I went to the bathing rooms after leaving the War room. Even though I had swam through the sea back to the palace the soot from the burning ship still clung to my hands, arms and legs. The dress I had worn was unsalvageable and I discarded it on the tiled floors of the changing room. A maid quickly picked them up and I directed her to dispose of it as she wished.

The perfumes of the bath waters thickened the air of the bathing rooms and I felt choked on their pungency. I wondered if other palaces flooded their bathing rooms with such smells.

I picked up a small basket filled with towels, combs, hair pins, and scented soaps. It fit perfectly under my arm as I walked into large communal bath. The air was steamy making everything damp and the floor slick. My feet slapped against the cold stone floor as I neared the fragrant waters of the bath. The bath itself was set into the floor and big enough to swim laps freely. I set my basket down on the edge of the bath and slipped into the warmer water.

I sighed as I sunk beneath the water. I swam to the other end of the bath and back before sitting on the submerged bench that ran along the side of the bath. I was the only one in the bath itself, but there were several maids on call should I need them.

I combed out the debris from my hair and then began scrubbing my skin to get rid of the soot. After several minutes the soot came off my reddened skin.

I laid back to float in the water and think.

How was it possible for me to grow in size? Why did I not have memories of the event when I had memories of when the men had been turned to stone? Was it possible that the Gentle God was trying to spare my mind of the deaths of those men?

I heard a small cough from behind me and tilted my head back to see where the noise was coming from. I immediately flipped over and stared at the slightly familiar woman before me. I could tell she was a noble by the way she carried her body and by the way her face had been painted by make-up.

She looked at me with cool eyes before tilting her head in curiosity.

“You’re prettier than I expected,” she said before crossing her arms. “Though Cadfael would be hard pressed to find someone as beautiful as me from peasant stock.”

I narrowed my eyes as I recognized her. Lady Syr, Vael’s second wife who claimed that he was crazy.

“You’re Lady Syr?”

“Be quiet, I did not say you could speak,” she said in a harsh voice.

My anger flared. She did not say I could speak?

“I’ll speak as I wish,” I said through gritted teeth.

Lady Syr’s arms dropped to her side and she approached the edge of the pool. Her chin lifted, but her face remained emotionless; so unlike Ai.

“You seem to think that just because you are betrothed to Cadfael that you automatically have his status as well. This is a fallacy. You are still a commoner and must remain obedient to the nobility.

“You claim to be a champion of the gods, but lack any respect for what that position entails. You work in the kitchens, run off with strange men and threaten those who are your betters. You sicken me deeply.”

“I-” I began, but she cut me off with a wave of her hand.

“I didn’t say you could speak! Lady Ai may tolerate you’re disrespect, but I will not. You’re nothing more than a shiny pebble among jewels. Cadfael only keeps you out of sentiment for his youthful feelings toward your mother.”

I swam to the edge of the bath and climbed the stairs until we were on level ground. “I have had enough of your condescension. Shiny pebble or not, Lord Cadfael chose to be with me.”

“Yes, he did choose you, but only because he is weak-minded and weak willed. Maybe he thought your brazenness would rub off on him; he certainly lacks any of his own.” Lady Syr sighed and looked away. “Pitiful thing that he is.”

I resisted the urge to slap. I wondered if she was trying to goad me into physical retaliation. I had been fortunate that the first time I had struck a noble out of anger that Lord Gidean had decided to not press charges. I still remembered how Ai’s face had felt under my fist several months ago. I needed to control my anger.

“He is not pitiful!”

Lady Syr leaned in close and whispered in my ear. “But he is! He pretends to be strong and unyielding, yet lets you run wild. He was even squeamish when it came to executions.” She straightened. “He’s a miniscule portion of the man that his father was. I’m glad that he didn’t father any children on me.”

I felt my face heat in anger. “Did you know about Aur?” I said hoarsely.

Syr frowned. “You mean Lord Aur? My whisperers told me of him. If I knew he had existed during my marriage I would never have let Cadfael touch me. Hopefully he takes after his mother.”

“I’ve had enough of you! Please leave!”

Lady Syr snapped her fingers and I saw a blur coming from my left. Before I could react, I found myself thrown backward into the pool. I hit the surface with a loud smack that sent water flying in all directions.

“Let that be a warning, Sol. I will not tolerate any more insolence from you,” Lady Syr said. I looked at the female guard standing beside her. She showed just as little expression on her face as her lady.

