Page 61 of Her Royal Blood

“Yes. And I am so glad you’re going to be here to witness the real marriage as our best man.” She looked at me and I smiled back.

“That is if you’ll take the role?” I gave my brother, who didn’t really like the spotlight the chance to back out.

“Of course I will and I’m honored. I just don’t know why you didn’t ask sooner,” he laughed.

“Well maybe because we decided to get married yesterday.” I joined the laughter and enjoyed the light moment between us. “So I wonder if Polonius knows we blew up all of his warships yet?”

“Oh I’m pretty sure he knows and he’s pissed. This wedding is going to put him over the edge. We’ll get an update on the fighting from Father later. It’s not really the best topic for a wedding.” Cheyenne reeled himself in and refrained from any more talk of war.

“If we are defeating him, there is no better topic or gift,” Aria added and by doing so gave Cheyenne permission to speak about his mission at our pre-wedding dinner.

“I agree. I do believe that with Lex’s sabotaging the ships full of prisoner recruits from Vitoria Island, the explosion on Brahman’s Peak, and the defeat at the ports, Polonius doesn’t have much of a stronghold left except for in Onyx Rah, but he no longer has you to control, so we need to capture him, though I think his forces are stretched over too much ground and his magical resources are waning. All he has left is Sire.” Cheyenneseemed in his element talking about military strategies and Polonius’ deficits.

“I know for a fact that Sire is suffering. He doesn’t have much strength anymore. Polonius has depleted him and his magic just trying to get the pitaya harvests to grow. He did the same thing to Amadeus and he has only just started to heal. Amadeus’ recovery will take months, if not years. You’ll see, he’s a fraction of himself.” Aria said with deep concern for her father .

“I know, I saw him. But he’s well enough to be here and for now that is for the best.”

A saw the airship land on the strip just on the other side of the falls which means our families would be here soon.

“Ah they have arrived.” We all looked over to the air ship that had just landed and Aria’s face filled with joy.

“This is really happening.”

There was so much commotion and excitement when my father, mother, and sister, arrived. With them was Aria's grandmother Nan and her father Amadeus as well as Bindi and her date Derringer who were planning on staying for the wedding and returning to Navarrah City. They’d be taking the troops from the Obsidian Valley in Lara’s airship back to Navarrah City to maintain the stronghold against the Crypt Claw warriors.

“I wish we could stay longer,” Bindi said, “But you want us to win this war and we are doing our damned best. Our troops are tired but they are fighting with all they have. They understand the liberties at stake and they fight for Navarrah City as well as Onyx Rah. The additional forces from the Obsidian Valley will be a much needed and welcomed sight.” Bindi seemed to be in a good mood and was optimistic, both things I hadn’t seen from her often.

“Come here and let me look at you.” Nan rushed over to Aria and held her at arm’s length to get a better look at her dress. “You are a vision of beauty and strength, my dear.”

I realized in seeing Nana Mavia’s ecstatic reaction to seeing Aria in such a regal and elegant dress that she’d never seen Aria as a queen. She’d only known Aria when she was wearing battle fatigues or servant’s clothes. She missed the moments when Aria was in her great room in the Palace at Onyx Rah talking with her people and building her kingdom.

“Thank you, Nana. I’m so glad that you're here. And you too are a vision of beauty.”

Nana was wearing a gray shimmery dress with tiny flecks of crystal in it that shined against the light. She looked magical and radiant.

“Son,” My father gave me a pat on the back and my mother offered one of her warm hugs. “While this was certainly done in haste at the most inopportune time, I understand the urgency. I know that your love is everlasting. I’m happy you have chosen your path so wisely. This reminds me of our wedding.” He turned to smile at my mother. “We had a big affair of course, but I think we would have rather done it this way, with just our families and loved ones.” He smiled at mom, who through everything adored our father.

“Oh yes. This is how it should be done, small, intimate, and as means to stand your ground against a tyrant. It shall truly be an exciting wedding.” My mother was always wise and diplomatic.

Amadeus stood by and watched but didn’t engage, perhaps the moment was too big for him. There was a lot to reconcile between him and Aria, but she was gracious and forgiving and he, patient and understanding. They would find their way with time.

We were served wine and appetizers and we all talked while we waited for the rest of the people to arrive. We were expecting Hawk at some point and the Queen. A few moments later Hawk did show up with some more warriors who would act as guards for the wedding and for our dinner making sure that none of us were left unprotected.

“There you are,” I said with a sigh. “I wasn’t sure if we’d be able to drag you away.”

“Your wedding? I’m not going to miss,” Hawk said, looking good in a suit, but still very rough and unrefined.

He was a savage at his core and I was happy to see he hadn’t lost his edge. The moment Hawk walked into the room there was a hush that settled over us. He had a very commanding presence, but the one person in the room who paid most attention was Janaya. She seemed to stop mid conversation to stare at him.

“Who is that?” she asked Aria.

“A friend of Lex’s,” she said with a slight smirk. “They met on the Isle of Vitoria and he escaped with us. He also helped take out the ships and fight the Crypt Claw. He’s fearless.” Aria boasted and I appreciated her kind words on his behalf.

“He’s gorgeous.” Janaya could hardly keep her eyes off of him.

Gorgeous, would not be a word I would use to describe Hawk, probably more burly manly war-torn, but he did have a commanding presence and gentle eyes. If beauty could be defined by male prowess and physical power, Hawk had that in abundance. To appease my sister's curiosity, I called Hawk over to sit with us so that he and Janaya might enjoy a dinner conversation together.

“Brother,” I called out and Hawk walked to my end of the table no longer looking as confused as he did when he arrived.

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