Page 109 of Kingdom of Dance

“Didn’t Princess Aurelia grow up trapped in a single tower?” Violet asked doubtfully. “I hope this isn’t all too overwhelming for her.”

Zinnia shrugged. “She chose a crown prince for her husband. She’ll have to get used to a lot of overwhelming things.”

Violet nodded. “I was expecting it to be in the throne room rather than the ballroom.”

“I’m guessing they held it in here because the ballroom opens onto gardens.” Wren nodded toward the several double doors thrown wide along one wall of the room to show a bright morning. “Throne rooms are usually central, without a view like that.”

“Why would they need the room to open onto—oh.” Violet’s eyes widened as she followed Wren’s gaze, and Zinnia felt herself go still as well.

Reclined in the garden, their heads lowered to the level of the open doors, were several dragons, their scales glinting in the morning sunlight.

“I wondered if there would be any dragons in attendance,” said Basil. “Four is quite a good showing. There were only two at our wedding, right?”

Zinnia nodded, her lips numb. “Just Reka and Dannsair.” She locked eyes with Dannsair as she said the dragon’s name, pleased to note that the pair were present. She knew they couldn’t help her, but it was comforting to have them near, all the same. But not nearly comforting enough to counteract the horror of the final dragon guest.

The third one was unfamiliar to her, although she noted that its scales were almost black, and it was much bigger than Reka and Dannsair. She didn’t know if the dragon was an elder, but it was clearly very old.

On the end, watching the crowd with a casual air that revealed nothing of the malice underneath, was a very familiar dragon indeed.

Idric.

“He’s here.” Violet’s frantic whisper pulled Zinnia from her own spiraling panic.

She turned to her sister, trying to smile reassuringly and managing only a grimace. “So it seems. We should have guessed.”

She really should have. It was doubly clever of the reptile to choose a royal wedding as the scene of his grand attack. Not only did it mean that royals from all over Solstice were gathered, but it provided him with an excuse to be present without rousing suspicion. Most royal events were attended by at least one dragon representative.

As if feeling Zinnia’s gaze, Idric suddenly swiveled his head, his eyes locking on hers. She lifted her chin defiantly, her eyes daring him to underestimate her. His thin lips curved in a cold smile before he glanced away, as if bored.

“What do we do?” Violet murmured.

Zinnia drew a breath. “The same as we were going to do. Nothing’s changed.”

Head still held high, she marched to a seat, her family following behind. In spite of her brave front, Zinnia felt so nervous that her stomach was physically painful. It twisted tightly, uncomfortably reminiscent of all the times Idric had used his compulsion enchantment to draw her into the underground cavern. It was probably the knowledge of his proximity that was creating that horrible phantom sensation.

Mere minutes before the ceremony was to start, she threw a look at the room, and her heart skipped a beat at the sight of a familiar figure slipping in through the doorway.

“Obsidian,” she gasped under her breath, and Violet looked around quickly, too.

“He made it!”

Zinnia nodded, trying to catch Obsidian’s eye. He was clearly searching the crowd for something, and she had a pretty good idea what. In spite of everything, she felt a little thrill at the thought. His gaze locked on her at last, and he stilled, remaining frozen in the doorway.

“He looks awful,” Violet muttered from beside her, and Zinnia frowned.

Her sister was right. Obsidian looked haggard, as if he hadn’t slept in days. But they’d only parted ways three days ago, and he’d been fine then. What had happened in the meantime?

His gaze flicking warily to the dragons lining the wall of doors, Obsidian started wading his way through the less exalted guests standing at the back of the room. His eyes were still fixed on Zinnia, and she stood, stepping out into the aisle to meet him partway. A sudden trumpet fanfare halted her progress.

Everyone important enough to have seats hastened to take them, and Amell began to bounce noticeably on his feet with excitement. Clearly the bride was about to arrive. Reluctantly, Zinnia stepped back to her place, but to her surprise, Obsidian kept coming.

“He has to clear the aisle,” Violet said anxiously. “Otherwise Princess Aurelia will be walking down it on top of him!”

“What are you doing, Zinnia?” Basil asked, as she once again stood. “Please can we not cause an international incident at Amell’s wedding?”

That’s what I’m trying to avoid.The words were frozen in her throat by the magic, but Zinnia didn’t waste time trying to reassure her brother any other way. She stepped out into the aisle just as Obsidian reached her.

“Obsidian, where have you been?” she demanded in a whisper. “Are you all right?”

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