Starved Monster: MM Medieval Romance (Cerith Kingdom Chronicles Book 2) Page 3

  “Oh,” Alyx murmured.

  “Many of you here do not know Alyx and there are a lot of things that have been said about him. Some true, some false, but I know just about as well as the rest of the royal family and let me tell you this - Our King is barely worthy of him.”

  Alyx felt his face flame hot and tears spring to his eyes.

  “Alyx will never admit it, will never say it, but he is a good man, a better man than I have ever met. When Evander chose him, he knew what he was doing. When Evander asked for him, he was wise beyond his years. When Evander fell in love with him, he was blessed from above.”

  Alyx swallowed hard and when he looked over at Evander, he wasn’t surprised to see tears on his cheeks, but he was surprised to see the happiness radiating from him. It felt too much for Alyx, like they were giving him praise beyond what he deserved. He knew he didn’t live up to it and that he was the one that was lucky enough to be loved by Evander.

  “Alyx,” Edward said and turned to him. “Are you here of your own free will and do you swear that you have not been forced here by anyone?”

  “I am here of my own free will,” Alyx said.

  “Evander, are you here of your own free will and do you swear that you have not been forced here by anyone?”

  “I am,” Evander said.

  “Then turn to Alyx and repeat after me,” Edward said.

  Evander did and Alyx, shaking, turned to Evander as Evander repeated the words that Edward said out loud.

  “I take this first step with you into our future

  Where you will remain at my side

  Through all that is good

  And all that is bad,

  I will remain.”

  Evander took a deep breath and wiped at his face. The crowd behind him chuckled and he turned and gave them a brilliant smile. Alyx saw that every single member of the royal family was crying and that Cordelia was consoling Aldous, who was silently sobbing.

  Evander turned back to Alyx and without prompting from Edward, he continued.

  “Through our youth,

  Unto our death,

  Through feasts and famine

  Through delight and devastation,

  I will remain.”

  Evander raised Alyx’s hands to his mouth and kissed his knuckles and for a moment, it seemed like he would not be able to continue. Alyx heard more than a few people crying in the background but his whole life was centered only on the man in front of him who seemed too caught up to continue.

  ​So Alyx picked up the last.

  “I thank the Goddess above that she has given to me a soul so precious

  I can call you beloved.

  I thank the God below that he has given me time on earth with you

  To make our lives our own.

  And when we are called to our own time of death, fear not.

  I will remain.”

  Evander leaned forward, cupped Alyx’s face in his hands, and kissed him slowly, sweetly.

  Distantly, Alyx heard the cheers.

  Chapter Four

  The sun was setting and the reception was going on in full force. There were tents in a large field, more food than Alyx had ever seen in his life, and bonfires and people and a sheer amount of joy that made Alyx think he would vibrate out of his skin.

  He and Evander were sitting on a raised platform, with people milling around. It felt strange, sitting above everyone but Evander squeezed his hand when he noticed Alyx’s discomfort.

  “You get used to it. And it happens so rarely,” he murmured.

  Alyx nodded. Gifts were laid down in front of them and Alyx opened his mouth to ask Evander about them but a sort of hush fell on the crowd and everyone turned away from the platform and towards the back of the milling crowd.

  The noise picked up again almost instantly but there seemed to be a whisper among the people. Alyx looked around to the others, tried to figure out what was going on, and then, as he raised his goblet to his lips, he saw them.

  Four of them; two men and two women. Well, technically one woman and one young lady, still in her late teens. The largest of the men led the other three towards the platform and Alyx choked on his wine.

  The men wore black leather chitons that only covered their waist and thighs and thick belts with fierce looking swords. Over one shoulder, they both had black, heavy capes that reached to the ground and boots that went up almost to their knees. Other than the capes, they wore nothing else over their torsos. Both the men wore their hair long, pulled back in complicated braids. The larger of the two had more tattoos on his torso than Alyx had ever seen on anyone in his life and he had to tear his gaze away before it became improper.

