Cursed by Darkness (Once Upon A Curse)

3. Juniper

THREE

Juniper

From the time she came to be, the goddess Ronna knew she was different. Her father tried to instill upon her the importance of power and strength. To teach her that love was nothing but a weakness, he gave her and her brothers a world full of weak humans to control. Never could he have imagined the depths of her compassion toward them, or the lengths she would go to in order to protect them.

I n Forosse, weddings were held in ornate sanctuaries and were a very religious event. It was a sacred ceremony, but a small one. Usually, only the families involved and the head of the church attended. Juniper had expected her wedding here in Mesairla to be different, yet nothing could have prepared her for just how incredible it truly was. As the doors opened, music played from somewhere above, and the entire scene before them took Juniper’s breath away. Even through her veil, she could see the sheer perfection of this space.

The sun hovered just behind the tall trees in the distance, and lanterns glowed along the greenery. It looked like nature had consumed an ancient throne room. There wasn’t a floor or ceiling, but the tall stone walls making up four sides appeared strong and sturdy. The one opposite their entrance had massive arched windows that gave a stunning view of the lakes and rivers the city of Kehlir had been built upon, as well as the forests and mountains in the distance. Except, there didn’t appear to be glass in the windows. Everything was open, letting a warm breeze flow through the space. Crimson flower petals lay scattered on the grass down the aisle between rows of benches full of courtiers she didn’t know.

Her eyes snagged on the men waiting at the end of the aisle as her brother led her forward. On a dais before the windows stood an arch made of twisted wood, with vines and more flowers woven throughout. The man in the center looked old enough to be her grandfather, and his long robes told her he was an officiant. But it was the king beside him who grabbed and held her attention.

She understood now why Nadine had said he appeared intimidating, why Rafe had called him broody. King Bodin was a towering man with broad shoulders, inky black hair that flowed in waves to his shoulders, and dark eyes that narrowed in on her as they approached. Even the crown atop his head was made of obsidian. And down the right side of his face, he had three long scars that looked like… claw marks? They started just above his eyebrow and disappeared into his close-cut beard. It was a miracle whatever caused them didn’t ruin his eye. Still, scars and all, he was the one of the most attractive men she’d ever seen.

He met them at the foot of the stairs, dipping his head in Rafe’s direction. Her brother squeezed Juniper’s hand in encouragement before passing her over. As if she were just a prize to be given away. It made her sick. She was the youngest of eight and the only princess, yet she was the first to marry. And it wasn’t even her choice… but if this was the way she could help her kingdom, she would do it. The kingdom that never did anything for her, apart from spreading gossip.

Juniper took the king’s proffered arm, and he guided her up to begin the ceremony. She glanced over to where Rafe took his seat with their brother Hugo—the only other brother who had come. The rest made excuses not to travel here. Even if it was to see their only sister married off to a foreign king for their benefit. She swallowed her rising frustration and grief then once more focused on King Bodin.

Only to realize her vision was still obscured by white lace.

When she gasped, he asked, “What? What is it?”

“H-he was supposed to remove my veil before giving me away,” she whispered. She’d been so distracted by the grandeur of the room and her emotions that she had forgotten.

His jaw clenched, as if fighting a scowl. “May I?”

She nodded and was surprised by his gentle movements as he lifted the material up to lay over the back of her head. His dark eyes widened slightly. It took everything she had not to smirk at him. She knew what he was thinking; she’d heard the rumors about herself. Some of them had actually been started by her and one of her maids back home, wanting to see how fast they would spread.

King Bodin visibly swallowed and nodded for the clergyman to start. As the older man spoke, the king took her hands in his much bigger ones. Without the veil, she could really see him. Though, she had to crane her neck to hold his gaze. Her stomach fluttered. He was devastatingly good-looking.

His thumb brushed over her skin, and she realized she needed to pay attention and repeat what the officiant said next. She could have sworn the corner of King Bodin’s mouth twitched. Maybe he wasn’t fighting a scowl; maybe he was trying not to smile. This man people feared was amused, and that fact alone loosened some of the tension in her shoulder.

