Of Princes and Dragons: Book 2 (Lords and Commoners)

by Lynne Hill-Clark

  Mary scoffed at the many comments about how young ladies should not be out by themselves at this late hour.

  The men did not want to see the lovely maidens go. Val gave the innkeeper a handful of gold coins, which more than covered the cost of their drinks.

  “That is very generous. Thank you, My Lady ... and Congratulations!” he hollered as they disappeared into the cold night.

  Chapter 69 Copenhagen 1462 A.D

  After long baths and much primping the ladies of the Court were ready.

  “I refuse to put that thing on my head,” Val said.

  “Come now, it is all the fashion in Western Europe,” Mari protested.

  “That thing will make me look like a billygoat with those pointed horns coming out of my head.”

  “It will not make you look like a goat. The veil covers the headpiece so it will not resemble horns.” Mari was always well aware of the latest fashions.

  “No thank you,” Val said. “I prefer Sonia’s handiwork with hair. It is my wedding and I want my hair tastefully woven. No headdresses for me.”

  “I find it unbelievable that you are dressing as if you are an old crone from the East.”

  “I am an old crone from Eastern Europe.”

  “Fine, if you prefer to look completely out of fashion on the most important day of your life then ... I cannot stop you.”

  “Val will not be out of fashion. She will look ... classic.”

  “Thank you, Sonia,” Val said.

  Mari crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.

  Sonia worked magic with Val’s hair and carefully placed white flowers in the braids.

  “It is perfect! A timeless simple elegance,” Elizabeth said.

  “It suits you. I knew you would like the flowers.” Sonia was proud of her handiwork.

  Mari frowned with disapproval from beneath her goat-horned headdress.

  Val’s gown resembled the brocades of old but it was more revealing on top and a tight belt was fastened under the breasts. Thus her breasts were more defined and visible than she was used to but Mari would not budge on this — Val simply had to wear this gown. It was quite lovely with its silky white color and bright red trim, so Val decided that she would have to tolerate the revealing top.

  As they approached the Great Hall Val’s stomach fluttered. She was not sure why? Is it because Teller might be here? He had been invited, along with all the Court’s allies.

  Of course the ceremony was too much. In addition to the makeover, the Great Hall had been decorated with large bouquets. Val did what she had done before at the engagement announcement; when all eyes were on her, she focused on the prize — Elijah. This way she would not be distracted by who was in the crowd, meaning Teller.

  Mari was the maid of honor and Samuel the man of honor, of course — there were no others better suited for these roles. Sonia, Mary, Elizabeth, Aaron and Riddick were honorary members of the ceremony as well. Lord Chastellain walked Val down the aisle and performed the ceremony. Elijah and Val knelt on pillows facing each other.

  It seemed as if time sped up. Before Val knew it, they were pronounced man and wife. To end the formal ceremony, the lord indicated that they should rise. He stepped between the newlyweds and took Val’s hand raising it high above their heads. “I give you Lady Chastellain.”

  The crowd went mad.

  The lord placed Elijah’s hand in Val’s and Elijah pulled her to him. Elijah’s lips pressed against hers in a passionate kiss.

  The crowd cheered even louder.

  To start the festivities, the father customarily had the first dance so the lord presented his arm to Val and the crowd made a large circle around the two as they moved gracefully around the dance floor.

  “You seem pleased with this decision,” Lord Chastellain said.

  “I am, My Lord.”

  “Today I became your father. You don’t have to call me ‘lord’ anymore.”

  Vallachia’s eyes widened. “Are you saying that you want me to call you ‘Father?’” He does not resemble my real father in the least. Is it disrespectful to my father to call someone else by that title?

  “You have been like a daughter to me for a long time. Now you are officially my daughter, so you should call me Father.”

  “I will ... try.” Val had unfinished business with him. It felt as if this was the perfect opportunity, especially now that he was her father-in-law. “May we speak freely?”

