Page 3 of A Song of Shadow and Starlight

"What if I'm not there to protect you?" His question stops me dead in my tracks.

"Why would you not be here to protect me?" I ask, my eyes narrow searching for any trace of what he might be thinking.

He cups my face in his calloused hands and forces my chin up toward him. "Til my dying breath, I will fight for you, Shaye, but there are people who want me dead for the good work I'm doing. With you as my wife, with you as the future queen of Midori, I would hate for my enemies to target you."

I slip my hands over his and gently stroke my fingers up and down his arms. "I do not fear your enemies, Bastian. I am perfectly safe here in the Golden Palace. You need not worry about me."

"Take this, please," he extends the knife to me again. "Even if it's just for my own peace of mind knowing it's sitting in your nightstand. At least I know you have a way to defend yourself should someone ever try to harm you in my absence."

I want to disagree, reminding him that I have two guards stationed outside my bedroom doors throughout the day and night and that our palace is the safest place to be in the entire kingdom, but that will do nothing to ease his nerves. So, albeit reluctantly, I nod my head in agreement.

"If it means that much to you," I grab the dagger. "I'll leave it in my nightstand just in case I need it." I won't need it, but if it'll put this ridiculous conversation to rest, so be it.

"Thank you," he plants his lips against my forehead before meeting my awaiting gaze. There are untold secrets and promises swimming behind those dreamy blue eyes of his. I want him to kiss me, but he won't. He will remain a gentleman, especially in the middle of the day and in such a public place. "Don't look at me like that."

"How am I looking at you?" I cock my head to the side, feigning confusion.

He shakes his head and leans down, his lips hovering just above mine. "If you want me to kiss you, Shaye, that's all you need to say."

"You brute," I whisper. "Kiss me."

Bastian's smile makes my heart feel like puddy in his hands. He closes the small distance between us, and our mouths collide. Sometimes I feel like it's too dangerous to love someone as much as I love him, but it feels right.

He pulls away and rests his forehead against mine.

"You are going to be the death of me."

Before I get a chance to tease him, my lady-in-waiting clears her throat and curtsies.

"Pardon my interruption, Your Highness, Lord Commander, but your final dress fitting awaits."

Right, I almost forgot about my wedding dress fitting this afternoon. Even though I want to shoo the girl away, I nod to acknowledge her, before turning to my fiancée once more. I smile up at his towering frame and say, "I'll see you in the morning, Lord Commander."

As formality demands, Bastian bows at the waist before me, winking at me as he rises back to his full height. "I look forward to it, Princess Ilaria."

I hate when he uses my title, but he's wise in doing so. If any impropriety reared its ugly head in court, then both of our reputations would be tarnished, and I won't stand for that after everything Bastian has worked for over the last few years. As he stalks off in the opposite direction of where I'm headed, I watch him for as long as I can before turning my attention to Selene, my attendant, and motion for us to head to my chambers. Hopefully, my mother will be on her best behavior and won't give the dressmakers a hard time during this fitting.

Two

HourspassandI'mnot any closer to choosing a wedding dress. It isn't just me who is losing steam and having every bit of hope sucked out of them. My mother, Queen Keres Kitarni, and the top twelve designers in Midori tasked with creating a custom-made gown for me to choose, are also growing weary.

Silk, tulle, satin, organza, chiffon, taffeta – I'm almost prepared to say, "screw it" and wear my favorite silk nightgown down the aisle, when Mistress Fontana, a wafer-thin woman with a mop of salt and pepper hair piled on top of her head, assists me into the last dress. Before I even have a chance to look at my reflection in the mirror outside my changing area, I can sense it's the perfect gown for my big day. It's elegant, whimsical, and most importantly:romantic.

I abandon my dressing room and beeline for the ornate gold framed mirror leaning against the white marble wall. For the first time all afternoon, my eyes light up and I'm rendered speechless. I cannot find one fault in this off the shoulder, lantern sleeve, ivory gown. The tulle skirt is voluminous without being considered a ballgown and the neckline dips slightly between my breasts.

My mother stands up from her cushioned settee and makes her way to my side, mouth agape in awe. Resting her ringed hands on my shoulders, she smiles, crinkling the corners of her hazel eyes.

"Oh, Ilaria!" My mother's bottom lip quivers and I know the tears are soon to follow. "You look absolutely breathtaking, my darling."

I'm not typically a crier but seeing my mother's face makes me emotional.

"Is this it?" she asks, and I nod my head.

"This is it."

My announcement brings a smug smile to Mistress Fontana's wrinkled face, as the other eleven designers' hopes of boasting the gown they created had been picked for the Princess of Midori's wedding day, are dashed.

"I am honored you love the dress, Your Highness," Mistress Fortuna purrs. "Queen Keres, you also look pleased."

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