I could tell she didn’t think this was really important. Maybe it wasn’t. It wasn’t like I enjoyed protocol myself, but I was so used to it.
“I guess things used to be more formal,” Raia said. “But Aurekdel has been ruling the kingdom since he was a kid. Everyone important was dead, so there was no one to tell him what to do.”
“What happened, exactly?” I tried to straighten out my hair with my fingers a bit. Raia noticed and tried to find a comb. “To the king, when he was a little kid? I know he was exiled and went blind from a fever… ”
“Yes. It was part of a string of events we call the Traitor’s Rebellion. It started with the murder of Aurekdel’s grandfather by a force of mist dragons led by a young man named Dvaro. After he killed Aurekdel’s grandfather, he declared himself the Mist King, but he’s the Traitor King to us. He hit again when Aurekdel had just been born, right as the court was on the move after the end of fog season. The children and babies were in the back of the caravan, so that was when Seron’s mother Tiriana escaped with Seron and Aurekdel. The court had to retreat to Irandal and regroup, but my mother said it was a truly terrible time when they thought they might not get Hemara back. Lots of people died.”
“I see.”
“And Seron and Aurekdel were gone for three years. Tiriana was afraid to expose him until she was sure it was safe. So they lived in caves, hiding…”
“That was when he went blind.”
“They all got a fever but Aurek got it the worst.” Raia sighed. “My mother said that when they came back, they were the toughest three year olds she’d ever seen. Dragon babies aren’t quite as helpless as human babies anyway, but she said they could start fires and handle knives and Seron could fish… Tiriana taught them all that! Although my mother didn’t really like Tiriana.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know. She said Tiriana was always trying to…oh, what’s the word she would use? Putting on airs, I guess? I think maybe she deserved to put on airs after protecting the king like that, but my mother just wasn’t a fan of that.”
“What happened to her?”
“She’s got killed too.” Raia smacked her forehead. “Like I should be telling you this. You’re probably thinking you never should have to come to this crazy place!”
“Mm…too late.”
“It’s not as dangerous now. The Traitor King doesn’t mess with King Aurekdel as much now since he grew up. Aurek might not be a warrior, but he’s really good at figuring out what people are up to.”
She finished combing my hair, sort of, although I still had to work on a few knots myself, and now was opening a box from one of the finest shops in Gaermon that held my wedding gown. “Oh wow. Holy mists. This almost makes me want to wear a dress.”
I sat up. I hadn’t even looked at the gown yet. I’d been awfully grumpy about the entire thing and when Rin asked me what I wanted I just snapped, “I don’t care, you decide.”
Of course, it was a fair bet to trust him, because Rin had always been overly interested in dressing me up. When he was really little and we were still the same size I used to let him try on my gowns. It was one of those weird secrets between us because our father used to get absolutely furious. We all knew pretty early on that Rin was a lot more gay than the only male heir of a kingdom famous for its warriors ought to be. Soldiers at war, separated from women for long periods, could develop discrete homosexual relationships and that was accepted, but an interest in patterned silks and ribbons was more of a problem. Even though Rin was also diligent with his training, as good with a sword as Oszin.
Well, Father was a good man overall, but he wasn’t always fair to either of us.
The dress was absolutely beautiful. It had a light floral perfume from the shop that was very refreshing after all the vaguely mineral, rocky smells of the underground. The long gown was made of heavy cream silk with red ribbons and red lining, while the robe worn over it was embroidered with rose, gold, black and silver with patterns of cherry blossoms and butterflies—two things with a very short and beautiful life…like a maiden’s virginity. Damn symbolism, reminding me what I was in for.
Raia brought it over to me and I ran my hands along the details. “It’s so beautiful…”
“You haven’t seen it before?”
“No. My brother had it made for me.” I swallowed.
“He must be a good brother.” I knew Raia must be thinking of her own brother, the guardian Abel. They had grown up apart because Abel was sent away to be a guardian and raised by humans. After her mother died in the fight to take down the Emperor, she must regret that she never got to know him.
