CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

The ceremony flew by. I remembered little by the end of it, other than the moment when Ryne placed the crown on my head, when Pearl kissed my forehead, and when I curtsied. Madame Espalier had to have been proud; my obeisance was all she could wish. Many words were said, which were in my head one moment and gone the next. I spoke when I should have, the music was beautiful, there were thousands of eyes staring at me, and deep down I could feel Eran's encouragement. He was standing in a long line of shephards dressed in sand-colored tunics, though I didn't dare glance his way more than a few times.

Mensonge was sitting near the front of the room in one of the hundreds of benches that had been put up for the occasion. I watched him and Rochelle, who sat over with other foreign rulers and ambassadors, but they both stayed in character. He smiled at me, and she looked refined and attentive, pleasant and never reacting.

After the coronation I was whisked away, my gown and hair were changed, and I went out onto a balcony to address the people. Half the country, it seemed, had crammed into the courtyard, and my speech was met with cheers and applause. After that, I had to change again and meet with all the foreign dignitaries, give them another speech that assured them of my gratitude for their support and my future plans of international harmony. By the time I was back in my room, being fitted up into another dress for the ball, I was exhausted.

"Just lean your head back," Grethel said, slipping a pillow behind my neck. "I'll do the top of your hair first. See if you can't get a little nap."

I grasped her hand and gave it a squeeze. "Thank you."

Sleep was a little out of my abilities, but I did manage to rest. By the time the ball was about to begin the prospect of facing it was not quite so daunting.

"All right, run along now," Grethel said, offering to help me out of the chair. "I still have to get myself beautiful."

"Oh, you've spent all your time on me and ---" I said, but she waved a hand.

"It's your big day. And you're the princess, after all. I won't need more than a few minutes, anyway, my natural beauty just shines through."

I laughed and hugged her. "You think Sir Kenthen will agree?" She swatted my arm.

"I'm sure he will. Go on, they'll have started but they can't go too long without you."

I was accompanied downstairs by the two other ladies who had been doing my dresses all day, Aria and Selena. They gave my gown a last preening before I entered the ballroom --- it was silver, with a tight corset and full skirt and sleeves --- and straightened my crown. It was silver as well, and more of a tiara than anything else, though still heavy.

The ballroom was dizzying at first, full of candlelight and intoxicating perfumes. The guests were all in rich colors, girls in whites and pastels, young women in silvers and golds, and older women in rich jewel tones. Lisette was waiting for my by the thrones; I made a beeline for her.

"Have a seat," she said. "Mensonge has been asking for you." She shot me a significant look. Between us, Pearl and I had told her everything. I nodded.

"It'll be fine," I said. "If I can handle the rest of the day I can handle him."

"You did beautifully," she said. I smiled my thanks; coming from her, it meant more than it had from everyone else.

Various courtiers and visitors came to offer their congratulations, compliment on how lovely the ceremony was, and to give their best wishes. I managed to be gracious but was relieved when Eran appeared at my elbow.

"Would you care to dance?" he asked. His mouth held the hint of a smile.

"Did you sense my boredom?" He inclined his head.

"Perhaps. I thought we might dance for a song, after which I would be obligated to offer you a drink, during which you would be obligated to sit down in a remote corner, stare into space, and not be required to make small talk."

"You do better than read my thoughts, you anticipate them," I said. "I accept. Gladly." I took his hand and stood. "Thanks."

"You did perfectly at the coronation," he said, once we were settled in a slow sort of waltz. I nodded.

"I hope so. Don't remember much of it."

"I imagine not. You felt focused."

"Yeah."

The steps of the dance required us to separate, weave through other couples, and then we joined again. He twirled me and then we went back to the first form.

"What did you do the rest of the day while I was tending to royal duties?" I asked.

"Watching you attend to royal duties," he said. I raised an eyebrow.

"Thrilling."

"No, you did well."

He was being altogether too flattering. I appreciated it.

"Really?"

"Now you're just fishing for compliments," he said. I laughed.

The song ended. He bowed, I curtsied, and then he fulfilled his obligation to offer refreshment. We wandered over to the punch bowl, and I sank into one of the chairs along the wall. The couples on the floor were beautiful. I watched the whirl of fabrics until Eran returned. He sat next to me.

"Are you nervous?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Not now."

"You've just begun with the real duties."

"I know," I said, "but the day's almost over. It's much less scary now that I know everything's official." I caught sight of golden hair flashing over a deep red gown. Her partner's hair was dark as hers was light. "And the guests will be departing soon."

He followed my gaze. I could feel him tense up a bit. He glanced at me.

"What happened between you and Lord Mensonge?" he asked quietly. My hand twitched.

What do you mean? It was a stupid question. Mensonge and I had scarcely seen one another since Pearl and my talk; I had always made sure to have an excuse of some royal business that could not be evaded, and when that failed, I played sick.

Your attitude to him is much changed. He looked carefully forward at the dancers. I focused on my drink.

Yes.

