by Kimber Swan
“What’s going on?” Dante asks.
“Bring the rings.” Daniel states.
Dante’s head snaps back to me. “Are you getting married?”
“It appears so, but I don’t know why so soon.” I say, looking at my father.
“Sweetheart don’t you see, if you’re married and we can prove that you were a virgin at the time of your wedding then you are crowned Queen. All the protection and power of both the crown and Balwart are behind you. As long as you’re Princess, the danger is greatest.” My father answers.
“I don’t understand. I-. I thought you had to die before I became Queen.”
“Yes, true, but you’re the rightful Queen. You should have been crowned Queen on your twenty-first birthday, whether you were married or not. I would have ruled as regent until then. When you came home, I saw how scared you were and decided to protect you from all of it until it was necessary. It’s necessary now. Time has run out on us. Tonight proved that despite all our planning.”
“I’m not ready. I can’t do this.”
Dante squeezes my hand. “You can do it, baby girl. You’re strong and smart.”
“Can I have a moment alone with Daphne, please?” Daniel asks my father and Dante.
“Well, if you’re getting married tonight I have a lot to do. This is not how I pictured your wedding when we were growing up.” Dante says, kissing my forehead.
Why is everyone ignoring me?
“I have a few calls to make to our supporters. We will need them as witnesses. I need to also find some commoners willing to bear witness.” My father says absentmindedly before kissing the top of my head.
After they leave, I feel alone and very small. Daniel steps into my line of vision, a dark avenging angel. He looks sexier and sexier each time I see him. I sigh, realizing that despite everything he is about to be mine. He walks over to the bed sitting next to me. The anxiety I felt moments ago, fades away when he touches my hand.
“Daphne, this is not the way I wanted our wedding to happen, but I won’t lose you, not again. You are too important to me. I know you didn’t ask for any of this. If it was up to me, you would have the wedding of your dreams.” He says quietly.
“At least I got the ring before any of this went down.” I try to make light of the situation. “I know you would do everything you could for us to have a normal wedding.”
He quirks a brow at me.
“Well, as normal as a royal wedding can be.”
“Are you okay with this?” He asks seriously, ignoring my attempt at a joke.
“It seems a bit late to be asking me this now. Don’t you think?” I state. “But the thought is appreciated. In the end, I think we both knew this was going to happen.”
He nods.
“Who knows, maybe this is the way it was meant happen.” I sigh. “I can’t lie to you though. It scares me.”
He tilts his head in question.
“It’s too close to what my parents went through. They were married in secret, almost like what we are about to do.”
Daniel reaches across to grab my other hand. “I won’t let what happened to your mother happen to you. You are stronger than her in every way.”
“Promise me there will never be any secrets between us. I can’t help but think if only my father knew.”
“I will try, but there may be times when I have to for your safety. Your safety will always trump everything. You have to understand that.”
“From the moment I met you, we have been on a roller coaster. It has been a wild ride, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.” I look into his eyes. “You’re a good man and I am proud to become your wife. I know you’ll do everything you can to keep me safe.”
“Daphne, I-.”
I stop him from uttering the words I so desperately want to hear. I am afraid he may be saying them because he feels he must. I slowly get to a sitting position with only a slight burning in my side- thank God for pain medication. I try leaning forward until our heads touch, but it hurts too much. He meets me half way. We both are quiet for a time looking at our joined hands.
“How is this going to go tonight?” I ask, interrupting our solitude.
Daniel inhales slowly then slowly starts kissing me, hesitant at first. He releases my hands then grasps my cheeks lovingly. My arms rest in my lap. He slowly pushes me back against the pillows, careful of my side. His tongue licks the seam of my lips, urging them to open. The moment my lips part and allow him entrance, the kiss becomes more, so much more. My arms lift to his shoulders trying to pull him closer, but he won’t budge. His hands release my face to glide down my body until they rest on my waist. His thumbs rub my sides in circles always avoiding the gunshot wound. I shiver in response. Daniels pulls back looking at me deeply.
“Since I met you, I have fantasized about this night- you in my bed. I don’t know if I will be able to go slowly. You have me tied up in knots. Every time we get close, I have to stop remembering the clause.” Daniel says squeezing my side a bit more. “Does this hurt? I don’t want to hurt you, but I need you.”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.” I say breathless with anticipation.
Finally, tonight I lose something that I have wanted to since I met him. I don’t want anything interfering with that. AnnaBelle walks in at the perfect time with her head hung low, breaking our moment. Her nose is red and her eyes are blood shot.
“Give me a couple of minutes.” I whisper to Daniel as he looks at her.
Daniel nods, rising from his sitting position. I notice he adjusts his pants and I can’t help but chuckle. He looks back at me with a devilish grin and cups himself for my eyes only then winks. My cheeks flame instantly. He laughs out loud.
Once the door closes, I call her. “AnnaBelle? Come here please.”
She meekly walks to stand beside my bed.
“I guess you heard what happened?” I inquire.
She nods but doesn’t look at me. I touch her hand coaxing her to look at me. When she does, I tentatively smile.
“I don’t hold you responsible. It wasn’t your fault.”
