Falkor choked.
“Oh, goddess no!” Karma exclaimed.
“Pity. My younger son could use a stabilizing influence. However, it is just as well. I doubt Rullok could handle another unexpected wedding. Karma, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
“You, as well, Your Majesty,” Karma replied.
His mother sighed and looked at Jaryk. “I recommend you give your father a few days to cool down before approaching him.”
“Thank you, Mother, I will.”
“Again, my apologies,” she said to Kismet. “The king’s objection is no reflection on you, but results from his frustration. He assumed he had a firm handle on what was going to happen, and he now feels blindsided.”
She was being politic and polite. The king’s anger went way deeper than that—and there was justification for it. A marriage to Alia would have solidified an alliance between two powerful families. But he didn’t regret his actions. The king could find another way to solidify the alliance.
The queen left. Everyone in the room relaxed.
“We must finalize the marriage. You both must sign.” The officiant produced a tablet from his bag.
“Wait—are you saying the marriage isn’t valid unless we sign?”
“Correct.”
“You didn’t tell my father that.”
“No, Your Highness.”
Apparently the officiant hadn’t been as cowed as he’d appeared. Jaryk laughed and signed his name with flourish. Kismet followed.
“Now, if there is nothing else you require, I shall take my leave.”
“Of course. I will have someone escort you out so you don’t get lost.” He rang for an aide, who appeared within seconds. The officiant departed.
Kismet pressed her lips together. “Your mother didn’t seem to have any objections to Falkor marrying a human. Why is it okay for him and not you?”
“Because he’s the heir, and I’m the spare. I only become important if something happens to him,” Falkor said flippantly.
“That’s not true,” he lied, reacting to the underlying hurt in his brother’s tone.
His parents loved them both, but it was true that Jaryk had greater political worth. He’d never considered the emotional impact on his brother. Was that why he got into so much trouble? To get the attention he lacked?
“Aren’t you going to kiss the bride?” Karma demanded.
“Kar, really?” Kismet tilted her head. “Maybe Kaldorans don’t kiss—”
“Is that something newlyweds do on Earth?” he asked. Kaldorans did kiss; he enjoyed kissing very much—but it wasn’t part of the marriage ritual.
“Yes, wedding vows are sealed with a kiss,” the sister said.
“Kar, I’m going toillkayouyay.”
“I don’t understand what that means.” His language implant didn’t translate.
“That’s because she’s speaking pig Latin. It’s not a real language,” the sister said.
Kismet’s eyes shot sparks. “How about real Latin, then?Eo te occidere.”
He still didn’t understand. However, the ceremony had been awkward enough with the king bursting in. If following an Earth tradition would make her feel more comfortable, then he would comply.
