Mina was not excited.
There had, at least, not been another sighting of the darkness all week. She supposed the darkness was just checking in on things, since it had been so long since they'd started looking for the wielder. Rumors of his discovery would have travelled quickly, and anyone who might be willing to wield the darkness would want to check if the rumors were true. She'd completely convinced herself that the darkness and its wielder were not residing in her very secure castle, but her nerves still ate away at her insides as she was preparing for her day.
Much of her hair had been pinned strategically on top of her head with pearls and diamonds, her remaining hair in curls cascading elegantly down her back. Her dress was a deep sapphire blue with a diamond and Sapphire belt around her waist. The front plunged to the belt, exposing much of her chest, as usual. She would have protested were it not for the dagger ceremony at the end of her impending nuptials. The skirt of the dress was draped, and the back had a long train that was to be tended to by noble children as she walked down the aisle. Her jewelry matched her belt. The necklace had a drop pendant that fell just to the middle of her sternum. The earrings were more ornate. Over the sleeves of the dress were arm cuffs and bangles. She had to admit she felt beautiful.
"It's time, Miss." Her sweet Lantha said with a heaviness that Mina could feel. Lantha was one of two people she had confided her feelings to. The other was just outside the door as they exited into the hallway. Aurelius stood, head to toe in yellow with accents of blue. His outfit was ornate in its own right. His yellow jacket had been woven with an intricate brocade and his matching cloak was lined with blue satin. He'd really gone all out.
"Aurelius, have you had that outfit planned all along?" She asked after realizing the time it would have taken to procure such a wardrobe.
"Of course. I could never wear something I wear every day to my baby sister's wedding," he said, dramatically placing his hand over his heart. "It's not too late to run, you know?"
"It is. You know it is. I'd literally die without Evander." She cast her eyes to the floor as her brother took her arm in his.
"Perhaps you'll at least be friends."
"I'm sure we will." She looked up at him and smiled weakly. "I'm not sure I get much of a choice."
They came upon the entrance to the great hall, where her father and older brother waited for them. Her father looked better than she'd ever seen him. His usually tired-looking demeanor seemed excited and youthful. She wondered if her impending nuptials had given him a boost of energy.
His clothing was of the highest quality, as if he, too, had planned ahead for her eventual pairing. He was, like her, all in Sapphire blue. As the previous wielder, he held that right, and as her father, he was to give her to her future husband. His gray hair was slicked back on top of his head and he wore small sapphire and gold studs in his ears. He really looked quite handsome and unlike anything she had seen from him before
Eldon and Aurelius scurried off to take their places inside the hall. She had been part of the planning and had even seen the hall in progress the day before, but she still wasn't ready for the scene she was about to witness. The doors swung open on what was usually an empty room full of people standing on either side dressed in their best. All in light blue and white with expectant faces on. Mina felt the pressure of those expectations instantly and almost didn't start walking with her father. The hall was filled with flowers of various colors, all tied with blue and gold ribbons. Her throne was now a pair of thrones set atop the stage behind an ornate pedestal..
A tight squeeze on her hand that rested at his elbow brought her back to the daunting task at hand and she marched slowly and elegantly down the aisle. A march she'd be trained to do her whole life. The smell of heat, sweat, and excitement hit her like a wall and she barely kept her already precarious stomach contents down. The soft padding of her feet on the lush carpet and the rustle of her train pierced her ears like needles. She felt the weight getting heavier and wondered what would happen if she just ran away.
Evander stood at the pedestal to the right of the priestesses, his blue many-layered suit a match to her dress. It had gold brocades and trim and was cut to his frame. The tailors had really outdone themselves. Her brothers stood to the left, Eldon looking bored already, and Aurelius wearing a smile that obviously covered his worry for her. When she and her father reached the pedestal, she barely acknowledged the priestesses and immediately turned to face her groom. His intense blue eyes looked down on her with a softness she's only ever seen from Aurelius and Lantha. In a move definitely not rehearsed the day before, Van leaned into her and tickled her ear with a whisper. The sweet smell of his favorite scents washed over her, blocking out the sickening torrent of others' smells, and suddenly, it was just them.
"Are you sure?" His voice was so low she knew that no one could hear him but her. His question was almost infuriating.
"What choice do I have?" She whispered back. "This is my fate. It's why I'm even alive."
"That's nonsense. You're so much more than this." She pulled away and looked into his eyes for a few moments. All she saw was sincerity. Without a word, she just nodded gently. Evander stood back up and turned his attention to the priestess. She also looked up at the priestess to be greeted with a sneer like no other. How dare she disrespect her time by conferring with her soon-to-be husband. Mina glared right back until she broke away to start the ceremony.
The priestess turned to retrieve the golden satin rope that was carefully arranged on the delicate blue and gold cloth that covered the sacred table behind her. As practiced, Mina held her hand out for Evander to grasp gently. She focused on their hands as the head priestess began to wrap the satin rope around their arms and hands, binding them together. Behind her, the rest of the priestesses hummed in harmony.
"Today we bind woman to man, Sheath to Wielder, and Queen to King," the head priestess began once they were thoroughly tied together. "We mark the start of a journey, and great love. We witness two becoming one." The priestess placed her hands on top of Mina and Evander's binding and began to recite an ancient spell in hushed tones. The rope grew almost unbearably hot and then began to disappear into their flesh. She had been told about this part, but she wasn't nearly prepared for the sudden feelings of belonging and need that overtook her. A large part of her suddenly wanted to melt into her new mate. It was as if their fated bond had gotten stronger by a hundredfold. She resisted both the urge to cleave to him and the urge to let go and run away.
"I, Evander Aldebrand, pledge my life, heart, and soul to my queen. I swear to protect her and her kingdom for as long as I draw breath." Evander had dropped to his knees, still holding her hand. He looked up at her expectantly.
"I accept," Mina replied, barely loud enough for the congregation to hear. "Stand, Evander Aldebrand, future king consort of Sapphire." The crowd began a light applause in favor of their new king as he got to his feet to stand as an equal with Mina.
The next part of the ceremony was the torch lighting. They had successfully hit their target multiple times throughout the week's preparations, but only once on the first try. Mina was skeptical that they would manage. She and Evander stepped up the stairs of the altar in unison and collected their bows and the unlit fire arrows. The arrows burst to life in unison as they were held over a flame provided by the head priestess.
Before they could draw their arrows, a commotion erupted at the far end of the great hall. Blackness had begun to ooze from under the main doors of the room.