CHAPTER 26
Throughout the repairs, and rebuilding, the golden chains were salvaged from the wreckage of the town and placed where the stage had once stood. That night, after taking some time to recuperate and consume some blood from the donation center, Braith gathered all occupants of the palace, towns, and forest together to burn the chains with the remains of his father. The sun was beginning to set as he lit a torch and handed it to her. “I thought you would like the honors.”
The flames heated her cheeks as she twisted it within her hands. She smiled at him before stepping forward and tossing it onto the pile of kindling. She’d never seen anything as satisfying as watching all of those chains, and the king’s remains, spark and catch fire. Braith reached into his pocket and pulled something out. She leaned over him as he opened his hand to reveal the signet ring that symbolized the House of Valdhai he’d worn when she’d first met him.
“Braith?”
“It’s a new beginning all the way around Aria.” He stepped forward and tossed the ring into the flames. Sliding her arms around his waist, she rested her head on his chest and savored in the moment. The fire spread throughout the vast amount of wood and rose higher. Sparks shot and leapt into the air as smoke curled high into the darkening night. It had been an awful day, but this moment made it all worthwhile.
A large cheer erupted from the crowd as the last symbols of oppression from the old regime turned to ashes. Food and alcohol were brought forth, music began to hauntingly twirl through the air as the crowd of vampires and humans laughed and danced in celebration.
There was still a lot of work to be done, still a long way to go before trust was fully established, but as the heat of the flames beat against her skin, and Braith twirled her into the merriment, she knew they could do it. That together they could conquer anything, that they could make a world that neither of them had envisioned, but that both of them were willing to sacrifice anything for.
She thought of the darkness that had threatened to drag her under earlier, but instead of being afraid of it, she found strength in the power she knew coursed within her now. A strength that would help her get through the days and years ahead. Days and years she couldn’t wait to experience with him.
***
The next day, Aria agreed to give Melinda her undivided attention until the wedding and coronation ceremony was over. Melinda bombarded her with endless details, and Aria was reaching her breaking point when Maggie strolled into the apartment with an armload of dresses. “I asked her to come,” Melinda whispered in Aria’s ear.
It took Aria a moment to get over her surprise at seeing Maggie again. “You don’t have to wait on me.”
Maggie grinned at her as she placed the dresses on the arm of the sofa. “I’m not here as a servant. I came willingly.”
“Every queen requires a lady in waiting,” Melinda said flippantly. Aria was even more uncomfortable with that prospect. Melinda started pawing through the dresses that Aria now realized were actually wedding dresses. “I’ve ordered the tailor to come up also.”
Aria winced at the prospect. She knew she had to start adjusting to these things if she was going to spend an eternity within these walls, but even so, she couldn’t help but dream about escaping with Braith to their tree house again soon. Maggie watched in amusement as Melinda held dresses up to Aria, shook her head and tossed them aside with rapid precision.
They were almost to the end of the pile when Melinda seized hold of one that caused Aria to lurch forward. She pulled it closer to her as she gazed at the beautiful dress in awe. “This one. This is the one.”
Melinda’s grey eyes twinkled as she grinned at her. “I knew you’d like it. Didn’t I tell you this would be the one she chose?” she demanded of Maggie.
“You did,” Maggie agreed.
“Let’s get it on you before my brother decides to snoop.”
Aria helped them to maneuver her into the striking dress. Standing before the mirror, she was unable to believe it was actually her as she gazed at herself in amazement. It was the only dress she’d actually loved, and not only could she not wait to wear it, but she didn’t want to take it off.
Melinda fluffed out the bottom of it and took a step back to examine it carefully. A radiant smile lit her beautiful face as she nodded approvingly. “You’re not the most conventional queen, but you can pull off a dress when it’s necessary.”
Aria laughed as she twirled in front of the large mirror. Feeding on Braith had added curves to her that hadn’t been there since her first captivity within the palace. His blood had given her a glow of health that brought a rosy blush to her skin. She was amazed by the drastic change her life had taken. As a motherless, wild child, she never would have dreamed that she would one day be standing here, a fatherless vampire, surrounded by more loved ones than she had ever dreamed of having, and marrying a king.
Though it took all her self control, she managed to stay still, and not fidget, as the tailor made a few adjustments before nodding his approval.
Melinda clapped her hands enthusiastically together as she eyed Aria with approval.
“Are you ready to get married?”
“More than ready.”
“Good. The wedding is tomorrow.” Aria gaped at her as Melinda smiled mischievously and shared a pointed look with Maggie. “I’ve told Braith to stay away for the night, as we have a lot of plans to make, and also because I just like to torment him.”
“It’s too soon for such a big wedding,” Aria protested.
“Not the big one Aria, tomorrow will be your wedding. The one that you dreamed of. That other one can wait till the end of the month.”
Tears burned her throat and eyes as she threw her arms around Melinda. Her future sister was nearly her exact opposite, but in that moment Aria couldn’t have asked for a better friend. She hugged Maggie afterward; grateful to see the young girl that had been the closest thing to a friend she’d had while a blood slave. She’d never been so nervous and excited in her life but she couldn’t wait to be a queen.