Under the Stars (21 page)

Everyone exits the room, giving me cold stares on their way out.

“We shouldn’t be talking to each other right now.”

“Because of that stupid bad luck myth?” I snort. “I have bigger problems right now. Like the fact that Malik showed up at my room wearing his kitchen attire and said he can’t attend the wedding.”

“Oh, that? It can be fixed, darling,” he coos.

“You know how much this means to me. I want him there. And did someone send for my family? I haven’t seen them.”

“I had my riders go after them this morning.”

“They had better be here. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life knowing they were left out of something that happens once in a lifetime.” I turn on my heel, thinking I’ll make a grand exit. Instead, the King jerks my arm.

“Careful, Andrina. This day is as much mine as it is yours. But I shouldn’t remind you of your place in
my
kingdom. Though you will have the title and all that comes with it, you still have an obligation to me. I cannot have these dramatic displays in public. If you wish to speak to me privately, you may do so. But I won’t be embarrassed in front of my people. Am I making perfect sense?”

“So I’m supposed to smile and pretend that everything is okay, when it’s not?”

“As soon-to-be royalty, you cannot let the people talk. If they suspect anything is wrong between us, it will be your downfall.” He loosens his grip. “Try not to ruin anything. I’ve gone out of my way to make sure this evening is amazing. I so wish you wouldn’t let something this infinitesimal quash our moment.”

This time, I don’t respond. I take my leave.

I get it—I’m to listen to what the King says. After all, he is still my King. Not just my
almost
husband. Doesn’t matter now, or in the future, if he requests that I do something, I have to listen. Like he said: it’s my obligation.

Daphne’s in my room, wedding dress folded over her arm.
 

“Where ya been, miss?”

I smile. “Nowhere. Just had to get some fresh air.”

“Yer not gettin’ cold feet, are ya?”

“No, not at all.”

“Good. ‘Cause after the mess I’ve been through for ya, I’d feel like I’m jus’ wastin’ mah time.”

I don’t know what comes over me, but I hug her. “Thanks for everything.”

She giggles. “I was jus’ jokin’ with ya, miss. No need ta thank me.”

“I guess I could be having second thoughts. I mean, I am a little young to be married. But I’m doing this to help these people, my people. And my family.”

“Well, of course ya are. Some people don’ see that, though.” She drapes the dress over the back of the vanity chair.

I lean against the bedpost. “What do they see?”

“A young girl who’s usin’ the King for money. That’s what I’ve heard.”

“They think because I’ve come from poverty that I’ve convinced the King to marry me? That’s crazy.”

Daphne nods. “I know, miss. But that’s jus’ talk. Don’ let it get ta ya.”

I remember what King Zarek said to me about gossip, and how it can affect us. Today I’ll attempt to push it to the deepest section of my mind. I can’t be reminded of their words, not now.

“We need ta get ya ready. It’s gettin’ close to time.”

The dress fits perfectly this time. No changes. Daphne’s relieved, too. With so little time, I didn’t believe we could pull it off.

We barely have enough time to doll up my hair and face before footmen knock on my door.

“The wedding is beginning soon. King Zarek wants you to be ready in fifteen minutes,” one says. “The guests are seated.”

“Thank you.” Nerves rush to the surface of my skin, stinging and burning. I exhale a short breath. “This is it, then?”

“It is, miss. Ya look beautiful.”

The footmen wait outside the door. I’m ready so there’s no need to leave them waiting. I just hope King Zarek allowed Malik to attend, and that my family is here to watch.

Outside my room, decorations have been set in place.

Everywhere my eyes meet, something is garlanded in white silk and flowers. Tiny, pasty angels hang from ceilings, or are fixated on the corners of doorways. Colorless petals are dispersed across the floors.

But when I see the garden, all air evaporates from my lungs.

 
The hedges are stuffed with white roses. Glossy fabric is draped in loops and twists along the sides. About one hundred people are seated in high-back chairs, except for King Zarek and the minister, who both stand at the front.

I scan the crowd, hoping to catch a peek at Mama or Mattie in the audience, but they are nowhere to be found. No sign of Malik, either. Where are they? He promised me they’d be here.

Each step is taken carefully, so I won’t trip. The mass stands, turning to face me. A violinist in the front corner plays a gentle melody that echoes against the castle’s structure.

I stop and close my eyes for only a heartbeat. My family and the people of Legora depend on the events of today. On
me
.

Time closes in against my vision. Almost like I can see myself from a distance, like this isn’t really happening. I wish it wasn’t. When I was a young girl, I dreamed of this day, but this isn’t how I pictured any of it. Though every girl wants their own prince, I now believe it’s just a metaphor.

King Zarek smiles at me. His people assess me up and down, most likely placing bets on how long I’ll last.

I want to turn around and run. I don’t care if it’s through the desert or some distant town. I could disappear forever.

But the closer I get to King Zarek, the more his grin warms my heart, telling me everything’s going to be okay. For all of us.

“My beloved people,” he begins once I reach the stage, “please be seated.”

The cleric cocks one eyebrow, and then raises his hand toward the throng of devout followers in front of him. “We are here today to marry the King and his bride before the eyes of God and His children. All of you are witnesses to this moment in history when King Zarek has finally chosen a wife.”

The King clears his throat.

