POV: Ravenna
Three days after the Dragon's Choosing, Father summoned us.
Both of us. Together. Which meant this was Official Business and I should probably be nervous.
I was nervous.
Theron and I walked to Father's study side by side. Not touching, but close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating off him. The hum between us was steady. Reassuring.
After what happened with Brock yesterday—after Theron came running because he felt my fear—I was acutely aware of how the bond connected us. How I could sense him even when I wasn't trying.
It should have felt invasive. Instead it felt—safe.
We reached the study. Theron knocked.
"Enter," Father called.
We entered. Father sat behind his desk, looking every inch the king. Formal. Serious. This wasn't Father-having-a-heart-to-heart mode. This was King-making-pronouncements mode.
Great.
"Sit," he said, gesturing to the chairs.
We sat. I folded my hands in my lap to keep them from fidgeting.
"The Dragon's Choosing is complete," Father began. "Solace has chosen Theron. The bond is recognized. Now we move forward with formal proceedings."
"Formal proceedings?" I asked carefully.
"The wedding ceremony will occur in three weeks." Father's voice was matter-of-fact. "That gives us time to prepare properly. To send invitations to other kingdoms. To ensure everything is done correctly."
Three weeks. Gods. Three WEEKS.
My heart started racing. Solace stirred inside me, curious but not alarmed.
"However," Father continued, "before the wedding, there will be an official announcement ceremony. In two days."
"Announcement ceremony?" Theron asked.
"A public proclamation of the betrothal to the entire kingdom." Father looked between us. "Not just the court. Every citizen of Cindravale will gather in the plaza below the palace. You will both appear on the balcony and speak to them. Make vows of intent."
Oh. OH. That was—that was VERY different from speaking to nobles who already knew us.
"The entire kingdom," I repeated faintly.
"Yes." Father's expression softened slightly. "I know public speaking isn't your strength, Ravenna. But this is tradition. It cannot be avoided."
"I can do it." My voice only shook a little. "I'm the princess. Public speaking is part of the job."
"And you, Theron?" Father looked at him directly. "This will be your first official appearance as future consort. Are you prepared?"
Theron was quiet for a moment. "I'll do whatever is required, Your Majesty."
"That's not what I asked." Father's voice was unexpectedly gentle. "I asked if you're prepared. If you understand what you're walking into."
"Thousands of people," Theron said slowly. "Watching. Judging. Whispering about the common-born warrior who somehow won the princess." His jaw tightened. "I've faced armies and felt less afraid. But I'll do it. Because Ravenna will be there."
Something in my chest squeezed.
Father nodded. "Good answer." He stood, moving to the window. "The ceremony is simple. You'll both appear on the royal balcony at midday. I'll announce the formal betrothal. Then you, Ravenna, will speak first—a few words about the Dragon's Choosing, about accepting the bond. Then Theron, you'll speak—similar sentiments. Then you'll both make vows of intent to marry."
"Vows of intent?" I asked.
"Promises to each other and the kingdom." Father turned back to us. "That you enter this union willingly. That you'll honor the bond. That you'll serve Cindravale together." He paused. "The words are traditional but you can adapt them as needed. Just—be sincere. People can tell when you're performing."
Be sincere. Right. No pressure.
"Is there anything else we need to know?" Theron asked.
"The ceremony will last about an hour. You'll stand on the balcony the entire time while nobles and citizens offer blessings and gifts." Father's voice was dry. "It's tedious but necessary. Try not to look miserable."
"I'll do my best," I muttered.
Father's lips twitched. Almost a smile. "After the ceremony, there will be a feast. Court only, not the entire kingdom. More manageable." He looked at us seriously. "This is important. The announcement ceremony is when the kingdom officially accepts you as a bonded pair. As future king and queen. You need to present a united front."
"We will," Theron said quietly.
Father studied him for a long moment. Then nodded. "I believe you." He moved back to his desk. "You're dismissed. Prepare yourselves. Two days isn't much time."
We stood. Bowed. Left the study together.
