The Scholar Queen

by Renee Carr

  ***

  This time, however, it was clear that this was not going to be a disagreement. It wasn’t going to be much of anything, given that Michael seemed half unresponsive.

  “My Lord,” she blurted out, standing at the end of the bed. She gave a full report of what had happened with Stanley and Devon. She made sure to speak calmly and clearly so that Michael could understand her despite the haze of drugs. “We believe that we have quelled that problem. It’s not the end of the war, but it is the end of a battle. And we will continue to work with Alpha Stanley to make sure he keeps his end of the bargain.”

  Michael said nothing for a long moment, but he did look between the two of them for a long time. Queen Amy came in then, looked between them, and sat on the bed beside her husband.

  “John, you shouldn’t be here,” she said. “Your father is not in a state to...”

  “Amy,” Michael reached out to his wife and brought her ear down to his mouth. Amy listened for a long moment while he whispered.

  John looked to Sarah and both of them took each other’s hands, waiting.

  Amy took a deep breath, and then looked at the couple.

  “Will you two promise to maintain this level of devotion to the kingdom?” she asked. “Together?”

  “Yes, of course,” Sarah said.

  “And will you promise to produce heirs whom you will train in the old ways?”

  “I will give Prince John heirs if the Creator wishes it,” Sarah said.

  The alarms on Michael’s monitors beeped and then beeped again. Amy looked nervous and then turned back to her husband, waiting for his silent nod. When he gave it, she sighed.

  “Then your father blesses your union,” she said. “Because he wants to see it happen.”

  “Father...” John said, shocked. “You can’t...”

  “Tomorrow,” the queen said. “As soon as your parents can come, Lady Sarah. Tomorrow, you can marry and your father will witness that the union is complete.”

  “Tomorrow, I have a test at school,” was all that Sarah could think to say. “But I suppose I could make time.”

  “You’re smart,” Michael managed through his raspy breathing. “Always be smart.”

  “I will,” she promised him. “I will.”

  She and John bowed and then exited the room, leaving his parents to talk to each other. Once outside the room, they stared at each other, in shock.

  “Did that just happen?” she asked him with a grin.

  “We’re getting married,” he said. “We’re getting married tomorrow. After all that.”

  “This is not the end,” she said. “This is a beginning.”

  He leaned down and kissed her, and she relaxed into his arms. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath and enjoying the last moments they would have together, unmarried.

  Chapter 13

  “Oh, my dear,” her mother gasped when she walked into the room and saw her daughter, decked out in a long, flowing, red gown that queens and princesses before her had worn for centuries. It was altered and altered again, and Sarah wasn’t sure at this point if there was anything left of the original. Still, she felt honored to wear it, and she turned to her mother, spinning around.

  “What do you think?” she asked.

  “I think you look like a princess,” her mother said with a smile. “And after today, you will be one.”

  “For a little while, at least,” Sarah said. “Have you seen the Alpha?”

  “I have,” the countess lowered her voice. “He clearly does not have long for this world.”

  “After the wedding, John and I will go to him, to show our allegiance,” Sarah said. “And then I suspect... people can hang on to wait for a certain thing, you know? I don’t think he’s waiting for much else.”

  “Well, if you are the last sight he will see, then he is blessed,” her mother dropped her voice. Her gown was fire red, with lace trim everywhere and in layers around her feet. “My daughter, a true dragon princess.”

  “Did you bring Mary and Edith?” Sarah asked. “Were they able to join you on the journey? I know they said that you weren’t sure, but...”

  “They are waiting in the cathedral,” her mother said. “Security is very tight here, and they would only let me in to see you.”

  “I see,” Sarah replied. “I’m sorry about that.”

  “My dear, it’s your wedding day. Please don’t apologize for anything.”

  “Right,” Sarah took a deep breath. “I suppose that I should...”

  “They told me to tell you that whenever you are ready, we can begin. I am surprised you are alone in here, without even a lady's maid to dress you,” her mother said and Sarah shrugged.

  “They were in here earlier,” she said. “But honestly, I wanted one more moment where I was just... alone, just me.”

  “That is something to remember when you marry up,” her mother brushed her long hair away from her face. “Remember where you came from.”

  “John will not let me lose my identity,” Sarah assured her. “Although we disagree on many things, I feel that he is marrying me partly for that reason. If we agreed on everything, it would certainly be a boring day.”

  “That’s one way of looking at it,” the countess said with a smile.

  Earl Henry came into the room at that moment, and Sarah dipped her head out of respect for her father.

  “I’m ready to escort you down the aisle,” he said, still looking around in disbelief. “I cannot believe we are really here.”

  “I keep looking around myself and thinking I’m dreaming,” Sarah answered as she took his arm. “Shall we?”

  “After you, Princess,” he said as he held the door for her.

  The royal chapel was larger than anything she had seen in her life. It wasn’t quite filled, given the fact that they hadn’t given anyone much notice. However, she knew that the landing bay had been busy all night, with nobles from the kingdom scrambling to arrive in time for the royal wedding.

