"To all gathered," the priest intoned. "I present to you Their Majesties King Garion and Queen Ce'Nedra."
Applause rippled through the audience. Ce'Nedra smiled at the crowd, at their friends and family. She looked at Garion blushed. Garion sighed and waited for the applause to die down. Ce'Nedra slipped her arm inside Garion's and they walked through the hall to the temple doors. From the third row, Adara smiled at Garion and winked. He returned a confused look to her.
A wall of cheers struck them when they exited the temple. The people of Riva had waited centuries for this day, and had earned the celebration with pain and blood. The King and his new Queen climbed into their carriage and waved on the ride to the castle.
"Shall we give them a kiss?" Ce'Nedra whispered.
"We don't need to carry it that far," Garion said.
"Carry what?"
"Nothing. I hate those things."
"Kisses?" Ce'Nedra asked.
"Ceremonies."
"Oh," Ce'Nedra said. "Think of it this way, that was the only wedding ceremony you'll ever have."
"I guess that's true."
"Besides," Ce'Nedra said. "You have something to look forward to." She ran her fingertips down Garion's thigh.
"What are you doing?"
"Having fun," she said.
"I'm not in the mood for games, Ce'Nedra."
She pulled her hand back. "You're going to pay for that later."
"Yeah, probably."
In the royal chambers, they removed their crowns and pulled off the heavier robes.
"I was starting to soak in that thing," Garion said.
"Well," Ce'Nedra said, "You won't wear it all night."
"I suppose that's true."
Ce'Nedra smiled at her husband. "Give me a kiss, Garion."
"Why?" He opened his surcoat to let his shirt dry.
"Consider it practice," she said.
"Practice for what?" Garion asked. "Oh, god, are we supposed to kiss in front of the guests?"
Ce'Nedra stared at him for a second. "They might expect a kiss at the end of the first dance."
"Oh. It'll be better if it's spontaneous."
She scowled at him then removed her train. "How is your dance practice with Adara?" She set her tiara in place.
"Okay, I guess," he said. He retied his surcoat. "I won't step on your feet, anyway."
"I'll thank her for that."
"Okay," he said. "Let's go."
"They won't be ready for us yet," Ce'Nedra said.
"Do I have time to put on a dry shirt?"
"Yes," Ce'Nedra said quickly. "Yes, you do." She sat and watched him.
Garion removed his surcoat and pulled off his shirt. He stretched some of the tension from his back and wiped away the sweat with a towel. Ce'Nedra watched every muscular motion with a gleam in her eyes.
"Why do you wear those?" she asked before he put on his shirt. She nodded at the leather bands on his wrists.
"Protection," he said.
"From the heat of the forge, right?" Ce'Nedra said. "As a blacksmith's apprentice. I was wondering why you still wore them."
"Protection," Garion said and pulled on his shirt.
"Sit down," she said after he pulled on his surcoat. "Let me fix your collar."
He sat down so she could reach his neck. She adjusted his collar, smoothed his surcoat and gave him a quick kiss.
"You're right," she said. "It is better spontaneous."
He gave her a look and sighed. She was about to kiss him again when someone knocked at the door. Garion rose and opened it.
"They're ready, Majesties," an attendant said.
Ce'Nedra gave Garion her arm, and they walked to the dining hall. Applause greeted them again and they took their seats. Toasts accompanied the meal. Ce'Nedra laughed and applauded. She nearly teared up when her father spoke as did many of the guests. Garion nodded politely and returned to his meal. Ce'Nedra scowled at him.
"Smile, Garion," she said.
"I just want to get through the night."
"Not with that attitude," she said. "Your friends are here. You might smile at them."
"What friends?" he said.
She nodded at Garion's companions from the journey.
He sighed. "The war is over, Ce'Nedra."
She gave him a sour look and said, "Don't be so sure about that."