The corridor outside was empty. I sagged against the wall the moment the door closed.
"Three weeks until the wedding," I said. "Two days until we have to stand in front of the entire kingdom and make pretty speeches."
"Nervous?" Theron asked.
"Terrified." I looked at him. "You?"
"Beyond terrified." He leaned against the wall beside me. "I've commanded troops. Fought in battles. Survived things that should have killed me." He paused. "But speaking in front of thousands of people who'll be judging every word? That's different."
"They'll judge you harder than me," I said quietly. "Because you're common-born. Because you don't fit their expectations. Because they don't understand why Solace chose you."
"I know."
"That's not fair."
"No." His voice was steady. "But it's reality. I knew what I was walking into when I entered that competition. I knew being chosen would mean facing judgment and prejudice and nobles who think I'm unsuitable." He looked at me. "But I'm still here. Because being with you is worth it."
My throat felt tight. "What if I mess up the speech? What if I say something wrong and make everything worse for you?"
"You won't."
"You don't know that."
"I know you." His voice was firm. "I know you're smart and sharp and perfectly capable of speaking to a crowd. You've been doing it your entire life. This is just—more people."
"Significantly more people."
"Still people." He pushed off the wall to face me properly. "And you'll be brilliant. Because you always are."
"You have entirely too much faith in me."
"Or exactly the right amount." He paused. "Are you worried about the speech itself or about making vows?"
I blinked. "What?"
"The vows of intent. Promising to marry me in front of the entire kingdom. Making it real and public and permanent." His eyes searched mine. "Is that what scares you?"
"I—" I stopped. Thought about it. "No. That doesn't scare me."
"No?"
"I mean, yes, it's terrifying. But not because I don't want to." The words came out before I could stop them. "I'm scared of messing up the speech. Of people judging you. Of failing you somehow. But the actual vows? The promising to marry you part?" I swallowed. "That doesn't scare me. Not anymore."
His expression shifted. Softened. "Ravenna—"
"We should practice," I said quickly, before this got too honest. "The speeches. We have two days. We should—we should prepare."
"Together?" His voice held something warm.
"Together." I nodded. "We'll face it together. Just like we face everything from now on."
"Together is better than alone," he said quietly.
"Yeah." I reached out and took his hand. The gesture was becoming natural. Easy. "It really is."
We stood there in the empty corridor, hands joined, and I realized I meant what I'd said.
The vows didn't scare me. Promising to marry him didn't scare me.
What scared me was how much I wanted to make those promises. How much I was starting to believe this could actually work.
How much I was falling and couldn't seem to stop.
But maybe—maybe that was okay. Maybe falling was less terrifying when you trusted the person catching you.
"We'll practice tomorrow," I said finally. "Work on the speeches. Figure out what to say."
"And the vows?"
"Those are traditional. Father said we can adapt them but—" I paused. "I think I want to keep them traditional. Simple. No room for doubt."
"No room for doubt," he echoed, and something in his voice made my heart skip.
We walked back toward our respective chambers. He stopped at my door like he always did. Protective. Careful.
"Thank you," I said quietly. "For—for not being scared of this. For being steady when I'm falling apart."
"I'm plenty scared," he admitted. "But I'm good at not showing it."
"Surviving five rejections will do that, I guess."
"Yeah." His smile was faint. Sad. "It will."
I squeezed his hand. "Two days. We can do this."
"We can." His amber eyes were steady. "Together."
"Together."
I went into my chambers and closed the door.
Leaned against it, heart racing, and thought about standing on that balcony in two days. About making vows in front of thousands of people. About declaring publicly that I was choosing Theron.
The thought should have terrified me.
Instead it felt—right.
Like this was always where I was supposed to end up. With him. Making promises I intended to keep.
Solace hummed approval inside me.
Ready, she sent. We are ready.
"Yeah," I whispered. "I think we are."
Two days until the announcement ceremony. Three weeks until the wedding.
And I was falling for my betrothed so hard I couldn't see straight. But for the first time in my life, that felt okay. More than okay. It felt like exactly where I was supposed to be.