Vael was right, there would be people willing to attack me in the Illustrious’ palace. I swallowed my anger down.

“Good bye, I hope you all the best,” Lady Syr said before leaving with her guard. Had she only come to test me? Had she been hoping that I would strike out at her so she had an excuse to hurt of lock me up? She did not seem the sort to turn to fiery outbursts like Ai and I were prone to, nor did she seem to have a vendetta against Vael like Ai had.

I knew one thing, I did not want her as an enemy, especially when she wasn’t afraid of the potential wrath of gods.

I swam a second lap of the bath to cool my anger before getting out and toweling myself off.

When I entered the changing room a new set of robes had been left for me on a table. I dressed quickly and then the maids directed me to a chair before a mirror. I sat and they began to braid my hair quickly into two long coils before wrapping them around themselves to form one large bun. Using pins they secured my hair and then stood back to let me admire their work. My hair, white like a cloud on a sunny day, gleamed in the light. I smiled at them and thanked them. In turn they bowed and I left the bathing rooms. Alvern was still waiting for me in the hallway and had been joined by a second guard, a woman that I was not familiar with. She bowed to me.

“My lady, my name is Lin. Lord Cadfael has assigned me to be your guard for today.”

“Hello,” I said. Lin straightened as I moved past her and continued down the hallway. People were still rushing through the palace as we walked. Festive was the most important holiday for the Illustrious of Merida. Every year he and his wife would choose different nobles to attend. Vael had been chosen to attend last year’s Festive so it came as a surprise that he was chosen a second year in a row.

I was curious to see what the event would be like. I had heard a rumor that the Illustrious of Nadir may be attending Festive. He had been newly chosen as the Illustrious for the holds west of the Meridian ones. The Prince had shown high regard for him, from what I’d heard. I wondered what he could have done to gain such recognition.

When I reached my room my maids were waiting for me outside the door. They kept giving me furtive glances as I approached them and wondered what could be bothering them. “Yolande, Eve, how are you?” I asked.

“Lady Sol, you had a guest,” Eve said.

“Had? Are they gone?”

“Yes, they only wanted to give you a gift,” Yolande said. I arched my eyebrow and opened my door. At first I couldn’t see what they were talking about until I looked at my wardrobe. Hanging on the door was a red dress with silver lotus flowers. A silver brooch in the shape of a lotus was pinned to the right side of the breast. A silver sash was tied around the waist with a gold painted fan tucked into it.

I looked back at Yolande and Eve. “Who left this?” I asked weakly.

“They didn’t say, but it was no one from North Hold,” Yolande said.

I left the door open and crossed the room to my wardrobe. I touched the fabric and found it smooth and silky under my fingertips. I saw something white peeking out from the collar and pulled out a small slip of paper.

‘Wear this tonight’, it said. Could Vael have left this for me? Could he have asked one of the servants to bring it to my room?

I turned around. “Alvern, if you could please wait outside while I dress?”

He bowed to me. “Yes, my lady.” Yolande and Eve moved into room with me. Lin bowed to me then closed the door.

“Lord Cadfael will be here at fourth bell. I would like to be ready before then,” I said to my maids. They bowed to me. I quickly slipped out of my robes and stood in my Grace looking at the red dress. I felt nervous about putting it on. Though I liked the color the rich material seemed fragile compared to my everyday clothing.

I touched the fabric again.

“Lady Sol?” Yolande said. I shook my head and pulled the dress down. The maids took it from me then held it between them to allow me to step into the dress. I noticed that silver buttons ran down the back of the dress before the women lifted it to let me put my arms through the sleeves. I stood still as they buttoned the dress.

Eve then picked up the sash and wrapped it around my waist before securing it in place as a bow. She then went to my vanity and pulled out Lady Fiamma’s pearls and silver jewelry. I sat in the chair for my vanity and allowed the women to undo my hair. They worked the pearls into my hair before putting the silver necklace around my neck.

“Lady Sol, would you like us to paint your hands and feet?” Eve asked.

“Yes.”

She picked up a small jar and paint brush. In the jar was a similar paint to the white paint I had worn for my trial, but this one was a rich sienna color. I held out my hands and let Eve paint scales on the back of my hands. When she was done she knelt while I lifted the hem of my dress. On my feet she painted a pair of large blooms. Yolande secured earrings to my ears before applying make-up to my face.

