Chapter 60: chapter. 60

“I have gathered all of you to announce a joyful event,” Luther started.

For the first time, I wasn’t standing with the court, but next to Luther, in the reception hall. Luther had agreed to announce the engagement only the day before, and I hadn’t had the time to address the whirlwind of emotions that surged with his decision, even though the announcement was only for show. No one except for the Dryns, Luther, Gaia and I were in on the secret.

I smoothed out the pleats of my golden dress, watching the audience.

“Tatiana Franco, of the Epona tribe, challenged me to a fight that will take place in two months,” Luther declared.

There was a brief moment of silence, during which the courtiers glanced at each other, unsure of how to react, until Gaia started clapping, and most of the crowd followed suit.

“What about Reghes?” someone shrilled.

I scanned the crowd. Shan Lekal’s lips were curled into a wicked smile.

“We are still negotiating for his safe return,” Luther answered, although one glance at Shan told me that she wasn’t talking about his capture.

“What about the war?” Gallen’s mother Cadlye hissed.

“We have negotiated a new peace treaty with Thornland,” Luther explained.

The crowd cheered at the announcement.

“Our union is a symbol,” Luther continued, “and the fight will take place in the presence of King Hughes’ court. Demons and humans can reconcile. And of course we are very much in love,” he added after one impish glance in my direction.

My heart jumped in my chest, but I tried to remain somewhat dignified. I wished that we had time to discuss our relationship. I wanted to tell him that he, too, was everything I cared for.

There was more applause from the crowd, but I also noticed Enid whisper sourly at Gallen’s parents before walking out of the reception hall.

Luther took my hand as the court dispersed, leading me to the palace’s esplanade for a luncheon organized to celebrate the announcement.

“That went better than I thought,” he whispered in my ear, sending a tingle down to my fingertips.

“Some people even attempted to seem happy for us,” I added, half-joking.

I squinted against the bright sunlight as we stepped outside. When my eyes adjusted, I saw rows of banquet tables, dripping with roasted meats and carafes of wines.

“Isn’t this a bit excessive?” I asked Luther, wishing we could be devising solutions rather than entertaining the court. “Did all this happen when Cleta challenged you to a fight?”

“No,” Luther answered. “But this is the first time I am publicly taking a lover. And we need everyone to believe that this is serious.”

So we took our seats at the head of a table, prompting the rest of the court to do the same in a rehearsed ballet. For a couple of delicious hours, I indulged in the role of queen, imagining what it would be like to be truly married to the breathtaking demon sitting by my side.

But as soon as lunch was over, a flurry of servants removed most of the tables. To my surprise, a line of courtiers formed in front of Luther and I.

“What is happening?” I asked Luther, whose dessert plate had been replaced by a scroll and a quill.

“A new queen is the opportunity for the people of Voke to ask her for favors, or plead for their issues.”

“But I’m not queen yet!” I exclaimed.

Luther chuckled. “Even though you might never defeat me in a fight, you're now the most influential demon at court.”

Great. Another series of issues I can add to the ever-growing list. Perhaps right after training daily.

Luther pushed the quill over to me, and rose up.

“Where are you going?” I gasped.

“To my office. One of us has to do the real work,” he joked, before giving me a kiss on the forehead and striding away.

I glanced up at the file of courtiers, looming over me. The court’s intendant had appeared in front of my table, and as soon as Luther left, he called out the name of the first person in line.

“Bren Carmo, of the Carini tribe,” he boomed.

Bren, a lanky demon dressed solemnly in navy blue, bowed to me, before explaining in great detail how the rules around marriage traditions should be changed.

“It’s unfair that men can’t refuse a fight when challenged!” Bren exclaimed. “Do you have any idea how many loveless marriages there are, because of this injustice?”

“Uh…,” I stammered, thinking about how Gallen was recently challenged by a woman he apparently didn’t even know. “I will look into this matter,” I answered, trying to sound confident.

The rest of my day consisted of listening to a litany of complaints, promising to study each issue, while having no idea how to go about doing it. The queen’s purview revolved around the kingdom’s customs and social life, when all I wanted was to find a solution to Luther’s curse.

I returned to my chambers, exhausted, to discover that they were empty. A servant I didn't know informed me that King Luther had arranged for me to settle into his apartments.

My heart beating, I walked to Luther’s chambers. For the first time, we were entirely together, yet I wasn’t able to indulge in the bliss of our shared life. Too much turmoil was darkening our horizon.

I suppose no relationship is ever cloudless...although we could do without the entire kingdom’s livelihood depending on ours.

Duna opened when I knocked on Luther’s door.

“King Luther is asleep,” she whispered. I noticed with a smile that her appearance was a little more formal than usual.

“Thank you, Duna,” I said, dismissing her for the night.

I padded deeper into Luther’s chambers. Even in the dark, I could sense that they were much like his office, overgrown with greenery, his presence permeating each room.

“Ouch!” I exclaimed, stubbing my toe against a daybed.

A shape sat up.

“You’re back,” Luther whispered.

“I am,” I answered, flustered to find myself standing in the dark, in his chambers. All I wanted was to lie down by his side. “Luther I…” I started.

“I want to apologize for not warning you about moving into my chambers. Since it is customary for engaged lovers to move in together, when the servants asked, I agreed…” he paused, staring into my eyes. “Because I want to be with you, Tatiana,” he re-asserted. “Even if we never get married. I want to spend every moment I have with you.”

“Me too.”

He leaned forward and pulled me gently to him, until we were lying next to each other on the daybed, our bodies intertwined.

“I’m going to kiss you now,” he whispered, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

He pressed his lips against mine, slowly, savouring the moment. They were softer even than I remembered, his breath intoxicating. His hand slid beneath my golden dress, caressing the leg I had wrapped around his body.

All night we drifted in and out of sleep, in a blissful daze, kissing and holding each other until my lips ached, wishing for the sun to never rise