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SONIC CHAOS 3: UNDERGROUND ARC - ALEENA
A Queen's Wedding
"I thought you were gone," Aleena whispered to her love beneath the moonlight, held tightly in his arms. Their foreheads rested against one another, and they embraced like nothing would ever tear them apart again. "How did you survive?"
"A miracle," he flatly replied. He offered little more detail than that though. She didn't want to ask. She didn't care. Whether he had deserted or fought or bargained his way out, she couldn't bring herself to care. The deserted part was subject to change, but not the rest of it.
"Sleet," she whispered.
"Shh. Don't talk. Just let me hold you a little while longer," he said. In truth he would just as soon never look back on the horrors he had experience on that battlefield. He counted himself lucky he had never been prone to forming close attachments with anyone. It certainly made things far easier. She nodded and leaned against him. "Where is Dingo?" he murmured after a time.
"For a while Argus cared for him, until war was on the doorstep. Then he brought him to Countess Katrina so that she could take on his care. He didn't want to leave the pup at the orphanage. Argus didn't have good experiences in that place and so would not subject Dingo to it. Lady Windermere was too busy to take him on. Countess Katrina was the next best option. Titus wouldn't have been bothered." Sleet was quiet. "You should go to him," the princess gently said.
"I'm far from the best option for that pup," Sleet replied.
"But you are the one he wants," she answered.
Sleet was quiet, considering her words. "Fine. If he insists on being saddled with me, his mistake," Sleet bitterly said. Aleena smirked knowingly and made no comment.
SU
"Sleet!" Dingo exclaimed in glee, practically throwing himself across the room to tackle his guardian. Sleet's eyes hardly had time to widen before he was glomped and knocked to the ground.
"Get off me, muffin brain!" Sleet furiously said, struggling to get free with a scowl. Dingo, of course, did no such thing.
"I thought you was a gonna mate! You was gone so long!" Dingo said, sniffling. Sleet shuddered a bit. Dingo looked curiously at him. "Sleet? What's wrong?" he asked in a watery voice. Aleena's smile quickly fell to a look of concern when she heard the question.
"Nothing, Dingbat. Now get off," Sleet ordered again. Dingo reluctantly released him. "Has the Countess been taking good care of you?"
"Yes," Dingo replied, wiping his eyes. "I like her. Not Titus though. He keeps lookin' at me like he wants ta study me or somethin'."
Sleet raised an eyebrow and gave Aleena a suspicious look. "Titus is a brilliant man with an extensive knowledge of the holistic. I'm not at all surprised Dingo's mutations interested him. The possibility of reversing them would have too. Not out of any form of sympathy, but more for the challenge," Aleena explained.
"Keep him away from my partner," Sleet said, frowning.
"Why would I need to? Dingo will go home with you now, will he not?" Aleena replied.
Sleet smirked a little, but it soon fell. "He will. What about you?" he asked.
She was quiet, head bowed, then looked up at him. "For a little while," she answered.
"How about forever?" he dryly said.
She smiled sadly. "You know I can't," she replied. She took his hands in hers. "One day, my love, we will be together. Can you settle for being apart just a while more?"
"Reluctantly," he answered.
"Whadaya mean togethah?" Dingo asked.
"Why, I'm going to marry her, Dingo," Sleet replied.
"Really? Oh boy! I'm gonna see a weddin'!" Dingo said. Sleet and Aleena grinned at one another, hands interlocked, and kissed.
The Next Night
Aleena made her way through empty streets, heading for an abandoned building in the heart of Mobotropolis. She looked carefully around to make sure she wasn't being followed, then slipped inside. She went down the stairs and picked her way through the darkness until she entered a room and stopped. Before her was a mirror. Looking furtively around, she approached it and took a medallion from around her neck. Her mother's. Sleet had given it to her the night he had returned and swept her away from the palace… That night, after he put Dingo to bed, he came down to her and told her everything the late Queen had said to him before she died, and handed her the medallion. He gave her the two rings the Queen had left for Bernadette as well. Aleena had sent them by post. She had intended to send a letter too, to tell her cousin the good news, but Sleet had warned against it. He had reminded her they weren't out of the clear yet, and she had hated how true those words were. It wouldn't be wise, right now, for her to leave Mobotropolis or send letters about things that were yet to be guaranteed. She looked to the mirror and approached it. She held the medallion out and slowly the mirror began to shimmer and swirl. She did one more precautionary check around her surroundings, then entered it.
SU
In a beautiful house situated in the center of an even more beautiful town, an overweight horse woman sat by a fire sipping tea and humming. There was a gentle knock on her door. "Who is it?" she called out with a smile. She wasn't expecting visitors, but they were always nice to have. She heard the door being pushed open, but didn't bother to look towards it. In the town of Mobodoon, there was little to fear. "Mayor Winniham?" a familiar voice asked.
Winniham gasped, looking quickly in its direction. On seeing who it was, she grinned and rose. "Aleena! How wonderful to see you again dear," she said, approaching the younger woman with arms open wide. The two embraced one another then withdrew, though they remained holding hands. "But what brings you here I wonder? Mobodoon's gateway isn't open yet, which means you must have used the mirror trick your mother taught you. You never use that trick though. Not unless it's for an emergency."
"There is no emergency, dear Winniham, but it is important, nonetheless. I have no time to go into great detail, but listen to me Winny. Soon a stranger will arrive. A mysterious young man," Aleena said.
"A stranger? Ooh, how exciting. What will he look like?" Winniham asked.
"He will be a gray wolf with blue hair and yellow eyes," she answered. "Not just any wolf though. A primal one."
"A primal?!" Winniham exclaimed in shock.
Aleena nodded with a smile, eyes dancing. "He shall be wearing armor of a red and yellow color scheme. He will have a dark purple and blue cape. On the breast plate you will see a strange emblem. He will look around and inquire about wedding arrangements," Aleena said.
"Wedding arrangements? My word. Why on earth will he be asking about wedding arrangements?" the mayor asked. Aleena blushed. Winniham's eyes widened. "Aleena?" she asked in disbelief. Aleena shifted then stretched out her hand, revealing the ring her betrothed had brought back for her. The horse gasped. "Aleena, you're getting married?! Oh how wonderful! I never thought we'd see the day. Why will he be arranging things here, though? Won't your mother and father…?"
Aleena winced and bowed her head low. "Mother is dead, Winniham… She died during an attack on Mobotropolis some time ago, and father… The man I called my father died with her… All he left behind was a soulless husk, and that husk hated with every fiber of his being the young man to whom I pledged my heart."
"Aleena…" Winniham said, stunned.