  The thrones had been moved inside the chapel. Michael was not able to be there, and so the Alpha’s throne seemed incredibly empty. The queen, however, her head held high, sat on hers, just above where John was standing as the doors opened.

  The sunlight was streaming in, and Sarah could see that the roof had been opened. Their plan was to soar, as they were born to do, as soon as their vows were complete. She hadn’t told John how much it bothered her to transform quickly, because she wanted this day to be perfect. Still, it was a moment she was steeling herself for, even as she walked down the aisle to her husband-to-be.

  The dragon priest at the front of the room allowed them to join hands before starting to talk in a booming voice. Sarah barely had time to meet her lover’s eyes as the speech began.

  “Welcome, and thank you all for joining us for this joyous occasion. Together, we are gathered here to witness a truly special ceremony: the union of Lady Sarah and Prince John before the universe.”

  Her father was still at her side, and Sarah was glad he was, just in case her knees got any weaker. Yesterday she didn’t think that she would be nervous. Everything was happening so fast that she really didn’t think she would have time for any emotion at all. However, now that the words were being read, she felt like she might collapse in shock.

  How was this happening so fast? How had they gone from arguing with each other in a lecture hall to being married in the royal chapel? And what would have happened if they hadn’t met that day?

  She couldn’t imagine a life without him at her side, and she squeezed his hand in reassurance that this wasn’t a dream.

  “Lady Sarah and Prince John, today we celebrate the power of your love and the strength of your bond. Before we begin, take a moment to look around at the many friendly faces before you. Know that all are here to offer love, support, and encouragement as you embark on this incredible journey together. There are few greater joys in life than finding one’s mate.”

  Sarah had suggested
the last line be thrown in there to manage the questions that were emerging from the kingdom. She knew they were a match that wouldn’t be made politically, and she knew that many had hurt feelings over the matter, including the poor Duchess Hailey. Letting the universe know that they were mates at least explained their sudden union.

  “May this ceremony provide you with wonderful memories to look back on and treasure for the rest of your days. Who gives this bride?”

  The priest turned to the earl, who stepped forward.

  “I do,” the earl said. “My third daughter, my pride and joy, and my last hope. I bless this union between her and the prince.”

  He leaned over to kiss his daughter, and then stepped back, taking his seat. Now, it was just the three of them standing up at the front, and Sarah felt all eyes watching her. She took a step closer to John as the priest spoke again.

  “If anyone has cause to object to the forming of this union, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

  If Sarah had to list all the people who could potentially reject, she felt like she’d be there all day. Luckily, the room remained silent. Both of them breathed a sigh of relief as the priest continued. One day, she would convince this whole kingdom that they were made for each other, and it would be one day soon.

  “Prince John and Lady Sarah, as you stand here today before the universe, realize that you are preparing to celebrate one of life's greatest gifts, the depths of which you have only begun to explore. Your level of love and commitment is something that many seek, but not everyone finds. The bond you share is a rarity in this world, and its fruits more valuable than any precious stone or metal.”

  Sarah knew that this was not the first ceremony that she and John would have to go through. One day, there would also be a coronation, and someday soon, there would be a funeral. It seemed chaotic, and yet she wouldn’t have it any other way. She figured that if they survived this, they could survive anything that was to come.

  She did have one regret, and that was that she hadn’t mentioned to John that her body seemed to have random failures and quirks that didn’t seem quite right. There just hadn’t been the time, and Sarah felt like she was deceiving him in a small way.

  “Henceforth, your lives will become permanently intertwined. The union you form today is built to withstand any and all challenges. Through sorrow and joy, through failure and success, through despair and triumph, your bond will persevere, buoyed by the everlasting love you share. With the vows exchanged today, you will both finalize this promise and begin life anew, together.“

  Sarah stood up straighter, knowing that the vows were coming next. They had barely had half an hour to learn what they were supposed to say, and she hoped that her memory didn’t fail her now.

  “Prince John and Lady Sarah, you have prepared vows of commitment to share with one another.”

  John took a deep breath and recited the vows that they had learned. He looked right into her eyes as he spoke. Sarah thought she could hear a pin drop in the room. It sounded like the whole room was holding their breath, listening to the prince speak his vows.

  “Lady Sarah, today I take you to be my wife. As we join our lives together, I vow to be supportive, caring, and honest with you always. I promise to hold you close, to respect you fully, and to love you deeply. As your companion, your partner, and your best friend, I promise to stay by your side through thick and thin. I love you with all my heart, and I plan to remind you of that every day, from this day forward.”

  She had teased him yesterday that because he went first, all she would have to do was memorize what he said. She had thought it would be easy, but now her heart was pounding with nerves as she spoke in front of the crowd. It seemed to be growing larger with every moment. More nobles and attendees seemed to be streaming in, having gotten word of the marriage at the last moment. Sarah actually had to raise her voice a couple of times in order to be heard.

