by Sam Argent
“Reach into the inner pocket of the robe,” Sebastian said.
Turren did as ordered and pulled out the emerald ring. “Ohhhhh.”
CHAPTER 38
“HIS HAIR looks fine, Cecilia. Stop messing with it,” Kevin said as they applied final touches to Sebastian’s person.
“I don’t need advice from someone who cuts his hair close to his head just because he’s too lazy to do anything with it,” Cecilia said. She faced Sebastian again. “Now remember, raise your hands slowly, clutch the top of the hood for a few seconds, and then lower it. I want everyone dying with anticipation.”
“It’s a wedding, not a carnival,” Kevin said.
“It’s the only time Sebastian will reveal himself to such a large crowd,” Lord Orwell said. “Stop being a spoilsport.”
“Father, why don’t you say the reason why you want everyone excited?” James asked.
“I get to shut up everyone who calls us frauds and says all my children are plain. It’s a special occasion.”
James rolled his eyes. “The more excited people get, the more money they bet. By the time you’re down the aisle, who knows how much gold will be on the line, and taking your time adds in late betters.”
Sebastian looked at his father. “Twenty percent.”
“What!” Pratchett shouted. “This was my idea!”
Lord Orwell glared at James. “You and your big mouth.”
“Why should you get twenty percent?” Rebecca asked. “You’re walking in a straight line while we’re doing all the real leg work.”
“It’s my face, and there are a lot of drunk rich people out there. Who knows how much they’re willing to lose.”
“When I bet on chariot races, I don’t pay the drivers a cut if my bets pay off,” Pratchett said.
“And you already have your prize,” Demetrius said. “A prince and living in a castle.”
“I could stick my head out that door right now and make the results fair for everyone,” Sebastian said.
“You’re outnumbered, and I can bind you faster than you can use those vines of yours,” Lord Orwell said.
“I don’t care what you do, but if his clothes or hair are mussed, all of you will pay,” Lady Orwell promised. “Sebastian, take fifteen percent and behave.”
“That’s still too much,” Pratchett said.
“Take it or leave it,” their mother said. “I will never advise my children to throw away money even if they’re marrying royalty.”
“We’ll take the deal,” Demetrius said. “But you better sell it properly.”
Sebastian smiled. “I know what I’m doing.”
Cecilia adjusted Sebastian’s robes one more time and carefully placed the hood on his head. “Perfect,” she said.
“Not yet.” Lady Orwell held out her cupped hands and placed them over Sebastian’s chest. “Something borrowed.” She removed her hands, and her apothecary badge was sewn onto the crisp white robes.
“That’s a pretty effect,” Cecilia said.
“Children,” Alice called to her little ones keeping Mabel and Berados company. “Line up outside the door.” The children scrambled, and May beat them to the front. All four were acting as pages and dropping flower petals.
There was a knock on the door. “Are you ready, not-so-cranky-today Mister?” Lieutenant Adams asked.
“You’re still going to call me those silly nicknames after I marry Turren, aren’t you?” Sebastian asked.
“Yes,” Adams said with no hesitation.
Sebastian sighed. “Yes, I’m ready.”
“I’ll tell them to start the music.”
They heard running feet, and Demetrius shook his head. “Think of him annoying you as a reminder of being at the house. You know you’ll miss us.”
“Good luck getting me to admit it,” Sebastian said. He stood and waited for Kevin to grab the end of his long outer robe.
Trumpets sounded, and Alice opened the door. “Dammit,” she muttered. She ran to Sebastian and hugged him. “Good luck, you little shit.” She kissed the side of his hood and returned behind her children.
“Wow, who knew she has a soul?” Pratchett said, and Diana slapped the back of his head.
“Shut up,” Diana said.
Kevin and James’s eyes widened, but neither man said anything because they did not want to be hit too.
One by one, the Orwells streamed into the hall where they met the rest of the family. Ophelia had to be in the company of knight-level wizards for such a large occasion, and so did Ellie, who cradled her seer baby against her chest.
