Align Ourselves Page 9

  "Yeah, well, that's just an old tradition. I'm not really one to follow all the rules," he said, smiling.

  "Yeah, I can tell," she said.

  "Is that so," he asked, raising an eyebrow.

  She nodded, looking straight ahead.

  "So have you changed your mind," he asked.

  "What? No, of course not. What makes you say that?"

  "Nothing really, just curious."

  They stood in silence for a few minutes. For some reason, it didn't feel like it did before. Aria was pretty sure that it was because she was hiding something. She hoped that he couldn't tell.

  "Why did you want us to come here," she asked.

  "What?"

  "Why did you convince the Terra to send us here? Why did you want us to come here, to your kingdom?"

  "Well, I'd heard the stories—people from below the ground. But honestly, it was mostly because I was curious. It's not every day that people crawl out of the ground beneath your feet," he said, leaning against the railing, his arms crossed over his chest.

  "So...curiosity?"

  "Pretty much."

  It didn't seem like a good enough reason, but she chose not to say that.

  "You must have been pretty disappointed," she said, thinking back to how awful they had looked when they had first arrived.

  "I was," he said. "At first."

  "And now?" She peeked up at him. He was already looking at her.

  "Now I'm slightly less disappointed," he said, fighting a smile.

  "You're a jackass," she said, but she was fighting a smile too.

  "And you? Were you disappointed?"

  "Not at all. In fact, it's the exact opposite of what I was expecting. Which is a good thing. Really good," she said blushing.

  "I'm glad you feel that way."

  She didn't know what to say to that.

  "Is something wrong," he asked.

  "No-no," she said quickly. Too quickly. She didn't want to seem guilty, but based on the way he was looking at her..."I mean, I'm just nervous about the wedding."

  "Why," he asked, presumably buying it. And it wasn't a total lie. She was nervous.

  "I guess it's because I don't really know what to expect," she said.

  "It's nothing to worry yourself over," he said. "Just a ceremony."

  Right. Just a ceremony. And our whole lives.

  He must've been thinking the same thing.

  "If it's the marriage you're worried about...I won't...I mean, I hope you know that I'd never force you to do anything you don't want to do. You can continue living like this as you have been. I'm not going to expect you to be at my side all the time or something. Yeah, you'll be married to me, but your life will still be your own. You know that, right," he asked.

  He seemed a little nervous; she'd never seen him nervous before. It was humbling.

  "I know," she said, smiling at him. "But thank you for saying that."

  He nodded.

  "Well, I've got a few things to take care of, so...I'll leave you to it."

  He walked past her, and she watched him go. Yeah, this was an arranged marriage, but she could have done a lot worse.

  Chapter 13

  The next night, Aria's nerves were at an all-time high. Even though Lex had reassured her that she wouldn't have to do anything she didn't want to, the idea of marrying him made her so anxious she'd barely slept the night before.

  Tomorrow, she’d get married. Tomorrow, she’d be the queen.

  They were having a party that night. Everyone was chatting excitedly about the wedding, even her friends. Tables were set up in the open meadow just past the garden. There was quite a crowd.

  She and Mara made their way to one of the tables. Peter and Brent were playing some sort of drinking game.

  "Aria," Peter yelled, "Want a drink? It's been forever!"

  Aria and Mara shared a cup. It burned her throat and lit her stomach on fire. Most of their friends were already pretty drunk.

  After a while, Aria began to feel a little buzzed and a lot more relaxed than she had been since coming here. She contemplated asking Brent to save her a cup for the morning. But she figured she should probably be sober for her own wedding.

  They sat around, under the night sky. Everything just felt so right to Aria at that moment. This is what their lives should be like. They should be getting drunk together, having fun. Not worrying about dying or being killed, like they had been the past few months.

  People got up to dance, and Aria was surprised when she saw Grace and Lex at the group's center. And even though they looked different from one another in some ways, Aria could see how they were the same. The spark in their eyes, the grace with which they moved, the sharp angles of their jaws, the way they both commanded attention without having to ask for it.

  Aria watched them from afar. They were so different from the people they usually were. Tonight they were carefree, happy even. Like two young adults and not two people who led a kingdom.

  Grace looked up and found Aria staring, so she quickly looked away and started a conversation with Mara. A few seconds later, she felt someone sit down next to her. She turned to see Lex. Grace right behind him.

  "Wanna dance," Grace asked, looking at Mara.

  Mara looked a little surprised, but she readily agreed.

  "So, having fun," Lex asked, a sloppy smile on his face.

  Aria looked at him. His cheeks were flushed. His eyes were glassy and a little hooded. He was drunk. He was really drunk.

  "Are you drunk," she asked, fighting a smile.

  "Perhaps a little," he said, smiling.

  "Well, you should drink more often. You're not nearly as scary," Aria said, teasing him.

  "You think I'm scary," he asked, getting more serious.

  "Sometimes. But you are the king, after all. Isn’t that what kings are supposed to be like? Don't you want people to be afraid of you?"

  "People, yes. But not you," he said, looking at her in a way that sent a shiver down her spine.

  "Oh," she said. It was the only thing she could think of.

