Saber Phoenix (Hawkstone Realm #3)

Chapter 25

T he night air was thick with the scent of jasmine and the soft rustling of fabric as Liana prepared herself for bed.

The royal k?lajan was quiet, a calm oasis amid the war’s chaos and wedding preparation.

The reality of what was about to happen weighed on her mind, though she tried to push her doubts aside.

She had always been strong and resilient. But tonight, in the stillness of her tent, the enormity of her title, her impending marriage, and her desire for her groom-to-be settled around her like a cloak.

Just as she was about to slip under the covers, a shadow moved beyond the semi-opaque valance of her quarters.

Liana tensed, her hand instinctively reaching for the dagger she kept beneath her pillow.

But before she could draw it, the figure stepped into the light, and she let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

‘Kaxim?’ she whispered, surprised to see him there. ‘What are you doing here? It’s late.’

The Commander stood before her, his broad frame filling the doorway to her tent.

He appeared different out of his armor, more vulnerable somehow, though the familiar gruffness was still etched into his features.

His dark eyes were troubled, and tension in his posture put her on edge.

‘I needed to talk to you,’ he said. His voice was raw and rough as if the words were being forced out of him.

Liana’s heart skipped a beat, a mixture of concern and curiosity swirling in her thorax. ‘What’s wrong?’ she asked, stepping closer to him.

She tightened the robe she’d been about to slip out of.

He didn’t meet her gaze, his eyes fixed on a point beyond her. ‘This union. I never desired it,’ he began.

The rasp rumbled from his chest over which he’d crossed his massive arms. ‘I’ve never wanted matrimony at all. I’m a soldier, Liana, not a husband. I’ll make a terrible one.’

His blunt confession hit her like a blow, and for a moment, she was speechless.

She had suspected he wasn’t thrilled about their impending union, but hearing him say it out loud gave her an unexpected jolt of sadness.

As more days went on, memories from her youth were returning.

They highlighted how much of life she had missed out on and how much she yearned for family.

Which only ratcheted her desire for the burly commander, for the chance to create a meaningful existence to replace the one stolen from her years ago.

Hearing his rejection sent a painful ache running through her chest, but she forced herself to push it aside.

She searched his face for any sign of the man she had seen glimpses of—the man who cared, even if he tried to hide it behind that gruff exterior. ‘I know this isn’t what you wanted. It’s not what I envisioned either.’

He locked eyes with her, his gaze dark and conflicted. ‘Then why are we doing this?’ he asked.

His voice was laced with a pleading edge. ‘Why go through with something neither of us wants?’

Liana took a deep breath, steadying herself. She couldn’t let her own growing feelings for him cloud her judgment.

‘Because it’s our duty,’ she replied. ‘Our realms need this alliance, Kaxim. This marriage isn’t just about us but our people and our lands. You, of all people, understand the importance of duty.’

Kaxim’s jaw tightened, his hands balling into fists at his sides. ‘Duty,’ he repeated bitterly. ‘That’s all it ever is. Obligations to our people, adherence to our kingdoms. But what about us, Liana? What about what we want? Is a marriage of convenience what we desire? What honor do we owe to each other?’

Sadness washed over her at his bitter words, but she didn’t let it show. ‘What we want doesn’t matter right now,’ she said.

She kept her tone her tone soft. ‘What matters is that we do what’s honorable for our people. And who knows? Perhaps we’ll find a way to make this work in time.’

He shook his head, frustration etched into every line of his face. ‘You’re too optimistic,’ he muttered.

‘Possibly,’ she admitted with a small smile. ‘But someone has to be.’

They stood there in silence for a moment, the weight of his doubts hanging between them.

She wished she could reach out, take his hand, and offer him comfort. But she knew that wasn’t what he craved right now. He needed to see that she was resilient enough to stand by his side, no matter what.

‘I’ll be a shit husband,’ he said again, but this time there was a hint of vulnerability in his voice as if he was confessing a deep fear.

Liana stepped closer, her eyes softening as she glanced up at him. ‘You’re a good man, Kaxim. A strong man. We’ll find a way to make this work together.’

He searched her face as if looking for something—reassurance, perhaps, or a reason to believe her. After a beat, he nodded, though his reluctance was still evident. ‘I suppose I don’t have a choice,’ he muttered. ‘My King compels me, but do you feel forced into this? I’d hate to have a bride who resents me, even if she is outworking her duty.’

‘I don’t despise you nor resent this reality, Kaxim,’ she said. ‘I’ve realized that my life was always meant for Ilkan’s greater good. This sacrifice is heavy but comes with a certain peace - one you helped me find in training. That I was created and purposed for such a time as this.’

The stern Commander took a deep breath as if trying to steel himself for the day ahead. ‘Very well,’ he said.

He shrugged in resignation, his eyes still cool and distant. ‘But don’t expect me to become the doting dove.’

Liana’s smile widened, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. ‘I wouldn’t dream of it,’ she replied, a touch of humor in her tone, even as her heart floundered.

He gave her a long, searching look to gauge her sincerity. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow, then,’ he rasped.

With a jerk of his chin, he swiveled to leave.

