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“You would have me put away?” Cyndella gasped.
My gut churned at the conflict I had just created, but at least it took away from me and Mirielle. But it also showed me that I would have no support from Endora and Cyndella. If I wanted this marriage, I would have to see to it myself.
I slipped from my mother’s old suite, leaving the females to hash out their differences. My earlier joy was fully dissipated now, but I refused to let their negativity keep me down.
I was still marrying Mirielle, whether they liked it or not. We would just make it happen without their blessing.
* * *
Over the next few days,I recruited the guards to find me wedding planners, whom I then turned over to my bride-to-be for preparations.
“I don’t know the first thing about any of this, Zen,” Mirielle complained, overwhelmed by the catalogues piled around our shared suite. “You need to give me some direction.”
“You pick what you like, and I’ll give my opinion,” I promised as I headed out to meet with the Council of Ministers. “Ask some of your friends for help. You made companions in your quad, didn’t you?”
I did have several staff members who could assist her, but I had no doubt that Mirielle could handle this by herself.
“Tavia and Millie,” she conceded, looking nervous. “Am I… Can I tell them about us?”
I laughed and kissed her lips softly. “I imagine that when we’re married, they’re going to find out. Moreover, I suspect they already know you’re staying here with me. Yes, you can tell them about us. Everyone knows.”
She studied me from the center of the bed, surrounded by books on cakes and flowers, bridal gowns, and other wedding accessories, her vivid eyes shadowed.
“I don’t suppose your sister and Endora want to help me?” she asked quietly.
I hesitated, resetting my necktie, and avoided her eyes. “As you know, Cyndella has a problem with strangers.”
“I’m not going to be a stranger to her if we’re married…” She trailed off. “Should I try to talk to her, or is that just going to make things worse?”
I swallowed a sigh, not wanting to discourage her but knowing deep down that if she did reach out to Cyndella, my sister’s response was going to dishearten her.
“Cyndella has her own demons to conquer right now,” I offered delicately. “It might be better if you leave her be.”
“She’s never going to accept me, is she?” Mirielle said sadly.
I turned away from the mirror and strode toward the bedside, kneeling down to take her hand. “Cyndella is going to need time to see you like I do. But these things can’t be rushed. You’re not marrying Cyndella. You’re marrying me.”
“I’m marrying the whole kingdom, Zen.”
I quirked a smile, the astuteness of her statement not lost on me. “You are, but you’re only sharing a bed with me.”
She tittered and leaned forward to kiss my lips. “And I suppose Endora is not going to be very helpful, either?”
“Let’s start with the maids,” I insisted. “Leave the others some time to digest the news. Frankly, I think they’re having a hard time accepting the fact that I’m getting married at all. They probably thought they’d never see the day.”
Her fingertips trailed over my forehead softly. “And you?”
I cocked my head to the side. “Me what?”
“Did you ever think you would get married?”
I fell back on my haunches and studied her beautiful face, my chest tightening. “No,” I answered honestly. “I never believed it was in the cards for me—at least not like this.”
“Like this?”
“Well… eventually, Endora probably would have convinced me to marry to produce an heir, but that would have been down the line.”
“Ah.” She appeared pained by the idea, and I rushed on.