  Just then, Ben sauntered over. He was pretty drunk, too, if his stumbling was anything to go by. Aria felt uneasy. She wasn't sure what he might let slip.

  "Aria! Dance with me," he said, putting his arm out.

  To her surprise, Lex didn't say anything. He just looked at her.

  "Um, maybe later. I don't really feel like dancing right now," she said.

  "Oh, come on! Just one dance," he said. You're not married just yet."

  That made her angry. Ben had basically made it seem like she wasn't allowed to or something.

  "If I wanted to dance, Ben, I'd be dancing. But I'm not, and I don't want to. So I suggest you find someone else to annoy," she said.

  He looked a little hurt. And part of her felt terrible. But she wasn't going to be talked to in that manner; she wasn't going to be put down.

  "I really fucking hate that guy," Lex slurred once Ben had left. "Seriously...I can almost, almost deal with all of you. Except for him."

  "And why's that?"

  "He's a prick."

  Aria laughed. It wasn't a perfect explanation, but it summed it up.

  "I'd appreciate it if you didn't dance with him later," he said.

  "Excuse me," Aria said, a little offended.

  "Relax, Aria. I only said I'd appreciate it if you didn't. Not that you couldn't. As I've said, you are free to do as you please. That was just a personal request," he said, smirking at her.

  "That's funny, coming from you," she said before she could stop herself.

  "What's that supposed to mean," he asked.

  He was drunk. She was a little tipsy. She hoped that maybe he wouldn't remember this in the morning, and if he did, she hoped he'd decide it was because of the alcohol.

  "You're telling me that you'd appreciate it if I didn't dance with him...and yet you're the one sleeping with other women?"

  He looked taken aback. "Who told you tha
t," he asked.

  A part of her had hoped that he'd deny it.

  "People talk. I hear things," she said.

  "It's not true. Or, well. I mean, I have slept with other women. But not since you agreed to marry me. But would you really care if I did," he asked, sounding almost hopeful like he wanted her to care.

  "Well, I guess I didn't think you'd care -or mind- if I danced with other people."

  "And what makes you say that? I think I've done a pretty good job of letting you know that I would mind."

  "And I haven't?"

  "Not exactly. No."

  "Hey, Aria! Want to dance," Martinez asked from across the table. Aria shook her head no, but she was silently grateful for the fact that he'd interrupted their conversation.

  "Wow, you certainly are popular. Does everyone want to dance with you," Lex asked, a smile on his face.

  She laughed. "Guess so. Why? Are you jealous," she asked.

  "Yeah," he said, getting up to leave, "I am, actually."

  He was jealous.

  Aria didn't really know what was going on. She never expected to like him so much. And she never expected that he would come to care for her.

  Eventually, she got up and danced with her friends. She drank some more, hoping that it'd help her fall asleep at the end of the night.

  When it was time to go inside, she was stumbling a little. So was Mara.

  Grace and Lex walked with them. They were both very, very drunk, but they weren't stumbling.

  They kept poking and shoving at one another, picking fights. Teasing one another.

  Aria and Mara enjoyed the show. And then all three girls ganged up on Lex. They teased him, poked and pinched him.

  Mara went inside their room as soon as they'd reached it. Grace went right past it, heading to her own room. Aria lingered by the door; Lex leaned against the wall next to her.

  "So...the next time I see you, we'll be getting married," he said.

  Her heart rate sped up as she nodded.

  "Calm down; I can't handle all your excitement," he said, rolling his eyes.

  A smile played at Aria's lips. "Sorry."

  "It's okay. I know it's not ideal, not what you pictured for yourself, but who knows? Maybe I'll surprise you."

  "Well, you kind of already have, so..."

  He smiled at her. "See you tomorrow night. Wear something pretty," he said, standing up straight.

  "Goodnight, Lex," she said, and suddenly she had the urge to give him a kiss on the cheek. So she did, leaning forward slightly to plant her lips softly on his skin. It seemed as though he stopped breathing at that moment. She half-hoped that he wouldn't remember it in the morning.

  "Goodnight, Aria," he said, smiling at her one last time before walking away.

  Chapter 14

  Aria woke to someone lightly, shaking her shoulder.

  "I'm sorry, my lady, but I'm afraid you have to get up now," an older woman said.

  Aria looked around the room. She was the only person still in bed. The rest of the girls must have woken up earlier.

  Aria glanced at the window and noticed that the sun was well into the sky. She'd slept late. Really late. Probably because of the alcohol. But luckily, she wasn't hungover.

  She got out of bed and followed the older woman through the palace. They went into a room Aria was unfamiliar with.

  There were a few other girls in there, she recognized them, but they were all Lex's people. A girl who looked a little older than Aria came forward.

  "My lady, we've brought some food for you. Why don't you eat before we set your bath up," she said.

  Aria just nodded, and the girl led her to a table that had food on it.

  She picked at a few things, but she felt too nervous to eat. When her bath was ready, she got in, and they let her soak for a while.

  She was handed a cloth and a flowery smelling bar of soap. While she washed her body, another girl washed her hair.

