Page 19 of Of Steel and Scale

Indeed. Her two suitors—one man, one woman—were both dragging their heels when it came to full commitment; the declaration was her way of informing them she was getting tired of it. I actually suspected she’d end up with both, if only because Kele was too much woman for one mere person to keep satisfied. Or so she’d declared on numerous drunken occasions in the past.

“The point being—you have the choice.”

She nudged me lightly. “It could be far worse, you know. At least he’s extremely good-looking, and, from all accounts, not the ninnyhammer his younger brother is.”

I laughed. While the whispers I’d heard about Tayte had suggested he was indeed somewhat bereft when it came to brainpower and conviction, he’d certainly been clever enough to get out of the marriage with me—although Damon’s commentdidmake me wonder if he was now regretting his choice. I personally hoped that to be true. I might not have wanted to be bound to the man, but I couldn’t help being annoyed at such a sneaky rejection.

I drank more mead. “What do you know about Tayte? Damon made a comment today that led me to believe they don’t get along.”

“Unfortunately, the military grapevine is remarkably ambiguous when it comes to the king’s many sons—other than the fact that they all have rather healthy sexual appetites, of course.”

A soft knock at the door had me looking around. “Enter.”

A silver-haired woman in her mid-fifties appeared. Her gaze swept the room, and her expression became severe. “Your mother sent me here to hustle you along. Just as well, by the look of things.”

I grinned and downed the rest of my mead. Patrice had been my handmaid up until I’d left to live full-time in the military section, and she’d always treated me as one of her own—and she had eight of them. How’d she’d found the time to run after me, I had no idea.

“And you, young Kele, need not be looking so amused. You’ll not be entering our church smelling like old boot leather. Up, both of you, and get your asses into thermae.”

Kele cursed under her breath but nevertheless followed me down to the hot bathing facilities usually reserved for guests. Mom had declared traditionwouldbe followed, and that meant soaking away the grime—and sins, if you believed the myths about the heated mineral springs—followed by a full body massage with scented oil. My wedding attire also followed tradition—hair woven into an elaborate braid and a deep red dress made of the finest silk. It skimmed the full length of my body, revealing little skin and yet hiding absolutely nothing—including the fact that I was long and lean, with little in the way of curves. The long slit up the left side was designed to expose a thigh garter for the groom to tear off with his teeth before hauling his lady over his shoulder and carrying her into the bedroom chamber, but I’d let Vahree take my soul before I’d allow Damon to do either.

By the time the church bells tolled in signal for all to move inside, the combination of the massage and mead had at least curtailed most of my nerves.

I slipped on the ridiculously delicate red silk slippers, then picked up my knife and strapped it on where the garter should have been.

Kele chuckled. “Your mother’s not going to be pleased.”

“She’s lucky I’m wearing a bridal dress rather than my sword and full armor. As a captain of the guard, I’m entitled to.” And I’d certainly feel more secure in full armor rather than the dress of a princess. I took a deep breath and released it slowly. “You got the ring?”

Kele patted the hidden pocket in her dress. “Indeed, I do.”

“Then let’s get this over with.”

“It’s not the end of days,” she said gently.

“No, but itisthe end of life as I know it.”

“Make a new one. Or simply just ride that lovely-looking man senseless at night and find new drakkons to play with during the day.”

I wish it was that easy. But for me, it wasn’t.

“I don’twantto ride that man.” At her raised and very disbelieving eyebrow, I grinned and added, “Well, okay, I do, but that isn’t the point.”

Kele caught my hands and squeezed them lightly. “You’re strangers. You have to give it time—only then will you know if love can grow.”

Nothing can grow in barren soil....I drew in a deeply quivering breath and released it slowly. “I know. But I’d still rather face a horde of rampaging Mareritt than walk into that damn chapel right now.”

She laughed and hooked her arm through mine. “Sadly, it appears not even the Mareritt can save you from this odious duty. Shall we go?”

I nodded. As one, we turned and headed out, making our way through the halls and then down the stairs. As was custom, Damon waited outside the chapel. Our witnesses and parents would already be inside.

Kele lightly squeezed my hand in a gesture of support, then moved past us and headed in. Damon’s gaze skimmed me and, just for a moment, something stirred between us—something that could have been heat, or desire, or maybe even imagination on my part.Helooked utterly divine. His rich golden tunic hugged his broad shoulders and the V of his torso, and his pants emphasized the muscular nature of his legs.

“So, it’s the princess rather than the warrior who appears.” Amusement creased the corners of his bright eyes. “I have to admit, I was expecting full battle armor, with a sword at your back and a knife at your side.”

“I considered it, but in the end decided against annoying my mother.” I shifted enough that the deep slit in the dress revealed the knife. “I am not without a stinger, however.”

He laughed and offered me his arm. “Shall we get this over with?”

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