“Is our boy having a case of cold feet yet?” Ellie asked as she passed the baby to James.
“A little nervous at first, but I distracted him with yanking money out of Father’s grasp.”
Ellie belted on her sword and searched for any creases in her best innkeeper’s robe. “That was sweet of you.” She stood on her toes and kissed her husband. “It’s been ages since we’ve shown anyone the real power of Wizards’ Row. She turned to the three other innkeepers making last touches too. “Magic up!” All four innkeepers summoned their magic around them. “James, Ophelia, into the middle.” They formed a square around the two Orwells and marched after Alice.
Rebecca held out her arm, and Emily entwined their elbows. Both women wore fencing swords at their sides, but Emily had a decorative mask tied to her hilt. They walked off, and Diana and Demetrius followed. Kraven dejectedly joined Pratchett’s side, and Pratchett patted his back. “There, there. Demetrius is dumped all the time, so don’t take it personally. You can’t help it that now everyone thinks you’re a suicidal fool who takes on evil wizards. It’s Father’s fault for exaggerating everyone’s roles.”
“I even promised to never be caught in an adventure again, but she said that’s what all widow-makers say.”
“Don’t worry. Life will go on, and you’ll prove to everyone that you’re just as boring as ever and fall for someone more boring than the first gal.”
“Pratchett, I think the reason I don’t hate you isn’t because you’re blood but because you honestly can’t help yourself.”
“Just like I forgive you for being boring.” Pratchett smiled and dragged Kraven down the hall. “Cheer up! I’ll buy you the best drinks tonight with my winnings.”
Berados bowed to his wife and extended his arm. Cecilia curtseyed with one hand, and Mabel giggled at being dipped. Cecilia straightened and Berados hugged her.
“Don’t trip,” Cecilia said over her shoulder as they walked away.
Sebastian inhaled and his breath shuddered out.
“You’ll be fine,” Lady Orwell said. “Ignore everyone who says a mean word about you like always, and concentrate on the regal gentleman who I know is just as nervous.”
“If he’s not nervous, I will never forgive him,” Sebastian said.
“And if thinking about the prince doesn’t work, think about how much gold we’re scamming out of those buffoons today,” Lord Orwell said.
“You being your usually greedy self is actually comforting,” Sebastian said.
Kevin cleared his throat. “I don’t know if I said this before, but I told you so.”
Sebastian glared at his brother from under his hood. “Shut up.” He put out both elbows, and Lord Orwell and Lady Orwell each grabbed one. “To the gold and a very stubborn prince.” He stepped forward. Guards and wizards in their best finery lined the halls. It’s weird that I’m now important enough to assassinate. He didn’t know what he would do after he married. A bookstore was out of the question, and who knew if he could visit Harold whenever he wanted anymore. Sighing as his feet grew heavier, Sebastian wished he wasn’t wearing so many robes. The cloth was spelled to prevent him from sweating, but clamminess was spreading on his skin. It’s not nerves, it’s these damn robes, he thought.
The floor tiles were painted with dizzying interlacing diamond shapes. Couldn’t someone have thought of a less nauseating design? Sebastian looked up
, and they stood in front of double doors leading to the great hall where stands of people rose at his appearance. A few of Harold’s customers were given invitations, but Sebastian couldn’t spot any familiar faces. Oh wait, he thought as a grim Earl Grenwish bared his teeth in a smile at him. Of course that bastard would be here. The earl dropped coin into a servant’s hand, and then he smiled genuinely at Sebastian. He laughed at whatever the servant said, then both men shuddered as they looked in Sebastian’s direction. That idiot is betting on me being hideous. Sebastian grinned under his hood. At the podium, the priest and Turren waited with King Harris and Queen Anne standing by. Below them was all of Sebastian’s family. As Sebastian approached the stairs, he stopped as practiced and hugged his mother. She kissed each of his cheeks, then climbed the stairs to stand opposite the two royals.
When Lord Orwell’s arms closed around his back, Sebastian whispered, “Walk away as slowly as possible and hang your head down in defeat.”
