I questioned everything in that moment, I was not supposed to kiss him..I was not supposed to give myself to him until the wedding. I hated it! I was not free from any of this yet and I had another year. Still when it was time for bed I tried to sleep but my heart was not calming down as we were in separate beds. When I finally did fall asleep I was able to sleep before I was awoken by a dream.
Aleksander was right by my side as he put a hand on my cheek and looked at me but it wasn't the first time I'd been woken up like this. "My book.." I said as he moved to my bag and got the sketchbook and pencil but before he handed it to me he opened it seeing the pages were filled with the stag. "You neglected to mention you've been seeing this." He said as he handed it to me and I took it as I made a new sketch out. I used a small bit of light to see as it was dark to get the details right as he went over and watched as the blank page started to show. "Your seeing this when you sleep." Aleksander said
"I always have, my own family members do too that are Sun Summoners." I said as I put it down when I finished and put my hand over my eyes. I hated this but it was the way of life as I saw him reach for it but I grabbed it wrapped my arm around it and I laid down to try to sleep. I knew he was watching me as I figured he hardly slept "You should sleep." I said as he seemed to be looking over the map.
This went on for the week and then for months we were back and forth arguing and sometimes he'd break his resistance to kiss me. I kissed him back but his resistance was what got to me as he managed to pull himself away before it ever went too far. Within the little palace no one ever really knew. I didn't have to attend any parties that I didn't want to with being here and I was under his watch.
Yet the night before the wedding came before I knew it after he'd set things up, my birth parents were there and I was sitting in my room in the little palace. Marie and Nadia who I had a chance to meet were to keep me company were able to keep me from my anxiety as they were playing with different hairstyles for my hair tomorrow.
"Are you nervous?" Marie asked as I smiled a little "I'm terrified..I've known the General since my presentation and I have not always seen eye to eye with him..and I'm terrified of people watching us after the vows." I admitted as the two stopped looking in the mirror. I wasn't even sure if I was ready, maybe I was but I didn't want to be losing what made me innocent infront of so many people.
"I didn't realize so many things were involved but then you're considered the Princess..different expectations." Nadia said but we played cards and since I'd been old enough to drink I had a cup of Kvas. I knew the princes drank this and Nikolai still was not back but I'd sent word of what was happening. So imagine my surprise when I got a letter and I opened it reading it.
"What is it?" Marie asked as I was shocked but then put it away as I knew this was the only way I could be free was to marry Aleksander. "Nikolai..he's coming home. He'll be at the wedding." I said shocking them both. After that we didn't have much else to say except that we knew it was not going to be easy.
When the next morning came I was getting prepared though I admit I wanted to see Aleksander. I'd come to enjoy his company and I'd been secretly sneaking in his room to get used to the idea of sharing a room. The temptation there the whole time but I knew it wasn't allowed so I had to go with what was going on. Marie and Nadia helped me in the dress that I was to wear for the wedding.
Since my grandmother and grandfather had came my grandmother came to my room and decided to help with my hair for the wedding. I was hesitant but still I missed her and was glad things could be good.
I could tell she was working on making it work as we were silent at first before she spoke. "Aleksander is your Grisha soulmate..your father said the King and Queen allowed it only because of this.." I didn't move but I smiled "I'm nervous..but I'm happy..sadly I am subjected to their ways.." I said as I hated it. Being subjected to the King and Queen's rules it wasn't fair but then I remembered she had brought some family things as she smiled.
My grandma looked in the mirror with me as I smiled seeing her smiling. "You're a beautiful bride Amira." Grandma said as I was still hesitant but this was my freedom. "One last thing you have to endure is this wedding and what the royals require..after that you're free." Grandma assured me as I nod in agreement.
