Page 80 of Ties of Frost

“Ridiculously in love.”

She opened her mouth to respond, but as we turned a corner, the streetlamp ahead of us snuffed out. A figure in a hooded cloak stepped out of the shadows, and then several more hooded people emerged from between buildings.

Zidra and I stepped apart. She drew her sword, and I drew one of mine, our bags of wedding clothing still clutched in our other hands. At least the cobblestone street was dry. If we did have to fight, our clothing might survive.

“Our archon and two of our strongest brothers go to kill you,” the first figure said in a low voice. He sounded masculine, but the hood hid his face. “You return and announce a wedding, yet our archon and warriors have not returned.”

“They’re dead,” I said flatly. “Want to join them?”

The apparent leader made a low sound of anger. “You—”

“We,” Zidra interrupted, “are Kyrmaris. The greatest rengiri to ever live. And we are going to find you. Not just those of you here, but every member of the Ascendant League, from the lowest recruit up to your precious Sovereign. We will hunt you all down and stop you if it takes the rest of our lives. You have tried and failed four times to kill us. We will not let that go. By now, every rengir in the empire knows of the Ascendant League, as does the archon of every true religious order. We are all hunting you. The League will fall, of that you can be certain.”

The other figures squirmed, and some drew back a few steps.

“Misguided pride.” The leader’s sneer sounded in his tone. “You won’t find us. We’ll retreat into the shadows, fade so far into the background that everyone will think you fabricated the League’s existence. We have been patient. We can continue to wait for the right time to strike. If that isn’t within my lifetime, so be it. But the League will rise. We will conquer. Ofthatyou can be certain, Kyrmaris.” He said the nickname with disgust. “Farewell, rengiri.” He spat and then retreated into the space between the houses.

The others scattered in every direction.

“Do we go after any of them?” Zidra asked, but she made no movement to pursue or shift—although shifting in the narrow street would have been unwise. “These buildings are full of working-class families. I smelled shifters, elves, and humans among the League members, but I can’t say what magics they have. A firemage could be disastrous, but any fight among these old wooden buildings would endanger children.”

“Not to mention rengiri attacking people within the capital would prompt complaints and possibly an Order inquest.” I reluctantly sheathed my sword. “Besides, I don’t want to risk ruining your gown before I see you in it.”

Zidra laughed and slid her sword back into its scabbard. “Then let’s go. The sooner we can sleep, the sooner it’s tomorrow. And then we’ll have to sleep only one more time before our wedding.”

I sheathed my sword, pulled her in close again, and kissed her forehead. “I can’t wait.”

Twenty-Nine

Zidra

Wedding guests filled every seat, prayer alcove, and side chapel in Vairdros Cathedral and spilled out into the street, according to the matronly priestess attending me. I stood in the back of the cathedral, hidden behind tall wood-paneled screens. Although the makeshift room had been convenient for getting ready and staying out of sight until the proper time, I had spent the last two hours listening to the gathering crowd. The screens had begun to feel like a trap, and the noise and scents were approaching overwhelming.

I didn’t know most of the people in attendance—everyone from commoners to rengiri to archons to nobles and officials. The priestess thought Emperor Valesiart himself was watching from a secure, hidden side chapel, but I refused to think about it. Also in attendance wereSylathria and Kyrundar’s parents and siblings and several of his extended family members, all of whom I had met over the last week in a blur of names I’d already forgotten.

My nephew Zarik was somewhere as well, which was bittersweet. He’d accepted my invitation to talk, and our conversation had been good, if awkward. I hoped I’d convinced him to avoid some of the mistakes I’d made, to reject the lies wyveri culture had instilled in us. Still, I respected that he wanted to keep our family ties a secret. Competitive Harcos students could be judgmental, and Zarik was young and both proud and self-conscious. It was enough to know that he was not ashamed of me and was excited to attend the wedding.

Still, Zarik’s presence highlighted the painful absence of my parents and siblings. Releasing my desire for their support and feeling confident in Iskyr’s approval was proving to be a slow process, but I was getting there.

I closed my eyes and reached for the heartbond. Bubbling joy and anticipation tumbled from Kyrundar, alongside the steady reassurance he had been sending me unceasingly since we separated this morning. My impatience to wed him grew.

Soon. Any moment now.

I turned to the tall mirror standing in the corner and checked my reflection one last time. My white gown had gauzy sleeves that flowed down past my hands and fluttered lightly as I walked. Silver beads arranged in the shape of flower blossoms trimmed the heart-shaped neckline, and delicate chains and silver rings formed a belt at thebottom of the lace-covered bodice. A large teardrop-shaped pale-blue gemstone that matched Kyrundar’s earrings hung from the V-shaped point of the belt. The same gauzy fabric as the sleeves overlay the skirt. My curls were pinned back with silver pins tipped with pearls, and crushed mica dusted my cheeks, giving them a sparkling shimmer. I felt beautiful, and I couldn’t wait to see Kyrundar.

Finally, the choir started to sing. Taking one more steadying breath, I nodded to the priestess. She smiled and moved one of the screens aside. I stepped out into the center aisle.

Blue and red ribbons and flowers adorned the ends of the packed pews and wound around the towering columns. Matching petals were scattered over the stone floor between me and the altar. Blue for Kyrundar’s ice magic, red for my dragon fire.

As I drew nearer to the front of the cathedral, the choir mostly covered the crowd’s murmurs. The joyful atmosphere filled the air with palpable energy. The scents of all of those people and flowers and the incense rising from the altar mixed together. Even with the center aisle cleared and no one touching me, the press of so many people and all of the overwhelming sensations made me want to freeze or flee. As I walked the length of the nave toward where Aekyrdra and Kyrundar waited in front of the altar, my heart pounded, and a headache built behind my forehead.

But then I met Kyrundar’s gaze. His ice-blue eyes, glistening with tears of joy, captured mine. Breathtaking desire rushed through the heartbond. My own eyes watered, anda smile stretched my cheeks. I struggled to walk in time with the choir’s serene song. As long as I kept my eyes on Kyrundar, though, I could do this.

I barely heard Aekyrdra’s short speech as I focused on Kyrundar—his hands clasped in mine, the smile on his face, his joy in the heartbond.

Somehow, I made it through reciting my vows without either breaking down in tears or becoming tongue-tied due to so many eyes watching me.

At last, Aekyrdra said the words I had been waiting for.

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