by K R Martin
“Yes, my son. I am back,” Renee replied.
“Mama!” Willy and Rosa flung themselves into Renee’s arms.
The force nearly flung her backwards, but she just laughed as she hugged all three tighter. Tears fell and she felt free, herself. All the hiding was now behind her, and she truly felt like she had returned home. Well, almost.
“There you are,” Little Wolf spoke from behind her, his breath a little winded. Arrow flew in after him, stopping to rest on the desk. “The ship has been secured.”
“Uncle Woof, Mama back!” Rosa exclaimed.
“See, Uncle Woof?” Willy added as he went to pull Little Wolf further in.
“I see.” Little Wolf smiled. “Welcome back.”
“Thank you.” Renee smiled at him as she stood, holding Spera and taking Rosa’s hand. With a quick whistle, Arrow flew and landed on her shoulder. “Now, let’s go get Papa.”
Chapter 49
Will stood looking at his reflection. He had to admit, he looked quite dashing in his royal regalia, the white coat cut to perfection, his crest gleaming from the medallion on his chest. His crown winked at him from atop his head.
He looked every bit the King of Cartiana. And it was wrong. It was wrong because he didn’t have his queen at his side.
“She will be here,” Jonathan’s voice soothed, slightly.
“She should have been here long before now. The wedding starts in just over an hour, and the ship has yet to be sighted.”
“I will admit that it is getting close, but I know her. And I know she will be here.”
“But what if the information was false, a trick by Retanny’s emperor to send her scurrying off?”
“Will. Close your eyes and listen to your heart. The heart that loved Renee again, even when your mind believed her dead. What does your heart say?”
“Renee will come back. She’s my partner, and my heart, and we always find our way back to each other.”
“Then trust her. I will say this, she is going to enjoy the view when she gets here.”
Will couldn’t help but chuckle at that commentary. His chuckles were silenced by a knock at the door.
“Enter,” Will called, his back immediately stiffening even before the door opened, revealing a Retanny servant holding a massive amount of red.
“His majesty sent Retanny’s ceremonial cape for you to wear. Every emperor, and future emperor, has worn it for their weddings and coronations, and he requests that you wear it this morning.”
“Requests or requires?” Jonathan crossed his arms.
“Leave it.” Will sighed, motioning to a chair.
The servant practically sniffed as he laid the precious garment down, all but stalking from the room.
Jonathan took an edge, pulling the fabric. “Oh, my,” he spoke as he continued to pull, stopping at the room’s other end, fabric still pooled on the chair. “And this is not a small room.”
“Well, it is meant to be a grand affair.” Will strode to the item. “It is a rather remarkable cape.” he said as he noted the fine quality of the garment, the red velour still soft, and the white fur fluffed, a gold ribbon attaching the two together.
“Just wait until Renee sees you in this.” Jonathan chuckled, Will joining him.
“Alright, let’s get me into it,” Will said as he stepped back to the mirror. “And then summon several servants to help get me to the wedding.”
Jonathan continued to laugh as he draped the fabric on Will. As the weight settled on his shoulders, the weight returned to his heart.
Please hurry, my love.
“Can’t we hurry any faster?” Renee asked Luca.
“We will be there soon enough,” he replied for the tenth time. Or was it the twelfth?
“The wedding will start any minute,” she muttered.
“It will start late with so many guests, and the ceremony will drag long before the vows will be spoken. And, the city seems to be coming into view.”
Renee’s head whipped around, her eyes barely catching the faint outline. The relief was swift and immediate.
“Go below and get dressed,” Luca told her.
“I’m fine,” Renee assured him.
“Renee. You will be entering that building, filled with royalty and dignitaries from around the world, as Queen of Espan and Cartiana. Dress the part.”
“I suppose I should.” Sometimes she hated him being the voice of reason. Spinning on her heel, she strode towards her room.
“Oh, and lose the mask,” he called after her.
“Tell Ama Lei I expect the Empress of Jenha to join me!” Renee called back before stepping into her room.
“Mama!” All three voices called before the children scurried over, launching themselves around Renee’s legs.
“Are we there?” Willy asked.
“Not yet,” Renee told him. “But soon.”
“We get Papa?” Rosa asked.
“Yes, but you all will have to stay on board for just a little while.”
“Aww,” the three moaned.
“Can Uncle Woof play for long time?” Rosa asked.
“Pwease Uncle Woof?” Willy turned to ask him, reminding Renee that the boy had taken to playing with the kids.
“I have to help your Mama, but, I can play a little bit more,” Little Wolf told them.
“Would you mind seeing them settled below?” Renee asked him.
“Of course. Come along, let’s go play.” He grinned at the kids, earning cheers from them as he herded them out of the room.
Renee wasted no time as she dug out her hidden tiara, along with a few extra pins to secure it. She then took both her swords, laying them atop the bed to secure last. Her hand reached for the chain constantly hanging around her neck, pulling the items out of hiding.
Smiling, she undid the chain, pulling both the ring and rose pendant off. The ring she slipped on her finger, and the rose found a new chain before once again resting just below her collarbone. Already, she felt herself again.
