Destroyers and the Dragons

Page 51

     "Isn't that my job as War councilor?" I retort grinning at her. "I am a lawless heathen after all." Rose, Evergreen, and Pine, loose it and begin to laugh.

     "We've missed you this long month," Pine snorts. "It was too boring around here, and then there was his moping and refusing to eat because everything reminded him of you." I choke on the wine and look over the glass horrified.

     "It's true," Evergreen gripes. "The food reminded me of you, desert reminded me of you, riding a horse reminded me of you, walking in the garden..."

     "Okay I get it," I cut him off. "Everything reminded you of me, is that why you look like you haven't slept in weeks or eaten?" Evergreen nods pathetically. I'd heard the dragon born could get love sick, but I didn't think it was this serious.

     "Do you still think I'm infatuated?"

     "Even if I did, I couldn't leave you to starve yourself," I say grabbing a sweet roll as the tray goes by.

     "You'll never say it," he growls.

     "I can dream, but I dare not put those fragile things to words lest they be smashed," I say pushing away from the table.

     "Where are you going?" he asks grabbing my wrist.

     "Outside, I need the stars," I say biting the sweet roll and licking the honey from my fingers. Evergreen, Pine and Rose follow right behind me. The remaining month is much the same. I sleep in Evergreens bed every night. By the time Lark and her group arrive, Evergreen has recovered enough that none notice his slightly smaller waist.

     I wake the morning of the official ceremony feeling sick. I barely make it to Evergreens privy before I vomit up everything in my stomach. Rose collects me from her brothers room, where several of the councilors have found me. She helps me into a dress that most women wear for riding. The bodice is fitted and the skirt is simple with a split that runs from mid thigh down to the bottom. I wear matching leggings under the skirt and laugh when I realize you can tie the skirt around each ankle so you can ride a horse properly.

     "I think I might have the stomach illness," I say as Rose ties a beautiful scarf around my braids securing them behind my head.

     "Why do you say that?" she asks checking my clothes.

     "I woke up this morning and got very sick, I barely made it to Evergreen's privy," I say.

     "When was your last cycle?" she asks as we head down the stairs.

     "It just finished two weeks ago," I say counting on my fingers.

     "You are probably right, just try not to look ill during the ceremony," she says throwing open the back door to the throne room. She pulls me behind her and I stand next to her chair as Evergreen sits on one of the white marble thrones. I stare at a random tapestry as all the clans swear loyalty to King Evergreen.

     "I have one more item of business to attend to," Evergreen says, his voice echoing through the chamber. I sigh wanting nothing more than to escape into the gardens. "I wish to put to rest a rumor today," he says standing. It takes me a minute to realize he has switched from highland to draconian.

     "Destroyer please step forward," he says. I feel panicked and don't move until Pine nudges me. Mechanically I work my way down the stairs to stand next to Evergreen. He looks out at the crowd and seems to make eye contact with each of the clan councilors. Then he drops down on one knee, he grabs my hand and my first panicked thought is that someone has shot him with an arrow. He produces a beautiful ring from a pocket. "This was given to my mother, by my father, and now I give it to you," he says sliding the ring on my finger. "Destroyer will you be my queen?" he asks. I look into his eyes which are shining with some inner light.

    "I would love to be, but.."

     "Is it a yes?" he asks. I nod unable to find my voice. "Then let all the clans witness." He stands and kisses me hard and long. I hear Rose cheering behind us and Pine joins in. Lark comes up and hugs me while Evergreen pulls me against him. I look out at the crowd and notice some less than happy faces. I will not let them get in the way of my happiness, I vow silently. A feast is planned and I follow Evergreen through his castle and smile as people all over wish us a long and joyous union. Then it hits me, we have to tell my clans and that may prove complicated. I push the thought away and enjoy the now for once. We will have time to deal with everything else. I sit next to Evergreen and watch as more people join the already crowded hall and the feast ensues. I find the Draconian delicacies tasty.