Lord Orwell squeezed his son harder. “That’s my boy.” Hiding his happiness at the prospect of more coin, Lord Orwell’s shoulders slumped as if an inevitable embarrassment was about to occur.
Sebastian waited a moment longer and clutched his stomach, feigning his earlier stress. Finally, he slowly went up the steps and pushed his shoulders back with pride when Turren offered his hand. If anyone asked him later on, he would say it was part of the show, but clutching Turren’s hand filled him with warmth.
“Are you all right?” Turren whispered.
“Just filling my family’s pocket with a little extra money.”
“They started that dumb wager, didn’t they? No wonder I couldn’t stamp out the bets.”
Sebastian grinned. “Your noble gesture probably stoked the bets higher.”
“How can your family bet without warning people?” Turren asked.
“You’d be surprised how many people don’t notice Luke when he makes his skin appear human.”
A throat clearing interrupted them, and they looked up to see the priest waving them forward. Sebastian didn’t release Turren’s hand, and they moved to their final positions.
“All are gathered to witness the blessed union of Crown Prince Turren and the noble hero, Sebastian Orwell. Two men who bickered as children and fought together as men,” the priest started.
Whoever gave him that info about our childhood is going to pay, Sebastian thought.
“Now, they come together in the truest expression of their love, and I am honored to bind them for eternity,” the priest continued. He droned on for an hour about the kingdom’s past marriages and the virtues that had helped the successful ones last.
Numbness tingled in Sebastian’s legs when the priest moved on to the topic of trust and sacrifice. His eyes closed as they desperately tried to rest during the speech but popped open when the priest held Sebastian and Turren’s clasped hands.
“Larnlyon has heard enough from me, so please tell each other what made you fall in love. Prince Turren has requested to go first.”
Prince Turren nodded and held Sebastian’s hands up higher. “I stand here thinking that all of this is a dream, marrying the man I love with all my heart. I am not ignorant of how much was bestowed upon me at birth. That is why I treasure the connection I built with you more than anything else I’ve accomplished. I love your courage and strength to defend a man you have cause to hate. But I also fear your strength and wish to stand by your side to face obstacles with you. I want to wake every morning and hear your breaths, watch you clutched to my chest, and smell cinnamon from sweets Margaret spoils you with. I can’t think of a day I would grow tired of it, but one day without you would break my heart.”
A chorus of “awwws” and a few sniffles filled the hall. Sebastian’s heart fluttered from Turren’s words, and that he was going to spill his heart in front of thousands.
The priest’s eyes glistened, and he turned to Sebastian. “My word. Now for your vows, Sir Orwell.”
Sebastian took a deep breath and spoke. “When you came into my life again, I despised you. I thought you were arrogant, spoiled, and a prince playing at a knight in shining armor.” Several gasps filled the hall, but Sebastian went on. “I was cruel to you just so you would leave me alone, but you didn’t. You kept speaking of romance and love, and I thought only a fool would try capturing my heart. Instead, day after day, I realized that you weren’t the fool, I was. Because when I finally gave you love and trust, in return, you gave me no regrets. You showed me that sincerity and earnestness do exist, and when you stood up to Trenton, you were no fake hero.” The image of Turren surrounded by Trenton’s power and fearing for the prince flashed in his mind. Sebastian squeezed Turren’s hands to banish it. “But you can never do anything like that again. You can’t teach me love and then die on me. That is unacceptable!”
Turren smiled so brightly that the room blurred, but Sebastian refused to admit he was crying. To make matters worse, tears streamed down Turren’s face.
“I promise,” Turren said and gently kissed Sebastian’s knuckles. Sobs broke out in the crowds, and Queen Anne hugged her husband.
The priest cleared his throat again and everyone quieted. “Please exchange rings.”
Alice prodded Broden to the podium and there were more “awwws.” He opened his small pouch and delicately handed a gold ring to Sebastian and a gold ring with a red stripe to Turren. They placed them on each other’s fingers and faced the priest again.
