Starved Monster: MM Medieval Romance (Cerith Kingdom Chronicles Book 2) Read online

  Again, it was too calculated and Evander had a thousand questions on the tip of his tongue when there was a knock on the door. A servant poked his head in.

  “Your Majesty. It’s time,” he whispered.

  Evander nodded. “Very well.”

  ∞∞∞

  Evander walked down the hallway, a hall that he remembered running down as a child while Aldous chased him, a hall that he paced with Gael, a hall that he and Alyx had kissed in, and added this memory to all the others. The knights walked around him in formation, Gael at his side. They were a whisper in the hall.

  “Will Alyx be there?” Evander asked, his mind terrifyingly blank all of a sudden.

  Gael looked over at him and must have seen the panic written all over him. “Yes. He will be right behind you.”

  Evander nodded.

  All of his life he had known he would have this moment. He knew that he would take the crown and throne from his mother and that he would rule over their kingdom someday. For all intents and purposes, he had been doing so for the past several years.

  But this was something else. This made him the actual King, the one where the responsibility fell, the one who would be made to answer to the people if things went wrong. And it was so easy for things to go wrong; York and Thomas had shown him that.

  Not only would he be receiving his true title today but also that of husband.

  Evander wasn’t sure which terrified him most.

  Perhaps he would be able to figure it out later because right then, he was having trouble remembering his name, let alone the ceremony that he was about to lead.

  They came to a stop in front of the enormous double doors that led to the great hall. Gael turned to him and put his hands on his shoulders.

  “Take a deep breath. You have known this ceremony since you were eight years old. You have run this country since you were fifteen. This just gives you a bigger crown and a better seat at the table. That’s all. That’s the only difference. We all are here for you,” Gael said. Then he wrapped his arms around his brother and whispered in his ear, “Have faith.”

  Have faith, my love.

  Evander felt his entire body loosen when Gael spoke their mother’s words. She would be there as well, lifting the crown and placing it on his head, passing the title of Queen to King on to her son.

  Gael pulled back, nodded at Evander, and led the knights into the hall.

  Evander remained outside, alone. He would walk in alone and receive his crown alone, as was tradition.

  Very suddenly, he knew that he was going to vomit.

  He turned and there was Edward with a small pot in his hands, already holding it out to him.

  When the contents of his stomach were gone, Evander wiped his mouth. Edward handed him a flask of water and Evander drank.

  “Your mother was the same when she received her title and crown as well,” Edward told Evander as though they were sharing a secret.

  “And my father?” Evander asked, wondering for the first time what the old drunkard had been like when he was young.

  “Not nearly as composed or sober as you or your siblings or your mother, Your Majesty. If you’ll excuse my saying so,” Edward replied.

  “Please don’t take to titles right now, Edward. I need…” Evander gestured wildly. He wasn’t sure what he needed.

  Edward stared him down and once again, he felt like he was barely a teenager, learning to fight from one of the great warriors in his father’s army. “Since you were born, you were more of a man, more of a king, than your father was. Don’t let his memory ruin today. It’s your time to lead, Evander, out in the open, with that crazy husband of yours right next to you.”

  “We aren’t married yet.”

  “Yeah, you are.”

  Evander smiled up at Edward.

  “There you are. You wear the crown, don’t let the crown wear you. Remember you are here to serve, not to rule. Lead by example,” Edward said.

  Evander nodded and then Edward handed him some cotton.

  “What’s this for?” Evander asked.

  “Put it in your ears. Don’t look at me like that. I have been to more coronations than you. Just do as I say and when you get up to the altar, pull it out.”

  Then Edward disappeared around the corner of the hallway and Evander had to assume he was going in the side entrance.

  Evander put the cotton in his ears, nodded at the servants holding onto the doors, and they swung open.

  Everything was draped in gold and crimson. Gia and Gael had outdone themselves and those around him were dressed in their finest clothes. As he stepped into the hall, trumpeters on either side of him sounded their horns, announcing his arrival, as though it could be missed.

