Chapter 39

Kol went to the temple a little early. Priest Solomon was overjoyed to see him. He talked so much that Kol’s eyes glazed over. The words being spoken bounced out of his ears and into thin air. The priest stopped in front of Kol, pulling his attention back to the conversation. “I must say my king,” the priest bowed his head. “That I’m hurt I didn’t get to preform your wedding. The royal family needs to stand with the church to present a united front. Don’t forget who raised you.”

Kol just stared at him for a long time. He couldn’t say, ‘I was in a hurry to take her to bed.’ Which did happen. Finally he was able to string together, “God was ready.” This seemed to pacify the priest. He just nodded and moved out of the way.

Kol took his seat in the second row. Priest Solomon wanted him to sit in the front row. But Kol thought it best to leave it open for guests and church staff.

He watched the young boys in their white robes fill the acoustic pots that lined the walls behind the choir. Frego sat down beside him, “did you have to fill those things?”

Kol smiled. “Oh yes. And whoa beyond to you if you overfilled or underfilled one. Priest Paul would take it out in sweat in the garden.”

“It was Sister Grace when it was my turn. We had to take twine every six months and remark the pots. She would stand over you with a stick and smack your hands if she thought you were distracted.” Rajaf sat down behind them.

“What about you Rajaf, did you have to fill the pots?” Frego asked.

He smiled, “indeed. I think all young men had their turn, my prince.”

When the boys had finished, the choir started filing into their place. Kol was starting to worry that Kessa wasn’t going to show. He brought his hands to his face as if in prayer. Then, with his right hand still up, he began to signal with his left.

“What did you say to her?” Frego asked.

“I asked her to join us. I think.” He half smiled. “This is difficult for me to grasp. It runs from me. I may have told her there was an ant in my ear for all I know.”

Kol looked at his son, who was trying not to laugh. Frego nodded toward their left. “I think you got your message across.”

Kessa had stepped through a door followed closely by the priest. They exchanged a few words. Frego felt his dad grab ahold of his arm. As if he was going to fall. Kessa was dressed in purple. A color as close as possible to those little flowers Kol had planted everywhere in the garden. She was beautiful. The fabric of her dress flowed with each step she took. Nothing else in the building mattered in that moment except her walking toward him. When she was next to him, he let go of Frego’s arm and stood; allowing her to sit down before he sat back down. “You look amazing.”

“Thank you, my husband.” She leaned forward.

“Hello prince.”

“Lady Kessa,” he smiled.

She turned around. “Hi dad. Come sit by me.”

“Baby girl.” He moved to join them.”

Kol slid his arm through hers so that he could hold her hand. “Did you see my message?”

She smiled, “I did. Great job. I thought you told me you are having a difficult time learning?”

“I did. And I am.”

“I disagree. Sorry I was later than I should have been. Priest Solomon got me twice.”

“Let me guess, he scolded you for not marrying us.” Kol lowered the tone of his voice, “the church and the royal family need to have a united front for the public.”

She grinned, “you got it.”

After the service, they walked back to the palace. Different citizens greeted them from a distance. Nods, smiles, waves. Kol released a sigh of relieve when they were inside the palace. “Are we alone?”

They stood in silence for a moment. Kessa finally answered, “yes.”

He took her in his arms and kissed her. “I’ve been waiting all day to get you alone.”

“We were alone this morning.” She smiled.

“You wasn’t wearing this dress this morning.” She closed her eyes enjoying the feeling of his hands dancing all over her body. “You haven’t worn a single thing yet that I haven’t wanted the pleasure of taking off you.”

“What are you waiting for?” She hissed.