Amáne of Teravinea - Black Castle (The Teravinea Series Book 4) Read online

  I sighed. “Healer, I’m so nervous. So many people with their attention focused on me. What if I trip or do something embarrassing?”

  The Healer laughed. “I’ll be right next to you to make sure I deliver you safely to Ansel. You can cling to him after that. Stop your worrying. Do what you do best. Close your eyes and pretend no one is there.”

  I smiled. She knew me so well.

  “And if that’s not terror enough,” I continued, “Fiona has cinched me so tightly, I’m afraid I won’t be able to breathe. She and Lali have spent the last two hours fussing over this mass of silk and jewels and ribbons. It seems so irresponsible of me to wear such extravagance.”

  “You will have to get used to it, I’m afraid.” She laughed. “Need I remind you, this is a royal wedding. Your people expect nothing less.”

  “My people. Oh Healer, it’s all too much for me.” My voice cracked, my eyes filled.

  At that moment, Eulalia burst in the door — my lady-in-waiting. I called her by her informal name, Lali. She had been assigned by Ansel to attend me on my first visit to his manor. As Ansel put it, she was the only one of his staff that could ‘handle me.’ That still remained true.

  “Lady Amáne, it’s nearly time. Oh no, please, no crying. Haven’t we been through this already?” She picked up a linen from the dressing table, and holding my chin, dabbed the corners of my eyes. “Do you not remember how we went over this way back when? Crying will mar your beautiful face. Do you want your people to see you with red eyes, or worse yet, a red nose?”

  My people. I closed my eyes and exhaled.

  Eulalia kept up her banter. “What will they wonder? That their future queen regrets her position? Or that she got in a spat with their king? Is she ill? Lady Amáne, at the risk of telling you what to do, you must smile and nod your head and have all believe that you were born to your position in society, and that you love the attentions. I know how you feel about it, I did not meet you yesterday. But you must not allow your fears to show. Relax, or at least give the pretense of a noble at ease. That is what is expected of you.”

  How can she speak so incessantly? But I love her dearly.

  Lali stepped back and studied me. “Fiona surely did a magnificent job with your dress, m’lady. She’s used the finest Serislan silk, I’ll wager, and dyed it a perfect silver. You’ll excuse me for saying, because I know you’ll object, but I’ll say it anyway. It does wonders for your femininity — or should I say it improves your lack of. That bodice actually gives you a noticeable bust line. Not the boy-like shape you seem to prefer.” She eyed the stomacher, an inverted triangle of lace, goldwork and jewels that started at my bust and pointed down to just past my hips.

  I rolled my eyes, which didn’t stop Lali. “And the latest fashion in sleeves.” She primped the ruffles at my shoulders, and ran her hand down my arm where the fabric hugged down to a point at the back of my hand and looped around my thumb. A chain of gemstones belted around my waist and hung down to about my knees.

  Lali stopped and cleared her throat. “Ah, but I ramble on.” She gave a nervous laugh as she turned to the Healer, who stood with eyebrows raised and mouth open, looking like she had tried to get in a word.

  Eulalia curtsied, “Lady Healer, my apologies. I’ll hold my tongue. I have the royal jewels here to put on Lady Amáne and then she is all yours.”

  “Thank you, Lali. The carriage is waiting to take us to the field where Eshshah awaits.”

  Lali fastened Ansel’s mother, Queen Fiala’s, priceless necklace of pearls and emeralds around my neck, and hung the matching earrings. Completing the set was the circlet she placed on my head, on which a smaller emerald pendant adorned my forehead. She paced around me in admiration, making sure not a thread or hair was out of place.

  A tap on the door brought my head around. A maid opened it to Fiona’s younger sisters, the twins, Rio and Mila.

  How did I miss that they had become such beautiful young ladies?

  They stepped in the room and their eyes widened, their jaws dropped.

  “Amáne,” they whispered simultaneously. “... Lady Amáne,” they corrected.

  I laughed. “I will always be just Amáne to you.”

  I opened my arms to invite them for a hug. They stepped forward. Behind them, to my delight, a girl about their same age drew near — Kira, a young friend whom I’d met on a slave ship. But that was another nightmare I preferred to forget. Kira held a special place in my heart. A fortnight ago Ansel and I had flown to Kep, in the northern part of Serislan, to pick her up, along with her mother. The twins had instantly bonded with Kira.

