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Outside the gates, people cheer, clinking the empty mugs we distributed ahead of the wedding. They’re eager to drink and feast and celebrate. As I hold my bride, my magic opens the palace’s gates and welcomes my people inside.
41
CHLOE
Thousands of people fill the reception hall, and even more are arriving and celebrating inside the adjacent halls. More folks are spilling into the gardens and even sitting on the inner palace walls. The town, I heard, is packed with folks from our province in the north.
After dinner, Claudette and I sit at the wedding table for two, which is raised on a platform so that people can see their royals from the multiple doors and windows looking into the palace.
All those eyes on me make me a little nauseous.
Okay, more than a little nauseous, and thinking about tonight might send me hurling the champagne. I didn’t eat dinner besides picking a few pieces of meat and a potato, only because the chef was watching. I don’t want my staff to think I dislike their food. They’ve spent spans working hard to make this wedding as perfect as it can be.
“Chloe, about tonight,” Claudette says. “Princess Fleur sent a trunk of supplies for your mating night. I took the liberty of arranging the items inside the king’s chambers as per his request.”
“D’Artaron’s chambers?”
She side-eyes me. “Yes, he’s the king.”
I nod. “Thank you.” My palms start sweating more than usual as I sip champagne, but when it starts making me want to throw up, I clear my throat. “Claudette, I don’t feel so well.”
Her eyes widen. “Oh no, suddenly, you look pale and sickly. What’s the matter?”
“I’m nauseous.”
“I tested your food. Nobody poisoned it.”
“Sister!” I hiss. “You’re not my taster.”
“Pfft.” She swats the air. “As if I am going to hire Patricia for it. She might’ve been a great taster a hundred turns ago, but she’s drinking now, and alcohol messes with the taste buds.”
“But what if you ingest poison and die?”
“Better me than you, Your Majesty.” Claudette squeezes my palm, then whisks her hand away. She flips my wrist and sees my palm is glowing.
“It’s fine,” I say. “It does this when I’m nervous. Or nauseous.”
“I don’t want you to burn up,” she says.
“I won’t. My king won’t let me.”
Claudette smiles. “He’ll take care of you.”
“I know.” I nod and bite my lip. “That’s the thing, Claudette. He takes care of me in many ways, and tonight will be just another way he’ll take care of my needs, but I’m not so sure I can take care of his.”
“How so?”
“The coupling night.” The healer is making her way toward me. I wave her off. People might think I’m ill when I’m not. Besides, the queen never shows weakness in public. “The sex, Claudette.”
My sister whispers. “When the mere thought of sex makes you nauseous, it makes me wonder if the prince hurt you. Did he?”
“The prince never touched me.”
Claudette rears back. “How can that be?”
“He didn’t want me, sister. He was forced into the marriage because of his debts.”
Claudette tilts her head. “The prince asked for your hand in marriage.”