When I looked into the mirror after they were done I smiled with pleasure. The red on my lips looked stunning against my skin.

There was a knock on the door and Eve answered it. “Lady Sol, it’s Lord Cadfael.” I felt my cheeks warm; he had arrived earlier than I expected. I rose from the chair and went to the door. Vael’s eyes widened when he saw me and his jaw dropped for a moment. He swallowed hard and gripped his fan tightly in his right hand.

“Sol,” he said in a soft thick voice. “You look radiant.”

The heat in my cheeks intensified to the point where I felt as if I was on fire. I looked away and took a deep breath before returning my attention back to him. “Thank you.” He took my left hand with his and kissed it soundly.

“I just wanted to make sure you made it back to your room safely before I go to change,” he said.

“Oh. Okay.”

“I’ll be back at fourth bell as promised.”

“Okay.”

He gave my hand another kiss and then went down the hall to his room. I shut the door firmly and leaned my head against the cool wood. Why was it so hard to speak to him? I didn’t deny that I had fallen in love with my betrothed, but it made it harder for me to speak to him. I couldn’t even tell him that I had seen Syr.

“Lady Sol, would you like to play a game with us while you wait?” Eve asked.

“Yes,” I said softly. I lifted my head from the door and blew air out of my nose. My problems could wait.

After ten minutes of play there came another knock on my door. Eve answered it once again. She froze in the doorway and I thought something was wrong when she began to flap her hands in agitation. I stood swiftly and Yolande mirrored me. “Eve?” I said.

She threw the door wide open and stepped back with her hands tightly clasped in front of her chest and bowed. Vael entered the room and I felt my heart race so strongly that it seemed that it would burst out of my chest. He was dressed in a tailored white coat with silver lotuses and matching pants. Underneath the coat was a white blouse with wide silver pinstripes. A red satin sash was looped around his shoulder and tied at the waist. His nails were painted white and in his black hair were his father’s pearls threaded through the braids of his hair.

He approached me slowly then bowed, took my hand in his and raised it to his lips. I shivered. “My dear lady,” he said in a soft voice. My knees quaked and I took a step back to steady myself.

“Lord,” I squeaked then cleared my throat. “Lord Cadfael.” He smiled and my heart stopped. I felt my cheeks heat and my breath stuttered. “You look amazing.”

His lips turned up in a smug smile and he winked at me. “I may look amazing, but I’m nothing compared to you.” He turned my hand over and kissed my palm. “Were you the one who left this clothing in my room?” He touched the lapel of the coat. “I like it, when did you purchase this?”

“I didn’t,” I replied. “I thought you had bought it and this dress.”

Vael straightened and drew me closer. “Then it must have been the Illustrious and Illustria. We are to meet them in the reception hall in ten minutes.”

“Ten minutes?”

“That’s what the message left for me said. The both of us are to meet in the reception hall at four and ten.”

“Then we’d better hurry. He’d be upset if we were late, right?”

Vael led me to the door then turned back to the maids. “Yolande, Eve, you’re dismissed for the day. Enjoy Festive,” he said.

They bowed together. “Thank you, my lord,” they said in unison.

We left my room quickly and Alvern and Lin fell into step behind us as we made our way through the palace. Vael held my hand securely on his forearm with his left hand. I snuck a glance at his face while we walked and our eyes met. The heat returned to my face and I looked away.

We arrived at the reception hall’s doors in silence and were met by two palace guards. “I’m Lord Cadfael and this is my betrothed Lady Sol. We have an audience.”

“Yes, Lord Cadfael, we’ve been expecting you,” one guard said. They opened the doors together. My heart skipped a beat. Hundreds of people stood quietly in the room staring at us. At the end of the room on a dais stood the Illustrious and Illustria next to a man seated on a throne. Above their heads thousands of fall flowers had been streamed between the chandeliers. Painted squash were arranged on the tables on raised glass platters. At the base, straw and holly berries had been braided into a wreath to encircle it.

I tore my eyes away from the decorations to look at the seated man in clothing similar to Vael’s, but in a red as bright as the holly berries. As we drew closer to the dais I saw a silver brooch in the shape of a lotus on the breast of the man’s coat and on his head was a thin gold circlet. “The Prince,” Vael said under his breath. I realized then that he was the one who had sent us our clothing. The lotus was a symbol of his house and authority over the Sparkling Sea.