A knock sounded before the door opened to see Ama Lei step in.
“Luca told me,” she said simply.
“Ah. And I assume he forgot to mention that you get to join me?”
“Oh, someone will be bringing my items soon, and believe me, I will need assistance. So first, I will help turn you into a queen.”
“Well, let’s see what Madame has created for me,” Renee said as she strode to the armoire. She pulled it open and brushed the hiding fabric aside. “Oh, Madame.”
Chapter 50
Hushed voices filled the vaulted ceiling of the great building. So many people filled the seats, both in the edges of the floor, and the two balconies flanking the sides. A massive expanse of empty space filled the center, an expanse that would soon give way to Desiree striding down.
Will stood at his place at the front, the cape seeming to pull him down, along with the gaze that pushed down on him. Every time he turned his head, his eyes caught sight of the emperor sitting high. He looked composed, a winner, but his eyes glared with warning.
“Breathe,” Jonathan whispered, bringing Will’s attention back to his friend.
“I’m trying to,” Will replied. “It helps that you’re here. Both of you,” he added as he nodded to Fedor standing on Jonathan’s other side. “Thank you for being here, even if it was rather last minute.”
“It is my honor,” Fedor replied. “And I do understand the reasons behind the late invitation.”
“It really was fortuitous that you were able to fill Caleb’s position when he became ill,” Jonathan said. Will had to admit, Sonia was a genius for putting that rumor around.
“I believe it is time,” the priest spoke as he took his place at the front.
No. It couldn’t be time, not yet. Renee still hadn’t arrived. Panic set in. What could be taking her so long? What could he do? He couldn’t go through with the vows, but what if Renee was more than late? What if she had failed? Could he risk his children’s
lives, or his eternal soul?
Music began, and all eyes turned to the massive doors, now opened to allow ladies garbed in Retanny’s finest. They began to glide down the aisle, but parted to reveal a figured garbed in white and gold.
Desiree stood in the opening, nerves dancing through every inch of her body. She had stalled as much as she could, though her attendants had certainly helped. First thing, they bustled in, along with the gown her uncle had made for her. That was a flight, and she eventually, almost literally, kicked them out, demanding some assistants from Cartiana’s delegation. What she got was Sonia, Katie, Mei, and Nya shoving the Retanny servants out of the way, bringing with them the gown from Espan.
Getting ready was actually fun. The girls chatted and pampered her, all laughing and enjoying themselves, including Esha who had stayed when the rest were dismissed. They made her feel like this was her wedding, but to the groom of her choice. She couldn’t help but envision a certain prince with soulful brown eyes and an accent that threatened to melt her when he opened his mouth. At one point, even Vasilissa joined the fun, assisting in layering the sleeves just right so they draped down her arms.
“And every bride should borrow from a loving couple,” Vasilissa had said when she presented a gold necklace filled with diamonds and sapphires dripping in intricate weaves. “My mother’s. And hers. I wore at my wedding. It is filled with love and hope.”
“Thank you,” Desiree had managed to whisper even as she fought back the tears. Vasilissa had put the necklace around Desiree’s neck, and Mei placed the tiara atop her head. The image in the mirror was exactly who she wanted to be: a white and gold gown with fitted bodice and flared skirt, open sleeves showcasing her arms, a tiara delicate and regal, and golden hair cascading in curls down her back.
Just the thought of that image brought a smile to her face as she waited to walk down the aisle. Though now, she wore a long veil cascading from the tiara, flowing in yards behind her, gold thread creating beautiful designs throughout. She felt every bit the princess; she just wished it wasn’t wasted on a sham.
The music changed, dragging her from her musings. Her feet moved on their own, gliding slowly down the aisle. Part of her screamed to turn around, to go back, but she couldn’t risk harm coming to Will’s children. She would do everything she could to help him get them back. Including continuing the farce until Renee returned. Where was she?
Desiree had already traversed half the length; what would they do if the vows arrived before Renee? Panic crept back in, and she looked Will’s way for a bit of reassurance. Instead, her eyes fell on a face just to his right.
Fedor gazed at her, eyes wide and jaw open. Her heart thudded, but something warm joined it. His eyes practically sparkled with astonishment, and wonder, even a bit of admiration. He looked dashing in his long, black military coat, the gold buttons gleaming at her, and the red sash across his chest reminded her of how much passion and love she felt for him. His mouth closed, and turned into a soft smile, one unabashedly adoring.
Will stepped before her, breaking her from her thoughts, and making her realize she made it to the front, and almost walked to Fedor. Blinking her eyes to focus, she placed her hand in Will’s, and allowing him to lead her towards the altar.
“Dearly beloved,” the priest called over the room, causing the flutters to take over Desiree again. “We are all gathered here today to bear witness to the union of King William of Cartiana and Espan, and Crown Princess Desiree of Retanny. It is a union far greater than that of two people, for it is a union of two kingdoms, joining in an alliance not easily broken.”
Will tensed the same time she did. At least the priest seemed to be willing to drone on, which helped them in waiting for Renee to show. But his droning on about political ramifications weren’t helping her nerves at all.
