CHAPTER 21
288 Mauchers
I won’t deny that I felt a wave of anxiety hit me as I heard Ender’s words. I know Zander said that Ender was prone to lies but I don’t think he would lie about something like this. He looked genuinely worried when he spoke.
I looked up at him and saw him watching me with trepidation and bated breath and I realized that he was looking up to me for support. I forced my breathing to even out and I placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
“I’m sure everything will be fine.” I told him softly.
“But, she might want to hurt you.”
“Zander won’t allow that happen,” I don’t know who I was trying to convince more- him or me, “I am sure that he has straightened everything out. The ceremony will be fine, I assure you.”
He nodded solemnly, “I believe you Lyla.”
“Good,” I offered him a small smile, “You should go in now before they find you.”
He ran off but then stopped at the last moment and ran back to hug me tightly around my legs. I was taken aback by the rush of emotions that hit me but I quickly returned his hug. He pulled away after a second and disappeared through a corner.
I watched the place he disappeared through for longer than I should have as I tried my best to calm my raging thoughts. What if Zander
doesn’t know about her plans and everything implodes?
I didn’t realize I had started picking at the skin on my nails until I smelt the tangy iron scent //
I have come to associate with blood. I quickly wiped at it with the rag that I used on Ender. The last thing I want is for there to be a bright red spot on my dress due to my inability. to calm dowIL.
I was still lost in thought when a guard walked up to me. He didn’t speak, he just gestured for me to rise and follow him towards the door. I did as he requested and took a deep breath as the large oak doors. were pulled open from inside.
The first thing I noticed was how full the garden was. There were people on every corner and I almost stumbled as I realized how large of an occasion this really was. I swallowed deeply as my nerves.
threatened to overcome me but then I saw a familiar mop of red hair in front.
Anastasia was standing with Rachel and they both had encouraging smiles on their faces. Next to them were Helena and Lucas. The latter had Ender on his shoulders and the sight had me cracking a smile. The way Alex was frowning at them led me to believe that it isn’t allowed but I doubt anyone would want to go up to Ender and tell him that.
The music started and I lifted my chin as Helena had told me and forced one leg in front of the other as I made my way past everyone and towards Zander who was standing at the make shift flower arch.
He was the only other person other than me in white. Everyone else was in pastel colors and I forced my breaths to come out evenly as I took my spot opposite him. Right next to us was someone I assume is an elder. He was wearing a pale yellow robe and he had a scroll in his hands. Next to him on a small table was a golden chalice and a dagger with a silver hilt and a ruby in the middle.
“Welcome everyone.” the elder began as the music ended, “To the official mating of Lyla Archer and the crown prince, Zander Blackwood”
There was a small flurry of applauses and as the elder droned on about royal traditions, roles and the past kings and queens, I felt my anxiety reduce and the knot in my chest lessen. So far, I hadn’t seen Camilla but I took that as a good sign. Maybe Zander had actually handled everything and Ender was worrying for no reason.
“Lyla Archer,” hearing my name from the elder snapped me back to reality, “Do you swear to do your duties as Queen and make sure that your every decision is made for the betterment of our world.”
I was shocked by his wording. I was meant to be princess- not Queen. I assumed he meant when I was Queen in the future but regardless, I knew this was neither the time nor the place to correct him.
“Yes, I do,” I made sure my voice was clear and carried through the entire garden.
“Do you swear to do your duty as Luna and as mate to Prince Zander; to bear his royal children and do everything in your power to further the royal line?”
“I do,” I flushed pink at the mention of the word ‘children‘.
The elder nodded and turned to Zander, “Do you swear to perform your duty as King and to protect your mate with everything that you have; to give her children and further the royal line?”
“I do,” Zander’s voice held no hesitation whatsoever and he stared straight into my eyes as he spoke.
The elder nodded and put down the scroll only to pick up the chalice and the dagger He lifted both to the sky and muttered a few words in another language
“Now the mated couple will make a small incision on each other’s palm into this chahce.” he explained. “This will be to show that you are willing to bleed for each other and your sacrifice will be offered up to our goddess. Are you prepared?”
“Yes,” Zander and I said at the same time.
“Before we begin.” the elder turned to the crowd, “if there is anyone here who thinks that they should not be mated for whatsoever reason. This is your only chance to speak, or else you will hold your peace.”
I held my breath and waited for someone- maybe Alex to speak but the garden remained silent. I let out a relieved breath as the elder handed the dagger to me.
“You will start.”
I took the dagger from him and was surprised by how heavy it actually was. Zander held out his palm to me and I had just placed the tip of the dagger when the entrance doors flew open and Camilla walked in.
She was in a form fitted short dress the exact same ivory shade as what I was wearing. Her hair was in curls and tied into a pretty bun and the back of her head with ringlets framing her face. Her legs also looked impossibly longer in the strappy heels that she had on. Her lips were painted red and they were turned upwards into a smile.
“I hope I’m not too late,” she began, “But I have to object.”
“She can’t,” Lucas yelled out, “The time for that is passed.”
CHAPTER 21
1:28 Vouches
“Lyla has not made the cut yet,” Helena’s voice was soft but it was clear, “So her objection is valid. The elder has to stop the ceremony and hear her out.”
I felt my chest tighten as the elder took the dagger from my hand. He gestured to Camilla to come forward, “Tell us child; why do you object?”
“I will only tell Zander.”
I watched as she made her way over to him and leaned into his ears. and whispered in a voice that was too low for even me to hear.
When she was done, Zander’s face was devoid of emotion. It looked like he was carved from stone. I expected him to push her away and say that he was going along with the ceremony regardless of what she had said.
But then he turned to me and I knew. His face was still emotionless but his eyes muttered unspoken apologies to me. He cleared his throat then turned to the crowd.
“It is my greatest displeasure to announce that the ceremony has to be stopped.”
