Page 28 of A Bond of Fire and Roses

Erax pulls me after him, his strides long and hurried. “I want the feast to be an intimate one. Close friends and members of my court only.”

“Don’t you trust your people?” I ask.

“Do you trust our people?” he retorts, with a light emphasis on the word ‘our’.

I glance back at the palace doors closing behind us. Even when this kingdom was my home, I could never trust everyone in it. Now that this kingdom—my home—is bonded to another one that quite clearly wants nothing to do with me, even if their disdain is subtle, I can only imagine how greater at risk I am here.

Erax approaches the great hall quickly and confidently. The doors are opened for him, and he leads me inside, his hand still tethered to my own.

The room has already been filled with tons of people but I’m too busy taking in the stunning decor to pay them attention. Gold paper dragons blow in the breeze across the ceiling, with silk ribbons falling from them and stopping just above our heads. The tables are all matching with gold plates, clothes and glasses but it’s the orbs filled with soft gold light that line the edges of every table that really make it feel magical in here. My eyes land on the two thrones raised on a high dais in front of the spectacular window. I have my own one now, and it looks just like the kings, except it’s white instead of black. The thrones are dragons themselves, curled around a seat. The tails of the dragons are wrapped together in the middle of the two thrones.

I climb the dais with Erax who stands to address everyone. I recognize none of them except from Noble, who is front and centre, his tall, lean body draped in a green cloak with gold buttons and embellishments. He looks so regal. Noble, even.

I fight a smile as I turn to face the people in front of me. A strange part of me wishes that I could find a familiar face. I know I should be totally against this marriage. The mere thought of wanting to celebrate it makes me feel sick, and yet… and yet there’s a part of me that wants to. The same part that cannot forget the kiss we shared and the words he said to me in that chapel. It’s like they’re poisoning my mind, taking root at the very depths of my being.

“Since the beginning of our world, our kingdoms have never known true peace. We are a people built and bred in war, for war and to die in nothing but fire and blood. Today marks the end of this endless cycle as we unite our lands in one kingdom. I fought and bled for each of you here today, and many of you stood proudly at my side and now I have my wife. The queen wants the same as I. In the name of the gods we all worship, may today begin a rule of peace.”

He nods at me, and we both settle into our thrones. I place my hands on the armrests, feeling the smoothness of the stone and leather seats. I blink at Erax suddenly reaching for my hand and holding it, his own now draped over the space between us just to touch me. The dance my heart gives is equally gut wrenching as it is exhilarating.

A servant offers me a glass of wine, but I shake my head. I’ve never tasted wine before—the smell always made me gag when the sisters made me pour it—and I have a feeling my opinion is not about to change. Erax, however, drinks the wine and then orders several more refills. His wine glass is soon replaced with a large goblet. All the while, he holds my hand, and pays thanks to those in his court offering their blessings and gifts. The latter is placed on a long table at the other side of the room and it’s not before long that the entire surface is covered in gifts.

After an hour of this, I squirm in my chair, my bones growing tired and achy. Erax snaps his fingers, and a servant holds out a glass filled with red wine.

“Here, drink it.” He nudges the glass towards me. “It makes sitting here for long periods more bearable.”

I stare at the wine glass. The colour reminds me of the blood he pressed to my lips before he kissed me.

“No, thank you.”

Erax raises his eyebrows in mock surprise. “Does my wife not trust her own husband?”

I glare at him, painfully aware of the smile threatening my lips. “Your wife doesn’t trust you as far as she can throw you.” I remove my hand from his. The absence of his warmth is instantly noticeable. “Besides, I’m allergic.”

“Mm. Convincing.”

Before I can claim my hand back, Erax grabs hold of me again. In one quick stride, he pulls me onto his lap, and his free hand falls upon my waist. I let out a surprised squeal as our faces are brought dangerously close, mere inches apart. A slight flush colours his smooth cheeks as he looks down at me. Even now, he still has to tilt his head. My own cheeks flush as I hold his stare.

Then, when I think I can’t possibly turn redder, he pulls me in for a kiss.

My entire body flares as it’s pressed against him, and my lips immediately part, as though they know exactly what this captor wants of me: to surrender, to obey. His tongue slides between them, taking mine prisoner, and a strange, bitter taste trickles to the back of my throat. It’s not unpleasant. It’s strong, like his scent which is invading my very lungs.

When Erax pulls away, there’s a grin on his lips. “Still allergic”

“Y-yes,” I lie again, “and it still tastes foul.”

I try to climb off his lap, but he tightens his hold on me. I search his gaze questioningly. There’s a dark glint in them that makes me stay quiet for a moment.

“You’ll sit here, wife, until you go into apoplectic shock.”

“I—” I cut myself off. How can I get out of this now? I don’t want to sit on his lap, and in front of so many people. I catch a glimpse of Noble smirking at me as he passes the foot of the dais, ordering the servants to bring more wine and ale. “Fine. I hope you’re prepared to bury your wife on the same day as you married her.”

Erax digs his fingers into the skin on his hip, making me wince.

“I was joking,” I say, not sure why I’m whispering or feeling the need to explain myself.

Erax softens his grip on me, but his eyes remain just as intense. “Don’t.”

The warning laced around that one syllable makes me shiver.

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