Her tears overflow as she breaks down.
“Oh, AnnaBelle.”
I lean up trying to hug her, but I can’t stretch that far.
“I’m sorry I brought him around you. I never meant for-.” She says on a sob.
“I know you didn’t. You have a right to date whomever you wish. You did nothing wrong but fall for a guy.” I speak soothingly. “You know what you can do for me now?”
She looks at me surprised.
“You can help me look my best for the wedding. I need you by my side as my friend.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to resign?” She says quietly.
“What? No! Never.” I squawk. “Things are happening as they should.”
“I know you wanted a real wedding.”
“I truly believe everything is happening the way it was supposed to.”
“I can find a better replacement for myself.” She insists.
“Are we or are we not friends?” I ask.
“We were, but how could we after this?” She answers.
“We are. I need as many friends here as I can get. As we have seen tonight, people will stop at nothing to get to me. In my eyes, you had absolutely nothing to do with this. I have no reason to question your loyalty to me, Daniel or my father.”
AnnaBelle doesn’t move or are say a word for a long time. Eventually, when she looks back at me I see a determined but shy smile.
“Thank you, Daphne, my friend.” She says, finally accepting me as her friend.
I lift my arms to her and she leans down to hug me.
“Now what do you think I should wear? There isn’t much at this point.” I grumble.
Dante comes barging back in with an arm full of fabrics followed by two more maids also with arms filled with shoes, fabrics and more. Dante dumps his armful on the bed while the maids place theirs on different tables around
the room.
“Good, I’m glad you’re here.” Dante says to AnnaBelle. “We don’t have much time. Can you do her hair in something elegant that befits a Queen on her wedding day?”
AnnaBelle nods happily, helping me to a sitting position. As she tries to brush my hair, Dante finally decides on a elegant, plain white satin nightgown.
“Help me up.” I say to the room at large, stopping everyone in their places as they stare at me.
“Daphne, you’ll pull a stitch.” Dante scolds.
“Help me up.” I say with more force.
“Please my lady, let us work around you.” AnnaBelle says.
“Dammit! If you aren’t going to help me up I will do it myself.”
I throw the covers off my legs, wincing then gingerly swing my legs over the side of the bed determined to be married standing up right. I huff trying to catch my breath. The pain is bearable. I wiggle my body towards the edge of the bed until my legs touch the floor. I can’t tell if they are waiting to see if I can do it or are in shock that I am. My big toe touches the cold floor. I take a deep breath and let both feet slide to the floor. Panting, I push myself off the bed and wobble for a minute before locking my knees.
“I will not be married lying on my back.”
“Apparently not.” Dante says sarcastically.
“I mean you only get married once, right?” I say sheepishly then I feel the blood drain from my head.
The room starts swimming. Both Dante and AnnaBelle grab my arms stopping me from falling. They ease me into a chair at the vanity that used to be Daniel’s mothers.
“Stop being stubborn. Sit here while we get you ready. No more stunts.” Dante scolds.
“I promise, but I want to be standing at my wedding.” I whisper.
“You will be.” AnnaBelle says, brushing my hair.
Before long, my hair and make-up are complete. The white dress with a flowing chiffon skirt, fitted bodice and lace sleeves, which Dante choose after I refused to wear a nightgown to my wedding, fit perfectly. The shoes are a different story. We decided on a pair of ballerina slippers because the heels made me even more unstable on my feet.
Maids and butlers have been coming in and out bringing, flowers, chairs and a few tables. The shutters were swung open letting the cold air in and revealing the full moon reflecting off the pond not too far away. The excitement and anticipation of the events to come are palpable.
Time seems to have evaporated when my father finally returns in a different regal uniform than the one he wore earlier. There are a few people on his heels when he enters the room. This is a different man then the one I have come to know over the last few months. This is the King, not my father. He stops dead in his tracks and stares at me with awe. I stand slowly with no one’s help and twirl around like a little girl. He smiles and I catch a glimpse of my father as he holds out his hands for me. I shake my head no and understanding dawns. He walks to me and gentle hugs me as a proud father.
“You look beautiful and so much like your mother.”
I smile up at him. The people behind him fill the room and offer their congratulations. After the last gentleman kisses my hand, Donald walks in with who I assume is the Cardinal by the way he is dressed. The Cardinal walks to my father and bows then he turns to me, doing the same. My legs are starting to shake and won’t hold me for much longer. AnnaBelle notices. She gently helps me to sit again.
A maid comes over with a cup of tea. After the events of today, AnnaBelle has tasted everything someone brings to me. When I realize what she is doing, we have a heated debate. I will never understand the backwards way of this country.
I am talking to Dante when the room quiets behind me. The little gasp I hear from AnnaBelle was the only indication that something is happening. Dante’s eyes are bugged. I turn as quickly as I can in my seat. My heart picks up its pace at the site standing in the doorway.
Chapter Twenty-Five
There, in the doorway, stands the Duke of Balwart, resplendent in full-dress uniform- black velvet single-breasted dress coat trimmed with gold embroidery that befits his station. The coat accentuates his broad shoulders. The white silk shirt and ruffle tie hide the wonders underneath. There are long gold cords hanging the length of each pant leg.