  Evander understood the need for cotton, all of a sudden.

  The servants that held the door open for him arranged his cloak so that it flared out behind him appropriately and then scrambled back to their places. Evander looked to the priest, an old man who had been around for his grandfather’s coronation, and the man nodded.

  Evander felt his heart thudding in his chest and though his stomach was empty he was worried he might vomit again. He could feel the blood drain from his face and sweat begin to dot his forehead. He hadn’t even gotten down the aisle and he wondered if he was going to faint.

  In his own head, he laughed at himself. Of all the trials and tribulations of his life, this would be the one that would make him faint.

  Then, at the end of the aisle, he spotted movement. Not much, just a gentle shift of weight and then Evander met Alyx’s eyes and the entire room came into focus.

  He was, as usual, the most beautiful person Evander had ever seen.

  And he held Evander’s eyes, steadying him, reminded him that if nothing else, he belonged to Alyx and Alyx belonged to him. That through everything they had done, they had gone through, the fights, the love, the joy, and the misery, Alyx was still there. Alyx would always be there.

  Evander began the slow march down the aisle.

  Chapter Three

  Alyx honestly wondered if they would take Evander’s crown and give it to Gael if he fainted.

  He looked like he was going to faint or flee and Alyx couldn’t tell which.

  From behind him, Alyx felt a gentle shove and when he looked back, Gael smiled at him. Alyx glared but they didn’t say anything.

  When he turned back, Evander was there, looking right at him.

  Alyx held his gaze and saw the determination return to Evander’s thoughts and he took the first step down that long aisle, lined with nobles, royals, and families. A hush fell as he began to walk and even Kielan, who had been fussy moments earlier, fell quiet behind Gael in Cordelia’s arms.

  Alyx wondered, not for the first time, if the universe was gifting him this man in return for all the suffering he had gone through since he was a child.

  He looked like the warrior king that was whispered about throughout the lands. His golden hair was longer now, curling at the ends, where Alyx loved to tug. His generous mouth was pinched flat into a serious line and Alyx wanted to kiss it away. His green eyes remained on Alyx and Alyx knew that he would always remember this, Evander walking down the aisle to take what had been his since birth.

  At the altar, the priest nodded at the crowd. They knelt.

  Evander fell to one knee in front of the man.

  ∞∞∞

  “I sincerely thought you were going to faint,” Alyx whispered to Evander as soon as they were able to see each other.

  “As did I,” Evander muttered. He ran his hands up and down Alyx’s upper arms, as though soothing himself by soothing Alyx. Auelina snarled at Evander, reminding him not to wrinkle Alyx’s clothing. The wedding was only moments away and they had to get ready to go to the sanctuary that was built out in the middle of the woods. Alyx constantly questioned why they couldn’t be married in the castle but no one could give him a proper answer.

  Finally, Evander had told him that once
he saw the sanctuary for the wedding, it would all be worth it. Alyx had given in, let the wedding go on as planned, but still frowned when the sanctuary was mentioned.

  Now though, before they finally made their journey to the woods, they had a moment alone. Auelina was at the doors with Gael, while Cade and Cordelia began the long escort to the sanctuary. More people would be at the wedding and the reception than would be followed, probably with more people still.

  Alyx wasn’t much for large crowds but he knew after this, they would leave for their honeymoon and have five days alone. That was enough to console Alyx.

  That and the promise that no one would leave him alone with complete strangers for too long.

  “This last thing and then our honeymoon,” Evander promised, as though he could hear Alyx’s thoughts.

  Alyx nodded and Evander kissed him briefly. “You wear the crown well.”

  “I can’t believe your mother did this for me,” Alyx muttered and raised a hand to the crown.

  “Believe it. You are hers now as any of us are,” Evander said and smiled at him.

  “You wear your crown even better,” Alyx replied and lifted a hand to his, not quite daring to touch it.