Aleena looked up at her. "The King sent him off to die, but he came back, Winny. He came back, and with him brought a ring. He pledged himself to me and took me from the palace, far from my father's wrath, and so I expect no help from the King in this matter, nor any blessing. That is why my love will come here to make the arrangements."
"Is he a wealthy man or a poor one?" Winniham asked.
"I don't know," Aleena answered, shaking her head. "The day he returned, he revealed his origins to us. He was the son of the Chief of the missing Wolf Nation. A King in his own right. He claimed he had enough personal wealth stashed away to raise eyebrows. Before that moment I assumed he had little. Whether he spoke the truth or not, I do not know. What does his wealth matter anyway, Winny? I love him either way."
"Fair enough, but I'll be sure to test just how much wealth he may have stashed away nonetheless," Winniham said, smirking mischievously.
Aleena smirked a little. "You only want to scare him. That or test him to see how determined he is to marry me," she said.
"Is anything wrong with that?" Winny asked.
Aleena's smile became rueful. "His methods of making money are unscrupulous, to say the least. If he gets it into his head he must double those methods to pay off a wedding, then yes. There is."
"Is he a violent man?" Winniham asked in concern, smile falling.
"He is a bounty hunter," Aleena solemnly confirmed.
"Oh Aleena…" Winniham gravely said, shaking her head.
"Please Winny, don't give me that look," Aleena pled.
"Do you really think he'll change his ways for you?" she asked.
"I do not ask him to change his ways," she answered.
"Only his career," Winniham said.
"Only his methods," Aleena replied.
"But the two things run hand-in-hand," Winny said. Aleena looked momentarily uncertain, and Winny winced and put on a smile. "Of course, unless his life revolves around his career, giving up such a dangerous occupation is hardly unreasonable. If he's determined to marry you, then I certainly hope his life will be centered more around you than his job. I do suggest, though, that you inform him in no uncertain terms that you will accept nothing from him paid for in blood. Just in case. Not now, not ever."
"Then I shall," Aleena replied, nodding.
"Very well. Oh congratulations my dear," Winny said, squeezing her friend's hands.
"Thank you Winny," Aleena said, smiling at the woman. "Now I must go."
"Back home?" the Mayor asked.
"No. Back to Sleet," Aleena answered. "For now at least, until my father's rage has had time to quell."
"Oh dear… I hope he comes to his senses swiftly then. For your sake," Winniham said. "You know, if you need to hide from your father you can have your wedding here! Take these." She fished around in her pockets and pulled out a handful of shards that looked as if they had come from the Power Stone. "Give one to each guest outside Mobodoon that you will invite, and tell them that the day of the wedding, they must use the shards to enter Mobodoon through any reflective surface they might have access to. The shards will afford them one visit and one alone. I can open the portal to send them back using the Power Stone itself, so no worries about a return trip."
"Thank you Winny," Aleena said, smiling gratefully and taking the shards from her old friend, tucking them away.
"Farewell, Princess Aleena," Winniham said with a smile.
"Farewell," Aleena replied, leaving with a wave. Winniham waved after her.
SU
Aleena slipped quietly into the hideout. Sleet was sleeping on the couch, having given up his bed to her. She had tried to insist otherwise, but he would hear none of it. She suspected, though, that it was not solely courtesy that had driven him to do such. On the couch he faced the door so that if any threat entered this place, he would be the first one they faced. She suspected that instinct, to always watch the doors, had only gotten worse in the wake of the great battle he had barely returned alive from.
He was tossing and turning she saw, clearly uncomfortable and clearly troubled. Whimpers escaped his lips every so often, and her heart sank. She didn't believe she wanted to know the things he dreamt. She wished, though, that she could take them all away… She crossed over to him and perched on the coffee table in front of the couch.
"Sleet," she whispered, reaching out and gently touching him.
He caught his breath, jerking awake and reflexively seizing her wrist before she could even think to move. She bit back a cry of pain. His grip was almost bone-crushing, and the spike of pain running up her arm couldn't be denied. He stared at her with eyes flashing brilliantly, and his every muscle was poised to strike. She didn't struggle against him or cry out. She waited for him to come to his senses and realize she was not something he needed to fear.
When he recognized who she was, he started and released her immediately. She lowered her wrist slowly and resisted the urge to massage it. It would just make him feel worse. "It's not wise to wake someone in the middle of a nightmare you know," he said to her after a moment, turning his back on her and wrapping his arms around himself.
"I know," she answered, taking the opportunity to massage her wrist a little bit. She reached gently out once more, laying a hand softly on his arm. He shuddered ever so slightly. "What did you dream?" she gently asked. He was silent. A frustrated expression crossed her face, but she wouldn't push him. Not yet, at least. Instead, she crawled onto the couch next to him, wrapping her arms around his body and hugging him tightly. "You're alright. You're safe here. Nothing will hurt you. Not now, not ever," she promised.
"Be careful with promises you can't keep," he said.
"This one I will keep," she answered. He was silent, and she knew he wasn't convinced, but it was all that she could offer him.
"Will you now? What if these nightmares get worse? What if my reactions become more violent? What then, Aleena? Everyone has a limit to their patience," he said. "Will you leave?"
"I promised you forever," she whispered against his back.
"When?" he asked bitterly.
"The moment I accepted your ring. Again just now. I'm not going anywhere, Sleet. Come what may, we will weather it together as husband and wife." He was silent. "Tomorrow I go to secure our Master of Ceremonies," she murmured gently, trying to take his mind off dark thoughts and turn them to light.
"Where will you go?" he questioned.
"Lady Windermere had a sister who died tragically at a young age. Before she passed, however, she gave birth to a son who she named Albert. The boy inherited his mother's estate, Worst Castle. A sort of joke name more than anything. She had a morbid sense of humor. Albert has a servant named Bellok. Bellok is a vampire bat. He has been a dear, dear, friend to me over the years. He was close to my father and mother too. He is qualified to give the ceremony, but he won't come easily. He is very uptight and suspicious."
"I can convince him," Sleet said with a dark smirk, sitting up and getting to his feet.
"I'm sure you can," Aleena dryly said, frowning at him. "Hence the reason I will be the one going."
"Aleena, ye of so little faith," Sleet replied. "It isn't as if I'll get much sleep for the rest of the night anyway."
She frowned warily at him. "Are you sure?" she asked.
"Of course," he replied.
"Perhaps I should come with you," she warily said, standing as well.
"My dear, everything will be just fine," Sleet said with a smirk she didn't trust. She frowned sternly at him. "What?" he asked. She continued to glare. He frowned in turn. "It isn't as if I'm going to hurt him," he defended, shrugging his shoulders and shaking his head.