When we reached the dais Vael knelt immediately and I followed more clumsily. I stared at the tiled floor as I heard the Prince shift in his seat. “Lord Cadfael, Lady Sol, you are probably wondering why I am here,” the Prince said in a smooth deep voice. “I have heard many rumors about the champion of the gods so I thought I must see for myself. Who knew that on the day of my arrival I would see such an awesome sight over my waters; a giant white-haired woman bringing destruction down on a Landwalker vessel.”

I saw the Prince’s feet at the edge of my vision. He stood over us making my neck feel exposed as I knelt in front of him. I swallowed hard and did my best to remain still.

“Tell me Lady Sol, what do the gods want?” the Prince asked.

I felt my mouth dry and my throat constrict. I thought back to the day that my hair had turned white and the voice of the Gentle God had spoken to me in the garden. “My Prince, I believe the Gentle God wants me to slay a demon, Lemuete.”

“A demon? And those pirates that were killed; were they associated with this demon?”

“I do not know, my Prince.”

“The Gentle God never spoke to you?”

“Only about my mother, my Prince.”

“Stand for me please.”

I rose slowly and looked at my ruler. Gray hair had begun to appear on his head even though he was only in his mid-thirties. He wore make-up which I assumed was to make him appear less tired than his body language projected. His brown eyes scrutinized me from head to toe before he offered me his hand. I placed my right hand in his and he drew me up onto the stage and presented me to the crowd.

“My good people of Meridia, I present to you today Lady Sol, Eminence of Meridia,” the Prince projected. His voice echoed in the hall before it was drowned out by the clapping of the people. The edges of my vision grayed and I fought to keep myself rooted in my body. “Today I shall wed her to Lord Cadfael of North Hold, may their house be blessed for years to come and their loins fertile.”

I fought the urge to cross my legs. I hoped that my loins remained barren. The Prince motioned to his advisor who stood to the side of the dais holding a book in his hands. He handed the book to the Prince before standing back.

“Lord Cadfael,” the Prince said. “You may rise.” Vael rose slowly and looked at me. His face had become a mask of coldness, but I could see the apprehension in his eyes. “Before I wed you two, I must first ask that you swear fealty to me as your Prince. Place your hand on this law book.”

Hesitantly I placed my hand on the book and Vael placed his hand over mine and gripped my fingers.

“Lord Cadfael, Lady Sol, as the people of Meridia bear witness today do you promise to swear loyalty, wealth and swords to the Sparkling Sea throne, and to myself, Prince Titus Arruns Geta?”

“Yes, my Prince,” Vael said.

“Yes, my Prince,” I said weakly.

“Kneel,” said the Prince. We kneeled and he handed the book back to his advisor before holding out his hands. Vael kissed the ring of the right index finger and I kissed the left. “Now if you’re ready, I shall marry you. Who represents this woman?”

“I do my lord,” I heard my father say.

“And is she good of heart, well in spirit, and soft and gentle in nature?”

“Aye, Lord, she is,” my father replied.

“Who represents this man?”

“I do my Lord,” the Illustria said.

“And is he strong of arm, hearty of spirit, and fierce and just in nature?”

“Aye, Lord, he is,” she replied.

The Prince raised his hands to the congregation. “Are there any among you who would dispute such union?” The room remained silent, but for the shuffling of feet by the nobles. “Then bring forth the cup and wine.”

A servant stepped onto the dais bearing a small basin with a goblet and bottle within it. He set the items down at my feet and bowed to us. I took the goblet and bottle out of the basin and motioned for Vael to step into it. Once he stood in the basin I poured the bottle of wine over his bare feet then poured some in the goblet and offered it to him.

“Lord Cadfael, do you pledge love and loyalty to Lady Sol for all of your life?” the Prince said.

“I do,” said Vael.

He drank from the cup then put it to my lips for me to drink. The red fluid was bitter in my mouth and I swallowed hard while fighting back the urge to cough. When the cup was drained I took it from Vael’s hands and set it on the dais. He then took my hands and helped me to my feet.

“Lady Sol, as you have drunk from his cup, do you pledge love and loyalty to Lord Cadfael for all of your life?”

“I do,” I said. I felt tears welling in my eyes. After months of waiting I was finally marrying Vael. My stomach flopped and I resisted the urge to throw up.

“Then as your lord, you are married,” the Prince said. Vael dipped his head and pecked me on the lips. “I present to you Lord Cadfael Kai and Eminence Sol Cadfael.”