“Yes, your Holiness,” Finley said softly. “Let’s begin.” Somehow, in the back of her mind, she had thought that there would be at least some chance she wouldn’t have to be married, but it was clear now that this was really happening.
Arranged and Illegitimate // Fantasy OxO // Closed
The priest began the ceremony, speaking slowly and clearly as he read the ceremony.
Callan eventually took Finley's hands, as it was part of the ceremony. He took a deep breath. He wasn't very happy about this, but he didn't say anything. Didn't want to be in trouble.
Finley’s hands shook from nerves in Callan’s grip, and she took a breath to steady herself. She tried to meet his eyes and give a reassuring smile, as she knew this wasn’t exactly his first choice. A trickle of sweat worked its way down her neck as the priest continued the ceremony. “I’m sorry,” Finley murmured.
Callan shook his head a little bit. "It's alright." He whispered back. "Now shh." He let out a slow breath, trying to think.
The priest continued reading, ignoring their whispered speech and just reading.
“It’s not okay, you shouldn’t have to do this,” she replied. She could tell the priest was nearing the end of his speech, and a knot of nervousness wormed it’s way up to her throat. Finley McCain, a married woman? One day ago, that would be the most absurd thing she’d ever heard, but now? It was all too close to being real.
He shrugged. "But I am." He replied softly.
The priest reached the end, and someone brought over the glass of red wine, handing it to the priest. The priest handed it first to Callan, who took a sip, the wine staining his lips just slightly with its red hue. Then the priest held it out to Finley.
Finley took the glass of wine with both hands and slowly brought it up to her mouth, but with her shaking hands she almost spilled the whole thing. She took a sip and handed the glass back to the priest with a sigh. At least that part was over, she thought, quickly wiping her mouth with her hand.
The priest put the wine away, and asked them for their vows, telling them to repeat after him as he read them aloud.
Callan repeated the vows in a steady, even voice, eyes on Finley as he spoke.
Finley tried not to break Callan’s gaze, but her eyes kept drifting over to the royals standing behind them. When it was her turn to say their vows, she recited them haltingly and unsurely, twisting her hands in the folds of her dress. She knew what was coming next, and she has no idea what to do.
The priest finished, saying, "You may kiss the bride."
Callan stepped close, gently taking her elbows and bending down. "Don't look so worried. Everything's going to be fine." He brushed his lips against the side of her mouth. Not a real kiss, but it would look like one to an outsider. To everyone else, Callan had kissed Finley. But to them, to Callan and Finley, they both knew he hadn't. He straightened up again.
Finley squeezed her eyes shut as Callan leaned towards her and gently brushed the corner of his mouth against her own. She let out a soft sigh of relief. Thank the Gods. “Thank you, Callan,” she whispered as they broke apart.
He nodded in response to her words, eyes flickering over everyone else around them. He slid his hand into hers, grip light. He would let go in an instant, should she desire him to.
The priest declared them man and wife, and closed the book, bowing.
That was it. They were married. It was official. Finley was very close to screaming, but Callan’s hand in hers calmed her down, at least slightly. It was strange, how his hand almost seemed cool to the touch, but that wasn’t really her main concern at the moment. “Congratulations, husband,” she said bitterly.
Callan sighed softly. "Yes." He replied simply. "I know you didn't want this. I'm sorry." His voice was quiet, soft.
The king came over. "And you are married." He said. "I expect you to consummate it tonight. For now, you may wander the gardens or take a tour of the palace."
Finley nodded and gave his hand a little squeeze. The king addressed the pair, and she bit back a sharp retort and nodded, the fingernails of her free hand digging into her palm. “That sounds lovely,” she ground out. “Sweetheart, how about a tour?” Finley turned to Callan and tried to conceal her grimace.
Callan gave her a tight smile. "Of course. Come on." He gently led her from the gardens, trying to conceal the way his entire body had stiffened at the idea of consummating this. Of… baring so much of himself to it.
Finley was seething with anger the moment they were out of the king’s earshot. “Can you believe the nerve of that self-righteous prick?!” she spat. “‘Consummate the marriage’ my ass!” She shot a look over at Callan. “No offense to you, but there’s no way in the Seven Realms that’s happening.”
Callan laughed. "Of course it isn't." He agreed as he walked with her. "I don't want to do that any more than you do." He led her out of the gardens. "But be careful what you say, yes? The walls here have ears, especially when it comes to the king and the royal family."
“Oh, I’m counting on it. If the king wants me to be all fine and proper, he’d better start with not kidnapping people and forcing them into arranged marriages,” Finley said loudly, swinging her arms back and forth. “You hear that? Knock it off, Your Majesty!”
Callan took a deep breath. "Finley!" He exclaimed. "Please stop." He said. "I don't…please stop that. You could get us both in trouble." He clenched his jaw for a moment, raking his free hand through his hair, shaking his head a little.
“I’m already in as much trouble as physically possible in this kingdom, but I guess you don’t deserve the same,” Finley said. “I’ll stop. Promise.” She stuck out her hand for a shake, popping up on her tiptoes.
Callan shook her hand, sighing softly. "Yeah, alright." He replied softly. "Thanks. Now, do you want that tour, or not?" He asked, raising his eyebrows at her slightly. He looked at her, hoping she would behave.
“Sure. I’ll take your tour,” Finley replied, giving him a mocking bow. “Show me your castle, prince.” Now that she knew expressing her rage might get the prince in trouble, she knew she was going to have to get her emotions out in other ways, and a little vengeful mischief couldn’t hurt, right?
He rolled his eyes. "It isn't my castle." He led her inside. "This is the main hall. Out through there is the courtyard and the walls, and then out the walls into the city. Now that you're married into the royal family…I'm sorry, but you won't be allowed out of the palace without an escort." He sighed softly. "I'm sorry."
“Oh, that’s okay!” Finley said with a sickly sweet obedience. “I can do that!” Yes, Finley was absolutely planning on following that exact rule under all circumstances. How dare you accuse her of plotting to break that rule as quickly as possible! You have no evidence!
"Finley." He said firmly. "You need to follow the rules here. Wife or not, my father could still arrange an…unfortunate accident, and you don't want that to happen." he looked at her with that single green eye, serious and stern.
"Oh, I could arrange him an accident or two," she snarked, but without much fire. She looked away from his stern gaze, unable to meet his eyes. "Fine. I understand," Finley relented. "I'll do my best to not get either of us killed or otherwise horribly maimed."
He nodded a little. "Oh, he wouldn't kill me." I'm already dying anyways. "But you? Finley, you can't forget that you're only alive because you're useful to him. Once that usefulness ends…so do you."
“I know, I know. If I wasn’t someone he could turn into a weapon, my corpse would probably be cooling in a pit somewhere,” Finley said, wringing the fine fabric of her dress in her hands. “But such is life, I guess. Good thing you’re not a Witch too, huh?”
He let out a faint laugh. "I'm a man, I can't be a Witch." He replied, shaking his head slightly. I am cursed, but that's different. He took a deep breath, shaking his head again and running a hand through his hair.