Page 70 of Joined By Magic

His smile widened as I reached him, and he held out his hand. I took it and stepped onto the platform, facing him. Leo’s fingers curled tighter around mine. He leaned in close to whisper in my ear. “Last chance to make a run for it. Not that I’d let you get far.”

I pressed my fingers to my lips to contain a laugh. “You’re stuck with me now.”

He squeezed my hand.

The officiant stepped onto the stage wearing pure white robes. A thin man with a stern, lined face, he came from a long line of officiants to the royal family. His father had presided over the king’s wedding to Adante’s mother over forty years earlier.

He nodded to Leo before turning to the crowd. “Your Majesty, my lords, ladies, and other valued guests, I invite you to witness the wedding of . . .”

His voice had a soothing cadence, but I couldn’t focus on the words. Leo held my full attention. His face had grown serious, and his thumb slid backward and forward over my hand. He almost seemed nervous. I fought the urge to reach up and touch his cheek or lean in for a kiss.

Silence fell as the officiant finished his speech. At a signal from him, a young assistant, also dressed in pure white, stepped up onto the stage. He held a silver platter with a goblet of water.

“Marriage is unity. Your lives are entwined. You drink from the same cup.” The officiant turned to Leo. “Your Highness, do you take this woman, agree to love and protect her, hold her, and ensure she is cared for until death tears you asunder?”

Leo lifted the cup and took a long sip. “I do.”

The attendant moved to me. “Livet Spencer, do you take this man, promise to remain faithful to him, and to accept his guidance, love, and protection until death tears you asunder?”

I reached for the cup with fingers that felt numb and inflexible. This was it. Please, please don’t drop it. Leo had made this part look easy. It was easy, damn it. I brought the shaking cup to my lips and managed a sip. The cup rattled against the platter as I set it down.

My heart beat a mad rhythm against my ribs. Leo’s face was more handsome than ever in the soft light as he smiled at me, eyes drinking me in as though I was the best thing he’d ever seen. Something precious and special. My heart missed a beat. He loved me. Really loved me. I’d never been happier to agree to anything. “I do.”

The officiant nodded and faced the guests. “Witnesses, let it be noted that His Highness Prince Leopold Rahl and this woman Livet Spencer are henceforth man and wife. Please join them in celebration.” He even managed a smile.

A moment of dizziness struck me. We’d done it! Leo pulled me in tight, his strong arms wrapped around my back. I tilted my head up and he captured me in a kiss, his lips soft against mine. I committed every moment to memory.Perfect.We were perfect together. Tears pricked my eyes as I ran my hands over the silky fabric of his tunic.

Too soon, he pulled away. “Mustn’t get too carried away,” he whispered. “We’ll have fun later, Mrs. Rahl.”

I shivered at the use of my new name, so unfamiliar and yet so right. Livet Rahl. It would take some getting used to. “Yes, husband,” I whispered back, and I stifled a laugh at the shock that passed over his face.

The guests remained still until the king rose. He approached as if with reluctance. At the foot of the dais, he stopped as the young attendant offered him a bowl filled with pink petals. He took a small handful and cast it over us. The tiny petals swirled in the air, drifting off in every direction.

“Congratulations. Good health to you and your bride, Son.” The words were edged, stiff and formal. No warmth. Zantus curse him. Our life was going to be so much better without him in it.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” we droned in unison. The king moved on, replaced by a noble, and all the guests in turn until our platform was a riot of color, petals strewn on the floor and across our clothes.

When the last guest had tossed his petals, the music struck up again, and the steward stepped forward with a respectful bow. “Congratulations, Your Highness. If you’d be so good as to follow me, your reception awaits.”

Leo nodded. “Thank you.”

He clasped my hand tight as we followed the steward. Adrenaline pumped into my bloodstream at what lay ahead, and my happiness faded. Time to expose the king.

After the intimacy of the wedding ceremony, the press of people in the summer palace’s huge entertaining room threw me off-balance. Cloaked nobles and women in long dresses crowded together, and servers moved through them offering refreshments.

A cluster of men wearing plain tunics and trousers stood to one side, glowing green ID badges pinned to their chests. The press. Leo had made sure representatives from all the major networks were present. We needed to ensure the king’s plan was broadcast far and wide.

Sunlight streamed through stained glass and dappled over the dozens of circular tables, each set for eight people and decked out in orange and silver. The head table stood out, central to the room and covered with a shimmering gold cloth. We’d share it with the king.

The entire room quieted as we entered. Everyone swept into respectful bows and then, as if they had rehearsed it, launched into applause. Maybe it had been rehearsed. Who knew? I tried to smile gracefully, but it felt like an awkward grimace.

A servant pulled out my chair, and I battled with the unwieldy dress until Atalie came to my rescue, smoothing down the train and tucking it in around me.

“Thanks,” I whispered. Atalie nodded and left for her own seat with the rest of the Dexian party. I spared them a long glance. Helen caught my eye and gave me a bright smile. If only Leo and I could sit there. Instead, I braced for the exquisite awkwardness of such close contact with the king.

He glanced between Leo and me. “Well, it’s done. You got what you wanted, Son.”

Leo placed his hand over mine. He looked at me, not at the king, when he responded. “I did.” The certainty and love in his tone warmed me from the toes up.

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