Page 66 of Cold Hearted
I peered at Alexandria and Nysa, both looking gorgeous in floor-length evening gowns.They gave me smiles and thumbs-up, and I walked to the door with my friends trailing behind me.
When we exited the castle, warm air caressed my skin, a gift from Zander who had arranged for fae from his brother’s kingdom in the south to heat the air during the outdoor ceremony. Zander had said he wanted me to feel comfortable and bring in some familiar elements of my court to our wedding. Besides the heated air, he’d also shipped in as many summer-blooming flowers as he could in the short time. I’d seen a peek of the gardens as we’d walked past a window on our way out of the castle, and it looked like the aisle was lined with orange daylilies and pink peonies. The scent of fresh lavender and honeysuckle hung in the air, making my eyes mist to think of his thoughtfulness.
Zander wasn’t a perfect fae. Then again, neither was I, but I knew with certainty that he was perfect for me. I couldn’t wait another moment to be his wife and make him my husband.
Just then, a stable hand rounded the corner leading Omen, who wore an embroidered white satin blanket over his back.
“Hey, pretty boy, you look beautiful.” I stroked Omen’s neck and he nuzzled into me.
“We’ll go grab a seat and see you soon.” Nysa squeezed my arm before leading Alexandria away down the path where the wedding event was being held.
With Zander’s attendant’s help, I carefully mounted Omen, sitting side-saddle, and then arranged the voluminous skirts over his flank. When I was settled, I clicked my tongue and Omen took off at a slow trot, knowing exactly where to go.
My heart hammered in my chest as the nerves finally reached me. I was about to marry a man I’d only known a month.
I giggled out loud at that. In royal terms it wasn’t the worst I’d heard of. My great grandmother married a prince she knew for six hours. I let my mind wander to the first time I saw Zander, after crashing into him on the street outside the tavern. The moment he spoke, it was as if a spell had been woven over me. I’d been disarmed and let my guard down without even realizing it. Every moment that I spent with him after that just made me fall deeper. It now felt like I’d known him forever.
Omen turned the corner, walking between two thick hedges, and I gasped when I saw the hundreds of tea lights placed between the flowers lining the aisle. People sat in rows and rows along the castle lawn that spanned for what felt like miles. They’d been lightly talking when I arrived, but as soon as Omen and I stepped into the aisle they fell into a reverent silence and stood.
Zander had told me it was custom to invite every single person in the Northern Kingdom to our wedding, over ten thousand fae, and to seat the laborers and farmers closest to the front, and the socialites and aristocrats farther out. It was the one day to honor those who sacrificed and worked so hard for his kingdom. They were our guests of honor.
As Omen and I began our walk, it was easy to recognize the wealthy and privileged subjects right away. The women, wrapped in rich fabrics or layer upon layer of soft tulle, wore beautifully crafted gowns that were constructed to enhance their features, including any horns, wings, or scales if they had them.The men’s jackets and slacks were perfectly tailored to their forms and embellished with gold and silver stitching.
As Omen and I progressed, I peered down at the fae who beamed up at me and gave them a wave as a smile broke out onto my lips. I was amazed at all of the people who had shown up to support Zander and me, and in this moment I couldn’t think of one negative thing. The curse over my people was gone from my mind as I was struck with such gratitude for these people here on my special day.
How could I already love his people as my own? I would do anything for them.
I kept my eyes on the fae to my right and left as Omen brought me down the aisle, wishing I could personally thank each and every one of them for the way they’d welcomed me with open arms. Near the front, I saw a nymph like Nysa wearing a torn satin gown. She waved at me with hands that had clearly seen years of labor. Next to her sat a little girl, her miniature. Her daughter.
“She’s beautiful, Mommy,” the little girl said too loudly, and everyone giggled, including me.
I blew her a kiss, and then looked up and my breath caught.
When I’d started down the long aisle, Zander had been only a little speck in the distance, but now he was clear as day. His usually unruly dark hair was brushed back, allowing me to see every handsome curve and cut of his face. He was wearing a royal blue overcoat with a gold-stitched vest beneath that hugged his broad chest and muscled arms. A ceremonial sword was sheathed at his side, and his black slacks were tucked into shining black boots that ended just below his knees.
After giving him a once-over, I trailed my gaze back up to his eyes and nearly forgot how to breathe. The love and desire shining from his gaze as Omen stopped just shy of the wedding pergola was palpable. As if he’d reached out and touched me, goose bumps broke out on my arms, and I could only hope he was reading the depth of my feelings for him in my eyes as well.
My heart felt like it was lodged in my throat as I waited for Zander to descend the few steps and stop in front of me. He spared Omen a single pat before offering his hand up to me.
“Little bird,” he prompted, waiting for me to take his outstretched hand with an arched brow.
I slipped my fingers into his and he gently pulled me from the faehorse’s back, taking an extra-long time to set me down. Wistful sighs rose up from the crowd when he finally released me and then bowed to place a soft kiss on my hand. I felt that chaste kiss all the way down to my toes, and knew my cheeks were flushed. I should probably be embarrassed at how easily Zander could undo me with a single look or touch, but I was too wrapped up in him to care much.
When he straightened, a roguish smile lifted the corner of Zander’s mouth, making him all the more handsome. “Are you ready?” he asked.
I smiled up at him and nodded. “Are you?”
He leaned forward to whisper in my ear. “My love, I feel like I’ve been waiting for this moment for eternity. I’ve never been more ready for anything.”
I felt the same way but was incapable of words when he pulled back slightly and then tucked my hand in the crook of his arm to lead me up to the dais where the officiant waited.
The ceremony passed in the blink of an eye, and before I knew it boisterous cheers filled the castle grounds as Zander wrapped me in his arms and then dipped his head to press his lips against mine—our first kiss as man and wife and lord and lady of the Northern Kingdom.
The cheers from the thousands of wedding attendees was almost deafening, but when Zander nipped my bottom lip and deepened the kiss, the noise faded to the background. We were far from alone, but at the moment it was just him and me.
When he pulled back, I swayed toward him, lightheaded in the most delicious way. Zander took one look at my face and released a low chuckle that I felt low in my gut. “Later, my love,” he promised, and then stepped a respectable distance from me. “First we have a reception to attend.”
Directly following the ceremony, a grand reception was to take place for us and our closest several hundred friends in the castle ballroom. Alexandria and Nysa were my only invited guests, but since we were rulers, there would be hundreds in attendance who I didn’t know.
