Page 150 of Tall, Royal Hater
My chest expanded. “Thank you.”
The queen’s smile turned a little suggestive. “It seems you and Shehryar work well together after all.”
“Yeah, apparently we do.” I shook my head. “But don’t tell him. It’s just gonna go to his head.”
She laughed, and I grinned, then a hush fell across the room as the entrance doors opened. Music played from two large Bluetooth speakers in the corners of the room controlled by Gary, Kai’s driver.
I turned my attention as Nur made his entrance as the officiant first, taking up his place before the decorated table. King Rami followed, suited in dark royal blue with a silver cane in hand. And after him came the royal couple of the century—Esmeralda and Kai.
Arm in arm, my best friend was the epitome of bubbling joy, while her fiancé in his blue three-piece suit and silver tie like the other groomsmen was her calmer, googly-eyed counterpart. They parted when they got to the front, Kai going to stand by his father and Esmeralda to Nur’s right.
They were followed by Fay and Pierre before Nur said into a mic, “Please stand for the groom.”
The room rose as one.
A symphony of coos and awws flooded the hall as Zain and Alisha’s children came in with an awkward, blushing Adam.Tara led the way with all the big sister attitude a five-year-old could have, throwing rose petals from her basket with such precision. While Max, in Adam’s arms, threw more petals in the poor prince’s face than he did on the rolled-out carpet, triggering chuckles.
Laughter turned into light cheers when the grinning groom appeared in the door.
Prince Arsh was dressed in a perfectly tailored grey suit with a dark blue tie, opposite to the groomsmen, and a sheathed sword strapped to a leather belt around his waist under his jacket. He looked every bit the silver fox bachelor he was with his brown hair combed back and jaw cleanly shaven. But the love that glowed in his hazel eyes was swoon-worthy. He was so excited to be getting married, and it was clear by the way he practically sped towards Nur.
“Now please get ready to welcome our beautiful bride,” the head chef said.
The next melody started as Katiya appeared in the doorway on Shehryar’s arm. A hushed awe caused everyone’s eyes to sparkle, especially the groom’s.
Candy was a star, because Katiya looked stunning.
Her warm ivory, almost pale gold dress hugged her gorgeously tall and curvaceous body to her waist and stroked her legs with each step like liquid. The sleeves were full and the neck a wide U. Dark red flower patterns were embroidered into the bodice, but they faded away as they climbed down to her waist, leaving the skirt plain, yet the design was the perfect nod to her Jahandari heritage. It was all complemented by her curled updo, effortless makeup balanced by the red on her full lips, and pearl necklace and earrings.
Katiya released her hold on her son’s arm, allowing him to step in front and shield her from her soon-to-be husband. Undoing the leather belt holding the sheathed sword from around hiswaist, Prince Arsh treaded forward. He gripped it in both hands and dropped onto one knee before Shehryar.
I caught the uncomfortable twitch on Shehryar’s lips—it probably felt super weird having royalty bow down in front of him, but a tradition was a tradition, and he composed himself instantly.
Prince Arsh lifted the sword, offering it to Shehryar. “I present to you the weight of my pride and vow with all my honour that I will love, respect, and protect Katiya Timur for the rest of my life,” he said, perfectly recited yet heavy with truth. “And if I am to ever fail in my promise, then you may use the silver of my own pride to slay me.”
I nearly choked at the “slay me”part—Esmeralda had left that out in her explanation of Touman wedding traditions. Talk about dramatic, but damn was it kind of sweet too in a funny sort of way.
Everyone remained perfectly still as we waited for Shehryar’s choice.
The sword couldn’t have been light, but he made Prince Arsh hold it up for what felt like a mini eternity before expanding his chest on a breath and taking the silver from the kneeling man.
I swore we all blew out a sigh of relief.
Until he turned the pointed end of the sheathed sword to Prince Arsh’s throat.
“Don’teverhurt her,” Shehryar said low and slow.
No one would have ever known there was a weapon held to his throat just going off the older prince’s delighted grin. “Never.”
Shehryar lowered the silver and offered the man a hand. Prince Arsh took it and stood up. It wasn’t clear who initiated it, but arms went around shoulders, fists still clasped, and they patted each other on the back in one of those man-hugs. Cheers and claps echoed around, the loudest coming from Katiya’s parents on the screen, but I scoffed.
Only this fucking idiot could commit a minor form of treason in front of a room full of witnesses and get a hug and cheers out of it instead of threats of arrest.
Finally, Shehryar took his mother’s hand again, placed it in Prince Arsh’s, and got out the way. He set the sword against the table before moving to Esmeralda’s side. She poked and prodded at him in a mixture of amusement and scolding.
Nur cleared his throat into the mic. Prince Arsh and Katiya clasped their hands together, looking into each other’s eyes like they’d been waiting all their lives for this very moment.
“Are we ready?” Nur asked. They nodded eagerly. “Okay, then let’s get this secret wedding started, shall we?” He grinned and opened the leather book in his hand. “We are gathered here today…”
