Chapter 11: Wedding Plans

With Bynjym bound in soul and scale, He guards the flight, he guards the tale. He fights the lords who steal with might, And shields the eggs through storm and night. Skylar “I know you don’t like pomp and circumstance, Skylar, but it’s proper to invite the other royals to a royal wedding,” Kenneth says. “ALL of them?” I ask him. Why? Why do I have to invite the other royals to MY wedding? “Only the ones in the surrounding kingdoms and the ones you don’t want to offend,” he says, grinning at me. Basically, we have to invite all of them. Lord knows that royals get their pretty panties in a wad over just about anything. Not getting an invite to a wedding would definitely be seen as an offense, and our wedding is a big deal. We’re uniting two kingdoms. “Fine,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Where would you like to get married, here in your father’s kingdom, or in our kingdom?” Our kingdom. Once we’re married, I’ll be expected to leave my father’s castle and live in Kenneth’s. I look around at the place that has been my home for nearly eighteen years. “It’s proper to get married in the kingdom where we’ll live, isn’t it?” I ask. “Yes. Which means you need to come back with me so you can decide where you want to have the ceremony and the after party. You can work with my decorators or bring in your own, whichever you prefer.” “You’re being very accommodating, Kenneth,” I say. It’s true. Most princes or kings that I’ve known would just leave everything to their betrothed to handle. Of course, most women have mothers and sisters to assist them. I have no one. Kenneth has been going over everything with me, making sure he knows what I want to have done, asking for my opinion, and somehow making decisions without making them, like inviting all the royals. He pulls my hand to his lips. “I do hope that we have a wonderful life together, Skylar. I know that not all royals have an equal relationship in their marriages, but I would like that in ours.” “So would I,” I say, watching him. He smiles his charming, princely smile. I shake my head. The man is devilishly handsome, and when he smiles, he’s even more so. I could do a lot worse than being married to a man who respects me, is kind, and caring. Love doesn’t enter into marriages between royals. It’s about strengthening the kingdoms and alliances. Having a mutual respect between partners is the most you can hope for, and I respect Kenneth. He’ll make a great king. I just wish that he didn’t agree with the horrific practice of stealing dragon eggs. “We need to set a date, Skylar. People are starting to ask if we’re ever going to get married.” “I’m not even eighteen yet,” I say. “You will be by the time we get married. Set a date, Skylar, so we can send out invitations. The royals will need to make arrangements to be away from their kingdoms for nearly a week, and we will need time to prepare events besides our wedding to keep them busy.” I feel the weight of what needs to be done falling onto my shoulders. “How is three years from today? Does that work for you?” I ask sarcastically. He stands and kisses my forehead. “Three MONTHS from today works better,” he says. “And there goes that accommodating attitude, right out the window,” I say as he walks out. I hear him laughing as he goes. Damn, even the man’s laughter is sexy. Yeah, I could do much, much worse. Our babies will be beautiful, and I think Kenneth will be a good father. I know he wants an heir, but I think he’ll be a good father to our daughters as well, if we have any. Two days later, I’ve packed a week’s belongings and I’m ready to ride to Kenneth’s kingdom to begin preparations for our wedding. The wedding that my father agreed should be scheduled in three months’ time. He has invitations being printed already. Three months! UGH! I refrain from rolling my eyes since I’m in front of our people. They’ve come to see me off, like I’m leaving for good. Thankfully, I’m not saying my final goodbye yet. On the day that I do leave for good, I think I’ll struggle not to cry. Since it’s a beautiful, cool morning, I decided to ride my horse, rather than sit in the carriage. Another thing I like about Kenneth is that he doesn’t insist that I do things a certain way. He appreciates that I like riding and that I’m an accomplished equestrian. My pretty, little mare, Radiance, is small compared to Kenneth’s giant, and aptly named horse, Goliath. Radiance is an Arabian stallion, beautiful and elegant. My father got her for me on my thirteenth birthday, saying that a princess needs a horse that matches her in grace and beauty, and Radiance is definitely that. My father got her young, before she was old enough to learn to carry a rider. She and I bonded for several months before I began to train her. I’m the only person that she’s ever carried on her back. Teaching her to accept me was a challenge, but I’m as stubborn as my horse and, in the end, we’ve become a very complimentary horse and rider. I barely need a bridle for Radiance. She understands my commands and I use pressure with my hands and legs against her body to tell her what I want her to do while I’m riding. Goliath shifts, whinnying with impatience while Kenneth’s soldiers prepare to head home. He tosses his head and Kenneth has to regain control of him as he fights to move forward. “Easy, girl,” I say to Radiance, rubbing my hand over her neck. I feel her body shiver at the touch, but she remains steady and watchful, waiting for me to give the command to go. I can already tell that Kenneth will have to run Goliath and let him burn off some of his energy. Radiance may not be as fast as Goliath, but she has more endurance and is more agile. In a long-distance run, she would beat Goliath. When it’s finally time to leave, Goliath tries to break forward, but Kenneth holds him steady as we walk out of the courtyard. Goliath prances proudly while Radiance walks gracefully and with her head and tail held high. The people wave and wish us safe travels. My father stands atop the castle entrance, watching as we make our way to the exit. Just before Radiance walks outside the gate, he raises his hand in farewell. I do the same. The moment we’re outside the castle walls, Kenneth lets Goliath go. He charges forward, looking glorious and powerful. I tighten my hold on Radiance’s mane and lean forward. “Go, Radiance.” She takes off like a shot, following Goliath. I look behind us and see the soldiers spurring their horses forward to catch up to us. As we run, I feel my hair getting loosened from the updo my maids put it in this morning. I lift my face to the sky, laughing with the joy of being free and feeling the sun and wind on my face. Kenneth runs far enough that Radiance begins to catch up. It isn’t until we’re halfway to his kingdom that he finally slows down to a walk. Radiance slows to a walk as well, and when Kenneth halts Goliath, we walk up beside them. Kenneth grins at me, then brushes my stray hair behind my ear. “That was fun.” I grin. “Yes, it was.” He leans forward and kisses me, the kiss lingering longer than I expected, deepening more than most of our kisses. I’m not sure if it’s because we’re away from my father or if it’s because we now have a date for our wedding, but he’s acting bolder than he usually does. “Your Highnesses! Your Highnesses!” Kenneth pulls away to see a messenger racing up to us. “What news, messenger?” Kenneth asks him. “It’s King Emmanuel, sir! He got an egg! He got a blue egg!” All the happiness I was just feeling from my invigorating run disappears. Another royal found and stole an egg. Now, I have to figure out how to get into King Emmanuel’s castle, find the egg, and get it out of there without anyone realizing what I’ve done.