"Somehow I doubt that a great deal, Sleet," she dryly replied. "But I suppose it couldn't hurt to send you in my place. I've already sent a letter to Albert requesting Bellok's services. Albert need not know what they are. He would start talking and spreading gossip."
"Will this Bellok respond to your request?" Sleet asked.
"He will," Aleena confirmed, nodding. "When you see him, tell him the truth. Keep it secret from Albert."
"Understood," Sleet said, nodding.
"Good. Once you have Bellok, bring him back here. Safe," she said. Sleet bowed to her and left, cape billowing out behind him. Aleena frowned in concern and shifted. She hoped she didn't regret this.
SU
It wasn't long before Sleet found himself outside of a creepy, old, dilapidated castle that screamed at him to unleash all his primitive instincts just for the heck of it. In fact, he was finding it hard to control the call of the wild, so to speak. He waited at the door for Bellok to answer. Soon enough it creaked open, kicking his instincts into overdrive and making him jump.
"Velcome," the strange old vampire bat said creepily. "I am Bellok, the castle caretaker." Sleet stared at him in shock. He gasped, suddenly, as an owl-like bird hooted from behind and dove at them both. Sleet ducked just in time, and it landed on the man's shoulder.
"Uh, yes, I've come to see Albert," Sleet said.
"Albert is sick, but he told me about the message from the princess. Come in, come in," the old man said, beckoning. Sleet followed.
"Interesting décor. Early Dracula?" the wolf wryly asked.
"Never mind that. Now, vhy should I believe your reason for coming here?" Bellok asked suspiciously.
"Because, the crown princess wrote you to," Sleet replied coldly.
"I don't trust you. How do I know you're not here to steal Albert's vill, vitch he hides in a knothole by his bed?" Bellok questioned, apparently forgetting he'd just told Sleet exactly where to find this Albert's will. "In fact, the princess was kidnapped some time back. How do I know you are not the one who took her in the first place?"
"Don't ask questions you old fool! You will come with me now," Sleet snapped, his patience getting short. This castle was bringing out his more savage side. The side that screamed to him to howl at the moon, stalk through the palace grounds and halls, and kill and eat whatever he could catch.
"Never! Vhere is the princess? She vas the one that vas supposed to come. Vhat have you done with her?!" Bellok shot.
Darkly Sleet smirked. "Would you like to see in person?" he asked. Bellok gasped in fear. "Come quietly please. I need a master of ceremonies you see. To conduct my wedding to her."
"Monster!" Bellok snapped.
"Either we do this the easy way, or you force me to use more… extreme methods, we'll say," Sleet menacingly said.
"Kidnapper! You should be hung for vhat you've done. Vat did you do to her to force her into this marriage?" Bellok demanded, now visibly terrified of the man slowly advancing on him.
"Come now or I swear to Gaia I'll eat that filthy pet of yours!" Sleet barked.
"No! You vouldn't! Not my little Hooter, please!" Bellok begged, falling to his knees.
"Then come here!" Sleet barked, roughly dragging the man up. His violent side was all too apparent now. He had to get out of here before he did something he'd regret. He dragged Bellok behind him, making his way back out of the castle rapidly.
He reached the main door, yanked it open, and gasped when he saw Aleena standing there, hand raised as if to knock. She blinked up at him in surprise. He looked like he'd been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Aleena glanced passed him at Bellok, who looked both stunned and mortified at the same time. "Aleena!" the old bat at last managed to exclaim. He jerked free of Sleet, who clearly wasn't holding him quite as tightly now, and hurried to her.
Aleena grinned, reassuringly taking his arms. "Bellok, my old friend! How are you? How is Albert?" she asked.
"I am fine, my dear. Albert is sick but recovering. That isn't important right now though. Princess, vhat has this man done to you to force you into marriage?" Bellok demanded, shooting a dirty look Sleet's way. Hooter hooted in agreement. Sleet sneered at them. Bellok looked back at his pet. "My poor Hooter. Did he scare you?" he asked. He looked to Aleena. "He threatened to eat him you see!"
"Listen here, you oafish old bat…!" Sleet furiously began.
"Sleet," Aleena sharply ordered, giving him a look. Sleet grimaced and backed reluctantly off, glaring sulkily at them.
Aleena turned back to Bellok with a kind smile. "Dear Bellok, he has done nothing to me. I promise you, this is of my own free will."
"Vat?" the old man exclaimed.
"Bellok, I know this is hard to understand, especially since it seems that Worst Castle is bringing out his more vindictive side, but you must believe me my friend. Please. I love him, and I intend to marry him," Aleena said.
Bellok's eyes softened a bit and he sighed. "All right. If you are certain of this, my dear, so be it. I might not like him, he threatened Hooter you know, but for you I vill try and accept it."
"Thank you, Bellok. I wouldn't want anyone else to conduct the ceremony," Aleena said, pleased.
"Who vill valk you down the aisle?" Bellok questioned.
Aleena smiled. "My elder brother Charles. I know he will be more accepting than father is. He's always been like that," she said.
"Do we have to get him too?" Sleet bitterly asked.
Aleena frowned at him. "I will deal with my brother, Sleet," she said.
"Vhere vill the vedding take place?" Bellok asked.
Aleena turned back to him with a mysterious smile. "Mobodoon," she answered, pulling out a shard and pressing it into his hand. Sleet started, looking at it in disbelief. Bellok softly gasped, eyes widening. "You know what to do with it. Farewell, Bellok. I apologize for my fiancé's behavior, dear friend, but things have been very stressful for him as of late. For all of us."
"Of course my dear. All is forgiven," Bellok said. The suspicious way he watched Sleet, though, told her otherwise, and she grimaced briefly before putting on a smile again and looking up at Sleet.
"Come my darling," she said, taking his hands. His attention snapped away from Bellok and the shard, going immediately to her. "We must contact my brother," she continued with a grin. He felt some of his tension melting away and nodded. Quickly she drew him along with her, walking away from Worst Castle.
"Why are you here?" he murmured to her quietly.
"I had a feeling that Worst Castle might not agree with you. Or perhaps would agree too well. The more I thought of it, the less likely it seemed you and Bellok would get along, so I thought it would be wise to make certain he wasn't harmed and that you weren't ratted out," she said.
"You didn't tell me the man was quite so… paranoid," Sleet said.
"I did warn you he was paranoid," she replied.
"I expected something in a less neurotic vein," Sleet said. She smirked fondly at him. "What was the shard for?"