“He is…,” I said gently.
I heard some low bells in the distance, and Raia straightened. “Those are the prayer bells. That means the king has finished making his offering to the gods. We need to get you fed and dressed.”
I had a simple breakfast of tiny sunnyside-up eggs and some sort of mashed grain. I didn’t want to ask what creature had produced these eggs, since I hadn’t seen any birds, but they tasted good.
She helped me into the layers of clothing. Although they were beautiful, the weight of the silk hurt my shoulders. At least soon I would finally be healed. I could hardly imagine what it would be like. She looped the ceremonial knife on my sash under the robe.
“Every dragon should have a weapon,” she said, grinning. “If Aurek gets cheeky, poke him.”
Kajira was dressed in a jeweled collar that she kept trying to paw off.
My stomach was jumping like it was full of crickets. This was the second time I had been prepared for a wedding, and the last time had been so horrible.
Raia led me downstairs to a hallway outside of the grand hall, and someone announced me.
“The king will be waiting for you on the balcony,” she said. “So you’re going to walk through the middle of the grand hall and then up to him so he can present you to the court. From there, you’ll both go to the ceremony and you just have to follow along with the vows. It’s pretty simple.”
In the grand hall, drummers were slowly beating out a rhythm. The dragons were not nearly as solemn as the Gaermoni would be. They were swaying to the beat and they cheered loudly when I walked in the room. I flushed. I saw Aurek and Seron up on the balcony, but my attention was mainly caught by the sight of Oszin standing at the front of the crowds.
Well, he sure looked solemn anyway.
I wanted to run to him and ask him where he’d been and what he’d been doing and if he was all right. He looked so out of place. But brave, too.
I wanted to reach for his hand and feel his touch, even just a brush of fingers. I didn’t dare. I could only give him the smallest nod, my eyes pleading. I love you. I want you and only you. I’ll think of you the entire time.
His eyes offered a response. I love you too, my brave girl. He was my home and my best friend and I remembered how gentle and wonderful his hands had been. He mouthed softly, “Moth.”
I had to look away from him then. I didn’t want to cry. I was going to show perfect dignity.
I was very much struggling on the stairs, but I refused help, leaning on Raia. It seemed to take an age to reach the balcony, where Aurek came to meet me and took my hand. He was dressed in deep gold and black, his crown and gold rings on his fingers, and earrings made from gold tassels. Men were not such peacocks in Gaermon, but one look at him and I wondered why not. The royal splendor made him seem more intimidating somehow, despite his casual air.
“I present to you all the long-awaited, nearly mythical Princess Himika of Gaermon,” he said. “She has come a long way and I know she’ll be a very strong queen. Today, she will become a part of our kingdom.”
The dragons cheered. Well, I was being generous. They hooted and shouted and a couple of them went, “Yeeeah!” in a suggestive way. Not just the men, might I add.
“I probably should have waited to distribute the wine,” Aurek said.
Some of the gifts from
the great cities of Gaermon and Capamere from my bridal caravan were paraded out, mostly beautiful patterned silk and linen that the crowd oohed and ahhed over. I could nearly smell the lust for trade. If my brother played this right, he could make his kingdom very rich, trading dragon gems and gold with overseas merchants.
The drum music started up even louder than before and some male dragons wearing leather loincloths started dancing around with swords. The dragons sang a song praising us, the “glorious king and queen”. As the dance and song went on, dragons in their beast forms paraded into the room, showing off their magic for me. A lava dragon lit a fire in a pit, so scented smoke wafted into the room and up through vents, two ice dragons created sculptures of ice that looked like Aurek and me, a metal dragon danced while wearing golden armor, and finally a crystal dragon made her scales glow so bright that for a moment the room was lit almost as vividly as my own world and I saw everything clearly. The dragons sang and danced all the while to the lively music.
