Chapter 250 TEIGEN LXXX
Audrey’s chambers were quiet, filled with the soft light of late afternoon. Elder Azalia entered with her, moving with calm purpose.
Once inside, the older woman studied her closely. “You will not write your vows,” Azalia said.
Audrey stiffened. “I will,” she replied firmly.
Azalia’s gaze sharpened. “These vows will be spoken before the entire court. There can be no mistake.”
“I understand,” Audrey said. “But they must be mine. I will speak from my own heart.”
Azalia was silent for a moment, watching her.
“You are to wed the Alpha King,” she said at last. “A man bound to power older than this realm. Flame and shadow live within him.”
Audrey frowned. “You speak of Darius.”
“I speak of what he is,” Azalia said. “Do not mistake his gentleness for weakness.”
Audrey held her ground. “I do not fear him.”
Azalia’s gaze softened slightly. “No. You fear what he may become if he forgets to love.”
Audrey hesitated. “What do you mean?”
But the older woman only gave a small, knowing smile. “Your dress fitting is tomorrow,” she said. “Until then, practice your vows. They must come from you.”
With that, she turned and left.
Audrey stood alone in the quiet room. The light faded slowly as evening drew near.
She moved to the desk, her fingers brushing over the parchment and quill. She would write her own vows. She would speak the truth of her heart. Yet deep within her, Azalia’s words lingered. A warning she could not ignore. And as the shadows lengthened, she knew that what lay ahead would change everything.
~
The morning sun slipped through the thin curtains of Lady Audrey’s chamber, laying soft gold across the marble floor. The scent of lavender drifted gently in the air. In the corner, Audrey sat at her carved oak desk, her hand steady as she wrote careful lines of Latin with her silver-tipped quill.
Across from her stood Greer, ever bright and cheerful, her blonde hair tied in a neat plait that bounced as she moved. She held a small book in one hand and pointed at Audrey with the other.
“Alright, my lady,” Greer said with a playful grin. “Let us see how our future queen fares today. Translate this. Love endures all things, believes all things, and never fails.”
Audrey glanced up, a hint of amusement in her dark eyes. “Greer, that one is too easy. You’ve given it to me before.”
“Then prove it,” Greer said, folding her arms.
Audrey smiled and dipped her quill again. Her lips moved as she spoke the words with ease.
“Caritas omnia suffert, omnia credit, numquam deficit.”
Greer clapped happily. “Perfect. Though you might try smiling while you say it. Latin will not bite you.”
Audrey let out a soft laugh. “It is not Latin I fear. It is what comes after. Standing before the whole Empire, speaking vows in a tongue half of them only pretend to understand.”
Greer leaned against the desk, her eyes shining. “They will be too busy staring at you to notice any mistake. And envying the king besides.”
Audrey rolled her eyes, though her smile remained. “You do know how to flatter.”
“I do my best,” Greer said lightly. “At this rate, the scribes will soon lose their work.”
Audrey’s gaze dropped to the parchment. The words she had written spoke of loyalty and devotion, binding her to Darius before gods and men. She traced one line softly and whispered,
“In fide et igne, cor meum tuum est.”
“In faith and fire, my heart is yours.”
Greer’s smile softened. “That is beautiful.”
Audrey gave a small smile, though it held a trace of doubt. “It was meant to be. Though I wonder if I can truly mean it.”
A quiet settled between them. Then Greer straightened, eager to lift the mood.
“Well then, let us speak of something lighter. Tomorrow’s banquet.”
Audrey set her quill aside. “You have been speaking of nothing else all morning. Tell me what you have heard.”
Greer lit up at once. “It will be grand. Bards from the eastern courts are coming. They say one plays the harp so sweetly even wolves pause to listen. And there will be dancers with silk veils and gold anklets.”
Audrey laughed softly. “It sounds as though they mean to celebrate a goddess, not a bride.”
“Well,” Greer said with a sly look, “you are to wed the Alpha King. It is only fitting.”
Audrey’s smile dimmed for a moment at the word Alpha, but Greer hurried on.
“You will look beautiful. No one wears red as you do.”
Audrey chuckled. “Red? You have already seen the dresses, have you not?”
Greer grinned. “Perhaps just a little.”
Audrey laughed again, but the sound faded as a sharp knock echoed at the door.
Both women stilled.
A voice called from outside, “Her Holiness, the Oracle, requests entry.”
Audrey’s breath caught. Elder Azalia.
Greer quickly set things in order. Audrey rose, smoothing her gown.
“Let her enter,” she said.
The door opened, and Azalia stepped in. She wore pale silver robes and carried herself with quiet authority. Behind her came Orchid, gentle and silent as ever.
“My lady,” Orchid said with a bow.
Azalia inclined her head slightly. “Lady Audrey. His Majesty’s gifts have arrived. Your dresses await in the bridal chamber.”
Greer’s eyes widened. “Already?”
“It is time for your fitting,” Azalia said. “Come.”
Audrey nodded and followed. Greer and Orchid came behind.
The palace halls grew quieter as they walked. Servants bowed low as they passed. At last, they reached the bridal chamber, and the doors were opened.
Audrey stepped inside and stopped.
The room was filled with light. Silk draped the walls in soft shades of pink, and gowns lay spread across the bed in shades of red, gold, and rose. Each one shimmered with jewels. The air smelled faintly of roses and honey.
Greer clasped her hands. “My lady… have you ever seen anything so fine?”
Orchid touched one gown gently. “Flame-thread silk. Only royal brides wear such things.”
Audrey smiled faintly. “Then it is fitting.”
Her gaze moved to a table lined with velvet boxes, each marked with the royal seal. When opened, they revealed jewels that glittered in the light.
Necklaces, crowns, earrings, all shining like treasure.
“They are from His Majesty,” Azalia said.