The ceremony neared its end, and they were announced husband and wife. She then made her vows as the new queen, and her tiara was replaced with a crown by the clergyman.

“Shit,” the king hissed as he tried to catch her falling veil.

She couldn’t help but chuckle. A few snickers rang out from the crowd, and she lifted a hand to cover her mouth. The best man stepped forward and took the lace from the king, shaking his head with a grin.

“I’m so sorry,” the clergyman said in a hushed tone.

King Bodin waved him off. “It’s fine.” As he reached to straighten Juniper’s crown, he added, “Please continue.”

The whole situation surprised her. Surely a monster would have scolded the man for fumbling during such an important ceremony. The king was clearly amused though. Nothing like the man she had heard about over the years. Maybe her brother was right about the stories being similar to the ones about her—all false.

“You may now kiss your wife and queen.”

Her smile fell. In the kerfuffle, she’d forgotten the first kiss. King Bodin raised one of his large hands to her cheek and leaned in. Under his breath, he whispered, “I’m sorry.”

Before she could wonder about the apology, his lips brushed hers. His other hand slid around her waist, drawing her closer. She shut her eyes just as the applause started. Despite not wanting this, she couldn’t deny the way her body reacted to his touch. He wasn’t the first man she’d kissed, but he was the first to spark any sort of true desire. Her heart raced in her chest as she pushed up on her toes to return the kiss.

When the king pulled back, he didn’t go far. He held her gaze for one beat, then another. There wasn’t anything cruel or malicious there. If anything, he seemed almost kind, and she thought he appeared as sad about this as she felt. For the first time in months, a bit of her fear ebbed away.

“My queen,” he said in a soft tone, holding an elbow out. She took a deep breath and slipped her hand around his arm.

They walked down the aisle side by side. Juniper kept her small smile in place, nodding toward those in the crowd. Her husband remained stoic, but she saw him dipping his head in greeting as well. He led her to a small room similar to where she got ready for the ceremony and finally pulled away from her. Wringing her hands together, she watched him pour a glass of something amber, pause, and then pour a second glass. To her surprise, he brought one to her.

“I think we could both use this,” he said, his deep voice rumbling.

She took it and hesitated before sipping. Back home, it wasn’t proper for a lady to indulge so freely. The king gulped his in one swallow then stared at her with a raised brow. Never one to say no to a challenge, she followed suit. It burned all the way down her throat.

“Fuck,” she gasped when she finally managed to take a breath. Her eyes widened, and she slapped a hand over her mouth. She’d picked up the habit of using foul language from her time sneaking around the docks and merchant quarters in Nortussa, but she was usually so careful not to do it elsewhere. “I… I’m so sorry, Your Majesty. I shouldn’t?—”

“It’s fine,” he said, grabbing the glass from her to set both on the drink cart and refill them once more. When he handed it back to her, it was with a slight smile. “And please, just call me Bodin.”

Juniper stared at him in confusion. “But that’s…”

“I know Forosse is more formal and proper.” He sipped at his liquor this time. “But here, we don’t use titles with family or friends. And you, my dear wife, are now family.”

There was something in the way he said my dear wife that sounded like sarcasm, almost like he was teasing her. But not in a cruel way. Quite the opposite, actually. It was as if he knew she didn’t want this, and he didn’t either. Yet, they were both here, doing what they must for the sake of their kingdoms.

She had rarely used first names throughout her life. Her mother had never addressed her father so informally, so Juniper had assumed that was always how it was between a king and queen, or a husband and wife. The only people Juniper called by name were her brothers and Richard, the latter of whom had insisted after of being her head guard when she was a child. And that was still difficult, despite him being like a father figure and her only real friend left in the world other than Rafe.

Taking another big drink, she decided to stop dwelling. She wasn’t in Forosse anymore. She was no longer trapped in that goddessforsaken tower. And unless this king intended on locking her up just the same, this was her chance at a semblance of freedom. She was starting a new life here, and she would adapt to their ways. She would not waste this opportunity to find a shred of happiness outside of the shadows that had kept her hidden most of her life.

With a more genuine smile, she said, “Then, you may call me Juniper.”