  The three girls approached slowly and placed soft kisses on my face.

  “Fiona sent us to help you to the carriage,” Rio said.

  “We’ll carry your train,” Mila added.

  “She said to tell you she’ll meet you where Eshshah waits,” Kira finished.

  CHAPTER SIX

  I stepped out of the carriage and gasped in delight.

  “Eshshah! You’re gorgeous. Look at you.”

  The horns on her head had been wrapped in gold, as had the barb at the end of her tail. Colorful silk ribbons were woven down her long graceful neck, her talons painted in a pearlescent lacquer.

  She wore a specially-made saddle, upholstered in silk. I had argued against a side-saddle. Gown or no gown, I would sit my saddle as a proper dragon rider. It was a small victory for me, when Fiona acceded to my wishes. The saddle was small and light, like the fighting saddle. It secured me at the foot pegs, instead of the thigh straps of the larger saddle.

  I ran to Eshshah as fast as my silken attire would allow. The three girls rushed to help keep my gown from trailing on the ground. I held my arms in invitation to my dragon. Eshshah brought her large head down to mine for me to place a kiss against her nose.

  “Eshshah, you are the most beautiful of all.”

  She rumbled her pleasure and hummed a calming tune for me.

  “My lady,” said Fiona with a mischievous air. She curtsied. “Are you pleased with her adornments?”

  “Of course! She’s beautiful.”

  I swatted at my friend. “Fiona, if you ever call me my lady again, or curtsy, I promise I’ll send you back to Dorsal!”

  We locked in a hug, both of us as giddy as school girls.

  Mila, Kira and Rio got to work folding my train, preparing me to ride. I maneuvered to Eshshah’s foreleg. She crouched as low as she could, allowing me to pull myself into the saddle. I struggled with my gown until I settled in the seat. The girls stood on Eshshah’s forelegs and arranged my dress, then buckled my feet in the foot pegs.

  Satisfied, Fiona, the girls and the Healer stepped back and gazed up at me. They placed their forefinger and thumb together to form an “O.” With the other three fingers straight, they placed their hand on their heart and gave me a crisp dragon salute. I nodded at my friends. To the Healer, I returned the dragon salute.

  Both Eshshah and I looked up at the same time.

  I took in a breath and said, “Ansel and Sovann have taken flight. See how the light plays off Sovann’s golden scales. He gleams like the sun.”

  The girls squealed in delight.

  I could hear cheers and shouts from the wedding venue on the other side of the castle as Ansel and his golden dragon spiraled higher.

  “We have to leave now,” said the Healer. “We’ll see you over there.” She beamed with pride at Eshshah and me before she turned and rushed toward the waiting carriage.

  “Well, Eshshah,” I said, “it’s just you and me. This is the point where I usually fall apart.”

  “You can’t, Amáne. Not today. Besides that’s only for quests and battles.” I smiled at her humor.

  I watched as Ansel and Sovann descended. The cheers became louder as they disappeared from my line of sight. My pulse accelerated. I took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

  “I’m getting married, Eshshah! I’m getting married! I never thought I’d see t
his day. I never thought I’d say this is the best day of my life. I’m so nervous.”

  Eshshah’s amusement reverberated in her chest once again. Then she announced, “Amáne, it’s time.”

  She spread her wings, and with a powerful thrust of her hind legs, we took to the air. I closed my eyes and forgot my fears. For however long my life proves to be, I will always delight in the gloriousness of flying with my dragon.

  As we circled higher, I caught my first glimpse of the mass of people gathered for this special day.

  “Eshshah,” I said out loud. There were still times I preferred to use my voice.

  “I’m with you, Amáne.” Her comforting warmth filled me.

  High above the crowds, I surveyed the festival colors of the City of Teravinea. Although I knew it to be a beautiful city, its transformation for our celebration of vows left me in awe. For as far as I could see, the city resonated with vitality, as if our wedding had brought it back to its former glory. Even the vineyards seemed to glow with renewed life.

  Eshshah flew slowly as we circled above the crowd. Countless faces below us turned up to watch our approach.