"It will give him access to Mobodoon through a reflective surface, be it a mirror or pool or other. It is one way in. The Mayor of Mobodoon will give our outside guests the way out," Aleena said. Sleet nodded, logging the information away for future reference.
SU
Chuck wandered down the dark streets, looking around guardedly for the one he was soon to meet. The message had been simple. He opened it, reading again:
Meet us in East Mobotropolis. Come alone.
-Sleet
Charles hoped the 'us' mentioned was Sleet and Aleena, but he wasn't about to let his guard down until he knew for certain. Aleena loved the man, he didn't doubt that for a second. He dared believe that Sleet loved her too. The harsh reality, though, was that for all he knew, Sleet had played the long-con and taken them all in. Was it likely? No. Was it possible? Definitely. Better safe than sorry.
"Prince Charles," someone said from the shadows of an alley.
Chuck froze and turned quickly to look. "Who goes there?" he demanded.
"I think you know full well who," the person replied, stepping out of the shadows and into the moonlight. Sleet. Charles shifted uncomfortably, not sure how much he trusted this, but went towards the man without a word. Sleet turned, leading the way as the prince followed.
From behind, two more figures watched from the shadows before silently pursuing.
Chuck moved as quickly as he could to keep up to the steadily retreating wolf. Sleet was winding in and out of streets and alleys as if trying to lose a pursuer, but whenever Charles began to fall behind, Sleet would stop and wait or turn back to retrieve him. Charles was wary. There were too many questions and suspicions surrounding this whole scenario. What if the improbable was the reality, Aleena had been played, and Sleet was profiting from it? What if the King had been right? All at once Sleet stopped outside of a house. They must have arrived at their destination. Cautiously Chuck approached him. "Where's my sister?" he asked.
"Step inside and you'll see," he answered.
"Sleet, I swear if you've done anything to her…" Chuck began.
"Oh, I have every intention of doing many things to her. Just not in the vein you're thinking," the wolf answered with a smirk. Charles narrowed his eyes at the wolf and crossed his arms, unimpressed. Sleet opened the door and walked in. Charles sighed and followed. The moment he entered the house, he caught his breath. Right in front of them was the dingo pup. The poor kid's appearance still startled him.
"Welcome back Sleet mate," the pup said.
"Dingo," Sleet acknowledged. "Where is the queen?"
"In your room waitin'," Dingo replied.
Chuck started, eyes filling with concern. That had too many potential meanings for him to be comfortable with. "Let me see her!" the older hedgehog demanded.
"Whatever you say, your highness," Sleet replied menacingly, doubtless getting a sense of what Charles was thinking and clearly not liking it. With that he led Chuck into the room.
SU
Aleena, curled up on a chair reading a book, heard the door open and turned curiously. "Ally!" Charles exclaimed, eyes brightening when he saw her.
"Chuck!" Aleena said with a grin, rising quickly and running to her brother.
They embraced tightly and Chuck pushed her back a bit, looking vastly concerned. "Are you alright? Has he hurt you?"
"No, he's done nothing against me," Aleena said. "I'm alright. Everything is alright. We've been planning our wedding, brother. We're going to be married soon. There won't be many guests, only those I know I can trust to keep things as quiet as possible. The less father hears of this, the better it will be for everyone. It won't do to have the nobles gossiping everywhere about how the princess married a bounty hunter instead of the Commander she had initially intended to pick." She hesitated a moment. "Father…" she began.
Charles shook his head. "Best you don't ask, little sis," he replied. "It's… it's not good." Aleena bowed her head sadly.
"He will never accept it, will he?" she asked.
"Be more concerned about him actively working to end it," Charles dryly said.
Aleena looked up in concern. Charles turned gravely to Sleet. "The day you brought her from the palace, he ordered Argus to bring him Drago," he solemnly said.
Sleet's jaw dropped in shock. Aleena gasped, the color draining from her face. There was utter silence. Charles turned back to Aleena. He threatened Argus's life and the lives of everyone he cares about if he didn't do it, so he did. He warned Argus not to talk, but Argus drew a line and let it slip to Jules and me. Jules wanted to confront the King. I talked him down. Said it was Argus's life on the line. Probably Windermere's too, and Titus's, and anyone else Argus gives any kind of damn about."
"What did the King ask of Drago?" Aleena immediately asked.
"He sent Argus and the guards out before they could hear. Not that it takes much imagination to guess," Chuck said, looking solemnly at Sleet. "Drago hired a bounty hunter to get a princess. Did he hire one just for extra insurance, or because he himself was incapable of doing it?" he asked.
"Extra insurance," Sleet grimly said. "Drago isn't suited to high-profile contracts. Far too much planning and patience for his liking. He's more an in-and-out sort, so to speak. Delicate political and social games don't interest him. Kidnapping Aleena required more finesse than he was willing to display. Is he incapable of such things? No. Will he take any other option available to him? Yes. A hobby bounty hunter hired a career bounty hunter to do a job he wasn't willing to do for himself. Not a shocker given the nature of his contract."
"But Drago's a capable bounty hunter in his own right," Chuck said.
"Unfortunately," Sleet said.
"And the king called him up after you snatched away said king's daughter," Charles said.
"You realize I'm not an idiot, right? You don't have to break it down for me to know what the King discussed with Drago," Sleet said.
"He's hunting you," Aleena said, arms wrapped numbly around herself. She looked at him. "He knows where you are."
"He also knows that if he tries to in-and-out this contract, he's going to end up in a grave," Sleet said. "He prefers direct, but he isn't incapable of insidious. If he wants to survive, insidious is the route he'll take."
"If you expect insidious, he might take advantage of that and go direct," Chuck argued.
"You act like this is the first time I've ever had a bounty on my head," Sleet replied. Aleena started, looking quickly at him in wide-eyed disbelief. He smirked wryly and somewhat apologetically at her. "Nature of the job, your majesty," he said. "Kill or be killed." She looked uncertain at this.
Chuck looked at Aleena. "This marriage is a sure thing?" he asked.
"Of course!" Aleena replied.
"Do you trust him?" Charles asked bluntly.
"Yes," she answered without hesitation.
"Are you sure?" Charles asked.
Aleena frowned at her brother and opened her mouth to defend her fiancé, but Sleet put a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. Curious, she looked at him. "Your brother isn't wrong to ask," he said. Aleena looked surprised. He ruefully smiled. "Don't ever put your trust in me, my love. For your own sake."
"Why not?" she questioned uncertainly.
"You can't trust a man who barely trusts himself, let alone anyone else. Let alone you," Sleet answered solemnly.