I cannot say I am sorry to hear it.

I barely stopped myself from looking over at him.

Did you know? I asked.

Know what?

I hesitated, and then carefully replayed the scene by the fountain for him. Mensonge and Rochelle's words could be clearly heard; the ground as I had seen it was a clear vision in both our minds. The memory faded. He said nothing for a moment, but his emotions had taken on a hard edge.

You are best that he and his mistress are away soon, he finally said. There was so much more he was feeling beyond that. I centered in; he was angry.

It's all right, I thought in the most soothing tone I could come up with, if indeed thoughts could be said to have a tone. I don't love him. I never did. He had been working some sort of magic.

Quickly, I explained about the opals. Eran's jaw clenched. I had never seen him upset before. Well, no one who did not have access to his feelings would; aside from the jaw his bearing was as calm as ever.

He is a fool. A charlatan, a rake, and one not to be trusted, but above all a fool.

I glanced at him. He was looking at me, but quickly averted his eyes. I frowned.

"Are you all right?"

A deep breath. "I'm fine. I just don't have respect for people who treat good things with nonchalance." Another breath, and the unsettled feeling in my stomach subsided. I shook my head.

"I wish I could relax like you can."

"It's useful, I'll grant you that."

There was a loaded pause, and then he laughed.

"Forgive me, I'm bringing down your evening." The tension dissipated, and I touched his shoulder lightly.

"Not at all. Would you mind if we went outside? It's warm in here."

He nodded, and we wandered to one of the balconies opening off the ballroom. A breeze was there to greet us as we stepped out into the night air. A few couples were already on the balcony, most absorbed in each other, although there was one that seemed to be just making their acquaintance; she looked awkward and he was striking manly poses. Eran took my hand and led me down a set of stairs I hadn't noticed before down into the gardens. It was deserted here, quiet and richly perfumed. The solitude, such as it was, was a peaceful contrast to the ballroom.

"Did you ever confront him?" Eran asked once we were well away from any prying ears. I shook my head.

"I couldn't think. Then I decided it was best he didn't know that I knew. It's better to have the upper hand."

He cast me a look that verged on admiration. I laughed.

"What?"

"You actually controlled your emotions."

"I am capable of it."

"I confess, I doubted. Won't make that mistake again, of course."

He kept looking at me. I laughed again and turned away.

"Yes, you will. Anyway, he still doesn't know. I've been working on separating us more; apparently everyone read much further into our relationship than I did."

He felt surprised. "What did you expect from it?"

"I don't know," I said, watching my gown as the silver folds played with my steps. "Not marriage, at least not this early."

"You seemed serious," he said.

"I know. It's how they do things in America. It's customary to rush relationships. Physical affection isn't so much of a sign of anything as it is here."

We turned a corner and went into an even more secluded walk, this one full of roses. I stopped to smell a flower, its petals barely distinguishable as pink in the blue light of the moon.

"Do you think us backward?" Eran asked. I looked down for a moment, then shook my head.

"No. Not at all. I like it better here, where things… mean things."

He caught my eye; I quickly looked away. My stomach had flared, and it hadn't just been my emotions.

"We'd better go back to the party," he said after a moment. "They'll be missing you."

I nodded, and we turned around and left the way we had come.

A/N: Hah! Check it out... an update within a reasonable space of time! I've been squeezing this writing in between classes... not sure how well it worked... but we'll find out, I guess. As to the coronation, I just kinda skimmed... let me know if it was okay or not.

InChrist-Billios: Oh, yes, kidnapping is a bad plan. I'm still considering it. We'll see if it can't be worked in. But don't worry, I'm a fan of poetic justice. And Orion makes me happy.

Bingo7: Y'know, I hadn't thought about it, but that totally was marriage-y. And I'm so glad their relationship is coming across! I'd been worried about it, but looks like things are reading in the right direction.

Allyp: I totally didn't know that about pagan/wiccan marriage ceremonies, but that just goes to show that either I'm a genius or I just know cool when I see it, lol. And you're spot on with Orion's comments. ("Spot on" is another of those superior mobile vs. cell phrases.) And a big crown meant only a big crown. Had I meant anything else I would have used neckerchiefs instead. In other news, panic not, just look forward to Spamalot! I made a rhyme! You can duct tape my mouth... fingers... shut now, if you want.

Audra Laudargue: Eran and Mensonge... yeah, stuff's gonna happen. Well, as you can see, that process has begun... And I LOVE the idea of Eran and Marina going back to Maine. There was a bit where they [CENSORED but I think I'm going to switch it so they [CENSORED CENSORED CENSORED instead.

jinxywinxy: Ah, yes, things can go wrong. Things must always go wrong. Mwahaha. There'll be a lot more about the soul-binding, promise.

teenchic2004: I updated sooner:D And yeah, the Marina/Eran thing is totally happening.

Backroads: Marina does feel a lot... and that's also going to come into play here soon.

Note to everyone: You're all getting my characters so well it's freaky. I love it!