Page 72 of The Ruthless Fae King
“Two lives become one today,” the priest said to everyone gathered as Lucien and I stood on a makeshift stage in the center of town. “Two leaders with a shared love of our people.” He then looked to me.
All fae weddings were sealed with the same poem. It was written so long ago no one knew who penned the words, but it encompassed all of us so beautifully that we recited it each wedding to declare our intentions. I memorized it when I was five.
“For as surely as snow melts into water, and as wind moves a flickering flame, my love for you is true and will never fade,” I said to Lucien.
Lucien held my gaze, never wavering. “For as surely as snow melts into water, and as wind moves a flickering flame, my love for you is true and will never fade,” he repeated.
The crowd erupted into applause and Lucien looked to the priest, who nodded. One second Lucien was a foot away from me, and the next our bodies were crushed together, his lips on mine as the gathered people went wild.
I grinned against his mouth as his tongue teased at my lips. I opened them and stroked my tongue against his.
This kiss wassoinappropriate, my mother was probably having heart failure. But I didn’t care. Only when the priest cleared his throat did we both pull away, beaming.
Lucien then stepped up to the edge of the stage and slipped his hand into mine, raising it above our heads.
Everyone quieted and then Lucien dropped our hands to a more relaxed gesture at his side.
“On the brink of war, Madelynn and I would like to give our people a future to look forward to!” he announced, and people cheered.
Lucien gazed at me and I knew he was wrestling with a heavy topic.
“I never publicly apologized for the Great Freeze that affected so many lives all those years ago and I would like to do so now. That night, my father had too much to drink and was… unkind to me.” Our people gasped, reaching up to cover their mouths, but Lucien went on. “I lost control of my powers. The grief and rage of losing my mother, along with my father’s abuse, was too much for me to bear that night and I snapped.”
The crowd gasped again and I squeezed Lucien’s hand tightly in support. I’d never been prouder of him in this moment, as a man, a husband, and a king. Being vulnerable and taking responsibility for his actions was not easy, but he had done it, and his people would love him for it.
“I used to think speaking of such things would be seen as a weakness, but I no longer care. I want you all to know that from the bottom of my heart, I made a mistake and I am sorry.” He dipped his head in shame then and I looked out at the gathered crowd. There wasn’t a dry eye to be seen. Even the dragon-folk and elves looked misty-eyed.
People began to rush the stage then and I panicked for a moment, wondering what was happening. Lucien’s guards sprinted forward but it was too late, I was yanked from where I stood and Lucien went with me.
“Long live the king and queen!” Cheers rang out as we were hoisted into the air by our people.
I gazed at Lucien in wonder and he reached for my hand, raising it into the air with a grin. We were on our backs, looking up into the sky as our people supported our weight and carried us over the crowd of thousands.
This went on for almost half an hour. We were carried around the entire town square by Spring, Fall, Summer, and Winter Court fae. I’d never seen our people this intermingled and together. It was in this moment that I realized that our wedding was exactly what was needed during this time of strife.
After that, we sat humbly on some shop steps with our people eating a basic meal of beans and rice and some steamed meat. People laughed and danced to the sounds of fiddles and told stories of times long past.
Piper came to find us when the moon was high in the sky. “I’m sorry, I need the newly married couple,” she told the group of courtiers we were chatting with.
They nodded and wished us farewell, and we followed her through the crowd. My mother blew me a kiss as I passed and I caught it in the air. Libby was asleep on a blanket at her feet.
When we reached the edge of the main town square, Piper stopped in front of a horse and turned to me. “Go have some time alone. Tomorrow the war really begins,” she told us.
She’d guarded my purity her whole life, and now she was pushing me to bed my husband. I totally approved.
Lucien clasped his hands together in gratitude. “You are perfection,” he told Piper, causing her to grin.
We both practically leapt onto the horse and rode it back to Winter Castle. When we reached there, one of his attendants was waiting to take the stallion from him.
Lucien casually guided me inside and back to his side of the castle. I’d never been to his room, and with each step we took I was reminded that the purity I had intended to save for him… was gone.
When we reached the large oak door, Lucien opened it and we stepped inside. I was taken by how light and bright everything was. I’d expected black and grays but it was all cream and white.
Snow. It reminded me of snow. His couch, bed, drapes, wall color, it was all white or varying shades of cream, which brightened the entire space.
Turning, Lucien grasped my face in his hands. “We have the rest of our lives together. If you’re not ready—”
My lips crashed into his and I was rewarded with a moan.
