Page 35 of Oracle's Reign
Thirteen
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There would haveto be a big, formal wedding ceremony later. A chance for the Assembly members—and even the courtiers—to attend and play their games. Someone like Triese would crave that moment, being the center of attention, having the entire affair be a stage for politics and jockeying for power.
Peroen thanked the stars that he and Yslie were able to say their vows without all of Kalitalo watching. He’d survive the public ceremony, but this hasty wedding, it was just for them.
“I so swear,” Yslie answered the priest.
Peroen’s fingers tightened where they laced with hers, holding her closer than the cord binding their wrists.
“And do you, Prince Peroen Daitano Tjawer, swear to honor Yslie of Garaea as your wife, to adore and support her, to stand by her side both in joy and adversity, for the rest of your lives?”
“I so swear.”
“May the gods and goddesses witness your vows and grant you their blessings.” The priest laid his hand over the cord wrapped around their wrists. “Though this cord may untie, your lives are bound, as witnessed in the heavens and here on earth.”
The priest bowed, and it was done. Ignoring the handful of earthly witnesses, Peroen gave in to temptation and kissed his wife. The tug when he tried to move his left arm, forgettingthat it was bound to hers, reminded him that even if this was a relatively private ceremony, they were not actually alone.
Yslie drew back at the same moment he did, her smile luminous. “I think the newlyweds are supposed to raise their bound wrists in front of the crowd, not kiss.”
“I prefer my way.”
“I do, too.” Yslie raised her unbound hand to his cheek and drew him down for a second kiss.
The priest had already walked away by the time it ended. Pianti took his place, reaching out to untie the cord. “The Assembly is meeting in less than an hour. We need to make sure you are ready.”
Peroen sighed. That was the one drawback to this private ceremony. He and Yslie had no time to celebrate their new status. Pianti worried about people discovering they had wed before they were ready to share the news. There wasn’t time for any whispers to get out before Peroen was scheduled to address the Assembly.
Everyone assumed he had requested the chance to speak to announce his choice of wife. Odela’s supporters would be ready to argue his choice, but no one would expect what he actually had to say.
Peroen allowed Pianti to quiz him about his prepared speech and how he’d answer any of the questions that might come up, but he didn’t release Yslie’s hand. She would stand beside him through the entire thing, as they’d just sworn to do for the rest of their lives. Knowing that she’d be there, always, chased away any nerves before they could take hold.
“He’s ready, love,” Qilar interrupted, drawing Pianti aside. “Trust him.”
She pursed her lips together and did as her husband advised, looking closely at Peroen. Whatever she saw reassured her, forshe gave a nod. “Then I suppose it is time we go to the Assembly House.”
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Pianti and Qilarhad retreated to the balconies, where non-Assembly members could watch the proceedings. Yslie stayed next to Peroen. No one questioned her presence, because they thought they knew what he planned to say. They waited in the back of the room, watching the seats fill. They didn’t speak, but they didn’t need to. Not now.
The man who had shown them where to wait, then left, returned. This time, Odela, Triese, and Sophenie followed him. Sophenie offered an apologetic shrug from her spot at the back of the group, and Peroen wondered who had arranged for all the oracles to be present. He suspected Odela. She had the contacts among the Assembly, but her face was a mask. She knew he had already made his choice and didn’t expect to change his mind—instead, she hoped to use the Assembly to get her way.
Triese didn’t stop with the others, walking right up to him and Yslie. “Dyela, how naughty of you to try to make this announcement without warning us. Shouldn’t you have announced your choice in private first?”
“I never hid my preferences.” Peroen tilted his head, studying her. Could she honestly not see what was right in front of her?
“But you never made them clear either. How could you, when you never came to court?” Triese tried to slip between him and Yslie. When Yslie didn’t budge, he grinned. Triese no longer had power over her.
“Are you delusional?” Yslie asked, blocking Triese’s next attempt to get close to him. “Or desperate?”
The other woman sneered. “I’m not desperate. You saw him with me. You know what he is up to when you aren’t around.”
Yslie laughed. “I saw him run away as fast as he could when you threw yourself at him.”
“I wasn’t running away.” Peroen waited until Yslie looked his direction. “I was running to you.”
A hint of color spread over her cheeks and she pressed a kiss to his jaw. Triese gasped. He still couldn’t decide if it was an act, a need to pretend everything was how she wanted in hopes that the world would fall into line, or if she truly had convinced herself that he would never look at Yslie with her around.