I was overwhelmed by all the attention, the unfamiliar sights and sounds. It all seemed more barbarian than my own kingdom. Aurek clapped with the music and cheered with the people. Seron was more sedate, looking as if he didn’t enjoy the formal clothes, even though no one would notice him next to Aurek: a loose jacket embroidered with simple silver designs, and a plain black robe made from a thin snakeskin-like hide that fit close underneath, with plain silver cuffs adorning his horns. He watched everything carefully. Oszin was lost in the crowd most of the time. When I spotted him, he was talking to the other Gaermoni and drinking, trying to have fun, but then he kept looking my way.
I hated being up here while he was down there.
“You’re so quiet,” Aurek said.
“My kingdom is…a quieter place.”
“I suppose you don’t dance. But I bet you wish to dance.”
“Yes…” I had so many painful memories of dances I couldn’t attend.
“Tomorrow, we’ll dance,” he said.
“And tonight…we’ll…”
He turned to me. “Seron told me you endured having your foot bones altered without any mist. You know pain well. But I swear I won’t hurt you tonight. Our only goal together tonight will be getting you healed and well. The rest will come later when you’re ready. Slowly.”
The closer the night loomed, the more everything seemed to speed up. Soon the performances were over and it was time for the ceremony, which was held in the throne room with everyone seated. The dragons looked like they were dressed for war. Mages, scholars and elders wore shabby cloth robes, while most were in their dark leathers but plenty of jewelry, some of them rather scantily clad. I’d never seen so much skin at a wedding.
“You’ll finally see Saramu,” Aurek told me, before we began our vows.
I looked at this complete stranger who was about to become my husband. I still didn’t know if he was a weak king or a strong one. He certainly had a regal bearing. Even under the fabric I could see the muscle in his shoulders and the breadth of his chest. No one would doubt he would be formidable on the battlefield if not for his blindness. His face was calm, with a delicate strength, but faintly smiling. I knew he’d had a very difficult life, but he didn’t show it. If he was scared to marry me too, he didn’t show that either.
There was something about this confidence and composure that struck me in the moment. It made me want to trust him and know what it would be like to give myself over to him…
Oszin stood to the side of the room, and seeing him broke the brief spell that Aurekdel’s strange appearance cast on me. What am I thinking?
The sword was presented. Saramu looked quite old, with wear on the hilt, which bore a crest. Aurek took it in his hands and went down on one knee in front of me.
“I, Aurekdel Arzor ro Galliar, on this day vow, Princess Himika of Gaermon, House of Kai, to guard you with my body unto death. From this day forward, I am the earth and you are the core, sheltered by me, knowing that I will never leave your side. As the core of the earth gives heat to our world, so you will bring the fire of life to our union. From this day forward, I am yours, and never again shall I lay a hand on another woman.”
A faint sigh came from the audience and then some laughter. Even Aurek smiled.
“It’s true,” he said. “I know you have suffered under the demands of the dragon kingdom since you were a child, and for that, you will know nothing now but my love, devotion, and pleasure. You are a human and I am a dragon, but now we are closest kin, and this is your home in every way.”
I squirmed a little that Oszin had to suffer through this.
The head priest of the dragons prompted my response.
“I, Himika of Gaermon, House of Kai, do accept your hand in marriage, your devotion and protection. I embrace your home and family as my own, and my children as dragons. As you shall guard me, I shall guard…our children.” I couldn’t help but betray my nerves as I promised children that I didn’t really want. But that was part of the bargain with every royal bride.
“Now,” the priest said, “embrace hands over the hilt of Saramu, before the court.”
“Oh—my vows are shorter than the king’s,” I said.
“Yes, that’s right,” Aurek said. “I don’t ask for your love. That, I’ll earn.”
I thought I heard one of the handmaidens off to the side murmur, “And I’m not so sure about keeping those hands off other men.”
Oh gods. They must already be whispering about Oszin and me.
Seron glared at the gossips and they shut up.
I placed my hand atop Aurek’s on the hilt of the sword. The priest put his hand on ours, the sword briefly glowed, and I felt heat on the palm of my hand.
