Page 124 of Enchanted Throne


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I turned to my mother. It was normal tradition for the father to walk the bride down the aisle. Since my father was gone, the king had approved my mother to do it.

“Are you ready?” I asked her calmly.

She smiled. “Are you?”

I wasn’t about to lie to her. She’d see right through it anyway. “I don’t know if I am ready, but it is time. Time to quit hiding in the shadows and step into this role I’ve only been half living.”

Her eyebrows jumped up toward her gray hair piled into an intricate bun. “Then let’s go.” She paused. “And know that if it were your father walking you down to Krew today, he would be just as proud of you as I am.”

I swallowed hard. “I wish he was here. Not to see someone from Nerede wear a crown, but more so just because I miss him.”

“Me too,” she whispered. “And I have to believe that somehow, he is here. Watching over us today.”

I gave her a nod, and somehow the extra moisture swimming in my eyes managed to stay in, as to not ruin my makeup.

Silvia moved forward to open the door to Krew’s wing for us. As the door swung open and Owen stood there, I started to lose it all over again. I knew there were no fewer than four guards waiting down the hall to help deliver us to the chapel, but this was Owen. My guard who had protected me and helped me through thick and thin while navigating the dangers of the castle. The closest thing I had to a brother.

“Jorah,” he said gently. “It’s all going to be okay.”

I closed my eyes and gave my head a shake. “It’s just you.”

“Me?”

I laughed as I opened my eyes. “Yes. I would not be able to get through this day without you. I hope you know that.”

He held out his elbow for me to take. “I am right here. And I’ll be right here the whole day through.”

I gave him a nod and looked into his green eyes. I knew what else he was promising me. Krew and I were not alone. If this plan went to hell, he’d be there every step of the way.

“Shall we, My Princess?”

I took a steadying breath as I grabbed the crook of his arm and then grabbed my mother’s arm with my other hand. “We shall.”

The castle had never felt so large. While my train was detachable, I had to have it on for this part. We took the elevators, and it still took what felt like an eternity to reach the chapel. It was tucked away in the opposite wing of the castle from Krew’s.

By the time we made it to the steps, I felt like grabbing my knees and it had nothing to do with nerves and everything to do with sweat.

“Good thing I am in better shape now,” I told Owen as I took a deep breath. “This thing is heavy as hell.”

“Just try your best not to trip up these stairs and faceplant in front of your kingdom,” Owen jested.

“Not funny,” I bit out, looking at the stairs looming before me.

He was grinning as I looked back at him. “A little funny and you know it.”

The Assemblage advisor was moving toward us.

Owen looked at her and back to me. “I will be right here in the hall with you until you go in. Then I will be at the main doors the entire time. And when the two of you walk out, I will be right behind you.”

I gave him a nod. “Thank you.”

“Perfectly on time, everyone! Just as we practiced,” the Assemblage advisor beamed as Owen stepped away. I knew from Krew her name was Celine. She hadn’t ever been that warm toward me until she was helping with my wedding, and then all of a sudden, she had determined I was more than fine.

I had a sneaking suspicion this wouldn’t be the only case of that.

“The guests are all seated, the chapel at maximum capacity. It isn’t every day we have a soul bound royal couple, you know. But everything is ready, Your Grace.”

I took a steadying breath.