  The women wore… dresses? Alyx couldn’t tell, properly, if these could actually be called dresses. There was a band of fabric across their breasts and their flat bellies were bare. Their skirts were long but were cut high on both sides, up to their upper thighs. The older one wore a dress of red and the other a deep purple. Their bare upper arms were stacked with bracelets of gold and silver. All four of them had bronzed skin, dark hair, and were taller than almost anyone at the party.

  All four wore diadems.

  Alyx choked on his wine.

  Evander smirked at him.

  The oldest approached the platform first, and knelt, followed by the younger man and then the two women who curtsied without flashing any more flesh than they already had on display.

  “King Evander, my sincerest congratulations on this happy day,” the man said and Alyx jerked at the sound of his voice. He expected it to sound deep, but this was beyond even that. It sounded like gravel was in this man’s chest. “My siblings and I wish to present to you and King Alyx with a gift.”

  “Several gifts,” the woman in red said. She winked at Alyx.

  Alyx didn’t know where to look. Panicked, he found Josette lingering to the side of the crowd and laughing at him. He glared at her. She bent over, laughing harder than ever.

  “Eamon, you did not need to bring anything,” Evander said. For the first time that night, he jumped off the platform and landed next to Eamon who was, god help Alyx, larger than even Evander.

  “I didn’t bring anything for you, you spoiled brat,” Eamon said fondly. “I brought something for King Alyx.”

  Evander looked up at Alyx, still on the platform and held his hand out. Alyx stood and took his hand.

  Evander was promptly pulled away by Eamon but Alyx had no choice but to follow him as the other three gathered around him and effectively cut anyone off from coming near them. Up close, Eamon looked dangerous but these three seemed deadly.

  He saw Gael looking at him from some distance, worry clear on his face.

  “Did Gael tell you we are barbarians who prance around our islands naked?” The younger lady asked.

  “Or did he tell you that our brother butchers his enemies on sight with his bare hands?” The older woman asked.

  “Perhaps he told you of the wolves that guard our island and eat intruders?” The young man asked.

  “I-” Alyx began.

  “I apologize. We have so been looking forward to this day. Evander is such a good man and we were delighted to hear of his marriage and such a romantic story,” the older woman said. Alyx guessed that she was in her mid-twenties.

  “And we were so sad to have missed Gael and Auelina’s weddings,” the younger woman said.

  “I am Lissandra, Eamon is my twin,” the older woman said.

  “Avelina, I am the youngest,” the younger one said.

  “And I am Edmond,” the young man said.

  “It is very nice to meet you all,” Alyx said.

  Avelina linked her arm through Alyx’s and they walked, Edmond on his other side and Lissandra on Avelina’s other side.

  “We would love to host you and the King any time you feel like a holiday. I believe that you will find our islands to be very beautiful,” Avelina said.

  “Are there wolves?” Alyx asked, for a lack of anything else to ask.

  “There are. The wolves of Stormholme. They all belong to Eamon, though, answer him like they are his children or soldiers,” Edmond said.

  “So they are tame?” Alyx asked.

  “I would not go that far,” Avelina said.

  Alyx looked to her and he was about to ask her something else when her hand brushed the harness under his sleeve and she looked over at him, her eyes wide. “Are these your blades?” She whispered.

  “They are,” Alyx said.

  “You must show us,” Edmond said, his eyes equally wide.

  “Another time, brother. Right now, I would like to give Alyx his gift,” Eamon said.

  His voice commanded attention and everyone turned.

  For the second time since meeting them, Alyx choked.

  Avelina rubbed his back.

  “Dear gods,” Alyx said.

  In front of Eamon was a great white horse with the most beautiful saddle strapped to it. It appeared to be as big as Eros. Evander was already petting its nose and it was gently nudging at his shoulder.

  “Sweetest mare on this planet, I swear it,” Eamon said and gestured for Alyx to step forward. “When Evander said that he could not find a horse gentle enough for you, I knew that Ranger was the one for you.”

