Page 43 of Rise of a Fallen Man

“You don’t have to risk your life in the arena if you let a woman take care of you,” she whispered while stuffing a piece of paper under my belt. “My name and address are here, sweetie. Drop by for a visit.”

Only when the music blasted from the turrets of the palace, announcing the beginning of the ceremony, did the swell of attention on me ebbed. When everyone turned around toward the balcony over the main entrance to the palace, I used the moment to sneak out of the crowd and made my way to one of the pillars with lanterns that surrounded the front plaza.

The glass doors of the balcony opened. The Head Priestess of Great Goddess Nus stepped out, followed by a priestess of Rethaf, the God of Matrimony.

The priestess of Rethaf opened a scroll and read an excerpt from the scripture about the sanctity of marriage. A thirdpriestess joined them. This one was wearing the white robes of Yarnus, the God of Purity.

Nus, Rethaf, and Yarnus. Power, Matrimony, and Purity. All were asked to shower their blessings on the royal couple.

As the priestesses stepped aside, Princess Aniri exited onto the balcony, and the ache in my chest leaped to new heights.

In the formal gown of red-and-gold brocade, with the heavy golden crown set over her swept up hair, Princess Arini presented the image of royal power and grace.

People clapped, shouted greetings, and tossed flowers and colorful ribbons into the air.

“May the Goddess bless you!” the crowd cheered.

“May you give us an heiress soon!”

From the moment Ari first arrived in this world, the entire queendom rested its hopes on her shoulders. It was a heavy load to bear, but she carried it with dignity and quiet determination.

I knew she cared about me. We had an undeniable connection. She had shown her affection for me on more than one occasion. And I believed I could make that affection bloom into something far stronger if I had a chance.

If only...

A stab of regret hurt too much to continue that thought.

Shrinking into the shadows from the pillar, I searched her face for any clues about her true feelings.

It was her wedding day. Was she happy? Apprehensive? In love with her groom?

Love was hard to hide, they said. But Ari did a damn good job when hiding her emotions. Her face revealed nothing. Her expression was the same as in that picture on all the banners and flyers—dignified and neutral. A smile appeared briefly as she waved at the crowd. The smile blinked to life once more when her groom joined her on the balcony.

Prince Leafar wore a white suit, as was customary for men when getting married. Princess Aniri took his hands in hers, and the Priestess of the Great Goddess started the ceremony.

I wasn’t supposed to be here. In fact, I’d made a considerable effort to stay away from the palace today.

Why did my feet carry me here anyway? For the dubious pleasure of catching a glimpse of Ari again?

I hadn’t seen her for almost two weeks now. She hadn’t been to the gladiators’ quarters since the time we made love in the window seat. She hadn’t even come to the arena for the games. And, well... I missed her.

It was a foolish, self-destructive feeling, but just for a moment, I allowed my imagination to take flight.

I imagined it was my hands she was holding, that she wasn’t wearing a crown and the fancy gown with the train that draped from the balcony like a royal banner, billowing in the wind, but that she was just a girl I met in a city market or at a country fair.

I saw us facing each other, with bright genuine smiles on our faces. My fingers intertwined with hers as the priestess tied our hands with the ceremonial sash.

It’d be a far more modest ring in Ari’s hands, but she’d be placing it on my finger. And I allowed myself to believe she’d be happier if she gave it to me instead of the prince.

After our ceremony, we’d come back to our true home, just the two of us. I’d make her the best meat pies in the world, and she’d cook potatoes for me in every way she knew how. We’d go on dates, swim under the stars, and make love whenever we wished, and no one could stop us. Because I’d be hers, fully and completely. And she would be mine.

I let the memory of her body held in my arms run through my veins once more. I held to the fantasy for one bright, sparkling moment longer. Then I let it fly away and disappear like the dream that it was.

The princess said her vows to her noble groom, “You’ll have my trust and protection.”

“I vow to cherish and obey you for as long as we shall live,” the prince promised in return.

Nothing was said about love. But these vows weren’t meant to be romantic. It was a political deal made between two queendoms.

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