Chapter 93: The Groove Is In The Heart
SOPHIA
"Lovers?" She saw me blush, and gave a delighted laugh. "Yes. We did. But that came about much later. He grieved for years. Honestly, he still grieves, but so do I. The loss of Leona is something we share. It was ... I don’t know, five or six years after her death, after I’d been made Noble Consort that we found intimacy together. We don’t have the kind of love he had with Leona. I think that type of heart-bonding only happens once in a lifetime. But we’re happy enough."
"I’m glad to hear it," I said. "I feel like I got a second chance. So I will live well and find purpose and seek joy for the rest of my days."
"Your Bellifer’s daughter indeed." Celeste rose from her chair and as she moved toward, the maids moved away.
Celeste stood behind me, and we looked at each other in the mirror. She adjusted one of the combs in my elaborately styled hair. Then she studied the makeup on my face, the red lotus painted between my brows, and smiled.
"Are you ready to become a Duchess?" she asked.
"I’m ready to marry Nathan," I answered. "The other stuff is just cake."
***|***|***
NATHAN
Standing in the throne room waiting for my bride was a more nerve-wracking experience than I anticipated. Emperor Fallenstar had taken his place on the dragon throne, waiting for Celeste to join him.
Eunuch Ye stood to the side, ready to perform the second part of the ritual, after the emperor performed the first part.
"Take a breath, boy," said the Emperor. "You look like you’re going to pass out."
I inhaled a deep breath and exhaled fully. Then I did it again. I started to feel slightly better, though my heart was still pounding furiously and my palms felt clammy.
The doors at the end of the throne room opened.
Standing there was Celeste, who held on to Sophia’s arm, guiding her down the carpeted pathway.
Sophia wore a red and gold robe that matched mine. Her head was covered with a red veil that hid her face, a phoenix and dragon embroidered on the front. Finally, Celeste handed my bride to me. Eunuch Ye presented us with a thick red ribbon with a big red bow in the middle.
Sophia and I each took an end.
We turned toward the dragon throne. Celeste joined the emperor in his seat, her smile gentle as she gazed at us.
Emperor Fallenstar cleared his throat and then began to speak:
"Before me are my niece, Sophia Marie Rosebright, Grand Royal Princess, and Nathan Maximilian Stonehart, Duke of Golding. They wish to marry, to love each other, protect each other, and cherish each other until the end of their days.
I grant them a marriage. Let no man or woman rend asunder what I have bestowed upon these two lovers. May they have a warm home to love each other, to raise children, to grow old. May they be blessed with more joy than sorrow, more love than grief, more hope than disappointment.
My final decree is this: love each other well. Protect each other always. Cherish the heart-bond that connects you. Never doubt each other. Never betray each other. And always, always, trade your anger for understanding, for patience, for love."
The Emperor finished his blessing, and then nodded to Eunuch Ye. The older man began the second part of our wedding. The traditional three bow ceremony that had been part of the Northern Realm weddings since the ancient days.
"First bow," he called out. "To the heaven and the earth."
Sophia and I turned around, the opposite direction of the Emperor and Celeste, and we bowed.
"May you have a harmonious union that lasts a hundred years," said the Emperor.
Eunuch Ye called out, "Second bow. To your ancestors and parents."
Sophia and I turned and bowed to the Emperor and Noble Consort.
"We wish you happiness, longevity, and health," said Celeste.
"Third bow," said Eunuch Ye. "Bow to each other."
My bride and I bowed to each other.
Together, the Emperor and Celeste said, "May you quickly give birth to a precious child."
Eunuch Ye said, "The marriage is complete. Take your beloved to the bridal chamber."
We through the ribbon up, and let it float down to the floor. Then I scooped my wife into my arms and walked out the door.
"Are you nervous?" I asked as we stepped into the palaquin. Eight strong men lifted us and began the walk to the White Jade Palace.
"Very," said Sophia. "It’s weird talking to you through the veil."
"Leave it on," I cautioned her. "I want us to follow the traditions until the very end."
"I didn’t think of you as superstitious."
"I missed you in the last life, Sophia. I won’t let anything happen to you in this one."
The silence stretched as she thought about my words.
"Nathan ... you remember your past life, too? You ... you were reborn?"
"Yes," I said. I put my arm around her shoulder and she lay her head against my chest. "I’ve been wanting to tell you that since you confessed about your own past life."
"Then tell me."
"I’ve been with you your whole life. After you recovered from the Cardigill Ick, you didn’t remember me. Not the first time we met in the Willowmarch garden. Not that year that I bought you tea cakes every afternoon and walked you home from school. After my father sent me to the Stonehart military camp, I came home rarely.
"But when I was fifteen, I managed a trip back. I celebrated the New Year with my parents, and then I went to Amaranth Manor. I saw how you followed Jace around, but I was undeterred. I knew we were meant to be together. So I carved our names into a heart on the oak tree in the Willowmarch garden."
"Oh, Nathan," she said softly. "How I wish I knew then how horrible Jace was. I will never forgive myself for forgetting you."