He is breath taking. Dante nudges me in the ribs, as if I didn’t know Daniel was in the room. Daniel’s eyes are searching the room until they find me. He walks to me, holding my gaze. He stops in front of me and bows formally. I become nervous thinking that maybe I’m making a mistake until he looks up at me through his long lashes. The wink settles my nerves. There is the man I have come to love and adore.
“My Lady.” Daniel says formally. “Are you still willing to become my wife?”
I nod vigorously not able to find the right words to express how much I want to.
My father clears his throat and leans over to me. “You have to verbally accept him in front of everyone.”
I snap my head up looking at my father, then Daniel, then at everyone else. I look back at Daniel. He nods slightly and can’t hide his smile.
“Yes.” I say quietly.
Daniel takes my hand as I rise slowly and places it in the crook of his elbow. We walk slowly to the Cardinal. I lean heavily on him by the time we reach the Cardinal. There is a rustling behind us as everyone finds a seat. I glance back to see there are only about twenty people or so in attendance.
The wedding ceremony is short and cold. Our vows were not traditional ones. Daniel makes promises to support me in my stately decisions and to be my King, consort, confidante and friend. There is no mention of love or cherish in either of our vows. The only traditional line said is the one about the groom kissing the bride, which he did chastely.
The exchange of rings seems normal until I see my ring. It is not a traditional plain gold band or even the more modern ornate ones with diamonds. Rather this one has multiple rows of diamonds with the occasional ruby thrown in. Daniel’s ring has two rows of rubies nestle in gold. When Daniel places the ring on my finger, I hear a barely audible sigh.
Normally, when the groom kisses the bride there is applause and cheers, but our room is quiet as a funeral. When Daniel pulls away, he sees my disappointed look. His look turns questioningly. We are having a full conversation without the words being voiced. I stare at his lips and feel him vibrating with need. He eyes smolder. He leans back into me and gives me what we both want and need.
There is no doubt to anyone in this room that our marriage is a true. A single loud whoop jars us apart. Daniel rests his forehead against mine, smiling. We both turn our connected heads to see Dante smiling brightly and we laugh. My father is the first to approach us. He shakes Daniel’s hand and turns to me. He eyes are wet with unshed tears when he hugs me.
“Your mother would be proud of you.” He says.
“I hope so, but I still think this is not what she wanted for me.” I kiss his cheek.
“What happened between her and I-? I mean what I did to her changed her, but I know the woman I loved had to be in there somewhere.” He replies sadly. “She wouldn’t have had you marked if she didn’t want you to claim what is rightfully yours by birth.”
“Happy times, happy times. No dwelling on the past.” I hold back my own tears at their sad story.
The staff enters offering trays laden with champagne filled flutes. Dante hugs me when my father starts his toast. Daniel hands me a glass and moves his hand to rest possessively on my waist.
“To my beautiful daughter and her husband. I know many fathers are proud of their daughters on their wedding day, but I don’t think any can be as proud as I am. You have been lost to us for many years and I will forever be thankful to your husband for bring you back to us.” He raises his glass higher. “To Daniel James Alexander and Freya Daphne Bridget, the Duke and Duchess of Balwart, may you have eternal happiness in your marriage and life.”
Daniel leans over kissing my cheek before drinking from his champagne.
> After sipping mine, I look at him and say coquettishly, “Is that the best you have?”
Turning his back slightly on the guests so he won’t be overheard, he whispers, “Sweetheart you have no idea what awaits you shortly.”
“How much longer must I wait?”
“Not long.” He kisses me. “Let’s inform your father we would like to leave. He will start the procession.”
“Procession?” I gulp nervously.
“Traditionally, the men follow us to the wedding chamber and wait there until I join you in bed. They’re supposed to wait for the proof of your innocence.”
I grip his arm for dear life as I feel the blood drain from my head. Daniel looks down at me, gripping my other arm for support. It is only now I realize that the entire room is filled with men except of the staff.
“Don’t worry, I have a separate room they will wait in until they get their proof. After that, they leave.”
I loosen my grip, but the thought is still bothersome, knowing that a bunch of older men will be sitting around waiting for me to lose my virginity so they may approve me? How barbaric.
“Daphne, look at me.” Daniel coaxes. “There is nothing for you to worry about. It is only you and I in that room tonight. I promise you this.”
I nod because I’m speechless. Daniel, my father and even AnnaBelle explained this all to me prior to this moment, but I thought they were exaggerating. Just like the country, this whole thing is caught in the middle ages. Daniel gently takes my hand guiding us to where my father is holding court, but Dante stops us.
“Baby girl, you’re finally married.” He says with tear filled eyes. “I wish we had more time to get the crew here for this. You better take care of our girl.” Dante warns Daniel.
Daniel nods and the gentleman he is, shakes Dante’s hand.
“We’ll have the crew here for the coronation. When I spoke to Trish, I mentioned something to her but didn’t get into it because there wasn’t enough time.” I look at Daniel. “Do you think I can call her tomorrow?”
“I don’t see the problem but I think you may be tied up for a majority of the day.” His innuendo is not lost on either Dante or me.