“You never have explained why you call her that,” Ali noted with raised brows.
“Yes, I did,” Sebastien replied. “It’s a nickname.”
“Is it a combination of an alternate name for ‘rose’ plus the sharp aspects of the thorns?” Dianna guessed.
“Something like that.” Sebastien kissed Thorn’s forehead. “My lovely flower with her fierce powers.”
“I did expect you to be rather more fierce in personality, given your reputation,” Ali said to Thorn.
“This is a time for romance,” Dianna argued. “Time enough for ferocity later,” she added, sounding not very happy about it.
“True,” Ali agreed. “I don’t like the rumbles of war. With Oneira abandoning the Southern Lands and now Stearanos gone from the northern ones, the lions are growing restless. And hungry.”
Funny how Rose had said almost that exact same thing.
“Tonight is our wedding night,” Sebastien declared, “which is cause for great happiness. No talk of war and dreary politics.”
“That’s right,” Thorn said, and kissed him lingeringly.
“They’re so adorable,” Dianna commented with a sigh.
“It’s good to see Sebastien happy,” Ali agreed, sipping her tea. “Though we need to put an end to the billing and cooing. It’s time to prepare for the ceremony.”
“Ceremonies,” Dianna corrected.
“That’s my cue to leave,” Sebastien declared, standing and lifting Thorn in his arms. He gave her one more dreamy kiss, then set her carefully on her feet. “I’ll see you soon,” he murmured to Thorn, rubbing his knuckles over her cheek. “And then you’ll be my wife.”
“I can’t wait,” she told him, leaning into the caress.
“You’ll wait longer if you keep dallying,” Ali advised.
“And, Rose, you’ll want to look perfect,” Dianna said, “so we really should start on your hair.”
“I have maids for that,” Thorn protested with a laugh for the idea of real princesses doing her hair.
Ali and Dianna exchanged looks. “It’s tradition,” Ali said. “We’re sisters now.”
“And we’ll only supervise,” Dianna explained.
“Come on, Bunny, Nonna,” Sebastien said, and gave Thorn one more smacking kiss before releasing his arm around her waist. “It’s clear we aren’t wanted.” He laughed at whatever the hound and Bunny replied and strode out the doors to the garden, the hugescáthcúand smaller, squatter hound flanking him.
“You really do make him happy,” Dianna told Thorn.
“Yes.” Ali smiled at her. “Who knew when we sent him away to learn to be a sorcerer that he’d find his true love?”
Thorn smiled, not saying anything to that. There was too much she couldn’t speak aloud. Instead she squeezed her happiness close to her heart.
The wedding was a grand affair. Held in the throne room just after sunset, the place lit entirely by thousands of white candles, Thorn had never seen anything so beautiful, so romantic. She wore a white gown, covered in crystalline gem roses that Clotaire brought, showering her with matching jewelry. He’d been frustrated by his lack of access to Thorn, Sebastien running subtle interference that he declared to be one of the best perks of being a royal: you could avoid talking to people who annoyed you, so long as they had less power.
But now Clotaire practically glowed with triumph cloaked as paternal pride and joy at having her on his arm, the new jewelry radiating his self-involved victory. Walking down the aisle with him through the vast sea of courtiers, Thorn could almost hear Rose’s sardonic voice in her head, commenting on Clotaire’s behavior.
It made her wonder about Rose’s planned revenge, what shape that would take and whether Thorn would ever know.
And then there was Sebastien waiting for her, also in white, his golden hair and green eyes in vivid contrast, another crystalline Dream jeweled rose on his lapel. He tapped it as she drew near, his handsome face and pretty eyes even more compelling because they were filled with love, all for her. She may have borrowed Rose’s name, career, and life, but Sebastien was entirely and honestly hers, forever and always.
They spoke their vows to each other, their voices resonant with meaning and the honesty of two like hearts coming together. It felt odd, signing the marriage document with Rose’s name. And when the Arbiter of Sorcery, a grim woman dressed all in black, transferred Rose’s contract with HASP from Madame Hendricks—whom Thorn had to pretend to know, but fortunately Sebastien had pointed her out—to the king, the sorceress gave her a strange look, deeply suspicious, and Thorn tensed, wondering if it should look like she felt something. From what Sebastien had said, the blood geas simply existedand he’d never even felt it. Apparently he would if he tried to go against the will of the contract holder, but why would he do that? He’d obviously never experienced this kind of contract transfer. Fortunately, her sudden worry and tension seemed to appease the Arbiter, who finished off the contract, and took it away again.
“Behold!” King Soren declared in a ringing voice. “Her Highness Princess Rose, and Her Eminence, my court oneiromancer. With this momentous occasion begins a new era of peace and prosperity for our realm. None shall challenge my kingdom or be able to attack us!”