I got up from where I was after grandma put the veil on me and pulled the part that went over my face. When we were done I heard the sound of my door as I looked seeing my birth father there. He offered his hand to me "Your future awaits my Princess." Father said as I figured the king allowed him this. After all biologically I was my birth father's daughter as I took a breath and took his hand as he led me out. "I hate this..you marrying him..knowing who he is." Father said softly as I knew it was true. "I can..change his mind." I assured him
When we made it to the room I got nervous with all the people looking at me and I was held with high expectations. Aleksander looked back at me as he seemed in shock with how I was dressed up. My heart squeezed in my chest as I wanted to deny this to say I wasn't in love with him..but I am in love with him. When my father and I made it to the end of the aisle he handed my hand to Aleksander yet I felt it in his grip he didn't want to.
It'll be ok dad..but you won't like what is next. I thought
We were grisha soulmates therebefore we went with a different direction as the priest brought forth wine and a cup as the priest filled it. I didn't pay attention to the first part of what he said as I looked at Aleks. I was to marry him, be the General's wife and give him claim to the Ravkan throne. Somehow it all felt like so much was happening at once when the priest got my attention.
"Princess Amira" he said as he offered me a ceremonial knife as I looked at it then at him as Aleksander whispered in my ear "You have to cut me lightly just enough for a few drops." He whispered as I looked at him. I realized I must have looked like a fool but I wasn't even sure as I took it and he held his hand over the cup.
I'm really doing this...our blood will mix in this cup and we'll drink. I'll be bound to him..to my Grisha soulmate..to the black heretic.. I thought
I knew that last thought about him being the black heretic was a bit harsh, he didn't really seem power hungry as they said. He'd told me and I'd accepted he probably was wanting to destroy the fold as I kept hold of the knife and then made the light cut seeing the blood drops go into the cup as I put the blade and got the cloth wrapping it around the cut. After that Aleksander took my hand as I was still hesitant as he took the ceremonial knife and made a slight cut as I flinched as drops of my blood dropped into the cup before he set the knife down and got the cloth wrapping it around my own.
I saw the look on my dad's face that I would be blood bound to him by this marriage but this was my freedom. The priest mixed it before us as a healer came over to tend to us then sat down before the priest handed me the cup. "Moya Tsarevna" the priest said getting my attention as I took the cup knowing the blood in it was a Dual Summoner's blood and a Shadow Summoner's blood who had used Merzost. "Repeat after me Moya Tsarevna. I, Princess Amira take you General Kirigan as my husband as I drink from the cup of our shared life to come." The Priest said as I looked at Aleksander "I, Princess Amira take you General Kirigan as my husband as I drink from the cup of our shared life to come." I said as I lifted the cup to my lips and drank half the wine mixed with our blood then I handed the cup to him.
The priest then looked at him "General, please repeat after me. I, General Kirigan take you Princess Amira as my wife as I drink from the cup of our shared life to come." The Priest said as Aleksander looked at me. Part of him wanted to say the truth and perhaps he would once we were away but for now he'd follow the priest. "I, General Kirigan take you Princess Amira as my wife as I drink from the cup of our shared life to come." He said as he put the wine to his lips and drank what was left. We truly did not need rings bound by what was already happening yet a servant brought them as we took the one for the other, he slid the one for me on my ring finger and I did the same for him.
"By the power vested in me by the saints, I now pronounce you husband and wife. General you may kiss your bride." The priest said as Aleksander claimed my lips in a kiss. I kissed him back and once that was done people headed over to the other room where the next part was going to be. We were left alone as no one else was there and Aleksander kneeled down before me as he looked at me. "I, Aleksander Morozova take you Amira Silina as my wife for as long as we both live." He said to me as we were eternal and I smiled. "Say it please Amira..the right way." Aleksander asked as I nod. "I, Amira Silina take you Aleksander Morozova as my husband for as long as both live." I said
Aleksander stood up and kissed me again as he held me close and I kissed him back but still to the people I was Princess Amira. "We need to go." I said as he nods and brushed a piece of hair out of my face. "I'll do what I can to protect you from being too exposed at the wedding night part for now, enjoy the next part the wedding dinner." Aleksander said as he led me to the other room.
Wedding part over..wedding dinner now..then the wedding night. I thought