  If Ansel and Sovann were up here with us, I would beg for us to keep flying. But that was a wish to no avail. We spiraled down. The guests delighted in the sight of Eshshah’s graceful descent.

  I caught a glimpse of Ansel just arriving at the arch. My heart beat wildly. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. Gallen took his place to Ansel’s right.

  The wooden archway, which stood behind King Tynan of Serislan, who performed the ceremony, was fitted with a door. This door would remain closed until we pledged our troth. After our pledge, King Tynan would open it and invite Ansel and me to walk through. This signified we’d begun our new lives together.

  Eshshah touched down lightly. Fiona, along with Kira, Mila and Rio rushed over to assist me. They released my feet from the foot pegs. Thinking it was the most fluid way to descend, I swung my leg in front of me to dismount.

  The train of my gown had become partially unbound in flight. As I tried to gracefully slide down to Eshshah’s foreleg, a fold of the train caught on the foot peg on the opposite side. Instead of alighting graciously, I found myself dangling from my saddle, in the most awkward pose.

  Ohs and ahs and other echoes of astonishment came from the guests on my side of Eshshah. Heat rose in my face. Thankfully, Eshshah stood between Ansel and the spectacle I made of myself as I hung suspended a half a length above the ground.

  I think it was Kira, who in a panic, ran to the other side of Eshshah. Without warning, she released the fabric that held me. I tumbled in a heap behind Eshshah’s foreleg. It had been a while since I’d seen the Healer move so quickly. She rushed to my side and pulled me to my feet.

  I was mortified. But when I noticed Rio’s, Mila’s and Kira’s faces, all of them had the same wide-eyed, open-mouthed look of shock. I couldn’t help but start giggling at their absurd expressions.

  Fiona eyed me warily.

  “Maybe you really aren’t cut out for this sort of life, Amáne,” she said. “Have you gone mad?”

  I laughed harder. After staring at me for a moment, she broke into laughter. At which point the twins and Kira joined in.

  “All right, ladies,” the Healer said. “We have several kingdoms of guests waiting to see you walk up that aisle. Any more time here and Ansel will think you’ve changed your mind.”

  Everyone sprang into action. Kira, Rio and Mila puffed and primped and rearranged my gown until Fiona nodded her satisfaction.

  We stepped away from Eshshah, who took to wing as soon as we cleared. I sent her my love as I watched her rise. She would fly to join Sovann in a place of honor behind King Tynan, on the other side of the arched door. It relieved me to know she would be so close. I could look upon her should my panic rise. Eshshah was a balm for my nerves.

  Standing with Eshshah and Sovann would be Charna Yashchurka. His ebony scales a sharp contrast beside Sovann’s golden glow and Eshshah’s iridescent fiery scales. I beamed with pride at the thought of these three magnificent dragons.

  The other dragons perched atop the city walls, embellishing our already-impressive surroundings. I felt their curiosity in the strange customs of humans. Fiona had told me they would play a part in the ceremony, but kept the details from me.

  We moved the short distance to the wedding aisle, paved in white cobblestones.

  Most of the guests hadn’t seen my embarrassing dismount, but I’m sure an account would soon spread from those that did. I lifted my chin in my best interpretation of a dignified air.

  Of course the entire kingdom could not attend the ceremony, but the guest list was necessarily extensive. I could thank Fiona and her assistants a thousand times and it would not suffice. Deciding the attendees was a matter of protocol, etiquette and of course, political decorum. I gave very little input, but paid great attention in an effort to learn diplomatic formalities. The fact that many esteemed guests had the honor of arriving via dragonback proved to be a good move in regards to foreign relations.

  I scanned the crowd. So many rich colors — purples and blues. The extravagant clothing of the privileged amazed me, as if in competition. The ladies in particular, displayed their finest emeralds, sapphires and diamonds, each trying to outdo the other and make known their status.

  “Eshshah,” I said in thought transference, “I don’t know if I’ll ever understand the aristocracy. I’m not sure I want to.”

  “Amáne, I believe you are now considered part of it.”

