Page 76 of Wild Flame

He sighed. The night was still around us. I didn’t even hear Azrun’s soft breathing, and when I glanced over, his pillows were empty. He must have left some time in the night. Focusing back on my patient, I realized that though he had relaxed a little, his big body was still tense.

An idea formed. Without letting myself consider it too much, I took a deep breath to release some of the tension in my own body, then I began to sing.

It was a low, gentle song—a lullaby, something I used to sing to Helene when we were little.

Malik’s entire body stilled at the first soft note. I dared not look down to see if he opened his eyes. I couldn’t have looked at him if he had. So instead, much like I had when I sang for Zara, I closed my eyes and just sang.

Slowly, ever so slowly, Malik began to relax as I continued my gentle ministrations, and one sweet song rolled into another.

It felt good to set my voice free, and I didn’t even notice when it was that Malik finally drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

The next several days were filled with a swirl of activity and preparations for the Marking Ceremony. From what I had gleaned and what Zara had told me, it would resemble a Halmarish ceremony in some ways, but not in others. The ceremony was to take place inside The Sphere of Ashar, and I couldn’t wait to see it since it had been closed during the funeral rites, and I hadn’t had time to visit it since.

The massive glass dome had been built by King Aarav Kathar back when the palace was being constructed. It was made to protect the historic site where Queen Lethara’s three grandsons held the peace talks to end the war and split Palasia into three kingdoms. No dragons had been permitted at the site during the discussions and in honor of that, the rule was still in place today. No dragons were permitted at The Sphere. Thanks to this tradition, many of Zehvi’s formal political matters and events were still held in The Sphere today—like formal meetings of the Rajid and the Marking Ceremony of its monarch.

Once the ceremony was over, Malik and I would be presented to the people, and that would be followed by a night of celebration and revelry.

I had asked Zara at one point if the people were getting sick of all this constant celebrating—first the Rites, then the coronation, now the ceremony. She had just given me a confused look and said, “There is no such thing as too much celebrating.” I supposed I should have expected that response. The nightly banquets had not stopped after the funeral. They had continued right up to the coronation.

Malik had been busy as well, and I had hardly seen him, but he left the violet-orange flowers for me every morning—either a single bloom on my pillow or a fresh bouquet by my bedside.

The morning of the ceremony, Hilde barely spoke to me as I put on my bridal gown. She had been pestering me to wear a traditional Halmarish gown to the ceremony rather than a Zehvitian one.

“I plan to wear one for the Halmarish ceremony we will be having in a few weeks,” I had explained to her for the hundredth time. “This ceremony is sacred to Zehvitians. I am not simply a princess of Halmar any longer. I am now also Zehvi’s future queen. My clothing needs to reflect that.”

The gown I wore was actually similar to the blue and silver dress Malik had given me, but this time, it was scarlet and gold—two of the Kathar family colors. Perfect for today. What I loved most about it was that it didn’t clash with my reddish-brown hair—the bright shade actually complimented it. The trim and gold thread work designs were more elaborate, the skirt fuller while somehow still managing to feel airy and lightweight, and my arms were bare. Gold bangles adorned my wrists and ankles, and a gold-plated armband fashioned into a dragon wound its way around my upper arm. Woven into the braids of my hair were golden chains adorned with gleaming rubies that sparkledin the sunlight. Atop it all, I wore a small golden tiara from which a long matching veil covered my hair and fell to the center of my back.

Excitement mixed with a healthy dose of nerves had assailed me when I first took in my appearance. For one of the first times in my life, I actually felt beautiful. I couldn’t help but think of Malik’s reaction when he saw it, and the thought made my belly flip.

The Sphere of Ashar was located in a separate part of the palace that was open to the public. I was expected to be paraded through the halls and outside to the steps of the building on a cushioned litter. When I had initially heard this, I had baldly refused, until Zara had told me, “It is expected.” I had no choice but to climb in and recline upon the cushions waiting for me inside. The gauzy curtains adorning the four sides had been tied back. The Talonar walked beside the litter, fitted in black leather armor trimmed in gold metal. Despite the intimidating figures they presented, the people of Taveran still pressed close and fought to catch a glimpse of their future queen, cheering and waving. I waved back and tried to smile as much as my sudden nerves would allow.

Though Malik and Zara had told me most of what the ceremony entailed, I still worried I would say or do something wrong in front of thousands of people. However, I trusted that Malik wouldn’t let me make a fool of myself. Thinking of Malik also led me to thinking of what the rest of the night would bring. Particularly after the feasting and celebrations were over and my new husband and I returned to our rooms. After today, the excuse that we were not yet wed would no longer be true. Would anything more happen? Did I want it to?

Clutching my talisman to my writhing stomach, I fought to push those thoughts from my mind. I was grateful when the litter finally came to a halt, and I quickly stepped down. I foundmyself standing in the shadow of the massive stone structure above me. It was as large as an entire city square. I tilted my head back, taking in the glittering, jewel-like half sphere that made up its ceiling. It had to be several hundred feet high.

I waved to the cheering crowd once more before being escorted up the marble steps and inside. I had entered a foyer of sorts and walked—with my guards surrounding me—to where a pair of ornate entrance doors waited. I took a moment to catch my breath before the closed doors and before I realized Zara was there waiting for me. She hurried over to me, looking beautiful in a golden gown as she smiled wide and handed me a bouquet of red and yellow flowers. Her excitement was palpable as she squeezed my hand reassuringly.

“Are you ready?” she asked.

Unable to form proper words right then, I just smiled back with a nod.

She squeezed my hand once more before turning to face forward and nodding to the waiting stewards. They pushed open the grand doors, and she stepped through them into the sunlight beyond.

Soft, swelling music began to play, and I waited a few beats before following.

I had known The Sphere would be just as beautiful as I had imagined when I had seen the amazing structure from afar, but nothing could have prepared me for this marvel.

A massive glass dome covered the entire space, swirled with intricate designs and coming to a point high at its center. The work was so seamless that it seemed to be cast in one solid piece rather than several smaller ones. Sunlight shone through the glittering glass and made everything beneath look like something out of a dream.

Gleaming white stone paths wove throughout the space underneath, lined by dozens of colorful flowers and trees and theoccasional fountain or pool filled with lotus blossoms. I guessed the entire palace gardens would be able to fit inside and there would still be room to spare.

But despite all the beauty surrounding me, my eye was immediately drawn to where all the paths led. In the center, under the highest point of the dome, were at least a dozen stone steps that led up to the top of a large flat stone dais. A magnificent stone archway sat atop it, behind which a small tent had been erected. Zara had explained that many weddings happened here, not just those of the Zehvitian monarchs. The archway was engraved with each one of the Nine’s symbols and it was seen as a good omen to take your first steps as a couple by passing through it.

A cheer went up as I emerged. The path before me was covered in red, yellow, and white rose petals and the air was heavy with their sweet scent. I took several calming breaths as I walked, trying to keep the butterflies in my stomach at bay as I began the long walk to the platform steps.

My guards had peeled back to walk behind me. Many people tossed more petals in my path and called out cheers and well wishes. I tried to smile at them, but eventually the faces around me blurred and I kept my eyes on Zara’s back as I moved forward.