Duchess Ina laughs, “We see so little of true love that I think the dukes forget its power.”

  “Then let us teach them what it is,”I reply. Together, we craft a display of submission that will require me to use a bit of magic, but I think it meets all the requirements. I can’t overtly use magic in this place. It sends a message to these overweening dukes that won’t be able to ignore. I’m only here because Kenric wishes to be here. Kenric is all that matters, and if the dukes threaten him, I will end them all.

  If the dukes were a bit smarter, they’d leave us be and let me have Kenric’s lifetime in peace. As things are now, I may have to teach them some excruciating lessons in not meddling in the affairs of Fey. Unlike dragons, who will devour you, Fey will make you shred yourselves. All I have to do is play these dukes against each other. I’m certain that I can get them to turn on each other. Bastian and the spare sons have armed me with enough knowledge to ensure that this happens.

  The day dawns bright and clear, supposedly a good omen for our wedding. I wish my parents were here. No, that’s not quite right. I wish my war band were here. I’d have no qualms about taking on these dukes with them at my back. I’m like a dog with a bone. I want to be left alone in the corner to savor my treat, and I’m willing to show my teeth to anyone who gets too close. In my case, that’s Kenric. Let’s see if I can get the dukes to leave us alone. They mistakenly think of me as a woman.

  I’m not human. My ladies gather all our clothing and accouterments for the wedding ceremony. We’ll be preparing for the ceremony at the temple. I’ve decided that I’ll create the chains and dismiss them when the time comes for my little submission demonstration. I’ll need the extra weight, and I’ll need to go cast a few subtle spells on the mortar. It won’t do for the dais to give way before I’m ready for it. We scramble into the temple, and while the ladies are laying everything out, I wander up to the dais.

  To my surprise, Grethe is there. “It’s your last day of freedom. Are you ready for what comes next?”

  I set my spell to work on the mortar and turn to her with a smile. “For Kenric, yes. For some of the rest of it, we’ll see if they’re ready for me.”

  Grethe laughs and nods, “You mean the dukes?”

  I shrug, “A few of the earls, too.”

  A look of disgust flickers across Grethe’s face.

  She smirks for a moment, “Do you mean the ones like Vellam? You put him in his place well enough.”

  “He was trivial. The Dukes are perhaps less so,” I reply.

  Grethe nods, “They’re planning to complain about your submission. As if it’s not already humiliating enough.”

  “I’ve heard. I don’t think they’ve read the trade agreement very thoroughly. Nor do I think they want to meddle in the affairs of the Fey, yet they seem to want to persist in doing both,” I reply with a shrug.

  “It is a dangerous game, trapped between a king and the dukes,” Grethe says, “Oskar would protect you for time and for a price.”

  I snort, “I’m well aware of what his price is. I’m no more willing to pay that price than I am to bow to these overweening dukes. It is kind of you to be concerned. I’ll protect myself and Kenric.”

  Grethe smiles and nods, “I hope you memorized the map.”

  “I have. It was most kind of you, Your Royal Highness, to go to so much trouble for a foreign princess. I will not forget your kindness. Should you ever require my help, call me. You will find me more of a friend than you might expect," I curtsey.

  Just then, Melina calls, “Víl?, come. We’re ready to start dressing you.”

  I start to leave, and Grethe stops me. “Why are you wandering around the temple?”

  “I came to view the place that these dukes plan to try to humiliate me. To try to understand what this ritual of submission is about. And you, Your Royal Highness? What brings you to the temple so early?” I ask in return.

  “I came to offer up some prayers for Centis, your wedding, this trade agreement, and these foolish men,” Grethe replies.

  Grethe breezes past me, “Do try not to hurt them too badly.”

  I smirk as I walk back to an impatient Melina. I am scrubbed in the temple’s ritual bath. My hair is arranged carefully in curls and coils on my head. Pia and Mila are busy pinning flowers and silver leaves into my damp hair. The air is heavy with ritual incense. The nervous energy of all of them bustling around me is taxing. Finally, everything is ready, and Jager's dress is brought out.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  It’s all Fey silk, Fey lace, and Fey brocade, but shaped into something more like the local style. It feels more like armor but a bit like an offering. Then the temple bells started to toll, the sound rolling through the temple and out into the city beyond. Duchess Ina peeks in, resplendent in her own finery. “Good, you’re ready.”

  She shoves a huge bouquet into my hands and tells me that it’s time. Melinda, Emily, and Maria fly into an absolute frenzy of last-minute touches before we follow her out into the corridor.

  The thick carpets muffle our footsteps, and the weight of the expectations settles onto me in a way that never happened in Imelenora at the first wedding. The temple’s nave is a riot of color and light. Sunbeams pour through the stained glass, painting the floor. The scents of the flowers that we chose hang heavy in the air. A low hum of gossip and anticipation runs through the crowd. The nobles and dignitaries fill the pews. Every eye tracks my movements.