  “Of course.”

  Val leaned in close and spoke softly. “Are you sorry for the things you did to me in the beginning?”

  “No.” The lord’s tone was flat.

  She pursed her lips and nodded. That was it — that was all she would ever get from him. At least he was honest. She was disappointed but not surprised. He was who he was, good, bad and everything in between.

  He watched her carefully. “Surely you see it; you were meant to be with us. I simply did what I had to do.”

  Everything fell into place, like the final stone being set in an impenetrable wall. The past couple hundred years had been a long-drawn-out political maneuver all preordained by Lord Chastellain. He needed Vallachia in order to remain in power. It was as if he knew she would balance his ruthless rule with mercy and compassion — making him and the Court unstoppable.

  Yet, how does one forgive someone who is not sorry? Val thought. There would always be a rift between them. She would never get an apology. She still hated him at times and the rest of their relationship was solely business. Now he wants to be my “father.” An angry heat rose from her stomach.

  Thankfully Elijah came to take his father’s place and they danced for another song in the middle of the crowd before others joined them on the dance floor.

  “Did Father upset you?” Elijah asked.

  “Is it that obvious?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  “He is simply ... ” Val sighed, “your father. I am grateful that you are not like him.” Elijah had a way of making everything seem right. Past troubles faded away when she was in his arms. She lay her head on his shoulder. “We did it,” she whispered.

  “There is no turning back.”

  “I don’t want to turn back.”

  “Good,” he whispered.

  “What about you? You broke a lot of hearts by getting married. Your mistresses will miss your company.”

  “I only had them because I could not have you.”

  Elijah spun Val around and dipped her down until her head almost touched the floor. When he pulled her up, his lips were on hers. They kissed for what seemed like ages.

  “That is quite enough. Save it for later.”

  Val glanced over Elijah’s shoulder to find Riddick.

  “May I?”

  Chapter 70 Copenhagen 1462 A.D

  Elijah gladly gave Vallachia’s hand to Riddick. As they moved around the dance floor, Elijah pulled Mary out of her seat. They had convinced her to wear a dress, only for the wedding of course. She looked lovely — even with her short hair. Yet she was visibly uncomfortable.

  Riddick and Val chuckled as they watched Elijah trying to teach Mary to dance. Mary moved awkwardly and Elijah glided gracefully around her.

  “It is good to see you like this. It makes me realize how sad you were before,” Riddick said.

  Was that true? Had I been sad for over two hundred years? More often than not, I suppose. That is a depressing thought. That will have to change.

  “You should have done this a long time ago,” Riddick continued.

  “That is surely the truth!”

  “Plus then I could have moved on a long time ago as well.” Riddick’s dark eyes shone with warmth.

  Val laughed. “I wish you the best of luck with that.”

  “I don’t know what you did to me. At one time I would have been unbearably jealous to have to attend your wedding. Now I only feel content because you are happy.”

  “That is what it means to truly care about someone. I hope you find lo
ve and happiness as well.”

  “I am happy.”

  Riddick had changed. Of course, in many ways he was still Riddick, for which Val was grateful. The change was most noticeable after they helped him learn to feed without killing. Once vampires were able to stop killing, their humanity could return. Having to kill made them hard and, over time, more cruel but they could heal from that once they stopped killing.

  “Time’s up, old friend.” Elijah spun Val out of Riddick’s arms and back into his — where she belonged.

  Val focused on Elijah and tried not to worry about the crowd or who was in it — possibly Teller.

  “I wish my father and brother could be here,” Val said.

  “They are watching over you, I’m sure of it,” Elijah said.

  “As is your mother.”

  “I was so young when she died. She is barely a memory.”

  Val frowned. If she were his mother watching over him from heaven it would break her heart to learn that he only vaguely remembered her. He no longer misses her … How sad. Of course, I do not remember my mother either. Will I stop missing my father and brother someday? I don’t know if I want that. Time heals all, I suppose.