“Should anyone here know of an impediment to this union, please speak now, or forever hold your peace.”
Chapter 51
Desiree sought Will’s eyes, knowing hers must show the same panic as his. Should they reveal Renee? Will couldn’t marry her but...
“I have a reason.” The clear voice rang through the space, drawing out shocked gasps and whispers. Will turned, allowing Desiree a straight path to view Fedor. “I object to this wedding.” he said.
“You have no grounds to object to anything,” the Retanny emperor thundered.
“As a prince of Vikieva, he has every right to speak,” Vasilissa’s voice rang with even more conviction, daring all to oppose her authority. The emperor just sat back down in a huff.
“Speak your case,” the priest said. Fedor turned his full gaze to Desiree.
“I object to this union because I am in love with the bride.”
Even louder shocked gasps followed that statement, and speculation flowed. Desiree could only smile at Fedor, her own heart overflowing with happiness. He loved her. He just declared his love for her before all the dignitaries, including his own sister.
“Young man, this is hardly the time,” her uncle tried to call over the clamor.
“Now is exactly the time,” Fedor called back, his voice effectively silencing the room. “I came to Espan searching for an alliance. I never expected to find love. But I did. I found this young woman who should have been my enemy. She always fought with everything I said, contradicted me and made quips at me, and I couldn’t help but quip back. And I enjoyed it. She challenged me, and I loved it, and then I found I loved her.”
Tears tugged at her eyes, her heartbeat pattering even faster. “Desiree, you are beyond remarkable. You have shown kindness and compassion, and have weathered some difficult storms with dignity and grace. And, well, you are the most beautiful woman I’ve known. The reason I object is because I don’t want you to marry the king of Cartiana; I don’t want you to marry anyone else. I want you to marry me.”
Sighs and squeals filled the room, and Desiree couldn’t stop her own sound of happiness. Yes! Everything within her screamed yes.
“Enough of this stupid sentimental dribble,” her uncle snarled, effectively ending any hopes of the cancelling. “Proceed with the ceremony.”
“Your highness?” the priest asked her.
“She does what I command. Proceed.”
The priest’s eyes still asked, and she felt her head nod. Compassion and disappointment soon filled them. “Then we shall continue.”
Will couldn’t help but be thankful to Fedor for his assistance, even if it only bought them a few minutes. However, he couldn’t help but feel sorry for the prince as well. He truly loved Desiree, and he deserved to be with her. They made each other happy, and they deserved to be happy. Poor Fedor. Will could feel the dejection rolling off the prince.
He could also feel the fury coming from the emperor. That man couldn’t stand not being in control, and Fedor’s objection put serious doubt in the wedding, and showed the emperor as the controlling monster he was. After all, who would refuse a perfectly good connection with a willing prince, a true love match, aside from the groom? And Will wasn’t about to object to true love.
“King William,” Will’s focus was brought back to the priest. “Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
All breath fled his body, his chest tightening painfully. His gaze flew to Desiree, not surprised at the panic in there. He couldn’t fight his own rising panic. What could he say? Renee....
“Your majesty?” the priest asked again.
“I... I...”
“I’m sorry for being late, but I have a very strong objection to this union.”
Chapter 52
Relief flooded through Will at the sound of his beloved’s voice, ringing with confidence and authority. Louder gasps and whispers filled the room, and Will turned, his breath once more leaving his chest.
Renee was a vision, framed by the doorway. Her bodice fitted her figure perfectly, the sleeves fitted to her elbows before flaring open. The skirt flowed around her, with a slit opening from her waist
in the front, revealing black breeches tucked into shining black boots. Two swords hung on either side, her rose saber, his gift, winking at him from her left hip. The purple gown highlighted her skin and raven hair, and proclaimed her royalty along with the tiara resting in her hair, the diamonds sparkling against the black. Arrow rested proudly on her shoulder, and her red rose winked at him from her chest.
To her right stood Ama Lei, her Jenhan gown red and gold, also split to reveal black trousers of her own. A flame-like golden ornament also gleamed against her raven hair, declaring her own royalty. On Renee’s other side stood Caleb, almost towering above the two and looking ready to release his own weapon.
This was Renee; this was his wife. Confident, regal, beautiful, with loyal warriors at her side. And he couldn’t help but fall just a bit more in love with her.
“And who are you to dare burst into this ceremonial occasion and object?!” The emperor was well and truly furious now.
“I dare because I am Queen Renee of Espan and Cartiana. And I object because King William is my husband.”
Renee had never felt more a queen. The murmurs turned to roars around her, though a few discreet applauses slipped through. It reminded her that she was surrounded by friends, good friends who supported her. But at that moment, all she could think about was her husband. Even with the distance she could see his smile, and he did look dashing in his formal attire.
“That is absurd!” the emperor’s roar cut through the comments, effectively silencing the room. “The queen was murdered years ago.”
“Yes, well, your brother-in-law didn’t exactly finish the job,” Renee snapped back. That brought the intended shocks through the room. “If you want proof, you can simply ask his former first mate, Prince Pallav of Sanskia.” She motioned for him to join, creating yet another stir.