‘Kaxim,’ she called after him, and he paused at the entrance to her tent, looking back at her. ‘ Sante, for coming to me tonight and being honest with me.’

He offered her a curt nod, his expression unreadable. ‘Don’t mention it,’ he growled before entering the night.

Liana released a shaky breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding as the canopy flaps closed behind him.

A wave of relief and disappointment washed over her. While she found solace that she had managed to alleviate his doubts, for now, she was still lost in dejection that his spirit wasn’t in this marriage.

Not yet.

The road ahead was uncertain, but she was driven to make the best of it. For her people, their kingdoms, and perhaps, someday, for themselves.

Liana stood at the edge of the cleansing pool, the water shimmering in the soft glow of the morning light.

Her reflection stared back at her, calm and composed, but beneath the surface, her heart beat with anticipation.

Today was her wedding day, and she was about to marry a fierce army commander whose heart, she feared, might never open to her.

It was sad that she would not have any blood relatives to celebrate with her on her nuptials.

Her parents were long gone, their absence a void that had never healed.

For a brief moment, she allowed herself to grieve their loss, but then she remembered: her husband-to-be was an orphan, too. They shared a joint pain, a connection forged in the fires of grief.

A flutter tingled in her soul, sensing their khamana , but it was clouded with uncertainty.

She had no time to linger on it.

Taking a deep inhale, Liana eased into the cool pool that enveloped her, washing away the remnants of her burdens and worries.

She swam in slow, deliberate strokes, each movement a prayer for strength and clarity.

Naked, she rose from the water, droplets glistening on her skin.

Elder K’Lita and her daughter, K’Shana, were waiting for her as she stepped out of the pool with an enveloping towel.

Their hands were gentle but firm as they dressed her in the ceremonial robes of her people.

The off-shoulder dress was long and flowing, made of white and silver silk, and fell to the floor in waves.

It was simple, befitting the humble ceremony that would take place in the war camp, far from the opulence of a royal palace.

As the attendant pair arranged Liana’s hair and adorned her with traditional jewels, Liana focused on the task ahead, pushing aside her doubts and fears.

Liana stared at her reflection in the mirror of her Queen’s k?lajan .

Behind her, the two women she’d chosen as her ladies-in-waiting for the observance helped her slip into her dress. ‘It’s all so surreal.’

K’Shana hugged her. ‘This is how brides should feel: pampered, loved, on top of the world.’

Liana held onto her friend and attendant for a moment longer, luxuriating in the rare embrace. ‘ Sante ,’ she whispered.

She pulled back, blinking away at the mist in her eyes as K’Lita fussed over Liana’s trailing lace and bedazzled veil.

Liana kept her jewelry pieces simple by picking from the Ilki Royal accessories K’Shana provided.

She’d decided on a classic diamond necklace, bracelet, drop gemstone, and pearl earrings.

She’d wrapped her magenta and scarlet flamed locks around a garnet of diamonds. Allowing a few natural tendrils to flow along the side of her face.

Liana slid into her jewel-studded sandals that showed off her feet.

Smoothing her hands over her dress, she declared, ‘I’m ready now.’

An elegantly dressed K’Lita and K’Shana, in gilt and peach gowns, curtsied deep to the ground, flanked their Queen and led her out of the tent.

Waiting just outside was a creature of unbelievable beauty.

Its feathers shimmered in gilded beauty, reflecting sunlight and creating an ethereal glow.

It stood tall and majestic, its wings shimmering and luminous like molten gold. Its body glimmered with intricate patterns, resembling fine jewelry that came to life.

Its aureate eyes glinted with ancient knowledge and wild k?tu. It sported a glittering crest, half of which masked its face and identity and glistened as if forged from the cores of distant stars.

Liana smiled on sighting it, for it was the only gift she’d accepted from the Kíríga of Katánē.

‘Lead the way, koel ,’ the bride invited.

The creature launched into an enchanting melody that echoed with melancholy off the walls of the k?lajan and resonated in every soul.

Its voice was a blend of human and bird-like warbles. The result was a symphony of golden notes, a violin-like trilling produced not by its exquisite vocal anatomy but by the vibration of feathers on its wings.

It swayed before the Queen and her small entourage, its aureate rachís shimmering, creating a gentle swooshing sound as it sang the ‘Song of the Bride’ from her heart.

The melody flowed ahead of her, signaling the bride’s arrival.

The ceremony was simple: it was to be held in the largest hall of Liana’s k?lajan under a jaw-dropping bower of wildflowers interwoven into the setting from the neighboring hillside.

The walls of the bivouac had been rolled up to let in light and air. Also, allowing the small wedding party and guests to watch the wedding from their seated dais outside in flower-draped chairs.

At the altar, the groom waited resplendent in formal Katánian wedding robes. His face was closed off, his gaze indecipherable, and his mouth in a slash.

The Kíríga of Katánē stood beside his Commander, his expression one of solemnity.

Flanking Kaxim on the other side was his dashing friend, Kione.

He was also dressed in formal robes and with a slight upturn to his lips, especially when his gaze fell on the stunning gold creature who serenaded the bride-to-be.

The ceremonial priest appeared before the guests and, raising his hands, summoned them to their feet.

As the koel’s evocative voice fell, all present rose in anticipation.