  “He is not here,” Elijah whispered.

  Val knew exactly who he meant.

  “Good. So when can we get out of here?”

  Elijah laughed. “Patience, my love and soon — I hope.”

  A tap came at her shoulder. Val’s stomach dropped, as she thought it might be Teller despite what Elijah had just told her. She turned to find John — Lord Chastellain’s faithful minion.

  “I am terribly sorry to bother you, My Lady but there is a man at the front entrance who says he has a message for you. He is rather persistent and says he will not leave until he personally delivers the message to you.”

  Val gave Elijah a questioning glance.

  Elijah shrugged. Worry creased his forehead. “Go ahead. I trust you,” he whispered. He thought it must be Teller as well.

  “Thank you for trusting me. I think you should come.” She grabbed Elijah’s hand and they headed for the main entrance.

  Riddick, Samuel and Mary spotted them leaving and followed. They had been together on so many missions over the years that it was as if they moved as one. They were in tune with one another — protectively watching.

  The man at the door was the largest man Val had ever seen, larger than Riddick or Teller. He had dark skin and even darker black hair. His black mustache hung over his mouth like a thick bucket handle and stopped just below his chin. It reminded Val of the one Teller had once worn.

  The man bowed. “My name is Abdullah. I am the commander in chief of the Wallachian army. It is a pleasure to finally meet you.” His voice was low and deep. He spoke with a heavy accent.

  Val returned the bow. “Likewise.”

  “I bring you a wedding gift ... from my Master.” The man gestured to a large wooden crate. “He sends his apologies for not being able to attend the royal wedding himself. He sent me to give you this as well.” Abdullah reached under his silk chlamys.

  Riddick drew his sword.

  Abdullah presented a rolled parchment, which he handed to Vallachia. With one last bow he disappeared.

  Val and Elijah glanced at each other with curiosity. He was as confused as she.

  Human men unloaded the massive crate in the courtyard. It was at least three stories high. The crate was carried on a large cart. It took eight horses to pull the weight of whatever was in the crate. The crate was rolled into place on logs as the men unloaded it with pulleys and ropes.

  Val opened the letter ...

  My Dearest Vallachia,

  I could not bring myself to attend your wedding. Surely you know why. Please accept this as a gift to remind you how I feel about you. I am terribly sorry that things ended up this way.

  Tel.

  Vallachia watched as the men broke open the wooden crate to reveal a statue of an angel. The angel’s face resembled Val’s. She did not try to stop the tears. She crumpled the note and threw it as she disappeared into the castle. At first, she did not know where to go. She found herself in Elijah’s bed. That was where she wanted to be. Against her will, the tears fell.

  Elijah entered. He held the wrinkled note from Teller.

  Val wiped the tears away the best she could. She watched Elijah move to the fireplace and set the note ablaze. She hugged her knees and they watched the parchment turn to smoke. If only it were that easy to burn away the past — instantly be able to move on — never look back, never wonder, What if … ?

  Val swallowed hard, forcing the tears away. She had to stop them ... for Elijah. I must find a way to forget about Teller. But how? Val slowly moved to stand by Elijah but no words would come.

  “He managed to do it,” Elijah said. “Without even being here, he ruined our wedding night.”

  “No,” it was barely a whisper. Val put her arms around Elijah’s neck. “I won’t let Teller ruin this for us. We can’t let him ruin what we have.”

  Elijah did not return her embrace. It was as if she hugged an obelisk. No! she thought. Teller will not take Elijah from me.

  “I should let you go.” Elijah’s voice was flat. No pain, no sadness.

  Val had never seen him like this. Her heart raced. “You promised me a couple of hours ago that you would never let me go. ‘Till death do us part ... ’”

  Elijah looked into his wife’s eyes for a long moment and found what he was looking for. Her crystal-blue eyes told him how much she needed him. It was enough to break through his numbness. He pressed his lips to hers and wrapped his arms around her waist. She is mine.

