Page 49 of The Crownless Prince

They headed down the hall in a procession—Father in front, then Adriana and Marcus, magically disguised as Lucien thanks to the enchanted hair stick, Jairus behind them, and the four witnesses bringing up the rear. When they reached the winding tower stairs, Marcus spoke loudly enough for it to carry to the witnesses.

“Careful on the steps. Stairs, please don’t trip us.”

Father glanced over his shoulder with a frown, then shrugged. Adriana exchanged an amused smile with Marcus, although it was uncomfortable to look at Lucien’s face at her side.

They descended the spiral staircase and continued down the hallway until they approached the massive oak door that led into the great hall.

“Allow me, Your Majesty,” Marcus-as-Lucien said. He slipped his arm free of her hand and went around her father to grasp the large ring handle. As he tugged, the hinges gave a quiet squeal. “Ah, don’t protest, door. It’s my wedding day.”

Father cast her groom a baffled look while Adriana stifled a laugh, and then he went through the door. Marcus took her arm again, and they entered the great hall. The tables were full of knights and theirfamilies, and many of the castle’s servants stood near the walls. More candles had been brought in, so the room was as bright as noon on a clear summer day. Everyone watched them walk down the center of the hall to the dais on the far end, stopping just before the table.

Father stood in front of them, facing the hall, and Jairus moved to Adriana’s left while the two knights and two ladies who had served as their witnesses sat at the tables. In the light of all the candles, the precious gems on the points of Father’s crown appeared to glow.

“Face each other, kneel, and take each other’s hands,” Father said, his voice booming over them.

Marcus and Adriana did so. It was unnerving, kneeling there and looking into Lucien’s blue eyes. How she wished she could do this across from Marcus with his own appearance. But he gave her hands a gentle, reassuring squeeze.

Father recited a traditional wedding rite, something about protecting and caring for and serving each other, but Adriana found it difficult to listen. Most of her mind was consumed with joy that this was happening—after all these years, after losing him twice and believing he was gone forever, she was marrying Marcus. But a small corner of her mind was afraid. Afraid this was too good to be true, and it really was Lucien across from her. Afraid that somehow things would still go wrong in a myriad of ways, and Marcus would be stolen from her again.

But then Marcus-as-Lucien said, “I so promise,” and silently mouthed, “I, Marcus.”

“And do you, Adriana Faine,” Father said, “promise to love, cherish,and give yourself to this man and none other?”

“I so promise.” She smiled, blinking back happy tears.

“Then I, by right as the father of the bride and the king of Aedyllan, pronounce this man and this woman to be husband and wife. You may rise and kiss the bride.”

They stood and Marcus released her hands to grab her waist and pull her in. With her eyes closed, Adriana could have gotten lost in that kiss, but it looked like she was kissing Lucien—the man she’d begged Father not to force her to wed. So she quickly broke off the kiss. Marcus smiled, thankfully looking unoffended and unconcerned, and they turned and walked back through the cheering audience, their hands clasped between them.

As they headed up the stairs, butterflies filled Adriana’s stomach. She’d been dreading this part of getting married when she was going to wed Lucien Thorne, but now…

“We’re supposed to go to my room,” Marcus whispered. “But obviously that’s not going to work.”

“I don’t think anyone will notice, other than Leena, but she already knows and won’t be in my room,” she murmured back.

When they reached her room, the potted plant had been cleaned up and removed, a large bowl of fresh water and clean cloths had been placed on the vanity, and the fire had been built up, making the room cozily warm. Adriana bolted the door, and when she turned around, Marcus was standing before her as himself. He kicked aside the discarded hair stick, and the silver glittered as it spun across the carpet before disappearing into a dark corner.

Marcus still wore the same formal eggshell-blue tunic that matched her gown, and with the enchantment removed, it was baggy on him. Despite that, it was much more appealing on his slenderly muscular build than on Lucien, and paired better with his pale complexion, waist-length black hair, and brown eyes.

Or maybe she was just hopelessly attracted to Marcus.

“Your eye looks improved,” she said, suddenly feeling a little shy.

Marcus smoothed his hands over his clothing. “Adriana…wife.” His voice dropped low and husky, making her skin tingle. “I should warn you…I’m…slightly battered still. Beneath the tunic.”

She stifled her disappointment and focused instead on her concern as she stepped closer to him and laid a hand gently on his chest. “Oh. We don’t necessarily have to…”

“I want to,” he declared, a smoldering passion in his eyes. “It’s not very painful. I just didn’t want you to be surprised. And…only if you’re ready.”

“This was my idea, husband.” She gave him a sultry grin and was satisfied to see the way his throat corded and his hand flexed at his side. “I’m ready if you are.”

With a feral smirk, Marcus looped his arm around her and yanked her against his chest. Their lips crashed together, the heat between them burning fiercer than the wood in the fireplace. It was like being devoured and given life at once, and she couldn’t think of anything more than how much she loved this man who had loved her through every hardship and stayed faithful no matter how impossible things appeared. And now he was hers, and she would never let him go.

Chapter 23

Marcus drifted in a sea of hazy contentment. One hand lazily played with Adriana’s curls, the other tucked under his head. His wife—hiswife, to even think it made him feel like he could walk on air or fight a thousand armies—lay on her side, snuggled against him.

“We should get up and find your brother,” he said reluctantly.

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