I smiled and shook my head. He held his arm out indicating it was time, and all sane thoughts flew right out of my head as I accepted it. “How many people are down there?” I asked to try and calm my nerves.
“Few thousand—everyone wants a peek at the woman who will cure the land. They also think you must be completely disfigured because the Light Fae gave you away. Their King is now claiming you; says he made a mistake.”
“Made a mistake?” I asked.
“Made a mistake in not claiming you. He’s saving face basically. Your mother will not give birth to another heir while you breathe, so he is claiming you as his own,” Sòlas said.
“How nice of him,” I muttered. We’d reached the bottom of the steps, and the gigantic throne room was filled with people, some of the gathering had cleared a path for us to follow. Against my better judgment, I took a step back, and away from the enormous assembly of Fae.
“No fear, Syn,” Sòlas gently reminded me. “Adam says you are the strongest person he has ever met. If these fuckers smell fear, they will swarm like tigers in heat.”
“Got it. Let’s do this,” I said, stepping back up to where he stood. I put my ‘I’m a badass mask’ back on. The one that told them I wasn’t afraid; that I was the meanest one inside this room. I felt better knowing Ryder was right behind me, and having him at my back gave me a soothing calmness that I wouldn’t have felt without him.
We walked through the path until we reached a raised dais where we paused. There had been several of these set up around the crowded room. The most imposing one was toward the far back, which was probably where the Dark King’s throne usually rested. Adam waited for me on the dais, wearing an exquisitely tailored black tuxedo that truly showed how gorgeous he had become. I smiled and lifted my eyes to his. His smile was blinding, and yet there was sadness in his eyes. I climbed the couple of steps that led to the top of the dais and moved to Adam’s side. His brothers moved behind us in a show of support. I exhaled and waited to be instructed what to do next, and I didn’t have long to wait.
“My son, Cadeyrn, will make his announcement now,” Kier said, coming up to stand beside Adam in a matching black tuxedo. Who the heck would have known the Fae wore tuxedos? Maybe they had a Starbucks around here as well?
“Caitlín of the Light Fae, Heir in waiting to the throne. I, Adam…Cadeyrn, Prince of the Dark Fae and acknowledged reigning Heir, choose you to become my Queen, and rule this kingdom beside me,” his voice rang out as he went down to one knee.
“You sure, Adam?” I whispered, or tried to. Adam’s brothers laughed from behind me.
“Very sure, Synthia,” Adam said, narrowing his eyes.
Yes, I was stalling like a panicked schoolgirl, trying to buy time before losing it on prom. “Okay,” I said, trying to make my arms work.
“Syn, give me your hand, please,” Adam said quietly with shining eyes.
I closed my eyes and lifted my left hand until it was high enough for him to take and slip the solid gold band onto my third finger.
“Would you honor me with a dance?” he said, releasing my hand and standing back up.
“Sure,” I said and flinched as utters of disapproval went through the crowd. Shit! “Yes, Adam, I will dance with you.”
He shook his head, but he had a genuine smile on his mouth as he did so. He formally took my hand and escorted me down the stairs. We stopped and he held out his hand, helping his mother up to his father hand, where we created a circle by hands. The crowd applauded, and music started up as the Queen stood in approval, beside her King.
We moved around the dance floor silently, and awkwardly. I couldn’t keep count of how many times Adam and I both stepped on each other’s feet. We laughed, and, even knowing neither one of us wanted this, it was like old times again. We talked for several minutes in hushed tones about his encounter with Larissa. Fashions ranged from suits, like Adam and his brothers wore, to some outfits that belonged in a museum. Some of the male Fae wore what Adam called man-dresses and tights, which threatened to make me lose it laughing.
Adam apologized and told me he’d help me find a way out of this—together. When we’d danced for long enough, I kissed him softly on his cheek and excused myself.
I turned to flee to the sidelines and the safety of a wall when Ryder pulled me against him. “Dance with me, Princess. I would be humbled.”
I smiled as my heart accelerated. “You are not humbled by anything, Ryder,” I swallowed and allowed him to fold me gently into his arms.
Chapter Thirty Nine
I inhaled his scent and closed my eyes. The feel of him against me just felt so right, but I didn’t allow myself to embrace him any more than was proper for dancing, since we were at my wedding. I was about to become Adam’s bride, and I owed him the respect of being faithful, even if it killed me.