Page 12 of Dreams of Ash and Smoke

I shake any unwanted thoughts from my head, trying to not be distracted in the early dawn. No one is yet awake, and I managed to sneak into the war room, wanting to leave Dryston a wedding present knowing he’d be in here today.

My gaze lingers on the massive table, its surface graced with a detailed map of the continent. My eyes trace over the jagged edges and winding rivers, eventually settling on our own country, marked in bold colors. But something else catches my eye — yellow pieces scattered across Khyrel, our soldiers strategically placed in key locations. I thought we were prepping to negotiate a peace treaty, not prepare for battle to wage war. The atmosphere in the room suddenly becomes tense and uneasy as I realize the true nature of his hostility about Eryx. My heart sinks as I wonder how long this conflict has been brewing beneath the surface and what it will mean for our people.

I’d naturally assume it’s just scouts enforcing the border but the solider count is more than triple what would be needed for that. Why would he be planning on a war? There aren’t any Khyrelian pieces on our land so I know this was all Dryston’s doing. That is why he has been so busy. He is planning on surprise attacks to weaken Khyrel.

I take engrave the map to my memory, not wanting to forget a single piece of it. Each Khyrelian spot, and each Zoryan one.

Instead of leaving the gift here, I will leave it with his guard posted outside his room. This feels as if I should not be seeing it.

I stare at my wedding gown once I reach my room and start dressing. It is not exactly what I want but Dryston loves it. It was big, dramatic, and light pink. His favorite color on me. It was also his mothers wedding dress.

I had it altered, of course. But in all it’s old fashion glory, it was his mothers. Definitely not what I would’ve chosen for myself but I do enjoy traditions. It is just as much his wedding as mine, even if he did have most of the say-so on everything. I did not plan this wedding, I simply carried it through.

But, today was the day.

Lianna and some ladysmaids arrive to my room and Hadeon lets them into help me ready.

We go through the same routine as I’d assume any wedding would.

They bathe me, scrubbing me down in my signature scent.

After, they carefully construct my hair while a couple of the girls paint my face.

Charcoal lines my eye lids, rouge dusts my cheeks, and a sparkly powder highlights my cheekbones, jawline, and the tip of my nose.

My hair is all down, once again curled to perfection. The girls work to hide the blue within the black locks and I mentally roll my eyes.

With gentle hands, Lianna helps me slip into my dress. The fabric is a delicate lace, draping over my arms and down to my wrists in elegant sleeves. It cinches tightly at the waist, accentuating my figure before cascading out into a grand ballgown style. Intricate patterns of laced leaves and winding vines adorn the top layer of tulle, adding an enchanting touch to the already stunning gown. I can’t help but feel like a princess from the stories my mother would read to me as I twirl in front of the mirror, mesmerized by the intricate details of the dress.

“You look so beautiful. I can’t believe you are becoming my sister today! And then Queen tomorrow! This is so exciting!” Lianna exclaims. I know we’ve enjoyed each others company, but Lianna has been more of a confrere than a friend, which neither of us have ever minded.

“Thank you, Lianna. I’d be honored to be considered your sister, even if we are just in laws.”

She smiles before placing a hand on my shoulder and excusing the other ladies. Lianna is beautiful. She looks more like their mother but true beauty graces her. She helps me sit and joins me. “I want you to know,” She lowers her voice, “You can come to me for help with anything. I know Dryston can be… a lot. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if you would marry him. Since you have connections to the court-” A knock interrupts her and we freeze.

“What? Connections here?” I question, confused, but she goes to stand.

“No, silly. The court of D-” Another knock before she puts her fingers to her lips aimed at me and opens the door as if we weren’t just talking.

“Oh good! I was hoping you’d still be in here. Hello sweet girl. How areyou?” Rya smiles big. Queen Whitewell is anything but happy with me. I know. She is obsessed with her son and she loves being queen.

“Great! Just chatting with Lianna about the future.” I state and note Lianna’s thankful look. How so very odd. If I had connections here, why wouldn’t I know about them? Unless she was trying to say the Court of Dusk but who in the world would have connections on the opposite side of the continent? And why wouldn’t I know? I knew my mother was from Khyrel but I just assumed she was from low-income and not High Fae, that I had become High Fae because of my father based on how they acted.

“It’s an exciting day. I can not believe you’re marrying my baby boy. Let me fix that hair for you.” Even though nothing was wrong with it, she goes in and ‘tidies’ it up. “You look beautiful in my dress, although not as beautiful as I did. Obviously. It was hand made for me. One of a kind. I can’t believe they had to take it out a little.” I leave my face stoic, knowing shes trying to get a reaction out of me.

For another few minutes, we sit in silence. And then, Lianna and Rya stand up with me to leave the room and start making our way to the throne room once more this week.

They leave me at the doors. Hadeon is supposed to already be in there and since I don’t have a father, I was walking alone.

I was torn between anger and sadness as I realize my parents were not going to be at my wedding. My father, who always claimed to have sacrificed so much for me to make this happen, won’t be here to witness it. And my mother, who I know did her best despite their constant fighting, was only here in spirit through the necklace she gave me. Holding back tears, I take a deep breath and hid the necklace under my dress. How can I celebrate this day without them? I hate that they were taken from me.

At least she is here with me in spirit.

I nod to the guards that I am ready and they simultaneously open the double doors to reveal me. The same decorations that fit the coronation, also fit the wedding. Aside from the fact that there are more flowers now than then.

Dryston stands at the altar with the archbishop. His mother and Liannaat the front of the crowd. I take another breath.

All eyes are on me and music starts to play. I go to take my first step when a body steps to my side.

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