Page 45 of Fated Unkindness
I knew what I was getting into when I told Dax that this is what I wanted, but seeing the dress and wearing a literal crown on my head causes my palms to sweat, and my head spins with the thoughts and emotions about what going forward with this means. What Dax and I are doing is more than just bonding, more than just a marriage. We are binding our souls to one another. We are claiming a kingdom. He will be my mate, my husband, my king. I close my eyes and take a deep, steadying breath as Trent approaches, hanging the dress from the canopy of the large bed at the center of the room. Kait excuses herself so Trent and I can have a moment alone before I dress for the ceremony.
“Are you okay?” He asks as I release a shaky breath.
“I will be.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” He sits on the edge of the bed and pats the seat next to him. It makes me think of my brother and how this would probably be a conversation I would be having with him if he were still alive. I sigh as the thought brings on a whole different set of emotions.
“I don’t know if there is really anything to talk about other than; I'm just nervous. Life has been…. a lot lately.” I laugh at the simple way I describe everything that has happened recently and fold my hands in my lap. Trent reaches over, putting an arm around me. I settle into his embrace, and we’re both silent as I allow the comforting warmth to come from him and ease my anxiety of what is to come.
“You know, for what it's worth, I think that you are gaining an epic, amazingly handsome brother-in-law out of this.” He looks at me from the corner of his eye, a sly grin creeping across his face. I poke him in the side, and he coughs out a laugh.
“There she is.”
“Thank you.” I whisper, “For everything… I know that this is the right thing for me, for Dax. I can feel it.” I close my eyes as I think back on my mother and what she might have said to me at this moment. She always told me, whenever I doubted myself, to trust my instincts. My instincts have been leading me to Dax. I know that from the depths of my soul. I figure she knew what she was talking about when she said I was destined for greatness… to be the next Queen of Aldramani seemed like a great feat. One I'm not sure I'm ready for. My brows stitch together as I think about that. I hope that I'm not a great failure.
The thought makes me wonder. What would my biological mother, the Queen, have said to me? If we had been given the opportunity to have a relationship.
“I just wish I had more time to explore my new relationship with Dax, among other things.”
Trent doesn’t know yet what else I am nervous about. He doesn’t know that his brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law are going to claim my birthright at the ceremony.
“All jokes aside, I know you don’t remember, but you are already one of my best friends, and I feel lucky; soon I'll get to call one of my best friends mysister. I see the mark, Rae. You and Dax are destined for each other. Each of you are destined for greatness.” His confession chokes me, and tears well in my eyes as he speaks the same words my mother has said to me so many times. “Just please, no details on your sex life with my brother. I might actually puke.”
Now Iactuallychoke on a laugh just as my tears spill over.
“Get out of here so I can get dressed in this epically beautiful gown,” I tell him as I stand, smacking him on the shoulder, then pull him up with me and push him toward the door. He's laughing too as he makes his way to leave.
“Trent?” He stops in the arching doorway and looks back at me.
“Yes, sister?”
“Will you walk with me into the ceremony?”
“It would be my honor, Raelle. Thank you. I'll be right outside, waiting.” With a smile, he closes the door, and the soft click has a finality to it. The next time the door opens, I will be walking into my future.
Chapter forty-three
The Loema castle turnsout to be the perfect location to hold our bonding ceremony and the celebration set to happen after. Maki has not held back in typical Maki fashion. He’s always been the one to love extravagant parties and expensive living. Opting for the finer things day to day, and when there is a special occasion, he turns it into something people will talk about for years to come. This will certainly be no exception.
The bonding ceremony itself will take place outside. Raelle requested that we be able to see the last of the sunset, just as darkness blankets us. Showing respect to both the sun and the moon, the power and beauty of both, and the open sky. I went to the ballroom first, wanting to see for myself all the lavish decorationsthat Maki set up to party with all of those invited. Which is the entirety of Loema, and anywhere else he could get word of the great celebration planned for tonight.
We decided we were going to keep the people in suspense about the reason for the gathering, hoping to not tip off Cano to our whereabouts until we’re ready. Regardless, we have extra precautions in order with the Loema soldiers just in case. Maki assures me that people will gather. Not knowing the reason for something so extravagant will spread word fast, if not just for the thrill of the unknown. After tonight, we need to be ready to push into Ravendene to take my homeland back from the stain that is Cano. I’ve already begun the process by getting word out to my people in Ravendene. Those I know who are loyal to me and to the Ravendene line. They all should be on their way to us in Loema, arriving just before dusk.
By the time the celebration is underway, the bonding ceremony will be complete, and Raelle and I will be fully bonded by blood and body. Our souls are bound in life and death. I can only hope that I’m doing the right thing and that I’m worthy of such an honor, worthy of her. I didn't accept my fate when my parents died when I was expected to take over as the lord of Ravendene, but I will not make the same mistake twice. The gods have made it clear that Raelle is my destiny, and I won't fail her like I have failed so many times before.
Last night, Raelle and I walked the grounds of the castle. As tradition, we must decide together where the perfect spot for where the ceremony will occur. Both souls must feel a draw to the location where it takes place, and as it seems, Raelle and I have a keen love for the sky. We want to have the open air surrounding us andbe as close to the clouds as we can get while still being grounded with the soil of the land of our kingdom. We chose a hillside that butts up to a lavender field, making for a dream-worthy spot we will store in our memories forever.
Maki greets me in the ballroom, and we walk together to the hillside, where we will wait for the few guests we have requested to be present for this. Giving my parents' possessions to Maki for safekeeping was clearly divine intervention. Otherwise, I would not have access to heirlooms such as my mother’s dress and their rings. Not all bonding ceremonies include rings, because a bonding is not a marriage. However, the decision to ask her to be my wife as well was an easy one. Every day since I woke to find she was my mate, I knew where my gut and heart were leading me. I asked Raelle if she would also take me as her husband by including the rings. My heart nearly stopped beating for the seconds it took for her to give me her answer.
Miles is the first to arrive; his eyes sparkle as he ambles up the hill to where I stand, and the look of admiration brightens across his face, making me love him even more. He's been more or less like a father figure to me all my life. When my father was otherwise occupied, he was there. He was my teacher, my confidant, and someone I could always count on to be there for me. I am beyond happy that he is going to be here for me today as well.
“In case I haven’t told you in a while, I’m proud of you.” He claps me on the shoulder, pulling me close for a hug I didn’t know I needed. I clasp him back with both arms, emotion tightening in my chest. “You are becoming the man I knew you would eventually become. Admittedly, taking much longer than I anticipated, but nonetheless.” He smiles teasingly.
“Thank you, Miles. It means the world to me that you are here.” He inclines his head, then moves to sit in the one row of chairs we have set before a dais I stand at. Kait and Ella arrive hand in hand. Kait smiles down at Ella, whispering something into her ear. Ella lets go of her hand and races to me. She jumps into my arms, and I spin her around once before setting her back on her feet.
“I’m so excited! I've never seen a bonding ceremony. Raelle is going to look so pretty. I love you.” I laugh at how bubbly and happy she is. It's been such a difference since she arrived in Loema. It brings me relief to know that she is coping well, considering all the hell she’s lived through. It’s a wonder she doesn’t have considerable issues. I tell her to run along and join Miles while I speak to Kait for a moment.
“Hey, Asshole.” Kait punches me in the chest, playfully forcing a chuckle out of me. I pull her into a hug.