  “She’s beautiful, thank you,” Alyx said. He stepped forward and Ranger turned towards him and nickered at him.

  “Here,” Eamon said and helped Alyx up.

  Ranger turned her head, nudged at Alyx’s leg, and then pranced around the small opening, showing off for everyone.

  Cheers and laughter rang through the field.

  Eamon reached up and helped Alyx off of the horse and then Evander was there, poking Eamon in the chest. “Hands to yourself, good sir. I
don’t want to have you hanged for impudence.”

  “You forget, I am royal as well, Your Highness. I am also a law unto myself,” Eamon challenged.

  “Come,” Lissandra said to Alyx. “They go on like this for hours and we would like to give you our presents.”

  “There’s more?” Alyx asked.

  Avelina laughed.

  And there was more. Edmond had heard of Alyx’s preference for smaller blades and presented him a case filled with blades that were curved, serrated, and wickedly sharp. Lissandra gave him a painting she had done herself of the ocean and one lone ship. Alyx was honored that she was able to create something so beautiful. Avelina gave him a robe of silk so fine and light, it weighed barely more than air.

  Edmond disappeared and when Alyx looked around, he realized that Evander and Eamon were sparring with sticks.

  Lissandra sighed. “Two leaders of two separate countries and they play like they are children.”

  “Better children than hateful old men,” Avelina pointed out.

  “Does your brother fight often?” Alyx asked.

  “He does. Born and bred for war, as our father likes to say,” Avelina said. She sounded terribly bitter.

  “And he says so often,” Lissandra added, sounding equally bitter.

  “Does he have a companion?” Alyx asked.

  “No, he does not. I fear our parents will force him to choose soon. Eamon wishes to rule outright but my father will not give up the throne until Eamon has secured a future for himself and the islands,” Lissandra murmured.

  “A man such as him-” Alyx said and gestured to him. It seemed as though he danced with Evander, instead of fought. He was frightfully beautiful and Alyx knew he would be drawn to the prince if it were not for the King he had just married.

  “Has tastes similar to your own and our parents are not nearly as accepting as your Queen Mother,” Avelina said.

  Alyx sighed.

  Lissandra patted him on the shoulder. “Who knows. Maybe if there is a man rich enough for our country our parents will allow it.”

  “He cannot choose?”

  “You know that a royal’s life is not his own. Your King just got lucky,” Avelina said.

  Eventually even the sisters drifted away, when Auelina and Josette came by. Lissandra was overly excited to see Auelina and when she heard the news that Auelina was expecting a child soon, she seemed to be on the verge of tears.

  Evander was still with Eamon and Edmond and he looked to be having so much fun that Alyx was loathe to interrupt that. And truth be told, he need a moment to gather himself.

  So he leaned against one of the rough hewn tables where the food was laid out and picked at a few platters. People walking by nodded and congratulated him and Alyx returned their words with smiles.

  “How rare it is to find a newly crowned King all by himself on the day of his wedding,” a warm voice said behind him. It was honey sweet and strangely accented.

  When Alyx turned, he was at a loss. There, before him, stood a man in a dark cloak, perhaps blue, perhaps black. His face was partially hidden in the shadow of the hood but the part that he could see was elegant, clearly born from a long line of aristocrats.

  “Not so rare when the other King fights royalty from a far away land,” Alyx said and glanced over at Evander. They were far away and Evander was engrossed in a conversation with the two brothers and Aldous joined them. Alyx knew that there would be no rescue from this man anytime soon.

  The nameless man made Alyx uncomfortable in a way he couldn’t name, could only liken it to when Valentine spoke to him and kept his full attention on Alyx.

  “Hm, the barbarians from the Isles. I saw. Your King is breathtaking in a fight, but I would have to place money on Eamon, if we were wagering a bet,” the man said smoothly.

  “I would not bet against Evander. He is far more sly than most know,” Alyx said, feeling defensive.

  “Is that so?” He said, one elegant eyebrow raising slowly.