“Ah, yes,” the minister mumbles, flipping through a few pages of the book he’s holding. “Andrina Stevens, do you take His Majesty, King Zarek, to be your husband for the remainder of your days? Do you promise to be loyal to him and his people, no matter the cost?”

Oh, no. The universe is crashing down on me. I squeeze my eyes shut.
Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out.
But that doesn’t help the fluttering wings in my stomach, or the fact that the sky is whirling.

“Andrina…” King Zarek sucks me back into reality.

“Can I have a minute?” I rasp.

Whispers crawl through the audience. I know what they’re thinking:
She shouldn’t be marrying him anyway.
But have they heard the real story?

“Andrina,” King Zarek murmurs from one side of his mouth—the side facing away from his people, “we haven’t got all day. If you have a problem with this, I suggest you say so now.” His eyes ignite like fire from the heavens.

I have to get my act together. I have to think about Mama and Mattie and all those other people who depend on me. I
have
to make this right.

Pushing past the rabid butterflies and the faintness, I say, “I do.”

The minister doesn’t hesitate. “And do you, King Zarek, take Andrina to be your wife for the remainder of yours days? Do you promise to be loyal to her, whatever the cost?”

King Zarek smirks. “Of course I do.”

“By the power vested in me through God, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” He looks out to the crowd. “People of Valyad, welcome your new Queen.”

Queen.
I haven’t thought much about that word, or its meaning. But now I’m someone of power. These people need me like my own people do.

“Let the festivities begin!” King Zarek says. And by festivities he means a game of tennis because I missed his yesterday. Now I have no choice but to watch.

Afterwards, we’ll eat.

I do know one thing: this is not how I pictured my wedding. I’m not sure if I really know what I expected from this, other than to help my family and the people.

“Do I still have to call you a royal name?”

This sparks a laugh from him. “Only if that is your wish.” His hand remains on the small of my back, guiding me toward the rows of seating outside the tennis court.

The guests roar with excitement as the game begins. Though I don’t say it, I’m certain they’ll let him win. Who beats the King at his favorite sport and gets away with it?

When the referee proclaims that the King has won, everyone takes a break. Drinks are passed around in crystal glasses, and appetizers are served on mirrored dishes.

“Having fun, my dear?” Zarek asks through the viewing net.

If I have to fake our conversations for the public, now’s a good time to start practicing.

“It’s wonderful. I can’t imagine anything more exciting. You’ll have to teach me how to play.”

If he knows I’m fooling everyone, it doesn’t show on his face. He’s completely ecstatic by my words.

“Anytime you want.”

Tennis continues for several more rounds. Each time Zarek wins. But nobody complains. They all act as if they’ve given their all and he’s beat them.

Eventually, guests are ushered into the dining hall, where the feast is fresh and waiting. Zarek takes his usual seat at the head, and I sit beside him.

“Andrina, you remember Governor Hadi,” says Zarek.

I smile at the Governor. “I do. I see you’ve sobered up since earlier today.”

It takes a moment for the Governor to compose himself. But he does it well, and responds, “Yes, my lady. I apologize for that sorry display. I hope you can forgive me.”

“Consider it done.”

There’s an eerie silence on our end of the table. What’s everybody thinking? Nothing they can say aloud, clearly. One man, several seats down on the opposite side, gawks at me. He holds my eyes for a few seconds, but it seems like longer. The woman beside him nudges his arm, and then offers me a pitiful glance.

Zarek clears his throat. “I’m proud that Valyad came together for this. It would seem the decorations and food and guest list went on without a hitch.”

I clear my throat. Guest list was great? The three people I wanted most to attend weren’t there. He knows this.

“How else will you celebrate?” Governor Hadi asks.

Zarek drinks from his oversized wedding goblet. “I think I will hunt. It’s been too long since I’ve killed. I crave it again.”

“Every man craves it, Majesty,” Hadi adds, slapping Zarek a couple of times on his back. “I haven’t been in several months myself. Let’s go tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Zarek chuckles. “Ah, my good friend, have you just forgotten I must spend time with my new wife?”

“That’s what tonight is for.”

43.

I had completely forgotten about what might happen behind closed doors tonight. I’ve never been intimate with anybody in my life. I only
thought
my nerves were horrible before the wedding.

Now, I might vomit.

As the guests leave one by one, I force a smile to my lips, hoping they can’t see past the fakeness.

Zarek leans over and whispers, “You’re pale. Why don’t you go lie down?”

I can only nod. If I opened my mouth, well, it wouldn’t be pretty.

Everyone I pass in the hallway bows. I smile and breeze past. One of the guards at the entrance to the King’s chambers opens the door for me.
Tick, tick, tick
says the grandfather clock in the corner, while the fire pops and crackles.

I crumple into a heap on the bed, lying in the fetal position. It’s not until the room spins that I realize how tired I am…

Zarek’s soft kisses on my neck wake me. “Feeling better?”

“A little,” I mumble. “How long have I been asleep?”

“It’s nearly three in the morning.”

I can smell the wine on his breath, even though he’s lying behind me. My heart pounds frantically inside my chest.

But, as if he knows what I’m thinking, he says, “I won’t force you to do anything you are afraid of.”

“Thank you,” I say, and fall into a dreamless sleep.