M y breath held as I stepped into the banquet hall. My throne had been removed to make way for the archway that Ornella
and I would say our vows underneath. April did her job perfectly by listening to every demand—not request—I had given
her.
The room needed lilacs, lavender, white and pale pink roses, dark peonies, wisteria, and purple forget-me-knots to
decorate every single inch of it. I wanted them to cover the dark stone walls and remove my dark shadows from the corners.
April indeed delivered as the entire hall was created into a beautiful warm spring day. The archway's flowers trailed
downwards and up the aisle along with ivory shades of silk fabric that was dotted with small butterflies. The same ones that
were stitched into Ornella’s dress.
I may be a tyrant and enjoyed torturing those who did me or my family harm, but I still wanted Ornella to enjoy her day. A
part of me still wondered if she regretted it, even if we did enjoy exploring each other’s bodies last night. My breath rattled in
my chest as I watched our esteemed guests arrive. I left via the side door and into a smaller room, to prepare.
April stood there waiting, dressed beautifully. She crossed her hands in front of her, waiting patiently for me.
“How is she?” I asked, enquiring of course about Ornella.
“Nervous. But appears ready. Morgana and Vanessa are waiting for my signal until they escort her downstairs.”
“You don’t think she will get cold feet?”
“Nicholas, she would be a fool to run out now.”
April had no idea about Ornella’s family sitting close to our borders, possibly waiting to strike at any minute. Although I
would have liked to take Ornella on a tour of our kingdom, now would not be the time. Soon, she would begin her queenly
duties and learn what it was like to become the Obsidian Queen. She would need to show strength, wisdom, and power if she
were to rule at my side and have our people to accept her.
I hoped she would succeed.
Iwantedher to succeed.
Chapter 41
ORNELLA
Standing at the door of the banquet hall, the faint sound of a harpist playing along to a piano filled my ears. I took a deep
breath as Morgana lifted my veil over my head. It had taken them hours of pampering and prepping me, and keeping my
hands from reaching for more glasses of wine to be ready.
I needed my wits about me today. I would officially be meeting the entire court, as the new wife of their king. A knot
formed in my stomach as the thought of my parents came out of nowhere.
I wondered where they were. How much panic had they gone through looking for me? Could they even reach me? Nicholas
