Dragon's Challenge - D. R. Rosier Page 0,18
light brown hair was up in a fancy bun revealing the soft gentle curve of her delicate neck. Her warm hazel eyes were practically glowing with joy and anticipation, and her bright white smile was blinding to him.
She had on a fancy white dress of silk that had tons of lace and designs around it, with voluminous multi-layered skirts. The top conformed to her bodice from neck to hips, but all the layers did a good job at only hinting at the delightfully curvaceous and athletically supple body beneath. She was in a word, enthralling, and he couldn’t take his eyes off of her as she moved up the aisle between the standing people and took her place at his side.
The radiant smile and twinkling eyes she graced him with stole his breath. She was so heartbreakingly beautiful, and he was completely beguiled by her presence and the shining love and joy in her eyes. He couldn’t help but return that smile with one of his own, and he was sure she saw the awe of her in his eyes in that moment.
There was also a trace of smugness in her smile, like she was getting the better end of the deal. While he was an elder dragon and extremely confident being, he wasn’t entirely sure his stunning bride was right about that.
The cleric started to cast a spell at the princess, and he was glad he’d been briefed on it, or he’d have moved to protect her. A dead cleric at their wedding wouldn’t have been fortuitous. A moment later, the princess glowed with white light almost blindingly bright, for just a second or two. It was a spell to determine her status of innocence, to remove any doubt that she came to the marriage ceremony and nuptial bed as a virgin.
He thought it was hypocritical, but there was a political aspect to it, none would or could doubt when he put her with child, that it was theirs. He also admitted to himself, there was something very appealing to be the first and only man that would lie with Stephanie. It was a shallow thing, however. Considering how strongly and deeply he felt about Shar and Nysa, he knew even if she wasn’t unsullied it wouldn’t affect how he truly felt about his princess. As long as she was his from then on, faithful to their bed, that’s all that would’ve really mattered to him.
Still hypocritical, given his harem of bonded, but it was the way it was.
The cleric said in a grave voice, “We gather here today to witness and celebrate the joining of Muranth and Princess Stephanie in the eyes of the gods and man. The gods approve of this union, and by their grace have also established the chastity of the bride. If there are any objections among you to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace, for what is joined under oath before the gods will endure for as long both shall live.”
He tensed a little, even as the king’s jaw tensed, but the visiting prince and his sister held their tongues. He’d been told they wouldn’t object, and that royalty didn’t work that way. The prince had stated his objection in private and as a warning. Still, he hadn’t been entirely sure what his sister would do, and anyone trying to predict her actions would be engaging in a futile endeavor.
Especially since he had learned his sister was not at all in full control of herself, and she should have in fact been killed long ago for being unsuitably weak willed. If a rage came upon her, she could do anything.
He relaxed slightly after a moment, and he put most of his focus on his blushing bride, though his magic was still ready for anything. Or so he hoped.
The cleric turned, “Do you bless this union, your majesty?”
The king nodded, “I do.”
The cleric smiled, “Very well. Muranth, will you swear before the gods and man to take Princess Stephanie as your wife, to love, honor, cherish, and protect through good times and bad, triumphs and challenges, for as long as you both shall live.”
He said clearly, “I do so swear.”
The cleric turned to the princess, “Will you, Princess Stephanie, swear before the gods and man to take Muranth as your husband, to love, succor, cherish, and be faithful through the good times and bad, triumphs and challenges, for as long as you both shall live?”
Her sweet dulcet tones were joyously victorious,