fidgeting.

  “You do look beautiful,” Mel said. “And I approve of your match.”

  I laughed. “Thanks.”

  “I know you will be happy together. No one deserves it more.” Tears glossed over Mel’s eyes, which made mine pool over. “Ugh, I sound like such a sap.” Mel groaned and pressed the palm of her hand to her forehead.

  “I think it’s sweet,” I said, blinking rapidly. “Today’s the day to let it all out—embrace the love dove within.”

  Mel groaned louder.

  I laughed nervously, my mind drifting over to the opposite tent and Jhaeros inside. I couldn’t wait to make things official then enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening together with family and friends. I’d requested five different flavored cakes, and I wanted a bite from every one of them. I’d waited a long time for this day and now that it was here, I wanted to enjoy every sweet second of our celebration.

  Nothing was going to ruin my good mood. Not my father. Not my in-laws. My favorite sister was safely by my side and I was about to marry the love of my life. I smiled at Mel and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

  We heard Jastra and Sarfina bickering outside the tent.

  “Just looking around,” Sarfina said.

  “You mean snooping?” Jastra cut in.

  “I don’t see why the ceremony is outside. Elves are so outdoorsy.” Sarfina sighed. “Poor Aerith, her new mate doesn’t even have a ballroom.”

  Jastra pushed her sister into the tent. Apparently, Sarfina had chosen to ignore her instructions on hairstyle. She’d swept it all up into a braided crown with pink-jeweled combs that sparkled in her blonde hair. At least she’d worn the right dress. She was lucky to be included as a bridesmaid, let alone invited. But I was letting bygones be bygones, at least for today. Weddings made for wonderful new beginnings.

  “Right on time,” I said sarcastically.

  Sarfina’s lips pouted.

  There was a hush outside that brought my thoughts whooshing back to the ceremony. The sound of lutes summoned butterflies in my stomach. For several moments, I forgot to breathe and stumbled back. Mel grasped me by the arm and smiled at me with her full warmth.

&n
bsp; “You can do this,” she whispered.

  I nearly laughed.

  I’d provided for my family when we were half-starving and one step away from losing our home. I’d won a royal tournament, married a Fae prince, and been widowed. I’d been invited to an otherworldly ball where I fell in love with a male I’d once despised. I’d been kidnapped by my brother-in-law and held against my will in Faerie. I’d escaped. I’d returned. I’d ruled over Dahlquist. And now I was marrying my soul mate, my belly stretching with his child.

  I wasn’t nervous or afraid. I was trembling with happiness.

  Sight and sound twirled into a din and blur when I left the tent after my sisters. I saw Jhaeros, dressed in a crisp suit, exiting his tent. His brown eyes alighted on mine then swept down my body in a caressing gaze that made my cheeks flush. I forgot about our guests as we walked up to the gazebo, reaching for one another, grasping hands.

  Jhaeros’s eyes traveled up my dress one final time before resting on my gaze. His grin could have lit up the entire town. “I love you so much, Aerith.”

  My heart did flips.

  “Ahem. It is not time for you to speak yet, Mr. Keasandoral,” an ancient elf in a white robe admonished. Apparently, he’d married Jhaeros’s parents. This was the closest Jhaeros could get to having them with us for our wedding.

  “Also, you look beautiful,” Jhaeros added, his eyes sparkling.

  Our officiator hissed. I had to bite back a laugh. It wasn’t like Jhaeros to disregard formalities. I found it cute. I squeezed his hand to let him know. I wasn’t quite as brave as him to risk the elder’s crossness.

  White robed arms were raised into the air, a silent command for the music to stop. The musicians, unlike Jhaeros, obeyed immediately. The elder elf faced our guests.

  “Friends, you have gathered here today to witness the matrimony between Jhaeros Keasandoral and Aerith Heiris-Elmray. This union is not one taken lightly. It is binding. It is sacred. It is eternal.”

  I winked at Jhaeros while the elder wasn’t looking. He grinned and gripped my hands.

  “Jhaeros and Aerith have promised to devote themselves to one another, as is the elven way.”

  I thought I heard Sarfina snort, followed by a soft yelp of pain. While Keerla had been assigned to keep a hawk eye on my father, Jastra had eagerly volunteered to keep Sarfina under control.

  The elder cleared his throat. “It is time to seal your promise with rings.”

  Jhaeros pulled two thin silver rings from his coat pocket. Unlike faeries, elves didn’t carve up their hands to seal a mate bond. Mel had told me that humans had a similar tradition to ours with wedding rings but that theirs were usually studded with diamonds. All matrimonial rings were the same in the elven realm—a simple symbol and sacred promise.

  Jhaeros slipped my ring over my left middle finger. He handed me his ring, and I slipped it over his finger. We clasped hands again, leaning closer, sharing our warmth and love.

  “With Sky Mother as our witness, I proclaim these two elves before us bonded for eternity. Join me in blessing Mr. and Mrs. Keasandoral.” Guests chorused the elder’s next words. “In the name of Mother Sky, we bless this union.”

  Jhaeros and I kissed, causing applause to erupt. His tongue stroked mine in a quick probe that promised wedding night pleasures later to come. My heart hummed with satisfaction. Standing on tiptoes, I pressed my lips to my mate’s ear and whispered, “I cannot wait to consummate our marriage, Mr. Keasandoral, but first I want cake.”

  Pulling me against him, Jhaeros whispered back, “You can have whatever you want, Aerith.”

  Cakes be damned, I already had what I wanted most.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Melarue

  The newlyweds’ make-out session was my cue to shove off. I would have gone over and congratulated Jhaeros if he hadn’t lodged his tongue down my sister’s throat.