  I smiled at her revelation and brought my thoughts back to the moment. Ahead of me, stood twenty dragon riders who had marched up the paved aisle in two rows. A pair faced each other at even intervals. Mila, Rio and Kira held my train. The Healer positioned herself to my right. She clasped a jeweled chain around my wrist from which hung a silver silken cord. Placing her left hand over my right, she draped the cord loosely over our joined hands.

  Fiona signaled the musicians, who took up their lutes, dulcimers and flutes, and struck up our traditional march. My heart pounded against my chest. I froze. My feet refused to move. The Healer gently tugged my hand as Eshshah prompted me to start. The aisle seemed hopelessly long.

  What are the chances I could make it all the way without another mishap?

  It was then my eyes met Ansel’s as he waited at the arch. Nothing else mattered. There was only Ansel. My fear no longer ruled.

  He stood resplendent in his wedding attire — a white shirt with billowing sleeves, intricate embroidery weaving its way down each arm; dragonscale breastplate, constructed from Sovann’s golden scales, buckled over a royal blue velvet silk tunic; white tights and dragonscale boots; his father’s jeweled sword at his side and a golden circlet on his head.

  I forgot to breathe.

  “Slow down, child,” the Healer whispered out of the corner of her mouth.

  “Sorry.”

  As we passed each set of dragon riders, they gave us the dragon salute. I kept my eyes locked on Ansel, which was probably the only reason I remained upright.

  The Healer delivered me without further misadventure. She unwrapped the silken cord and left it to hang from my wrist, then stepped back as Ansel offered me his arm. His radiant smile, nearly made my knees buckle. I hooked my right arm around his left arm and clung to him, tightly.

  As calm as Ansel seemed on the outside, I could feel his nervousness. I don’t know why, but for some reason it relieved my own tension. I brought my other hand over his wrist and smiled up at him to help put him to ease.

  Then I remembered the proper position Fiona had drilled into me. Promptly, I released my grip and placed my right forearm over his left forearm, my hand gently over his. Exhaling slowly, I allowed a bit of my healing powers to help us both. Our eyes met and we shared a silent giggle. Hopefully, Fiona wouldn’t have caught my error.

  Ansel and I advanced the remaining three paces to stand before King Tynan of Serislan. I concentrated on
breathing.

  King Tynan stood regally upon a dais, three steps above us. A look of pride lit his face. He was impressive in his red velvet robes edged with a rare spotted white fur. An ornate golden crown circled his white hair.

  He began in a resounding voice, “Esteemed guests, I stand before you, as close ally to the Kingdom of Teravinea. I proudly take part in this ceremony of vows to join King Ansel Drekinn to Amáne of Duer and Catriona.

  “I have a history with Teravinea. King Emeric, this young man’s father, was my friend. His tragic death, my loss as well. He and his wife, the beautiful Queen Fiala, would be so proud of their son, I can assure you of that.”

  King Tynan paused and scanned the masses before resuming. “And this beautiful young lady, who will be your queen, has played an exceptional role in the successful alliance of our kingdoms.”

  My eyes went wide. My hand tightened on Ansel’s.

  Is he going to start telling those stories now?

  “Twice now, she has saved the lives of my heirs, and I am forever indebted to this kingdom because of her bravery and sense of duty.”

  He cleared his throat and huffed a small laugh.

  “Ah, but those are tales for another time, let us proceed with the ceremony.”

  I heaved a sigh of relief and loosened my hold on Ansel’s hand.

  “Lords and Ladies, citizens of Teravinea and guests from other realms,” Tynan continued. “We gather here at the request of King Ansel and Lady Amáne. They desire that you witness the pledging of their troth. Before you, they take their vows. From you, they ask your blessing.”

  The king nodded at us.

  Ansel faced me, moved closer and took both of my hands in his. The silver cord hung between us. He brought my hands to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss.

  I blushed. A warmth spread through me. My body trembled.

  When our eyes met, I lost myself in the depth of his. I wanted to slow down time, to memorize every second, every word, and yet before I knew it, our vows were spoken.

  King Tynan’s booming voice startled me as he said, “Before the exchange of the rings, the couple wishes to display their total commitment to each other in a symbol of dedication. They bring back an age-old Teravinean tradition that had been banned for the last twenty years, the Washing of the Feet.”