Aleena winced and looked sadly down. She heard the truth in his words. She trusted him, truly she did, but at the same time she would never put it out of the realm of possibility that he would betray her. She didn't want to believe it, but she knew it was a possibility. A silent yet mutual understanding hung between the two in regards to that. "I do not trust you blindly," she finally chose to reply, looking up at him and lacing their hands together, squeezing gently. Sleet nodded in understanding.
Charles looked between the couple in silence, conflicted. Beyond doubt they loved each other, that was plain enough to see. Why, then, did he feel like this would only end in tragedy?
"Um, Sleet?" a nervous Dingo said, poking his head in. Sleet turned warily. "Uh, th-the Commandah is here."
Sleet started, eyes widening, and looked at Charles with an accusing scowl. "You gave my sister reason to trust you. Not so much me," Chuck said, shrugging. "Sue me for bringing backup just in case you were playing the long-con." Sleet looked mildly annoyed, but didn't argue. Charles looked over at Dingo. "Bring him in," he said.
"It's not just him, mate," Dingo said.
"It's me as well," another voice said as the door was pushed open and a familiar face walked in, Jules in tow.
Aleena gasped, eyes widening. "Bernie!" she cried out, racing to her cousin and throwing her arms around her.
"What in tarnation are you doing here?" Chuck asked, sounding surprised.
"Aleena and you may not have been keeping me updated on matters here, but Jules certainly did," Bernadette replied with a frown.
"Nothing was certain. We didn't want you to receive the news only to be disappointed," Aleena said. "Even now there is no guarantee that we will be able to see this through before father interferes. He is already trying."
Bernie huffed and looked to Sleet. "Do you truly love this man?" she asked her cousin.
"I do," Aleena replied sincerely.
Bernadette summed the two of them up. Aleena hadn't hesitated in her response like she had often done when responding to such questions regarding Jules, so she knew her cousin's words were true. She turned to Aleena once more and forced a smile. "Am I invited?" she asked.
"Of course you are," Aleena replied, overwhelmed with happiness. She hesitated a moment. "Are… are you angry with me for it?"
"Anyone who didn't see it coming was blind, up to and including the two of you," Bernadette replied with a sigh. "Even your father saw it coming. He just didn't want to accept it. Aunt Sonya said it best. Your dad and Sleet were too much alike in their natures for him to have ever approved of the match. The more I think about it, the more I understand why… Uncle Maurice knew himself, cuz. He knew how dangerous he was. He knew how volatile he was. All that kept him from collapsing into darkness was Aunt Sonya, so when she died…" She trailed off, shaking her head. No more needed to be said than that.
"What do you mean?" Sleet warily asked. Aleena looked puzzled too.
Bernadette sighed and exchanged looks with Charles and Jules before turning back to them. "It was long before Aleena was born. That's why she never really knew about it. The King, Sleet, was not a good man. He didn't even try to be." Sleet shifted a little and Bernie gave a wry smile. "Sounding familiar already?" she dryly asked. The wolf kept quiet. Bernie looked back at Aleena. He'd received no love and so gave no love," she continued. "He was cold and harsh, almost emotionless. Not because he wasn't capable of feeling love or empathy, but because his entire life he'd been trained to view them as weaknesses and repress them. A harsh hand and zero trust in anyone was how his own father survived and kept control of the populace, so since it was a tried and true method, it was how he taught up his son."
"Grandpa was a real piece of work. Never married, just kept bedding slaves until finally one produced an heir that he figured was suitable. Male, healthy, and strong. No female child survived, no sickly male child survived. Dad probably had about seven siblings, none of which made it to their first year. Their mothers were put to death with them. When dad was born, grandpa took the slave who'd born him and married her to make it legitimate, then had her either exiled or put to death. Details are foggy there. Dad always said that just… one day his mom was there, and the next she wasn't. All her things were gone, and his father pretended like there'd never been a mother in the first place. Our dad hated our grandpa. Obviously for good reason," Charles said. "When father came of age to start looking for a wife himself, his father told him flat out not to bother. Wanted his son to take after him. That was the last thing our father desired. He wanted to be better than his old man. Never really realized that he was already well on his way to at least being his match until it was too late…"
"What do you mean?" Aleena asked, eyes wide.
"He married a noblewoman from Knothole just to spite his old man. Saw his father killed at his wedding. Toasted it outright. Made his dad's public execution a celebration bigger than his wedding was," Chuck said.
"Maybe I misjudged your father," Sleet ponderously said, smirking a bit at this. Aleena started and gave him a sharp look, narrowing her eyes. "Oh come now, you can't deny he knew how to take care of a problem. Protect his wife and himself, erase the threat to her safety and his own."
"Not sure what was going though his head there," Charles said. "I just know that enough of his father's influence had permeated him that his wife's welfare was probably the last thing on his mind. After she got pregnant, he had no further use for her. He married for show, not for love. She gave birth to me and he kept her around a good few years more, but it had never been a marriage meant to last." He looked towards Aleena. "Then he saw your mom."
Bernie nodded and looked to Aleena. "Your father is the reason mine is dead," she solemnly said. "Mom died giving birth to me. Aunty Sonya moved in with her brother to help him take care of his infant daughter. They lived not far away from the palace, and when one evening your dad saw Sonya from his bedroom window, tending a garden, he decided he had to have her. He approached her the next day and engaged in conversation. He tried to start something up with her. She rejected him. Told him she would never marry. Told him she had chosen to devote her life to taking care of her family. Her dad backed her up. Practically drove the King off their property. Needless to say your father wasn't pleased, but to his credit he let it go and didn't bother Aunt Sonya again. I think that was the first sign she saw of there being something more to him than he let on… She remembered it. Eventually, Mobotropolis fell on hard times. The poor suffered particularly badly, and the King's days were filled holding court and begrudgingly doing what he could for them, just so they'd stop bothering him and keep their mouths shut. Deals were made, terms set, and punishments doled out for those who couldn't repay him for his help. My father was one of those who fell short, so he along with others were made an example of and sentenced to death. When my mother heard what had befallen her brother, she went to the King to beg him for my dad's life. She offered him everything. Even herself… Though goodness knew your father was tempted, he didn't take advantage of it. He wasn't a good man, but he was a better one than that. It didn't go unnoticed by Sonya, and for the second time she saw some faint glimmer of good in him… He sent her away despite her desperate pleas, turning a deaf ear. Within a week my dad was dead…"
"You can probably guess the mass execution didn't go over well. My mom freaked on him and within a week had packed up her life with the guy and was gone. He didn't try and stop her. Gave her the divorce without question and let her take anything she wanted except one thing. Me. A fitting punishment for her treachery, he called it. She was enraged but left anyway. Said one day his son would see him for the monster he was and make his choice. In the meantime, disgruntled citizens pooled together a hefty sum of money and put a contract out on our father's head. Bounty hunters and assassins the world over flocked to try and claim the reward. Obviously none succeeded, but one came real close," Charles said.
