Bonds that Burn and Bind

Chapter 8 Part 2

AN: Thanks for the 561 reads and 154 votes!
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Viv nudged my elbow and when she had my attention, she motioned for me to lean closer.

"Let me go with them." her breath tickled my ear as she cupped her hands around it.  "I know what it's like to lose a mother. I can help them. But only if I have your permission."

I hid the additional sadness her words cost me with a smile. "My sister Viv, will accompany you," I said to the siblings.

Viv grabbed a plate, filling it with fruit and cheese, while Cassie watched her as if she was a predator that could pounce at any moment before the five exited the great hall.

The rest of the maiden breakfast went by without incident. But by the time I could leave, my emotions whirled inside me like an angry storm. I made haste down the corridor, frantically twisting and untwisting my necklace. I went to Daen's rooms, where I found little Sophia playing dolls on the floor with her nanny while Daen sat at his desk, engrossed in paperwork.

I scooped my niece into my arms. She squirmed and made noises of protest at being ripped away from her game so suddenly.

"I'm sorry, Sophie, I'll put you down in just a moment. Can you please hug your Auntie Val?" I took a couple of shuddering breaths, and Sophia stopped struggling. She wrapped her arms around my neck and nestled her cheek against my shoulder. My eyes closed as I swayed,
"Val?" Daen called, and his chair groaned.
"I just needed to hold her," I said to my second eldest brother, setting Sophia down. I nodded at her nanny, then at my brother, now on his feet,  before turning and rushing out.

I returned to my rooms and paused at the door hearing voices and laughter of the people gathered inside, ready to celebrate the traditional gifting party. I plastered a smile before opening the door to a chorus of greetings.

I spent the rest of the day bouncing from one wedding tradition to the next. Smiling so much, my face ached while I entertained my bridal party of childhood friends and Fredrick's family. I caught glimpses of Vivian here and there throughout the day—Winnie's siblings following her like little lost ducks until she rejoined the ridiculousness. Unlike me, Viv seemed to enjoy it, along with Lady Aimsworth and her daughters and granddaughters.

The only thing these traditions made me grateful for was the enforced separation of the groom and bridal party throughout the day. It was permissible for someone to switch sides, but they had to adopt the attire of the opposite party. Seeing how I could never imagine Orin in one of these white dresses, he must have joined the groom's party as I hadn't seen him all day.
When I finally returned to my rooms, I was also a little drunk from consuming copious amounts of wine, and I didn't want to see another human being for at least three days. Unfortunately, my night was just beginning.

With wide smiles, my maids Basil and Philippa entered, carrying my wedding dress—white as snow, the glass sowed into it glittering like ice crystals. Lucia wasn't with them, her red hair not in sight, likely engaged in another duty. I gingerly touched one of the dress' long, flowing sleeves gently, and Basil and Philippa shared excited squeals before assisting me in disrobing.
As my maids laced up my dress, I realized we weren't alone, and halfway through my hair, my maids did too— their nervous glances in the direction of my wardrobe told me as much.

"Did you forget to lock my rooms when you and I weren't here?" I asked as they put away the hair styling tools, and the following silence was answer enough.

"Should we call someone?" Basil asked, glancing at Philippa nervously.

"No. Leave me," I said.

"Are you sure, m'lady?" Basil asked while I walked to my full-length mirror, leaning against the wall. The soft waves of my hair fell loosely down my back while two golden flower clips pinned it back from my face.

"Yes."

They both bowed before hurriedly exiting the room.

"You can come out now," I said and watched in the reflection as Orin stumbled from the wardrobe wearing his royal regalia, a golden decorative sword strapped at his side, which matched the leaves gleaming on his cerulean blue tunic, his sash, and the goblet in his hand.
I had self-control. I could handle this.

"They made us drink so much during the groom's activities," he said. "By the way, Fredrick, what a guy." Orin raised the goblet as if giving a toast before taking a swig.

"Why do Incarthian men keep sneaking into my rooms lately? And don't you think you might've had enough wine already?" I asked, turning to face him. "Even my maids noticed your presence."

Orin's gaze swept over me. "No, not nearly enough." He drained the goblet before tossing it aside and closed the gap between us.
He's close, but I have self-control.

"One last chance. We could be on our way home before anyone notices."

"I'm marrying Lord Fredrick."

"Then why are you still wearing the scale I gave you?" he asked and I had to resist the urge to reach for my necklace.

"It reminds me not to make stupid decisions."
Orin reached for my lips, but I caught his hand, learning from last night's mistakes. And immediately came to regret my decision as he used it to yank me to him so that my chest was pressed against his, while his other hand curved my lower back.

My body was a furnace everywhere he touched.
Self-control, pull away from him now.
But I found myself unable to as his hands slipped lower.

Who was I fooling? I wanted him to tear this stupid dress off.

My father cleared his throat, and Orin and I looked towards where he stood within the door, in his usual black leather and his fur cape.

"Valentina," he said. "It's time, or should I try to create a diversion?"

"No," I said, yanking my hand from Orin as I went to my father, wrapping myself around the elbow he offered. "I'm ready."

"Before we leave," my father produced from behind his back a bouquet of flowers crafted from blue and white crystals with golden stems and leaves. "Your brother and Queen Marina send these with their regrets that they can't be in attendance due to continuin' unrest in Calaria."
Indeed, having an entire royal line dead in one day, except for a young girl, not trained to take over the throne, married to a foreigner who is even less equipped to be king, would leave any country in turmoil.

I took them and admired their beauty. "I'll have to send my thanks," I said and glanced into my rooms.

Orin stood, frozen in place, staring at his hand that had just been holding mine.

"If you love Incartha, if you love my son..."
I let my father escort me away.