“By the power bestowed upon me, I seal this union in the eyes of the Gods, and pronounce you husbands until death and into the next life. You may kiss.”
Sebastian slowly raised his hands as Cecilia had instructed. Several hands moved to mouths in his peripheral vision. Fingers on the edge of his hood, Sebastian brought it down quickly. Turren leaned forward as the great hall erupted into shouts and kissed him.
“You are nothing but trouble,” Turren whispered when their lips parted. He held Sebastian close and sighed. “They’ll talk about this for years. Hey, where’s that light coming from?”
“Hm?” Sebastian had closed his eyes and opened them to white light glowing brighter and brighter. It came from below him, and Sebastian looked down. The amulet that still refused to come off pulsed with power. Roots of its magic spread out from him as if he were a tree and showed him that every life in the huge room was at his mercy with one thought. “That thing hasn’t so much as twinkled since the fight with Trenton. Why is it acting out now?”
Turren blinked and then smiled from ear to ear. “What makes a pure soul extra purer?”
“I don’t know,” Sebastian said. “I didn’t eat anything weird today.”
“But how are you feeling now, especially about me?”
“Happy and….” Sebastian paused. “This damn thing runs on pure love, doesn’t it?” The amulet glowed brighter. The roots disappeared, and it was just the two of them again. It’s my wedding day, so stay quiet! Sebastian ordered the amulet. It seemed to partially listen and be content with illuminating them. That’s a good sign, but I’m still smashing it when I find something strong enough to do it.
“Sebastian, you’re making me blush,” Turren said.
“Shut up! How do I get it to stop?”
“I’m not interested in doing that right now.” Turren grabbed Sebastian’s waist and pulled him closer.
“You’re just being greedy,” Sebastian said.
“Yep.” Turren kissed Sebastian’s chin and moved to his waiting mouth.
“Bad puppy,” Sebastian said before Turren’s mouth closed over his and ravished it.
EPILOGUE
LADY ORWELL led them deeper into the woods, and Turren blinked in confusion. He probably isn’t used to everyone being so nice to each other. It was the one day of the year they were considerate and kind. No insults in the morning, no jabs at their parents, and no complaints from anyone about wanting more in life. Today was about appreciating life. When headstones came into view, Turren looked at Sebasti
an as realization dawned in his eyes.
“It’s the day Richard died, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” Lord Orwell said. “We come here every year to honor him.”
On this one day of the year, Sebastian’s mother walked with hesitation in her steps. The closer they got to the graves, the more she shook with grief. She kneeled at the headstone of a large stallion rearing up and touched Richard’s name written across the plaque. “My sweet, sweet boy,” she whispered.
“Kevin and I will set up the blankets,” James said. They gathered their food and baskets and spread everything out on the ground.
“We come here each year, and we spend the day with him so he won’t be lonely, wherever he is,” Sebastian said without his usual practicality.
“That is a very sweet way to honor the dead,” Turren said.
“And we get to introduce you to him this year,” Ophelia told him.
“Me?”
Sebastian smiled. “All new family members have to give their greetings.”
Turren grinned. “I’m honored to carry on the tradition.”
Lady Orwell held out her hand and gently beckoned for Turren to move beside her. “This is Prince Turren. I know, Sebastian got quite the catch. You were probably the only one except for Ophelia who thought Sebastian wouldn’t die alone.” Lady Orwell laughed without wiping her tears away. “Turren reminds me a little of you. So headstrong and adventurous. I’m sure you two would have gotten along well.”
“And he’s making our serious Sebastian take chances. That boy is too old for his own good,” Lord Orwell said, standing next to Lady Orwell’s shoulder.
Turren blushed. “Well, Sebastian is teaching me to take less dumb chances, so we help each other.”
“As a couple should,” Lady Orwell said.
“I have the chicken ready!” James called out.
“All right, let’s eat and share our memories of Richard,” Lord Orwell said.
SEBASTIAN AND Diana watched the family as they finished off pie and chatted gaily with each other. “Why can’t we be this nice to each other every day?”