  One woman gave Aria a small blade, and she shaved for the first time in a long time. Although she knew it was because they were preparing for her wedding, it made her happy.

  They rinsed her and dried her hair. They gave her a robe to wrap herself in. While her hair dried, they cut her nails.

  Afterward, they left her alone for a while. She was pretty sure that they wanted her to stay in the room, so she did. She tried to eat again.

  The women came back and started on her hair. It was left down, but they braided the sides and brought them together to make one braid at the back. A few strands fell down her face, and she left them there, trying not to tuck them behind her ear. The hairstyle was pretty. Elegant.

  To her surprise, one girl applied a little makeup to her face, just on her eyelids and lips.

  Before she knew it, the sun had begun to set. She wished that she really had asked Brent to save her a drink. At least then she wouldn't be so nervous. She felt like she would vomit at any moment.

  One of the ladies came forward with some fabric in her hands. She handed it to Aria. Aria looked at it, and for a second, she was mortified.

  The item the woman had handed her could only be described as lingerie.

  "Wha-what is this," Aria asked.

  "It's what you'll be wearing under the dress, my lady," she answered. A few of the younger girls snickered.

  She put it on, but she couldn't look in the mirror. She couldn't even look down at her body.

  When they brought the dress in, Aria gaped at it.

  She didn't know a lot about weddings, but she was pretty sure wedding dresses weren't supposed to be black.

  But she remembered how Lex's king ensemble had been all black too, so maybe that was their thing here?

  Two of the women helped Aria put the dress on. It was surprisingly lightweight. The straps were thick on her shoulders; what kind of material they had used to make it, she didn't know. The bodice of the dress was tight, but it flared out at the waist. Her back was bare.

  Aria finally turned to look at herself. The girl...the woman she saw looking back looked like a queen.

  The makeup they'd put on her eyes was black. It made her brown eyes much brighter. Her hairstyle left her face exposed. She looked down and saw that the dress fit her body better than anything else she'd ever worn. Her curves had returned, filling the dress out. The dress had a plunging neckline, exposing just the tops of her breasts.

  She knew she'd been staring at herself for too long. But she couldn't help it. She looked like a leader.

  She turned to face the women in the room. They were all staring at her, every single one of them. Their expressions ranged from awe to admiration to possibly even jealousy. After a few minutes, Aria started to feel a little uncomfortable.

  "Are we finished," she asked.

  "Oh," one of the ladies said like Aria had broken some trance they were all in. "Yes, my lady. I believe we are ready."

  One of the younger girls left. The others made no move to go, so Aria stayed put.

  Eventually, the girl came back. "It's time," she said.

  Aria willed her legs to move, but suddenly they felt like they'd turned to lead.

  "My lady," the girl repeated, "it's time."

  Aria took a deep breath and followed the women out of the room. When they reached the doors to the throne room, they were closed. The ladies who'd come with her moved aside and placed Aria right in front of the two doors.

  Oh god, I'm going to throw up, she thought as one of the guards knocked on the door. She'd be entering alone. The doors opened. She stood in the doorway, taking in the scene before her.

  The guests were all standing on either side of a makeshift aisle. The room was now filled with many chairs and tables. Her path to the front was clear. Every single one of them turned to look at her.

  At the front of the room, a black-cloaked man stood on the head table's elevated portion. Lex stood to the man's left, one step lower.

  Aria moved because she knew she had to.

  Every s
ingle pair of eyes in the room followed her as she made her way to the front.

  When Aria got there, she took her place across from Lex. The room was so quiet she could hear her heart pounding in her ears.

  The man standing above them began talking, and for a few minutes, Aria couldn't really process what he was saying.

  She looked at Lex, who was looking right back at her. Lex, with his black attire and his black crown. His facial expression gave nothing away.

  "...Shall be one," the man said; Aria finally focused on his voice.

  Suddenly, every person in the room dropped to their knees, bowing before the two of them.

  "I shall bow before no one but my queen," Lex said. And to Aria's surprise, he got down on both knees. He looked at her expectantly, dropping his eyes to the ground, silently telling her to do the same.

  She did. Lex gave her a little nod, like, now you go.

  "I shall bow before no one but my king," she said, somehow knowing that's what she was supposed to say.

  "Join hands," the man above them said. Lex reached forward and grabbed both of Aria's hands.

  "Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, wilt thou love her, and honor her, keep her and guard her, in health and in sickness, as a husband should a wife, and forsaking all others on account of her, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?" the man asked, looking at Lex.

  "I shall," he said.

  "And wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, wilt thou love him, and honor him, keep him and guard him, in health and in sickness, as a wife should a husband, and forsaking all others on account of him, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?" he asked, now looking at Aria.

  "I shall," she said, and she thanked whatever god or gods there were that her voice came out strong and steady—the complete opposite of how she felt.

  Lex leaned forward, so Aria did the same. At first, she thought that he would kiss her, but instead, he placed his forehead on hers.

  "I now pronounce you husband and wife," the man said. He walked down the few steps until he was standing right in front of them. "And I pronounce you, Aria Diaz Mills, Queen of Pembera,'' he said, placing what must've been a crown on top of Aria's head. "Long may she reign,'' the man said.