  “Mm,” Alyx replied and plucked a grape from a bunch.

  “His fight with York was heard throughout the lands. Amazing. I heard that he was nearly beaten when he took York’s head,” the man went on. Alyx felt suddenly like he was walking into a well laid trap that Elewisa used to lay for him, just before she would beat him.

  “Is that what you heard?” Alyx asked.

  For a moment, Alyx saw a temper flare on the man’s face, but it was there and gone in a second.

  “I’m sorry, you know my name but I do not know yours,” Alyx said. He tipped his head to the side as he waited for the answer. The man paused long enough for Alyx to become suspicious and he caught Cade’s eye over the man’s shoulder. Cade seemed unsure and gestured to Geoffrey, but he was on the far side of Evander and the other royals.

  “Margrave, have you been holding the King hostage?” A woman asked as she approached. Her voice was sweet but the blades in her belt were not. Her voice was accented like the man’s, like Margrave’s, but where he was fair in skin color, she was not. She was as sun kissed as Eamon and his siblings and her hair was dark. Her skirts were long and the bodice at her torso seemed more armor than decorative. She approached from the side, closer to Alyx than to the man she spoke to, as though she were ready to fight the strangely cloaked man.

  Alyx could see a warrior a mile away, thanks to Evander.

  “Really, cousin, do we need to have another discussion about how to behave at a royal wedding? What will we do when mine comes round?” Another voice asked from behind Margrave.

  This time, the flare of anger on the man’s face was unmistakable.

  “You would have to find someone first, Alik. And until then, I believe that the King and I were speaking,” Margrave said. He refused to turn and kept his eyes on Alyx.

  “Well, the Prince needs a word with the King. Go find Valentine and compare notes on how to torture small woodland creatures,” the lady said and sneered.

  “Valentine and I are beyond small woodland creatures,” Margrave said.

  It made Alyx slightly ill that the two knew each other so well that Margrave could speak with such confidence on the matters.

  “Really? Then perhaps you would be willing to speak with me on the subject then,” the woman said and reached for her belt.

  “Issat. Margrave. No bloodshed at the wedding. That was one of mother’s rules,” Prince Alik said.

  Margrave bared his teeth at the woman and left. As he did, the light caught the side of his face that was covered in shadows and Alyx saw that he was horribly disfigured with burns on the side of his face.

  “I apologize, Your Majesty,” Prince Alik said and stepped forward. He was beautiful as well, fair in a way that Alyx had never seen. His eyes were light blue, his hair the color of gold, and his skin so fair that Alyx worried that he would burn under the sun. He was beautiful the way that snow was beautiful, the way the cold ocean could be beautiful. He was not nearly as tall as the others that Alyx had met, but he seemed to command a large space, like he was used to people staring at him and judging his every move. He was measured in both his gestures and his words, studied in a certain kind of court combat that Alyx rarely saw.

  Alyx remembered what Evander had said of his court and realized that was probably the case.

  “I am Prince Alik, of the Ebiris Empire. My confidant, Lady Issat. It is our pleasure, Your Majesty,” Alik said and swept forward into a perfect bow.

  “It’s my pleasure,” Alyx said and Alik straightened up.

  “Please do not let Margrave’s introduction be the frame you have for all of us. He is…” Alik looked to Issat.

  “Eccentric,” she provided.

  “We all have those in our family,” Alyx agreed. He remained wary in front of the two of them. He trusted that Evander would tell him the truth, the truth to keep him protected and Alyx relied heavily on that. He didn’t know what kind of stories that the Prince or his Lady would carry back to their own court. Would they say he was simple? Or that he was arrogant and fool-hardy? Or worse yet, that Evander was the fool to marry someone such as him?

  “We have heard so many tales of your life, Your Majesty, that my Lady and I had to travel here to meet you,” Alik was saying and Alyx nodded.

  “I am pleased to meet you. Did you travel far?” Alyx asked.

  “A few days travel, nothing compared to the treasures that awaited us here,” Alik said.