  Val was filled with relief. “I can’t lose you,” she breathed.

  He picked her up and carried her to bed.

  Chapter 71 Copenhagen 1462 A.D

  The sun was on the rise when Vallachia finally drifted off to sleep. She had not slept the past two nights. Her girlfriends had kept her up the night before the wedding and Elijah had kept her occupied last night. But there was no time to rest, as a loud knock came at the door. Val could hear their friends outside. She let out an irritated sigh. With one eye open she looked at Elijah. He too had been dozing.

  “What on earth could they possibly want?” Val asked. “They can’t leave us alone for one day?”

  “Today is your big day.”

  “No, yesterday was the big day.”

  Elijah chuckled at the confusion on her face. “Do not tell me that you have forgotten what happens the day after a royal wedding?”

  “What?” Val was too tired to fully take in what he was saying. She did not truly care.

  “Today, Father will pronounce you Queen.”

  Val moaned and buried herself in the bedding. That is something that happened to other people, not to me. “I honestly would rather sleep.”

  “Oh, come now, don’t be that way. We have to get up. Our friends grow impatient.”

  Elijah’s door swung open.

  “For Christ’s sake, let her up,” Samuel said.

  Elijah laughed.

  Mari found Val’s head under the blankets. “We have to get you ready ... and it looks as if we have a lot of work to do.” She pulled Val up by the arm and was careful to keep her naked body wrapped in the bedsheet.

  As Val was dragged across the hall to her room, she gave Elijah an irritated glance. His pale blue eyes danced as he gave her a reassuring smile. He rested with his arms behind his head. He was barely covered by a blanket, leaving his bare chest visible. She wanted nothing more than to return to bed.

  “Come on.” Mari gave Val a firm tug. “We are going to be late.”

  “Look at your hair!” Mari said. “We may never get it untangled.”

  Val had to laugh. Mari’s irritation was adorable.

  “It is not funny! Look at this mess!”

  All the ladies laughed, furthering Mari’s irritation. Though she had nothing to worry about; after a long bath and a good oiling, the
y had Val looking like a proper lady of the Court once again.

  It was Val’s turn to be irritated, as her movement was limited by the long sleeves of a golden brocade and it was too tight around her bust. “I cannot wait to get back into my breeches.”

  Mari frowned at her in disapproval. “Women would kill to have such a gown as this.”

  “You look as uncomfortable as I was yesterday wearing that thing you forced me into. I swear I don’t know how you women wear that bollock,” Mary said.

  Only one more day. Val told herself.

  The first thing Val notice when she entered the Great Hall was Elijah. He was dressed in royal splendor. Placed atop his head was a jeweled golden crown. His shoulders were draped in a red silk chlamys with black fur trim. Lord Chastellain was dressed much the same. On a pedestal in the center of the thrones was a slightly smaller but no less bejeweled crown resting on a purple pillow.

  Val’s stomach fluttered. Is this truly happening? I am not a queen. I’m a poor village girl. She was instructed to kneel in front of Lord Chastellain. He gave a speech about using the power of the Court to bestow the crown to Lady Vallachia.

  All she could think about was how this was not right. I am no ruler; I don’t want to be a queen. The pressure of this new role was already threatening to crush her. She felt as if she could not breathe. Being a queen would entail much more than being an emissary to the Court. It was an inescapable commitment to the followers of the Court. A queen could not turn her back on her duties. Val could not focus on much of what the lord said. It was all she could do to keep her breathing steady.

  Lord Chastellain took the crown from the pillow and placed it on Vallachia’s head. It was heavier than she expected and uncomfortable. She resisted the urge to take it off.

  The lord took her hand and raised her to her feet. She faced the crowd of vampires. John draped a red robe over her shoulders — it had the same thick black trim as Elijah’s. John placed a jeweled scepter in her hand.