Page 131 of Shifter King
"Because I’m me. Now do what I told you or I’ll impale you with this."
Gabrice scowled even more, clearly trying to determine whether that was an idle threat given the make of the fan. It wasn’t.
"Want a demonstration?" WroOth demanded, arching an eyebrow dramatically. "I’ll show you right now."
"Fine. I’ll get you what you need. Understand though you're going to have to carry her. I'll show you where we're going, but it is also underground. My mother wasn't joking when she said we don't get to see sunlight when we do poorly. And stop hitting me."
That man-child had no idea what it was like to be hit. It wasn’t as if Naatos was going to give him a light little shoulder bump when he saw him either. Especially not if his brother was likely in a worse state than Amelia. Gabrice walking out on his own two legs would be its own miracle separate from all the others. Not that he was especially concerned about the matter. If they only got one miracle today, it would be getting his family out whole and safe.
He turned back to Amelia, hands still on his hips and fan tucked in his left. Now to get her up and in the right place.
THE WEDDING
It took almost the full hour to get Amelia to the bridal chambers at the wedding site. The trip through the rock tunnels was about as miserable as a walk could be with the ceilings so low WroOth had to constantly stoop. Probably the only reason Zorna didn't change terms again was because she couldn't come up with some more unpleasant way for them to reach the wedding.
The bridal corridor was vacant aside from the guards who stood with their backs dutifully away at the exits. Gabrice shut the heavy wood panel doors to give them a little more privacy. "I have to go finalize my preparations. In ten minutes, you will hear the cracking of stones three times. That means you should move in front of those doors." He pointed to the two enormous etched doors that were across from them. "Two minutes after that, they will open."
WroOth set Amelia on the wooden bench and then drew the heavy striped curtains. The ochre tassels swept along the floor. "All right," he muttered. "Let’s make this happen." She slumped over almost at once, her eyelids fluttering to reveal her eyes had rolled back. Delightful.
He had to find some place safe to put her until the rescue. And—that would work.
On either side of the large double doors were large chests. Both had several ceremonial cloths, wooden trays, and a few sundry items. Easy enough to combine and hope it didn't summon some curse or something like that. Then, using some of the clothes to serve as pillow, he placed her in the box and shut the lid.
Time. He closed his eyes and brought his focus in. Creating a multi-form took steps. More than he liked. First, he shifted into as close a form to Amelia as possible. Shrieking moons, at least the thick makeup covered most of the scars. But all that beadwork. Even converting it to look more like dyed fabric, it wasn't going to work. Of course—if she was going to be unconscious in the chest, there was no reason why she needed to have the bead panels. Quickly, he slipped them off and put them on.
Then, he separated from the form, stepping back as he left it behind, but moving so that one of his hands was pressed to the false-Amelia's back. Some were skilled enough to manage a multi-form without as strong a level of attachment, but with his current weakness, he couldn't manage it.
Last he resumed his more feminine appearance, thankful he'd kept it as simple as possible. This time he even ditched the disease. No chance anyone was going to try to seduce him here. Sweet falona, they wouldn't be done soon enough. As long as the Bealorns didn't expect him to go running down the aisle, he could do this.
"Is the Neyeb prepared to do the queen honor?" an attendant called into the room.
"Oh yes. Exceptionally." He tested a few steps with the multi-form. Maybe they'd more glide and waltz down the aisle rather than walk.
The heavy stones cracked outside. Three times. As if it could be anything else.
With a sigh, he took one more appraisal of his creation. Sweet falona.
There really was something off about the false-Amelia if anyone did look close enough. The eyes didn't quite focus. Definitely not his best work.
It was always hard to make life look real in all parts of a multi-form.
The doors slid open.
His hand still on the false-Amelia's back as if guiding her, he strode in, at once analyzing it for threats and their escape route.
This marble temple had been constructed long ago. Pale-blue stone walls and a domed ceiling that hopefully didn't have too much stone atop. Platforms and raised seating areas provided multiple vantage points for viewing the wedding, specific boxes and areas seemingly set aside for the different nations. Somehow every space was filled with guests who leaned forward to see this much-heralded Mother of the New Neyeb.
A much larger and grander stone staircase on a raised platform lay at the end of the chamber. Here the throne was carved from marble and fastened to the platform, and here Zorna sat. A wise move. Someone might pull it off otherwise. A fall from that height might break her neck. Which would be a shame because she deserved to suffer far more.
Great braids of colorful flowers hung from the throne platform and trailed down to the one below. Large pillars stood at intervals, rings of incense and floral wreaths hanging about them.
A second platform lay ten feet below with a stone half railing on both sides. Gabrice waited there, looking distant and uncomfortable with his arms clasped behind his back and entirely alone. Not even a friend or attendant beyond those obviously supplied by the queen. How badly those withdrawals must hurt with all these drums and flutes playing. A simple red runner covered the platforms and both staircases and all the way to where he stood with false-Amelia. All the rest was bare marble.
Two balconies with half walls were situated even higher than the throne, offering full sight of the festivities. If Zorna did intend to betray them, that was likely where the executioners would be. A good place for them too. How she'd get around the protocols for no weapons in sacred places and how would she justify it, who knew?
Along the south wall, an assembly of musicians had been assembled, mostly flutes and woodwind instruments as well as several hide drums and metal drums. Each instrument had charms and symbols to indicate which of the nations it belonged to. At the far end of those was the pulley system apparently used to crack the great dark stones together. The dark-haired youth before the large polished wooden handle stood with as much rigor and dignity as all the others.
Opotwo and Chiriese along with their families and attendants sat in one of the lowest boxes. A slight or simply a recognition of their station? WroOth suspected that if Zorna knew the truth about them, she would have done far worse than put them at a less than ideal location. The cousins had suggested others would side with them as well. Certainly something to be hoped for as it would make escape much easier. They wouldn't be able to shoot straight out of the ceiling or just charge their way out without a little more planning. Especially when it didn't seem that there was a single window to be seen anywhere.