  Luckily, I'm enough of a predator not to run. I won't be denied my prize. Kenric waits for me at the far end of the aisle, surrounded by his men-at-arms and the priests. Once I reach the altar, the priests recite their words, invoking the blessings of these human gods. I don't know whether the gods humans worship will bless a Fey. If I had to guess, I would say probably not. We are bound now, as these humans consider such things. We have exchanged the garlands and the rings.

  Now it’s time for the ritual submission. A flick of my fingers and I’ve summoned the chains that I created. My weight has grown considerably, nearly to the limit of what I can support and still stand. The priest gestures for me to kneel. I do not kneel so much as drop to my knees, like a hammer blow. I can hear the stones groaning under the weight, and I can feel them start to shift as their weakened mortar begins to split.

  I am certain that the dukes, who are sitting in the front row, can also hear the stones creaking and groaning. The priests look alarmed at this development. Kenric taps my shoulder with his boot, then kneels beside me. Gasps ripple through the gathered crowd. Kenric calls out loudly, and I cast a bit of magic into his voice to make sure it carries. "We are partners as marriage is meant to be. We either kneel together or not at all."

  The priest hesitates, but Duchess Ina nods, and the ceremony continues.

  I dismiss the chains when Kenric stands to help me up. “Let them see,” he whispers, “that you are no one’s possession.”

  We turn to face the assembly, hand in hand, as husband and wife. Both are equal, defiant, and unbroken. Once I’ve stood up and my skirts are out of the way, you can see the knee prints in the stone. The dais is cracked, and the mortar work is crumbling. Even some of the stones have split. The priests approach and look concerned. While they’re nattering among themselves, I point out what is clear to me. “I think it’s a message from your gods about this outmoded ritual.”

  The high priest looks at me and cocks his head, considering for a moment before he nods, eyes glinting with suppressed amusement. “I think you have the right of it.”

  The bells begin tolling again in a joyful uproar, announcing our wedding. As the bells ring out and the crowd erupts in applause, Kenric pulls me through the temple. We are all packed into carriages to return to Oskar’s palace for the wedding feast. The grand feast hall has been transformed, with garlands of flowers and trailing ivy hanging from the rafters.

  Tapestries and artwork have been hung beside banners and trophy heads. It is a setting worthy of a state occasion. Long tables groan under the weight of roasted meats, spiced fruits, and delicate pastries. Musicians are playing in the gallery, their melodies weaving through the laughter and clatter of goblets. I am at the high table, beside Kenric. My Fey silks are shimmering in the candlelight.

  If generals ordered their troops with the same care Duchess Ina has taken with the seating chart, every war Centis fights would be won before it began. She’s been a genius at keeping the most troublesome nobles at a safe distance from each other. We’re not even halfway through the feast, and Oskar is already deep in his cups. He keeps making a show of toasting us, but he’s starting to slur his words. His gaze, particularly at me, is still sharp and possessive. The entire thing devolved into a blur of toasts, veiled barbs, and political maneuvering.

  My ladies have been brilliant at running interference. Their knowing glances and the occasional smirk have served to keep me grounded on this new battlefield. Kenric, as always, is steady. He’s been holding my hand and providing silent reassurance for the last half an hour. Finally, the musicians struck up a lively tune, and Kenric led me out to the dance floor. We danced one of the Fey dances he learned in Imelenora. Everyone was watching as we moved together with a grace that was both foreign and mesmerizing.

  Even some of the jaded courtiers seemed to get caught up in it, and a few joined us on the dance floor. The peace that this brought didn’t last long. Oskar continues to drink, his laughter grows louder, his jokes grow ever bawdier and more pointed.

  “Bring more wine,” Oskar yells, “The bride and groom will need a bit of liquid courage.”

  Everyone laughs politely even as the servers hasten to obey a royal command.

  I accept his wine with a polite smile, but I’m well aware of what he’s up to. I won’t take his bait or sink to his level. Kenric is a bit tipsy from all the toasts, but he’s been careful to ensure that it’s no more than that. As for me, I don’t plan to allow even that much. I’ve been quietly replacing both my wine and Kenric’s with water for some time. We are nestled among the vipers in this pit, and we need our wits about us so that we don’t make some disastrous misstep with these nobles.

  Finally, Duchess Ina gives the signal. The musicians pause, and a hush falls over the crowd. Servants appear, carrying delicate wooden boxes adorned with painted vines and golden clasps. Air holes have been worked into the painted design. Each box was placed before a guest of honor. Oskar, Grethe, Kenric, Duke Hedde, Duchess Ina, and the most trusted friends and allies receive a box. I smile, knowing what this is before I even lift the lid. This is the one part of this ceremony that’s truly Fey.

  Did you get the message behind break the dais? Tell me what you think it was. Let me know in the comments...