"After my father's execution, your father made it a habit to ride by where he knew Aunt Sonya lived with me. He would leave her money on the sly. A part of him hated himself for what he'd done to her brother, when he saw her at the man's execution grieving and clinging to an infant probably too young to even remember her father. Some small part of your dad that he'd tried to hide away just… just broke… So he took to riding out to where he knew Aunt Sonya lived and slipping money into her mailbox without being seen. Or so he thought. She knew, though. Clearly. It was on one of those trips that he was shot down. I don't know how Sonya saved him, whether she got help or whether she fought them off or whether they just left him for dead, but whatever happened, when Uncle woke up it was in her house under her care. She showed mercy to the man who had put her brother to death, and when father saw that, witnessed what she was willing to do for her sibling's murderer despite everything, another part of that goodness locked deep within him was unlocked… When he returned to the castle, he set about making things right. He became a King worthy of being called King. He righted as best he could all the wrongs he and his father had done, he reworked his whole attitude and personality. He'd seen the sort of kindness in people that his father had taught him long ago didn't exist. He'd learned the sort of trust that his father had claimed was a myth," Bernie said, smiling sadly, tears burning her eyes. They burned Aleena's too, and the young princess felt a knot form in her throat.
"Years later, Sonya came to the castle to see the King. They got to talking, he thanked her for everything she had done for him, thanked her for the second chance she'd given him where no one else would have, apologized for the evil he had done, apologized for her brother's execution, and just… it kinda went from there," Charles said, shrugging. "Next thing you know, she's queen and you're growing inside her," he added, poking his sister with a sad but teasing smile. "Rest of the story is self-explanatory."
"Then Sleet came into the picture," Jules said, looking at Sleet solemnly. "It awoke something dark deep inside the King, because in Sleet he saw the portrait of himself. He saw that same darkness and vindictiveness, he saw that same defiance and insidiousness, and he knew that the last sort of man he wanted his daughter to marry was a man anything like he and his father had been…" Sleet shifted uncomfortably again. Jules looked at Aleena. "Your mother only began to return your father's affections, or even accept them, after he had changed for the better and proved to her and to everyone else that there was good in him. You though…" Jules trailed off, shaking his head. "As far as he could see, as far as anyone could, there was nothing redeemable in Sleet. The only person he showed anything deeper to was you, and even that I don't think was on purpose. It was just because you two spent so much time together. Even the best actor in the world can't keep up a mask like that twenty-four-seven. It was bound to slip, and as he let his guard down, subconsciously as it might have been, he was bound to let you catch glimpses of what he buried deep inside. He showed it to no one else, only you, so in father's eyes his daughter was coming to care for a monster in the same vein he and his father had been, before that monster had even begun to reveal there was anything more. Even when Sleet claimed he loved you and let something deeper slip to the King, it was too late. The King knew deceit, he knew insidiousness, he knew long-cons. It's hard to see through his eyes, I know it is, especially when everyone else was coming to see what he refused to acknowledge, but in his perspective, Sleet's attitude only changed when there was something to be gained or a benefit to be had. Even when it was clear that wasn't the case, that dark part of your father had still been awakened again, and he just… he didn't care at that point. All he cared about was keeping his daughter from making the biggest mistake of her life, because men like Sleet, Aleena, don't change. At least not as far as your father was concerned. He came to that conclusion when he realized the darkness rising inside of himself once more, even after years of dormancy. He hadn't changed… So neither would Sleet. Ever. Not for you, not for anyone."
"The man is deluded," Sleet coldly said.
"Is he?" Jules challenged, glaring coldly at Sleet. Sleet sneered at him.
SU
Aleena, arms wrapped tightly around herself, looked solemnly out the window towards the castle, rubbing her arms. Sleet, noticing it, winced and looked away from her and down, his own arms wrapping around himself uncertainly. A part of him feared she would change her mind… He wouldn't blame her if she did. Even he was beginning to wonder. Charles, noticing this, looked concerned. He turned to the others. "We should go," he murmured to them. "Give them a minute."
"No. I do not need a minute," Aleena said, closing her eyes. She turned to her family. "I love this man with all my heart, and I'm going to marry him. I would have him for my husband."
Sleet started, looking quickly back at her with eyes wide in shock. Aleena turned to him and reached out, taking his hands in hers. "I promised you forever," she said to him. "May the gods damn me if I go back on my vow. You are mine. You will always be mine."
"Aleena…" he began, hardly able to believe what he was hearing.
She looked to her family. "Bernie, will you be my maid of honor?" she asked.
Bernie smiled a sad smile. "It would be my honor, Aleena," she answered. "When will it be?"
"When I know, you'll be first to hear it," she replied, taking out three more shards and distributing them to Chuck, Jules, and Bernie. "It will take place in Mobodoon. You and Charles, Bernie, know how to use the shards. Teach Jules as well."
"Mobodoon... Wow, you really didn't go halfway, did you?" Bernie said in wonder.
"It is the safest for all of us," Aleena replied.
Bernie nodded in understanding. "I'll be there, little cousin. Count on it."
Aleena smiled gratefully and turned to Jules. "You as well, Commander?" she asked, smile falling to a somewhat concerned look.
"I wouldn't miss your wedding for the world, Ally," he answered, smiling tenderly at her.
Aleena looked at Sleet. "Vanilla can be the flower girl and either Vector or Dingo the ring bearer," she said.
"Dingo can play at being best man," Sleet said. "It isn't as if I have anyone else who could fill the role. I suppose Jules can be a groomsman as well, if you can find a bridesmaid."
"I have one in mind," Aleena replied, smiling. Winniham. She couldn't chance letting any of her friends from Mobotropolis or Knothole in on this just yet.
"Well if Dingo's going to be best man, then I look forward to dancing with him at the reception," Bernie said, grinning teasingly at the pup who blushed in response, eyes bulging wide.
"As long as I get a dance as well," Jules said, smiling.
"You go without saying, Commander," Bernie replied, giving him a tender smile over her shoulder. He grinned, blushing a bit.
Aleena looked down. "I only wish that father would be there…" she murmured sadly.
"Hope for anything but that, if he hired Drago to take Sleet out," Chuck said, jerking a thumb at Sleet.
Sleet was silent, looking conflicted and worried suddenly. Aleena frowned curiously at him. "Sleet?" she asked.