  Alyx thought briefly of watching Evander bow before his mother and as she turned to Geoffrey, holding an all-too-familiar wooden box and taking Evander’s crown out. There had been a whisper among the crown when she lifted it and held it above her head, and the light caught the gold and the delicate filigree and the jewels. It was beautiful and reminded Alyx of something deadly.

  Just like Evander.

  Up close it was even more beautiful but Alyx saw why it looked like it could cause great injury. The delicate filigree was sharpened into points in spots and if it was lifted wrong, the person could easily be stabbed.

  “Come on, you two,” Auelina said and a servant bowed when they turned. “They are ready.”

  Auelina was led out by a small contingent of knights and Alyx and Evander followed, alone.

  Their carriage was waiting for them and Evander raised an eyebrow at Alyx and Alyx shook his head.

  The last time they were in one of these, Alyx found himself kneeling between Evander’s knees.

  “Behave,” Alyx muttered.

  “I suppose you can’t arrive to our wedding looking freshly fucked,” Evander whispered back.

  “You will pay for that.”

  “Gladly.”

  Evander let Alyx go first, then he followed.

  For the first part of the trip they were quiet, holding hands and staring out the windows and waving to people that lined the streets.

  “I have heard that barbarians are attending our wedding,” Alyx said casually and looked over his shoulder at Evander.

  Evander laughed. “I believe you are talking about the Ataton Empire, am I correct?”

  Alyx nodded. Gael had been trying to fill him in on all the royalty that would be coming to the wedding and this was a name that stuck out in Alyx’s mind. Gael was terrified of them and even Auelina had remained quiet while Gael spoke of them. They were barbarians, lived far to to the south on a chain of islands, barely wore clothing, and ruled over the seas. Unlike the Winchesters, they kept their hair long. Their people were beautiful, that was sure enough, but they would sooner claw your face off than shake your hand.

  “Prince Eamon has terrified Gael since he was child. He told Gael a scary story once and tried to teach him how to swim, which didn’t turn out great, and Gael still isn’t over it,” Evander said and chuckled. He shook his head. “The royalty of the Ataton Empire are good people. Fierce warriors, yes. Prince Eamon and his younger brother are a sight to behold on the backs of their horses. Eamon himself has a horse of stature that is one of the most frightening animals around.”

  “And you say they are polite?” Alyx said, trying to reconcile the idea of a terrifying prince astride a huge warhorse and his brother, likely the same size with a similar animal.

  “Eamon’s horse is the sister of Eros. If you are used to Eros, his horse is no less terrifying.”

  “Eros is terrifying,” Alyx protested.

  “She loves you,” Evander said.

  “Is that why she tries to knock me to the ground every time she sees me?” Alyx asked.

  “It’s how she shows her affection.”

  Alyx thought over it. “Gael also told me that they don’t wear clothing.”

  At that, Evander hesitated.

  Alyx’s eyes widened. “They don’t wear clothing?”

  “They do, just… far less than what we are used to,” Evander hedged.

  “Evander-” Alyx started.

  “It’ll be fine. Once you meet them, you will like them, I am sure of it. Don’t let Gael scare you,” Evander said.

  Alyx frowned at him.

  “No, it’s the Ebiris Empire and whoever they send that worries me,” Evander muttered and his expression darkened.

  “Gael said they were nice, polite people, who observed all the rules of decorum and manners!” Alyx said, exasperated.

  Evander sighed. “I love my brother, I do, but sometimes he is truly unaware of what he speaks of.”

  “What do you mean now?” Alyx said.

  “Our court, the one at home, we keep free of people that would try to overthrow us for all the obvious reasons. When my mother gained the title of Queen, she saw to it that all the people that were out to ruin either her or my father’s reputation were removed from court. It made things less political for it to be populated with those that we could trust and a better place to raise a family,” Evander said.

  “Your mother is a sensible, wise woman.”

