Page 53 of Iris of the Crowned Flame

‘Your Father and Mother both have been preparing you all your life. You will be ready when the time comes.’ This was clearly Mina in my head, her voice carrying that same ethereal echo that the God of Death has, though her intrusion left a feeling of peace, rather than the disturbing unease that Death’s voice carried.

I inhaled, closed my eyes, and straightened my back. “I know you are a goddess, and you can do what you will, but you need to stay out of my head, please. Uninvited guests in my conversations are unappreciated.” I said this out loud, though I knew she could have heard it if it was only in my thoughts.

Juniper snorted and Emberly shared her smirk. “We will have to work hard on strengthening your mental guards. And your manners when talking to Goddesses.” Emberly stated.

‘I will take your wishes under advisement.’ Mina’s tone shared a similar hint of amusement.

I stood and shifted to the windows. The horses were out, despite the cold, and they seemed to enjoy their time in the pasture. Beyond them, I could see snow falling on the mountains and into the foothills between. Winter was here; snow would soon reach the city. I recalled Frederick sharing this summer how his elders worry that the snow may become permanent in Crystalford. The snow seemed to come earlier and earlier each year. Perhaps some of the change I could bring will help us avoid the freeze.

CHAPTER 34

Later that afternoon, Amyra, Ivy, and I met with the event planners to plan the wedding. We had just five months to organize an event that draws several times more people than the Tournaments did. Eliza was already busy preparing a wedding dress that she promises would outshine all other dresses she’s designed this year for me.

The first thing we discussed was where to hold the ceremony. my people held most weddings in the capital at the temple for Amata, the Goddess of love and fertility. It certainly made sense. It didn’t feel right for me. I could only imagine promising myself to one person in that temple, and it was Amyra. Dedicating myself to Spencer there didn’t feel right. Our marriage wasn’t one for love, it was a political choice. Instead, I insisted on holding it in the temple for Mina. Since she’s the Goddess for Peace and Order, this seemed like a good choice. Perhaps if I dedicated my marriage to peace, the threats Egan made could be harder to follow through on. Perhaps it would protect my kingdom from the recklessness I showed in not controlling my magic and causing such devastation to Egan’s country.

I couldn’t share all these reasons with the event planners, so it wasn’t easy to convince anyone of this choice, but eventually, they relented.

Once that was in place, I stepped back from the rest of the choices. I allowed the planners, Ivy, and Amyra to discuss and debate the choices. Amyra’s excitement with this was so palpable, it felt like she was planning her own wedding. Her excitement added to the guilt I feel. She insisted on being involved in this, and wanted to ensure it’s the best day I could have, but how could it be, when I couldn’t marry her? I tried to not let my guilt show, allowing Ivy and Amyra to make selections for the flowers, the color scheme, and even the food the reception after would serve.

‘Quit moping, you’re getting married!’ Mina’s voice shoved my thoughts aside.

‘I thought I told you to stay out of my head.’ I hoped my anger at her intrusion was palpable for her.

‘I told you I would take them under advisement. I did. And I will stay out once you can keep me out. You need to get stronger.’ Her brief lecture did not make me feel any happier, but I supposed I deserved it. At least with her around, we could know when I would finally keep Death out of my head.

‘I know I’m not due for another thirty minutes, but I’m bored. I’ll be coming now.’

‘No! Wait. I don’t need people to know who you are, not yet. Please let me end this meeting first.’

‘Too late!’ Her peppy tone was so irritating. With it, a knock sounded on the door of my office.

I rolled my eyes. “My apologies. It sounds like my next meeting has come early. Are we able to wrap up here?”

The lead planner shook her head. “No, we don’t have enough information yet. Our next meeting won't be for two weeks, and we need to place orders before then. We really need the full meeting.”

As she was protesting, Ivy was already heading to the door. I hadn’t told her or Amyra about Mina being here, so she didn’t know of this meeting yet. Her curiosity most certainly led her to opening the door and allowing Mina to enter.

“Oh, perfect, I love planning weddings. It wasn’t my areaof expertise back in the day, but I love a delightful party.” Mina announced as she breezes past Ivy, leaving her at the door.

“Uh, wait, who are you?” Ivy stood there, not sure if she should close the door or ask a guard to come intervene.

“Sorry, Ivy, she’s fine. She’s the next meeting. She will sit over on the far couch and let us wrap this up, won’t you?” I gave Mina a pointed glare, letting her know there wasn’t room for debate. Mina smirked and took the seat I showed, but didn’t stay quiet.

“Oh, I could, but I see you’ve chosen my temple for the wedding, and I would love to offer some insight.”

“Your temple?” The planner raised her eyebrow. “I know the Priestesses at the temples, and you aren’t wearing their clothes or the clothes of anyone I recognize.”

“Ah, ok, thank you. I apologize; we will have to reschedule.” I stood up.

“Ivy, please make room for my schedule in the next couple days to finish this meeting. We will meet for an hour.”

I needed to set ground rules fast. And I needed to get Spencer in the room. He was supposed to join me for this meeting. I turned. “Amyra, I’m so sorry to ask this of you, but could you please retrieve Prince Spencer? He should be with Emberly.”

Amyra nodded. “Of course, I will be back soon.”

She stood, curtsied to me, and left. Seeing her use the formal curtsy like that felt jarring after I spent the meeting, wishing I could openly love her.

Ivy agreed to see the planners in the morning for scheduling, and they packed up their notes and leave as well. Once they had left, Mina moved to join Ivy and me at the table. “Well Princess, will you introduce me to your friend? Is she staying for this meeting too, or am I super top secret for even her?”

---