“So, when do you think we should have the wedding?” Dareena asked over breakfast the next morning. She sat at the dining table with Drystan and Alistair in their suite, enjoying a last meal together before Alistair flew back to Glastar to continue overseeing the training of the strike forces. “I know we cannot proceed without Lucyan, but surely he will not be gone longer than a week or two. We should at least start the planning now if we can.”
“I think three weeks is reasonable,” Alistair said after swallowing a mouthful of porridge. The sweet tooth of the family, he’d poured plenty of honey and blueberries into his bowl, enough to give Dareena a toothache just looking at it. “That’s enough time to send out invitations and get your dress made before you start to show.”
“We’ll need to have some updates done to the Keep if we are to host such a grand event here,” Drystan said. “Nobles will be coming from all across Terragaard and beyond. They will be expecting to use the guestrooms.”
“I can oversee that,” Dareena said cheerfully. “Yes, I know I should leave the heavy lifting to the servants,” she said before Drystan and Alistair could open their mouths, “but I can direct them, and work with the steward on ordering any new furniture or decorations. Seeing as how it is my wedding, and I am about to become queen of this castle, I think I should have a say in it.”
“Too right you are,” Alistair said with a smile. He leaned over and planted a kiss on Dareena’s cheek. “Drystan has enough to do as it is, and I will be too busy with the soldiers to pay attention to these details anyway.”
“True,” Drystan said. “Honestly, you are the best person for the job. Alistair would likely make terrible choices, and I just don’t have the patience.”
Dareena laughed. “Then I will spare the staff from dealing with both of you,” she said.
“Speaking of staff,” Drystan said, “how are you settling in with your ladies? I know you are not fond of Lyria, but what about the others?”
“I am getting used to their presence,” Dareena admitted. “And even Lyria is not as insufferable as I thought she would be. Soldian is quite likable, though a bit clumsy at times, and Rantissa is tolerable, though she has gone from being merely shy to breaking out into nervous giggling fits whenever I try to hold a conversation with her.” Dareena let out a frustrated sigh. “It has only been a few days, though. I need to give them a chance.”
“The main thing is to keep them busy,” Drystan advised. “They are solely there to serve you, so I imagine standing around and doing nothing is only going to make things awkward.”
“Now that I’m in charge of the wedding preparations, there will be plenty for them to do.” She could just imagine how the three of them would protest, but it would be good for them to get their hands dirty.
Alistair chuckled, noting the grin on Dareena’s face. “If you’re going to plan the wedding, you should do the coronation as well.”
“That will be just as interesting as coming up with the wedding vows,” Dareena mused. “Who will be conducting the services for these events? Should we have Lord Renflaw do it, since there is no oracle?”
“That is an idea,” Drystan mused, “though I am hoping we can find a new oracle. I plan to visit the dragon god when Alistair comes back, and I can consult him on how to proceed with these ceremonies, as well as how to find the new oracle, if there is one.”
“Can I come along?” Dareena asked eagerly. “I would so like to visit the dragon god.” Indeed, it seemed a shame that as the chosen vessel to continue his line, she did not have a way to speak to him directly.
Drystan and Alistair exchanged a glance. “I think it would be better not to,” Alistair said. “The pilgrimage requires a long climb and day-long fasting, both of which could be harmful for the babe.” He glanced meaningfully at her stomach.
Dareena scowled. “I am strong enough for a climb, and from all accounts, dragon fetuses are not so easily harmed.”
“We can’t risk it,” Drystan said firmly. “It would be all too easy for our enemies to ambush us. You must stay within the Keep until you’ve given birth.”
Dareena’s shoulders slumped as she looked down at her belly. She truly was happy that she was bearing a dragon son, but her pregnancy was beginning to feel more like a curse than a blessing.
“I’m sorry, darling,” Drystan said, softening his tone. He pulled Dareena into his lap and cradled her against his chest. “I wish it didn’t have to be this way. But you know what’s at stake.”
Dareena nodded, cuddling against him. She reached for Alistair’s hand and twined her fingers with his. “I do know,” she said softly, listening to Drystan’s heartbeat thudding beneath her ear. She was aware that she was being unreasonable, but she couldn’t help it. The midwife had warned her there would be mood swings during the pregnancy…maybe that was why she was having a hard time. Tackling the wedding preparations was just what she needed, she decided. Wrapping herself up in a new project would keep her from going stir-crazy.
After they finished breakfast, Drystan left for one of his dreary meetings, and Alistair took flight, heading for Glastar. Dareena called in her ladies, and while they helped her dress for the day, she told them about her plans.
“My lady,” Rantissa said as she brushed and plaited Dareena’s long, black hair, “I understand your attention to detail, but is it really necessary for you to personally oversee the preparations? Surely you can just give the steward instructions.”
“You should really be resting,” Soldian added.
Dareena glanced at Lyria, who merely stared out the window. “What say you, Lyria?” she asked. “Do you not have an opinion?”
Lyria stared at her for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she shrugged. “It is a foolish idea, but if you want to get your hands dirty, I don’t see how that’s any of my business.”
Dareena snorted. “That might be the nicest thing you’ve said to me since you’ve arrived.”
Finished dressing, the four of them walked over to the steward’s office. “I don’t see why you tolerate her insolence,” Soldian murmured, taking Dareena’s arm so she could speak quietly without being overheard. “My mother would have had me whipped if I’d dared speak to her so rudely. And you are the Dragon’s Gift!” She sounded scandalized.
Dareena shrugged. “She already knows that she is being sent away soon enough,” she answered in a low voice. “Her barbs do not bother me overmuch anyway.” They only reminded her of just how far Lyria had fallen. If she were any other woman, Dareena might have pitied her. As it was, it only took a reminder of their role reversals to let those glares and pithy comments slide right off her back.