Lenore came to stand before Finnal now, and Vars pulled back her veil, as if presenting her for his inspection. He went to stand beside the priest then, as if making it clear that it was by his will as much as any gods that this was happening. Lenore found herself staring at Finnal, trying to find the man that shed fallen in love with, trying to persuade herself that things were as they had been.

We are gathered here in somber celebration, the priest said. These are days when we have all lost so much, but now there is a moment of joy, and joining. A moment of pure happiness.

Lenore wished she could feel any of those things.

The priest started to read through the vows, the promises to love one another, to be faithful, to be honorable and caring. Finnal agreed to all of it so readily that for a moment Lenore almost wanted to believe him. Even so, there was something about it now that sounded more like him agreeing to the terms of a contract than to love.

The priest turned to Lenore then, asking her all of the same things. The truth was that she was too numb to listen to any of it, too numb to do more than stare out at all the faces there, hoping that one of them would interrupt this, find a way to bring it to a

Princess? the priest said. Do you wish Finnal to be your husband?

I… I do, Lenore said. She couldnt think of anything else to say.

Bells rang in that moment, sounding out above the city. Now, briefly, people did cheer.

There was no dancing though, and no feasting. Instead, it seemed that those there were to take it in turns approaching, speaking to Vars and Finnal, only turning to her long enough to briefly compliment how beautiful she looked.

To her surprise, Lenore saw Devin walking forward then, a sheathed sword in his hands. Her heart leapt, thinking for a second that that he had come to save her from this. Instead, he knelt, holding up the sword toward Lenore.

Your highness, he said. Something in his voice sounded stiff, almost stilted. Your father and your brother had me forge this blade as a gift upon your wedding, for you to do with as you wish. I… I hope you will accept it in their honor.

Finnal stepped past Lenore, taking the sword from Devins hands. He drew it, the darkness of the blade seeming almost to drink the light.

A fine blade, he said. He slashed it through the air once again. I will be delighted to accept it.

Lenore had to watch Devin backing away then, leaving the hall, the nobles, all of it.

Lenore wished for nothing more than to join him.

***