Page 36 of Daman
The reception was held in the castle’s grand dining hall. Candles and wreaths made of pine and fir were the centerpieces of the tables, and boughs of green ivy hung above archways. We were seated at a table raised higher than the rest as the guests filed in and found their seats.
“Happy Solstice, Your Highness,” Armen told Warrin as he placed a platter of food in front of us. He filled our goblets and bowed. “And congratulations on your marriage.”
“Thank you.”
Armen bowed his head to me before excusing himself. He joined Dimitri beside the door to the kitchens and pointed to another table. The two then rushed off to refill drinks and bring out more food.
I touched the ring on my right hand, smoothing the pad of my thumb along the band. It would take some getting used to. I still couldn’t believe I was actually married.
“I hope it’s to your satisfaction,” Warrin said. “I chose the rings myself.”
“Yeah. It’s great.” Suddenly self-conscious, I studied the people around us.
The king and queen sat on the other side of Warrin, and Milena sat at the very end, which was good because she kept getting up and talking to people. A silver-haired man then approached the table. He wore a uniform much like Warrin’s, though his had a different crest on the chest area, probably to distinguish rank.
“That’s Viktor,” Warrin said. “He’s Nikolai’s youngest son.”
“Is he a soldier?”
“Yes.”
“Hello,” Viktor greeted us, his accent strong. “Congratulations. I wish a blessed union for you.” He tipped his head to Warrin before taking a seat at a table of other soldiers. They handed him a mug, and he accepted it with a small smile.
“Kazimir and Feliks will be here shortly,” Warrin said. “They’re my brother’s other sons. Both have been away on a political campaign. Feliks is the crowned prince and journeyed to the wind clan to offer his hand in marriage to the princess. Kazimir accompanied him.”
“Wow. So arranged marriages really are a big deal with you guys.”
He nodded.
Once the food was served and the drinks poured, King Nikolai stood from his chair and held up his goblet. “A toast!” His words were answered by some of the men banging their fists on the table. He smiled at us. “Warrin, we have fought side by side in battle, mourned our losses, and tried to kill each other with snowballs when we were children.” The guests laughed at that. “I stand here today, proud to call you not only the greatest commander and swordsmen our clan has ever seen, but also, my dearest companion. And Daman? I welcome you into our family with open arms. The alliance brought us here this day, but I firmly believe that love will keep you together. Take care of my brother, as I know he will take care of you. Today begins the first day of your new life together.”
“Gorka!” a man shouted.
The word was then echoed by others. It translated to “bitter,” but I didn’t understand why they were yelling it.
Warrin leaned over to explain. “Whenever a wedding toast is made, it’s tradition to yellgorka. We are then supposed to kiss in order to sweeten the bitterness of the wine before the guests drink to the toast. I apologize.”
A short laugh left me. It was ridiculous but also endearing. “They know I’m the avatar of Envy, right? Kissing me will probably make the wine even more bitter.”
“You tasted sweet to me in the chapel,” he whispered, his gaze dropping to my lips. “We don’t have to kiss. We aren’t a traditional couple after all. Love didn’t bring us to the altar.”
My body heated as I looked at his mouth. “We… we can kiss. Don’t want to disappoint everyone staring at us.”
“Very well.” Though hesitantly, he cupped my cheek. “May I kiss you?”
I kissed him instead. The moment our lips touched, he made the softest of sounds and slid his hand to my hair. He touched me so delicately, like I was made of fine porcelain. Was he afraid I’d break?
The guests counted the seconds as we kissed. “One, two, three…”
Warrin broke the kiss after five seconds, and his cheeks flamed red. Everyone took a drink, us included, and then they cheered.
A variety of food was served: smoked meat, sea bass, filet mignon, veal, and caviar. There was a vast assortment of alcohol too. Vodka was the main drink of choice, but there was also wine and scotch. Ambrosia was offered too for those who wanted an extra kick to their drink.
Warrin was quiet as we ate, and I got the feeling he was intentionally avoiding eye contact again. Several people approached our table during the course of the meal, some merely congratulating us and others bringing gifts.
Lev was one of them. He apologized for threatening me that day on the training field, and I learned he and Warrin had been best friends since childhood. Envy struck again, and I took a drink to keep the bitterness at bay.
Once everyone ate their fill, the reception moved to the ballroom. Warrin took my arm as we left the dining hall and led me down a narrow passageway and up a flight of steps. A guard stood at the top and opened the large wooden door for us. We then walked out onto a landing above the ballroom.
