Page 37 of A Vow of Embers

The prince brought me over to it and walked me around the circle once, welcoming me. He set me down and I was shocked that I felt reluctant to let him go. I attributed this feeling to the fact that he had just promised to protect me and there were hundreds of eyes observing our every move—all the nobles of Ilion had gathered to celebrate this event and I felt extremely out of my depth.

I desperately scanned the room, looking for my sister. I didn’t see her anywhere. I was just about to ask after her when Thrax walked into the hall carrying a large piece of wood.

“The axle from my chariot,” Alexandros said. “You need to throw it onto the fire to symbolize that your journey is complete and you will not be able to return home again.”

At first I was surprised that the prince was even talking to me, but then I realized that he was doing it so that I would behave correctly in front of his guests. I only briefly considered hitting Thrax with the axle when he handed it to me. I did hesitate before throwing it in the fire. I knew it didn’t mean anything but it still felt like a heavy moment. As if I were tempting fate.

“Toss it in, princess,” Prince Alexandros said. His voice was tight but I did as I’d promised—I followed his command.

Flames licked at the edges of the axle, turning them black. Soon it would devour the entire piece of wood. It felt so much like an omen.

The prince cleared his throat and I turned to face him. “The veil,” he murmured as a warning.

It was time for him to remove it. This was the second-to-last step before our marriage was official. Contracts were only signed for betrothals. Further documentation wasn’t required—this part wasn’t a legal matter. The witnesses who had seen us outside and here in this room were what made our marriage legitimate, along with these ceremonial steps.

He reached over and gently pulled the veil up, unpinning it from where his sister had secured it. He finished freeing it and let it fall to the floor.

Alexandros stared at me as if he’d never seen me before. I waited for his cutting comment, his sardonic remark.

It didn’t come.

“Your hair,” he said with a touch of awe, reaching out to touch it. “Is this a wig?”

He wasn’t allowed to touch my hair. Anger speared my gut, and muscle memory had me reaching for my xiphos.

But, like always, the prince was there to stop me. He held my wrist midair.

“Sheathe your claws,” he said with a growl. “Remember our deal.”

To those watching it probably appeared to be a tender moment, a new groom holding his bride. I was the only one who heard the threat in his voice, who felt the fury he radiated.

All it took was one touch from him and I forgot everything. We were supposed to be a loving couple and I was ready to gut him for daring to touch my hair, which was special to me.

Thrax approached with an apple on a tray, clearing his throat. Alexandros released me and took the apple.

Then he offered it to me. Since we were being watched so intently, I let him give it to me.

It was the last step. It was the equivalent of sharing salt in Locris. When I ate his food, accepted his hospitality, I would officially become his wife.

I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I knew I had to. Quynh’s safety depended upon it. Everyone in the room seemed to be holding their breath as they waited for me to do what I was supposed to do.

Anger flickered across Alexandros’s face.

“I never took you for a coward,” he said. “Eat the damn apple.”

He’d only said it to antagonize me. But this felt so permanent. So real. I knew that it wasn’t, but it didn’t stop my knees from quaking.

Goddess, give me strength.

Chapter Thirteen

I couldn’t let myself second-guess this. I wouldn’t be the coward he was accusing me of being. Especially when I couldn’t see Quynh. She wasn’t safe yet.

Remember why you are doing this,I told myself.

One for many.

I quickly put the apple up to my mouth and tore out a big chunk with my teeth, then swallowed it whole. It was a miracle I didn’t choke.

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