As the meal continued, the disposition of the King became more evident. Toasts were shorter and farther between, but the guests still enjoyed them. The meal ended and people called for the first dance. Garion escorted Ce'Nedra to the dance floor and the musicians began. Garion did well for his few weeks of practice and did not step on Ce'Nedra's toes. She focused on appearing regal and beautiful and graceful. The song ended, and Ce'Nedra looked up at Garion, waiting for her kiss.
"I love you, Garion," she whispered.
"Ce'Nedra?" Garion said.
"Shut up, Garion." She kissed him deeply to the approval of the crowd.
"Are you all right, Ce'Nedra?" Garion asked.
"Of course," she said and laid her head against his chest. "This is the happiest day of my life."
"If you say so."
After the dance of the newlyweds, each danced with the honored guests. Ce'Nedra danced with the reigning kings and Garion with their queens. Then, Ce'Nedra danced with each of the companions in turn except Belgarath. Garion danced with their respective wives. Ce'Nedra was surprised to find Hettar the most graceful among them. Garion finished the dancing with Adara.
"You haven't danced with your Aunt Pol yet," Adara said.
"She's not my aunt," Garion replied.
"Did something happen?" Adara asked.
Garion stopped in the middle of the dance and scowled at Adara. "She is not my aunt."
Adara knew enough not push Garion when he was like that. She shrugged and pulled him back into the dance.
The music ended and Garion returned to his seat. He smiled and nodded and sipped his wine but did very little to hide his boredom. Between dances, Ce'Nedra raised her eyebrows at Silk, and he nodded.
Silk reached the King's table smoothly and leaned close to Garion. "You know," he said, "The war is over. It's okay to be happy."
"Is this some official thing?" Garion asked.
"Official?"
"Do the Accords require me to act a particular way?"
"No," Silk said. "But they don't say you can't be happy."
"Sorry," Garion said. "I haven't built up your tolerance to formalities yet."
"Can't wait for the party to end?" Silk said with a wink.
"No," Garion said. "I'm not fond of parties."
"I never knew that about you," Silk said and sipped his wine.
"Isn't that a surprise," Garion said in a deadpan voice.
Silk smiled. "I know more than you think."
"But less than you think," Garion said.
"We'll see," Silk said. "You could dance with some of the noblewomen. I know a few that might like it."
"You could dance with them."
Silk smiled. "I'm not the King."
Garion groaned.
"You'll get used to it," Silk said. "You could dance with your Aunt Pol."
"She is not my aunt."
Silk looked at Garion. "Since when?"
Garion narrowed his eyes and whispered, "My entire fucking life."
Silk paused, genuinely surprised. "I thought we had settled all of that."
"That's one of those things you don't know."
"Garion—"
"Go back to the party," Garion said. "You're not making things better."
Silk shrugged and returned to his table.
"Is the King well?" Mandorallen asked upon Silk's return.
"He said he doesn't like parties."
"He has an obligation," Polgara said.
Silk hesitated. "He doesn't like those either."
"He's the King," Durnik said. "Let him do what he wants."
"He's also a sixteen-year-old boy," Polgara said.
"Who fought a god," Durnik replied.
Polgara glared at him. "Fine. Let him ruin the diplomacy."
At last, Ce'Nedra returned to her seat and presided over the remaining festivities. More music and dancing followed.
"Smile," Ce'Nedra said to her husband.
"Stop sending Silk to do your dirty work."
She sighed at him. "We just want you to be happy. It's your wedding. It's okay to be happy."
"It's a formality," Garion said. "And I didn't choose a damned thing about it."
"Don't say that, Garion," Ce'Nedra said. "Don't ever say anything like that, please. Not ever."
His face softened. "I understand. I'm sorry."
"Thank you, Garion."
The party continued a bit longer, and Garion did his best to feign happiness. At length, the music was silenced, and Lord Brand stepped to the center of the hall. Ce'Nedra's stomach twisted sharply, and she squeezed Garion's hand.
"My lords and ladies," Brand began. "The wedding night is upon us."
The guests cheered.
