Page 8 of Straw and Gold
His brows shot up and his smile grew. “Uh, no.” He cleared his throat. “No, there’s no possibility of that, princess.”
“If I am offensive in my presentation of myself, please?—”
“Princess Morella, he will gut me three times through if he ever hears word of my initial, rather rude reaction to meeting you for the first time, so it is I who ask you to save my life and never speak of it to him.” He cleared his throat again, offering his hand to shake. “It is my own idiocy that has made you doubtyour appearance. You are a stunning woman, and I, as you will soon discover, am a blundering fool.”
I took his hand, nodding. “I believe you.”
He chuckled. “Please allow me to escort you to your rooms where you can freshen up before the ceremony.”
I agreed and he turned to the long stone staircase lined in a rich burgundy carpet. My nerves were finally getting to me as I silently followed. He pointed out the many paintings and corridors, mentioning something about each tower, and referring to the long hall we walked as the Royal Wing.
I half listened, second guessing my choice of gown. But Seraphine had promised my future husband could find no fault in the drape or color. Surely the captain had not laughed at my wings…those they would be expecting. And by the amount of gold in the castle, I doubted the shimmer of my feathers had put him off.
I straightened my spine and took a deep breath.Don’t lose focus, Morella.
“And these are your quarters, Your Highness,” Fedir said, interrupting my attempts to regain my confidence.
I half-listened and stepped inside a beautiful room draped in pale blues and, as was the castle theme, golden accents. Our marriage bed was large and well-stocked with soft blankets and pillows. I peeked into the bathing chamber to find a copper tub and more modern accommodations.
“This is a lovely room,” I said, feeling refreshed.
“His Majesty will be relieved to hear you say so. He ensured it would have all the comforts a queen could want.”
“He is very kind to do so,” I remarked.
“I will leave you to freshen up, Your Highness, and come to retrieve you for the ceremony at a quarter past. When your trunk arrives, it will be brought here.”
“Thank you, Captain.”
“Please, call me Fedir, if you’d like.”
I nodded and closed the door behind him as he left.
Alone in our room, I wondered at the lack of personal items from the king. I saw no evidence he lived here at all and I certainly looked. I even peeked under the bed for shoes, or forgotten books, or old swords—anything that would hint at my husband’s hobbies or personality.
Figuring this was a room he had furnished as a new start for us both, I sat at the dressing table and tucked the flyaway hairs back into my braided bun. I dabbed at my lips, smoothing out the dark red stain and inhaled deeply.
“This is it, Morella,” I told my reflection. “Wife, Queen, Lover, and Seraphine’s Only Hope.” My stomach churned and I took another deep breath, shaking my head. “It will all turn out,” I encouraged. “You’ve wanted this for so, so long.” I gulped and smiled at myself. “Take it. It’s yours.”
Soon, a soft knock came to the door and when I opened it, Fedir was back, this time dressed in a formal jacket. Two servants brought my trunk into the room and Fedir offered his arm for me to take.
On the arm of the Captain of the Royal Guard, I headed downstairs to the throne room to marry the man I’d been betrothed to for almost half of my life.
CHAPTER 6
Killian
She worered to her own wedding.
She worered.
And her wings were tipped in gold.
CHAPTER 7
Morella
The Kingof the Citrine Cliffs was fuckinggorgeous.
