Mazarine (The Forest Tales Series Book 3) by Cece Louise

Author:Cece Louise [Louise, Cece]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jabberwocky Tales
Published: 2021-06-21T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

- MARILEE -

Trumpets and cheers drowned out Darius’s words.

“What?” I shouted to him over the din.

“Nothing!” He shook his head. “We’ll talk after.”

I nodded, then craned my neck to see down the long path. A troubadour band led the procession with fiddles, lutes, trumpets, and drums, while a jovial singer proclaimed the glory of chivalrous love.

The crowd oohed and aahed over the splendor, as well as the antics of jugglers behind the musicians. Next came a line of knights, and we all sat a little straighter knowing the royal court would follow their protection.

Finally, the trailing parade revealed the newly married couple. They rode side by side, each perched atop their own white horse and moving slowly enough to wave to the crowd as they passed. Between their greetings, they paused to speak to each other. Heads bent close, they smiled and laughed as if they were in their own world.

A warmth spread through my chest at the thought of how they had defied convention and married for love. It was clear by the way they interacted that they were a team, unique but unified.

“They look so happy,” I said in Darius’s ear.

“Two fools in love,” he replied, but his ridicule held no disdain. I turned my focus from the royal couple to him. He seemed more relaxed tonight. Freer. I wasn’t sure what had brought about this change in him, but I was glad for it.

The procession moved on, with a trail of villagers following behind the royal court. They waved candles, dropped flowers, and sang songs as they passed. We watched until they were out of sight.

With the parade over, the remaining people bustled all around us. Couples took to the square for dancing to the joyful melodies of another minstrel band.

Darius lifted my hand and asked, “When’s the last time you danced, Ocean Star?”

“I can’t even remember.” I laughed as we climbed from the rocks and Darius led us to the other dancers.

“So, too long.” He bowed deeply.

“Far too long.” I followed suit and dropped into a curtsey.

I placed my hand in Darius’s and he led me in a simple country dance.

The steps weren’t complicated—it was a playful dance. One where we moved together and then away, to blend with the rest of the crowd. But the music always brought us back to each other.

Darius moved easily. It was clear he knew the steps, and any uncertainty I had was put to rest as he confidently led me in the sequence. He held his palm aloft, and I pressed mine to his as we circled each other.

“You’re quite good at this,” I said.

“Don’t sound so surprised.” Darius led me down a line of clapping dancers. “I have many talents.”

“Oh yes, I know.” With a skip, I left him and joined hands with a stranger who spun me, then returned me to Darius’s waiting arms. We moved in, touching shoulders. “I’m just surprised they don’t all involve cheating at cards and stealing boats.”

Darius laughed. “Believe it or not, I spent much of my youth at festivals such as these.

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