"I beg the help of a few able-bodied men," Brand continued.
A group of Cherek men, led by Barak, approached the King and Queen. They smiled as they lifted Garion and Ce'Nedra by their chairs. A flurry of guests accompanied the newlyweds as they were carried to the royal chamber. Ce'Nedra was bright red by the time they arrived. The Cherek men lowered the chairs before the door. Ce'Nedra hugged Garion and buried her face in his chest. The guests laughed and whistled. They continued to cheer after Garion and Ce'Nedra entered the chambers and closed the door. Ce'Nedra clung to Garion and shook.
Garion sighed and said, "I hate parties."
"Don't ruin it," she said. "Please, don't ruin it."
"Sorry," he said.
"Give me a moment," Ce'Nedra said. "Let me take a bath. I want everything to be perfect."
"What?"
"Please, Garion."
He shrugged and nodded.
Her bath was ready, as she'd instructed, and she pulled off her clothes and lowered herself into the water. She washed quickly, perfumed herself and donned the garments she'd selected for that night. Garion was not in the bed chamber, and she frowned at that. She found him in the antechamber dressed in casual clothes.
"Garion, what are you doing?"
He listened at the door. "I think they're gone. Most of them anyway."
"Garion," Ce'Nedra said. She smoothed her see-through robe over her even more see-through nightgown.
He glanced back at her. "I think we're okay. Not much longer."
"Garion," Ce'Nedra said. "It's our wedding night."
"I know. I'm working on it."
"Not from over there."
"What?" he said.
"It's our wedding night."
"I know," he said. "I'm trying."
"Garion," Ce'Nedra said. "It's... our... wedding... night."
Garion groaned. "I'm not in the mood for your games, Ce'Nedra. It's late, and I'm tired."
"Then, come to bed." She waited. And waited.
He listened at the door.
"Garion!"
"Stop it, Ce'Nedra!"
She glared at him. "Garion, I'll be waiting for you in the bed chamber."
Nothing.
"Garion."
"I heard you, Ce'Nedra."
She stamped her foot and walked to the bed chamber. She stared at the door and waited. She checked herself in the mirror and waited. She stared at the door again and waited. She looked down at her clothes. They left nothing to the imagination in any way at all. She stamped her foot again and waited. Finally, she heard the outer door open and close. She ran to the antechamber, but Garion was gone.
Garion moved through the halls as best he could, trying to avoid any stray guests. He made his way to a lower floor and tried to remember where he might find sleeping quarters. He peered around a corner and a guard spotted him.
"You there! Oh, Majesty. If you need anything, call and we'll bring it."
"I need a bed," Garion said.
The guard smiled. "I believe there's a bed in the royal chambers."
Garion scowled. "I just need a bed."
"The Queen has a bed." The guard smiled again.
Garion took a breath and exhaled slowly. "I just—"
"Lord Brand!" the guard said.
"Yes? Majesty! If you need anything—"
"A bed," Garion said.
"It's all right," Brand said to the guard. "I'll escort His Majesty back to the royal chambers."
"No," Garion said while the guard sped away. "I need an empty bed."
"Has something happened with the Queen?" Brand asked.
"Lord Brand, I want an empty bed."
"Majesty," Brand said. "If you follow me, I'm sure—"
"If I hear 'royal chambers' one more time, I'll knock you on your ass."
Brand nodded slowly. "How may I help, Majesty?"
"I need an empty bed."
"The castle is at full capacity, Majesty," Brand said. "The only empty beds would be in the stables."
"Perfect! I've slept in stables before. Lead on."
Lord Brand nodded politely and led Garion through back corridors to the stables. Brand directed Garion to a stable hand's cot.
"Thank you," Garion said, brushing straw from the cot. "Don't tell anyone I'm here."
"Of course, Majesty. If anyone asks, tell them you're here to watch one of the mares. She's about to foal." Brand departed with a bow.
Garion pulled off his boots, slipped under the covers, and, finally, relaxed.