“I now declare you husband and wife, King and Queen of the dragons, before the witness of the court in the fortress Hemara, on this day, the twenty-sixth year of the rule of King Aurekdel Arzor ro Galliar…”
We lifted our hands, and my palm was etched with a faintly glowing symbol. Aurek’s hand showed the same beneath the scales. He ran his fingers over it.
“It looks a little like the sigils that mark the body of the priestess and her guardians,” I said.
“It must be similar. It’s plain to see,” Seron said. “The king’s sigil.”
Once the heat died, the mark didn’t feel like anything. He held his palm up to the people and they cheered again. For some reason this made me feel a twinge of sadness that he couldn’t see it.
A banquet followed, with more music and lots of mingling and congratulations. Aurek barely stayed in his chair before he was off talking to someone. I felt like I didn’t know anyone. I was terrified to approach Oszin now.
Hara and Raia came to rescue me.
“Himika! The ceremony was beautiful!” Raia said. “But I guess it’s hard to jump in to all of this.”
“You ought to be gloating,” Hara said. “I saw Rikala and some of the other girls leave in tears that Aurekdel’s solitary days are over.”
“I told you, I really don’t care about that! It’s just a business marriage!”
“Aren’t you even a little bit excited?” Hara asked.
“No, I’m really not!”
“Oh! You’re serious,” Hara said, like she thought it was all a joke until now.
“Leave her alone, Hara,” Raia said. “Humans are modest. Especially the girls, but even the guys. They pretend they don’t like sex. I was just there.”
“Oh, of course, you know everything about humans now.” Hara reached across me and grabbed some white berries from a bowl.
“I—I don’t like sex with men I don’t know,” I said.
They both laughed. “I don’t think you’ve tried it, have you?” Hara said.
“It’s not a joke,” I said. “I came this close to being raped by Emperor Leonidas. Would it be funny then?”
“Raped?” Hara immediately sobered. “I didn’t realize it was that bad.”
“Well, it was.”
“N
o. It wouldn’t be funny at all. I just didn’t think— You poor thing, and it’s—it’s our fault, isn’t it? Because of your crystal bones…”
“I don’t know. He might have done it anyway. It wasn’t my bones he wanted.”
“Rape is very rare here,” Raia said. “Dragon men are bigger than us, but…in the end we’ve all got teeth and claws, and we all fight together. I think things are very different here as far as how men and women relate to each other. But when it happens, it’s about power, really, isn’t it?”
“I’ve heard the Traitor King is like that,” Hara said in a softer voice. “But Aurek would never.”
“No, never,” Raia agreed.
I felt a tiny bit better. But I still barely ate. “Not a rapist” was a very low bar. Maybe Aurekdel was a decent guy, but he seemed irresponsible and arrogant.
I’m not sure I’m attracted to kings and emperors at all. I accidentally met eyes with Seron, and quickly looked away. I certainly hadn’t forgotten how he eased my pain, and the quiet respect in his eyes when I refused the hallucinatory drugs.
Aurekdel said something to Seron and then made his way over to me, moving carefully around the crowd.
“Are you ready to leave the party?” he said. “Seron said you look tired.”
I looked up at him. He seemed even taller when I was sitting here.
“Let me take good care of my wife,” Aurekdel said.
My wife. Yes. I was his wife now.
I stood, facing my fate. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Fourteen
Himika
“We can do this one of two ways,” Aurekdel said. “The kulum mist is a powerful aphrodisiac that will spike your sexual urges. You will desire me to the point where you might wake up and wonder what you were thinking. It gets the job done, but I’m getting the idea that you don’t like having your mind toyed with.”
“No, I don’t,” I said. “I want to be alert.”
“First, let’s spend a little time alone and relax. It’s been a long day.” He offered me his hand.
I let him fold my hand in his much larger one.
The Kingdoms of Sky and Shadow Box Set: A Fantasy Romance Page 10