  I hurried away from the gazebo, pushing through the flap of the small tent to take a moment to regain my composure after staring sideways into the audience during the ceremony. I’d seen Ryo and Lyklor near the front, standing side by side with at least a foot of distance between them. It looked like they’d left the crowns back at the castle. Lyklor had arrived in his trademark red jacket. It seemed like they were staring at me, but I’d been too unnerved to give them my full attention.

  Butterflies erupted inside my stomach, swarming my entire chest with their incessant flapping.

  Sarfina shoved the tent flap aside, following me in. She totally missed me glowering at her. “Mel, I’m glad you are here. We need to talk.”

  “Of course I’m here. It’s my sister’s wedding.” I huffed.

  Sarfina merely straightened her back and tucked several flyaway hairs behind her pointed ears. She lifted her chest. “Lyklor has been pining after you.”

  “Oh really?” I said, folding my arms. “That’s interesting because I’ve heard jack squat from him.” When Sarfina squinted at me, I said, “It’s a term from the mortal world.” Sarfina’s knowledge of humans was worse than Aerith’s. “It means absolutely no contact. Can’t even be bothered to dreamscape. I know royal Fae have that power—not to mention portaling—unlike me.”

  Nope, I had to sit back patiently like a mortal woman waiting for a guy to call her. Lame.

  “He’d planned to talk to you the night Aerith kidnapped you.” Sarfina glared at the side of the tent as though imagining Aerith on the other side.

  “Aerith didn’t kidnap me,” I said, rolling my eyes. “I mean, she sorta tricked and coerced me, but she was just being protective.” No one was allowed to be mad at my sister—other than me.

  “Yeah, well, we were all really disappointed you left early without even a goodbye.”

  “What’s going on in here?” Jastra demanded, barreling into the tent.

  Sarfina flipped her hair over her shoulder and flashed her sister a smug smile. “Just telling Melarue about Lyklor’s undying love for her.”

  “Cute,” Jastra said, lifting her chin. “Ryo gave himself to Mel in an actual mate bond to save her from Albedo. They’d still be mates if Lyklor hadn’t disavowed the union.”

  “It is not for us to question the king’s decisions,” Sarfina said.

  “Ryo is a king now too.”

  Jastra and Sarfina glared at one another. If only the males would fight over me with as much ferocity as the sisters.

  I narrowed my eyes. “Shouldn’t you be helping them find Fae queens?”

  “Nah,” Jastra said immediately. “Fae females tend to be overly bossy.”

  “You don’t say,” I muttered.

  Choosing to ignore my comment, Jastra twirled one of her teal curls around her finger.

  Sarfina nodded her agreement. “Bitchy, sneaky plotters all of them.”

  Yeah, took one to know one.

  My eyes shifted from one sister to the other. “So, what you’re saying is that I’d be a more manageable in-law?”

  The smirks on their faces said it all. Oh, how little they knew me. That thought made me smile.

  “You’re practically family already,” Jastra said. “Why not make it official? Why not choose?”

  “Choose Lyklor,” Sarfina said.

  Jastra glared at her again.

  Keerla poked her head into the tent. “Time for the toast,” she said in a commanding voice.

  “Oh good. I need alcohol.” Jastra tossed her teal hair over her shoulder and walked out ahead of Sarfina.

  Shaking her blonde head, Sarfina followed.

  “Hey, Mel,” Keerla said, smiling at me.

  “Hey.” I pushed my sleeves up. The stupid things drooped again. I didn’t know why I bothered. The lack of support wasn’t helping ease my tender breasts.

  “You ready to come out?” Keerla raised her brows.

  “Yeah,” I said, while thinking, “No.”

  “I’ll get you a drink if you want.”

  “No, I’m good. I’m coming out.”

  When
I stepped out, Ryo was waiting right outside the tent, gazing at me as though hypnotized. The butterflies in my belly froze midflight. I felt my heart in my throat and nerves sparking along my arms. Ryo swept black hair away from his face and offered me a dazzling smile.

  “It’s good to see you again, Mel.”

  Before I could answer, my dad barreled over, spilling sparkling wine from his flute. “Prince Ryo!” he bellowed happily.

  “Hi, Mr. Heiris.” Ryo smiled politely.

  I folded my arms over my bosom, cradling my breasts. “Actually, it’s King Ryo now.”

  Father made a choking sound, even though he hadn’t taken a sip of wine. “King?” he croaked.

  “Yep,” I said.

  Ryo flushed and ran a hand through his hair. “Uh, sorta. I mean, when Liri isn’t ruling, it falls on me and”— he wrinkled his nose—“my cousin.”

  “Well, this is marvelous news!” Father crowed, having completely regained his composure. “We must toast to Ryo’s good fortune.”

  I hiked up one brow. “Shouldn’t we be toasting Aerith and Jhaeros?”

  “I already toasted them,” Father said. “Come. Let’s get you two a glass of wine.”

  “I’m not drinking,” I said.

  “I’m fine as well, Mr. Heiris, but thank you.”

  Father’s brows furrowed. “Not drinking? This is a wedding, for sky’s sake.”

  The sound of elves strumming lutes started back up as though to accentuate his point.

  Lady Dashwood flounced over to Father’s side in her layers of peach silk. She threaded her hand around Father’s arm. “There you are, Elred. Shall we have some cake?”

  “I don’t know,” he said, looking at me. “Would cake be acceptable to you, Mel?”

  I sighed. “I’ll have some cake.”

  Ryo walked alongside me to a table with a towering six-tier cake frosted in buttercream and decorated in strawberries. The inside had been infused with rhubarb syrup to moisten the layers of sponge. I knew all about the cakes from Aerith, who had shared all the flavors in minute detail during the weeks leading up to the ceremony.