Cursed by Darkness (Once Upon A Curse)

2. Bodin

TWO

Bodin

For millennia, Theran and Eryx fought amongst the stars. Some claim it was out of jealousy, others say it was because each wanted to take their father’s place or earn his praise. The stories are often changed to fit the teller’s motif. But the one consistent truth was that they could not agree on anything… save for the love they possessed for their sister.

E very single fiber of Bodin’s being wanted to run away. He did not want to be here.

But then again, he didn’t want a lot of things.

He stared at his reflection and adjusted his buttons and sleeves for what felt like the hundredth time. His chest was too tight, aching to the point that it was difficult to breathe. Clenching his jaw, he straightened his shoulders and looked down at his immaculate dark waistcoat and breeches.

“It’s almost time,” Laurent said, joining him in the otherwise empty antechamber. Bodin had kicked everyone out to have a few minutes alone. Of course, his lifelong friend hadn’t listened. Stepping closer, Laurent ran a hand through his short, dark blond hair as he looked in the mirror. “You ready for this?”

“You know I’m not.” The king sighed and turned away. He went to the drink cart in the corner and poured two glasses of bourbon. Passing one to Laurent, he asked, “Did she get here safely? Everything go all right?”

His friend nodded, grimacing as he took a sip of the liquor. “Her envoy arrived an hour ago. I just saw Nadine in the hallway, and she said the girl will be ready soon.”

The girl . Gods above, she was so young. At twenty-one, she was older than he was during his first wedding, but that had happened not only out of responsibility as heir but out of love and happiness. There would be no such thing with Princess Juniper, and he hated that for her. He knew she hadn’t been given a choice about today. To contribute to that decision made him rage inside, but he was desperate. Along with their princess, the kingdom of Forosse was sending a couple of battalions to aid in the Mesairlans’ fight at the northern border. Without the added troops, they would lose this war soon.

Bodin took a large gulp of his alcohol before asking, “And is she…”

“I don’t know,” Laurent said. “I didn’t see her, and Nadine was in too much of a hurry to talk.”

There had been mixed messages about the Princess of Forosse. Most said the reason her father hid her away all these years was because she was hideous. Others said it was because she was sickly or incompetent. None made him eager to meet her, but for his kingdom, he would do this. He had to; they were out of options. Without the extra soldiers, Bodin’s people would continue to suffer with no end in sight.

“If it’s any consolation, it’s one night.” Laurent took Bodin’s glass with his and set both down before patting him on the shoulder.

“For now,” Bodin said as they headed toward the door. “You know they expect us to produce heirs though.”

Laurent snorted. “So, turn her around and pretend she’s someone else.”

Bodin glared at him.

“It’s going to be fine.” Laurent opened the door. “Worry about that later. Let’s just go meet your new queen.”

New queen. New wife.

One who was never meant to be his.

He was going to be sick. Laurent stopped him before they reached the next set of doors that led to the open courtyard. He was one of the only people who understood exactly what today meant and why it was so difficult. Putting a hand on Bodin’s arm, he whispered, “It will be fine. Just breathe and focus on taking one step at a time.”

Bodin didn’t usually let anyone tell him what to do, but in this case, he obeyed. His friend knew him better than just about anyone. Only Nadine rivaled their closeness. She was the closest thing he had to a little sister though, so naturally, he didn’t share everything with her.

Like how much Bodin thought he was cursed to live alone. Almost everyone he’d ever loved was dead—apart from those two. He didn’t want to doom the princess to the same fate. He’d even tried pushing Laurent and Nadine away for their own safety, but neither let him do so. They refused to leave his side, to let him wallow.

“Remember why you’re doing this,” Laurent said.

“For the men fighting in Valétoi. To protect my people and end this war, once and for all.” He’d repeated the words to himself for weeks. They had become his own personal mantra. And now, that had to be enough to get him through this wedding.

With a nod, he pointed to the entrance, signaling for the two guards to open the large oak doors. He and Laurent walked out to the courtyard that had been decorated so elaborately that it looked like a painting from a fairy tale. Small lanterns had been placed among the hanging wisteria and greenery, giving the space an ethereal glow. Flower petals lay scattered down the aisle between the rows of stone benches. They went to the dais at the end, greeting the clergyman before Bodin took a moment to look up at the darkening sky. This courtyard, with its lack of a ceiling, had always been one of his favorite places in the palace.

Behind the older man, the tall, arched windows let in an array of fading light and fresh air. The sun was already starting to set beyond the western forest, and it made the world around them almost golden. It could not have been a more perfect day for a wedding.

If only he was marrying someone he loved. Not that he ever wanted that again. He couldn’t handle losing another loved one, so he refused to even be open to that possibility.

But he’d settle for marrying any woman he simply knew at this point. They needed this alliance though. The entire kingdom depended on it.

The southern wall was part of the main palace’s structure, keeping it sturdy enough for a balcony to span its length. From there, the sound of violins drifted down to those gathered for the ceremony. Noblemen, courtiers, and staff had been invited, and he’d seen through his bedroom windows this morning that citizens of his kingdom had flooded the streets of Kehlir. Most of those who resided outside of the capital feared him, but it seemed even they couldn’t resist the spectacle. Everyone wanted to see what would happen when the mysterious princess and monstrous king married.

Honestly, he was just as curious.

Beneath the musicians, the rear doors creaked open. A man and woman slowly walked toward them. For a moment, Bodin wondered if the King of Forosse had decided to attend his only daughter’s wedding after all, but as they neared, he realized the man was too young to be her father. Bodin hadn’t seen the prince in years, and he was looking more like their king the older he got. He’d liked Raphael growing up though, enjoyed his visits from time to time. Where the king was cold and harsh, Prince Raphael was a kind leader.

It didn’t matter though. All that mattered was the woman he ushered forward. The one who’d stolen Bodin’s attention. Princess Juniper. Her white dress had thin, lacy sleeves that barely covered her shoulders. The front was modest, scooping just low enough to give a peek of her collarbones, but the bodice was tight, showing off her curvy figure. It came to a point below her stomach, as if indicating where this night was meant to lead. The full skirts beneath flowed around her, sweeping away some of the rose petals on the ground.

And a fucking veil covered her face.

He couldn’t tell if the stories of her looks were true or false. Though, everything he could see from the neck down made his mouth water. It had been so long since he’d been with a woman apart from the extremely rare late-night trysts. The last of which had been several months ago, and none were in any way meaningful. There was no connection outside of the physical; he’d made sure they always knew that it would only ever be that.

The two reached the bottom of the dais, and Bodin stepped down to escort her the remaining distance. Her brother shook his hand and inclined his head. Bodin dipped his chin as the princess slipped her small hand into the crook of his elbow, and together they walked back up to their places.

The princess let out a soft gasp and glanced around like something was wrong.

“What?” Bodin asked in a hushed tone. “What is it?”

“H-he was supposed to remove my veil before giving me away,” she whispered.

Oh . He fought back a nervous laugh. “May I?”

She nodded, and he reached for the edge of the lace to slowly lift it over her head.

All of the air fled his lungs. Even Laurent couldn’t stifle a quiet curse.

Because every single one of those stories had clearly been a lie.

Princess Juniper was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.