Sleet looked to her. "Your father won't give up matching you with Jules," Sleet said. "If I'm the man the King was, then Jules is the man he became. Who would you prefer a daughter to marry?"
"And what would a man like Sleet do to stop his daughter from marrying anything less?" Chuck dryly said, catching onto the thought process. Bernie felt her heart sink, her lips forming sadly into an 'O'. "Clearly eliminating competition is still in the old man's bag of tricks," Chuck added bitterly.
"His hiring Drago isn't good," Jules grimly said.
"And here I thought it was a peace offering," Sleet bit. Jules frowned at him in annoyance.
"Stop it. Both of you," Bernie chastised, frowning. "This is serious."
Jules sighed and looked to Aleena. "I will stand with you against him. Always," he solemnly promised.
"Will it be enough?" Aleena asked.
Jules shook his head. "I don't know," he confessed. He looked at Sleet. "Will it be enough?" he asked.
"Why are you asking me?" Sleet demanded in annoyance. They all gave him the same look and he blinked, catching on. Grimacing, he sighed. "I never know what I'm capable of until I'm faced with it," he said. "Off the top of my head? No."
"Surely if we stand at Aleena and Jules' sides, and King Acorn too, it'll convince him to back down," Bernie nervously said.
"Hey, now's not the time to think about stuff like that, okay?" Chuck said, putting a hand on Bernie's shoulder. "We should be celebrating! Little Ally's getting married. We'll deal with everything else as it crops up, okay?"
"Maybe you're right, Charles," Bernie said with a sigh.
"In the meantime, I'm sure there are lots of plans you still have to make for your wedding," Jules said, smiling a strained smile as he looked at Aleena and Sleet. "We should leave you to it."
"Goodnight, Aleena. We'll see you your wedding day," Bernie said, smiling softly at her cousin. She looked at Sleet. "You have a busy day ahead of you it seems." Sleet grimaced, not relishing it.
"Goodnight Jules, Chuck, Bernie," Aleena replied, embracing her brother, cousin, and Jules.
"Sleet, good luck with my little sister," Jules joked, holding out his hand to Sleet.
Sleet eyed the hand dubiously up, rolled his eyes, and reluctantly took it, shaking. "Good luck with her as well," he said. Jules frowned curiousy at him, not sure what to make of his response, then shrugged it off and left with Chuck and Bernie. "Too many hedgehogs," Sleet groaned.
Aleena smiled at him sympathetically. "Get some rest. Tomorrow marks the first day of the rest of our lives," she said. Softly she kissed his lips. He relished in them and hated when she departed from him. Bowing to her, he left the room so that she could get some sleep.
SU
Sleet gaped in awe at the swirling mirror, holding the shard Aleena had given him out towards it. This was unbelievable! Doubtless it was a well-guarded royal secret, which meant that any information he could glean on it while there could one day prove useful. Espionage, though, was secondary to his primary objective. Namely wedding arrangements. Drawing a deep breath, he straightened up and strode into the mirror.
As soon as he stepped through into Mobodoon, his mouth dropped. By Gaia, how rich were these people! Every building and house was white and arrayed with a vast assortment of precious gems and jewels! The buildings were gorgeous! He didn't dare think of what they were made of. He might start panting.
He looked down at the streets, almost expecting to see them paved with gold. It was a definite possibility, he realized on examining them. The grass was almost unnaturally green, the trees lush… It was perfect. Too perfect. He'd learned to be skeptical of perfection. The queen had nailed it when she'd guessed that he'd think it disgustingly festive. Night had to be better though, didn't it? He had almost forgotten why he was here until he nearly ran into someone. "Oh, pardon me ma'am," Sleet said, backing off.
"All is pardoned," the woman replied in a sickeningly sweet voice. "Welcome sir. Welcome to Mobodoon. I'm Mayor Winniham. I'm pleased to meet you Mr…" she began.
"Sleet," he warily said, cautiously watching her. "Sleet the Wolf, Mayor."
"Sleet? What a unique name," she replied, silently summing him up. He frowned a bit at her scrutiny but allowed it.
SU
Mayor Winniham silently summed Sleet up. He was handsome she noted. Tall, a goatee, dressed in reds, yellows, purples, and blues. He had an intimidating air about him, mysterious yet flamboyant. She met his gaze and determined then and there that she didn't trust him. She saw the greed behind his eyes. Those eyes, though, also held the air of a man who couldn't easily be tamed. No, a man who would never be tamed. Winniham understood immediately why Aleena had fallen for him, and though she didn't want to admit it, she sensed that he returned the affections in full. Aleena had enraptured him. Soothed his mind and drawn him to her. She didn't approve of her friend's choice, she would admit that, but the princess had a good head on her and probably knew more about this man's deeds, good or bad, than anyone else.
But gods he frightened her…
Her smile fell at the unbidden thought, but she was quick to recover it with a smile. "What brings you here, Mr. Wolf?" she asked.
"I'm here to inquire about a wedding," he answered.
She instantly brightened, eyes mischievously glittering. He raised a suspicious eyebrow at her. "Oh sir, how wonderful! Who's the lucky woman?" Winniham asked.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" he replied, smile courteous but answer cold. She frowned a bit at this. Hmm, polite only when it suited him to be. She supposed it really shouldn't be much of a surprise. "Tell me, is there a caterer available in this town?" he asked.
"Of course. I'll bring you straight there," she said, leading the way. As soon as they reached the destination in question, the wolf walked past her saying nothing. She frowned, puzzled by him, and shook her head before following. "This is our town caterer. He can provide you with anything you want," the Mayor said. The man smiled and waved.
Sleet looked over the cakes. His eyes widened when he they saw the main display. It was huge and decorated perfectly, not too ridiculous and not too plain. Almost like they'd expected a wedding to soon be taking place… The cake was covered over by a jeweled tent, the fanciest creation he had ever seen or ever would see. His mouth slowly dropped. Quickly he regained his composure and turned to the store owner. "How much is that cake?" he asked a little tightly.
The man was about to reply when the Mayor leaned over to him and whispered, "Give him the price it would be anywhere else."
The caterer looked confused, but complied nonetheless with a smile. "You have a fine eye sir," he said. With that he gave the price.
Sleet grimaced, ear twitching. They had to be kidding. He bit his tongue, though, pulled out a notepad, and wrote the price down. "Good," he said. He closed the notebook up and looked at them directly, frowning. "Now listen up. I'm planning a wedding. It will take place in only a few days. The woman I'm marrying will be given no less than you would give a queen, understood? As such, I intend to book the most expensive package there is, and it must be ready before the end of the week."