  “The Ebiris Empire thrives on rumors and whispers and lies. They live for the day that the current royal family is brought low by some scandal and new rulers are installed and the process can begin anew. Their prince, Prince Alik, is the only surviving child of three. His sister was kidnapped and murdered during a negotiation treaty. His brother, Cor, was killed while trying to retrieve her body. Or what remained of it. Prince Alik’s cousin, Lord Margrave, might be there as well, and for all that is good and holy, do not be alone with that man,” Evander said.

  “Why?” Alyx asked. He wondered if it was too late to cancel the wedding and head to the island and get married there without anyone else present.

  “Margrave is…” Evander trailed off. “He has had a difficult life. He only speaks in half truths and outright lies and is the worst of them all at creating tension. It is in your own best interest to keep away from him.”

  “What of the prince?” Alyx asked.

  “Prince Alik is unpleasant, beautiful, and temperamental. He keeps company with only one other person, Lady Issat. If he talks to you, it is a miracle.”

  Their carriage stopped in front of the sanctuary.

  Evander smiled. “We’re here.”

  ∞∞∞

  The sanctuary was old. Evander didn’t know how many generations of his family had been married in the stone building, but he knew that many more to come would do the same. Evander hoped that if he and Alyx adopted any children, they would also choose to be married here.

  Stories of how beautiful his mother looked on her wedding day were still told and she was in the front row, standing, as the rest of the congregation was. Evander made his way to the altar first, where Edward stood in for Evander’s father, ready to start the ceremony. Gael was next to Evander, and across from Gael and Evander, Josette waited, luminous in her forest green gown. Alyx was left at the back of the sanctuary, partially hidden from view, and the prying eyes of the rest of sanctuary.

  Tales preceded him about his reputation. Evander heard, in turn, that Alyx was gentle, cunning, kind, cruel, simple, a genius, and every other way a person could be described. He was both indescribably beautiful and horribly disfigured from his time spent with a cruel stepmother. And because Alyx was shy to the point of being rudely stand-offish, some of the rumors were more prominent than others. The only one
s that Evander bothered to correct were the ones that told of Evander feeling so much pity for Alyx that he chose to marry him out of the goodness of his heart.

  Alyx was not pitiful and Evander was not nearly that charitable.

  The sanctuary was lit by fat candles and the atmosphere was hazy around them. Everything was draped in thick, creamy fabric, and finally, finally, Alyx entered the sanctuary.

  He looked like a dream that Evander had once, where he was an angel sent to Evander. The bold black and gold thread of his tunic drew every eye to him and all those lessons with Auelina and Gia had paid off as Alyx walked down the aisle, his chin raised, his eyes glued on Evander.

  Evander grinned, but Alyx remained serious.

  Behind Evander, Gael nudged him.

  Evander did not stop smiling.

  When Alyx came to a stop next to Evander, Edward cleared his throat.

  “Hey, I didn’t know you were going to be here,” Evander whispered to Alyx.

  “I will kill you, Evander Winchester,” Alyx hissed back and offered Evander his hand, as was custom.

  Edward sighed and shook his head at the two of them. He gestured for everyone else to sit.

  Then it began.

  “When I was first approached for the honor of marrying these two, I did not hesitate. Usually, it is the father of the two getting married that does this but since both fathers are gone, it fell to me. I grew up alongside King Serlo and watched as King Evander grew up,” Edward began.

  Evander cast a look at Alyx and then returned to looking up at Edward who stood slightly above them.

  “I was there when Alyx was brought to the castle, while Evander nursed him back to health, and I watched as our King learned the most important part of ruling; service. Evander went above and beyond what was asked for and if there was ever a harsh word or cross look sent Alyx’s way, there was His Highness to speak to.”

  “I didn’t know that,” Alyx whispered to Evander.

  Evander winked.

  “And it is a privilege to preside over our King’s wedding, but it is an honor to do the same for Alyx,” Edward said.