  “Prince John, today I take you to be my husband. As we join our lives together, I vow to be supportive, caring, and honest with you always. I promise to cherish you daily, to respect you fully, and to love you deeply. As your companion, your partner, and your best friend, I promise to stay by your side through thick and thin. I love you with all my heart, and I plan to remind you of that every day, from this day forward.”

  She meant every word that she said, and John smiled at her, squeezing her hands as she finished the sentence.

  The fire priest stepped closer to them, addressing them directly and with power, as he continued the vows.

  “Lady Sarah, do you take Prince John as your husband and your companion? Do you promise to share his laughter during the good times and wipe his tears during the bad, from this day forward?”

  “I do,” Sarah whispered and then cleared her throat and spoke again when she realized that no one had heard her. “I do.”

  The fire priest then turned to John.

  “Prince John, do you take Lady Sarah as your wife and companion? Do you promise to share her laughter during the good times and wipe her tears during the bad, from this day forward?”

  “I do,” he said, looking right into her eyes.

  “Prince John and Lady Sarah, today we've had the great pleasure of witnessing your union become official. As a symbol of your bond, you will now light a unity candle, the flame of which is emblematic of your two souls coming together as one.”

  Because dragons were so connected to fire, all marriage ceremonies in the kingdom had fire involved. Both of them moved forward to the candle, taking a lit candle from either side of the unity candle.

  “Prince John and Lady Sarah, you each hold in your hand a flame. Think of this flame as a representation of your individual lives. Your dreams and sorrows, passions and fears, joys and disappointments—all reside within the light of this candle. Now, give one last look into this singular light, for it is about to merge with another.”

  Sarah’s flame flickered and almost went out and John raised an eyebrow. She smiled at him and cupped her hand over the flame.

  “You will now light the center candle together,” the priest said and they followed his directions.

  “The two flames now burn as one, just as your two spirits have formed an irreversible bond. This bond is powerful enough to help you through any difficulties and struggles that may arise. As your love steers you through the obstacle course that is life, remember that your lights burn brightest together.”

  Now that the candles were lit, they put them down and turned back to the priest, who moved on to the next section of the ceremony.

  “The wedding ring is a symbol of the unending power of love between two beings. Its circular shape has no beginning and no end, representing a boundless spiritual connection. The rings should be worn proudly as a symbol of the commitment between you and your spouse. Even when you find yourselves apart, your rings will provide a powerful reminder of the eternal love you share.”

  The rings that they were to wear were firestones, red stones with intricate, gold designs around them. John went first, taking Sarah’s hand and slipping the ring on her finger. She knew that so many princesses and queens before her had worn this ring, and she wondered if they had felt as nervous and yet as excited as she did.

  “With this ring, I, Prince John, commit my love to you, Lady Sarah, for all time, giving you all that I am and all that I will be. Please accept it as a symbol of my love,” he said and the ring sparkled in the sunlight. Sarah took his, similar to hers but a more masculine version.

  “With this ring, I, Lady Sarah, commit my love to you, Prince John, for all time, giving you all that I am and all that I will be. Please accept it as a symbol of my love,” she said, slipping it on his finger.

  “Family and friends, by the power vested in me by the Kingdom of Knorpp, I now formally pronounce Lady Sarah and Prince John to be wife and husband. Let us celebrate their union! Prince John, you may now kiss the bride.”

  John leaned down and kissed her to the roar of
the kingdom, it seemed. She felt electricity run up and down her spine as he kissed her, and she never wanted to let him go. They turned to the waiting crowd.

  “Lady Sarah and Prince John, may you enjoy a lifetime of sunrises and sunsets together. Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to present, for the first time, Prince John and Princess Sarah, the heirs to the Kingdom of Knorpp.”

  The crowd roared in excitement. John took Sarah’s hand and gently led her to the thrones that were waiting. The queen stood up, and although she didn’t seem like she was glowing with happiness, she reached out and kissed Sarah on the head, accepting her into the family. She then vacated her throne, and for one moment, the two of them sat on the thrones that they would occupy.

  It felt so strange and yet so right. Sarah felt comfortable sitting on the throne, looking out on the crowd. They stepped forward in one step, and bowed or curtseyed low, so that all she saw were the bent heads, paying her the respect that she would see the rest of her life.

  “Are you ready?” John asked as the skylight opened some more.

  “Yes,” she said, although this was the moment that she was really hoping that John would forget. He rose from the throne, and in front of his kingdom, pushed his transformation from human to dragon. Sarah was half a second behind him, trying to control the feeling she got when she pushed it quickly. In this moment, her happiness seemed to distract her from the pain, and she was able to soar up into the sky with him.

  He was much bigger than her in dragon form, as he was in human form, and she struggled to keep up with him. Once he was in the sky, he stopped, flapping his giant wings as he threaded air. She wrapped her neck around his and nuzzled her face against his.

  They couldn’t communicate like they could when they were human, but she felt safe and secure in his grasp. They were together, and they were strong. Whatever happened, they could handle it.