"You are a man of excellent taste sir. She must be a very special woman. Foods and delicacies and everything from all around the world and as far as you can imagine, served in dishes made of crystal and marble, decorated with diamonds and jewels of every sort! But sir, it isn't cheap," the caterer replied.
"Let me worry about that. Price," Sleet prompted. The man sighed then gave it. Sleet wrote it down, seemingly unfazed. Inside, though, he was screaming and cursing himself to no end. He had promised the best so she would have the best, no matter the cost. She of course would protest, but that was why she wasn't here right now. "Thank you," Sleet curtly said. "I'll be back before the wedding to confirm that it's ready." With that he strode out, a shocked Winniham following.
Sleet looked through windows, scouring the streets for a dress shop. Soon he found one and stopped, checking the displays. "Now for the dress, shoes, veil, and suit," the Mayor said, excitement making its way into her voice.
"Don't be so ecstatic. It's not you I'm marrying," Sleet dryly stated. The horse frowned after him as he entered. Snippy, wasn't he? Nonetheless she followed him in, reminding herself that he didn't know she and Aleena were friends.
Sleet began to browse. As he did, Winniham went to the shop's owner and gave her the same instructions she had given the caterer. Soon enough Sleet stopped. Near the back of the store, he caught sight of something. He gazed at it expressionlessly, but he was awestruck. In front of his eyes was the most beautiful wedding ensemble he had ever seen. Next to it was a tuxedo ensemble, as handsome as the gown was gorgeous.
"Ah yes, you have found a gown and tuxedo meant for a King and Queen!" the shopkeeper said. "Literally, in fact. They were worn by King Maurice and Queen Sonya the day of their wedding. They gave the ensemble to Mobodoon to keep safe for the day one of their children would marry. It seems that day never came. Prince Charles could never find time to pursue courtship, and the outfits will rot away long before Aleena ever decides to give her hand to anyone. They're going to waste waiting here, so I don't see why you shouldn't be allowed to purchase them."
Sleet looked over at the shopkeeper and Mayor, frowning in vague annoyance. "How much?" he asked, preparing to write and afraid of what would be said.
"If you have to ask, you probably can't afford it," the shopkeeper stated flatly.
"Try me," Sleet replied.
The shopkeeper gave him the price and he wrote it down without batting an eye. "How wealthy are you?" Winniham asked in shock.
Sleet ignored the question and instead looked to the shopkeeper. "Hold them for the wedding. You have a sale," he said before walking out. Winniham followed.
"Invitations?" the Mayor asked the mysterious visitor.
Sleet paused, considering it. "Advertisement," he replied, turning to her. "All of Mobodoon is invited if they want to be. She may invite some extras from outside, but that will be done by mouth. It's too risky any other way."
"What do you mean?" Winniham asked, concerned for her friend. Sleet just looked at her and shook his head, conveying she wouldn't get an answer. She bit her lip, frustrated, but let it go. "As Mayor I can set it all up, including the layout, flower arrangements, and décor, but it will cost a great deal," she said. She recited a price quickly.
Sleet wrote it down. "Music?" he asked.
"I can get the greatest musicians in Mobodoon here for you, but again, it will cost you," she replied, giving the price. He wrote it down. "A hair appointment for her will be expensive too." She gave a price, and he wrote dutifully, growing increasingly more anxious.
"What about the venue where the wedding and the reception will take place?" he pressed.
"Look up," Winniham replied.
Sleet looked and gasped, staring at the gorgeous palace above them in awe. He had never seen anything that even began to compare! He turned around and saw the view from that place. It was just as beautiful, in fact more beautiful, than the building itself. "Price?" he squeaked. She answered alright. He wrote it down, physically pained.
"What of the master of ceremonies and the wedding party?" she asked.
Sleet cleared his throat and looked to her. "My fiancé has that covered," he answered. He turned back to his notes and tallied the prices together. His mouth dropped, eyes widening. He was fairly sure he nearly had a heart attack, in fact. A multi-million-dollar wedding! Oh gods have mercy.
"It's expensive marrying a queen, isn't it?" Winniham asked. Sleet could only nod, his every thought cursing him. "At least you're nobility. You must be to afford that. Why, a working class man with even the best paying of jobs couldn't save such a sum up. Not even in twenty years."
Sleet quickly regained his composure and cleared his throat. "Yes, well, as you say. Of course I'm not a normal working-class man." With that he headed back down towards the exit. Winniham frowned, concerned by that choice of words. It was something to note down for Aleena. "Thank you very much, Mayor Winniham," he said as he stopped outside the portal he'd entered through to shake her hand. It was starting to close, so their goodbye had to be quick.
"You're welcome," she replied. She sensed full well that neither of them liked or trusted each other, but she didn't remark on it. With a bow Sleet left, and Winniham watched uncertainly after him.
SU
As Sleet returned to the house, Aleena came to meet him, beaming. "How much will it cost?" she asked, genuinely curious.
"Enough," Sleet vaguely replied. She could only assume that meant millions.
"How will you get the money?" the princess asked.
"Somehow," he answered.
Aleena frowned warily. "I will not accept anything from you paid for in blood. Not now, not ever," she sternly warned. "My darling, there is no need for everything to be the best."
"You were right. That place is disgustingly festive," he said, changing the subject.
She frowned. "Sleet," she firmly said. He gave her an annoyed look. "I will accept nothing from you paid for in blood," she repeated.
He read her quietly. "Very well. There won't be blood then," he flippantly answered. She glared at him warningly. "Kidnapping pays," he threw in lamely.
She sighed, rolling her eyes hopelessly. "You're fortunate you know," she said.
"If I was, this wouldn't be a concern," he dryly replied.
She blinked at him then grinned in amusement. "You think you're so clever, don't you?" she said. He stayed quiet. She shook her head hopelessly but affectionately at him. "Mobodoon uses no currency, my love. The wedding will cost you nothing but time," she said.
He started and blinked, eyes wide, then looked immensely relieved. "Really?" he asked.
"Really," she replied, squeezing his arm gently and walking away. "Mayor Winniham, I assume, wanted to test you. Or frighten you."
He watched after her. "Winniham or you?" he asked.
"Winniham. But while we're on the topic of my concerns, is it clear to you that I will accept nothing from you paid for in blood?" she asked.
He frowned. "As crystal," he flatly replied.
"Good. I don't need a Queen's wedding, Sleet. To marry you will be enough," she said, looking back at him over her shoulder with a smile. He blushed and said nothing. She entered his room, shutting the door behind her, and he let out a breath, looking out the window. In only a few more days he would be married. His stomach began to flip, and somehow he doubted it was going to calm itself any time soon...