In the meantime, Brenin went directly to the training grounds and found Ren there sending Navinorian soldier after soldier crashing to the ground violently. “Next!” Ren called. 

He was covered in sweat and panting, and his eyes were looking almost glassy. He didn’t seem to see Brenin at all. 

One soldier exclaimed, “He’s not human,” while another muttered, “More like a monster.”

They were all watching and marveling, and about two dozen of them were laying around the training grounds with bruises or bloody noses. 

As Ren sent another soldier flying, Brenin called, “General Ren!” 

Ren glanced over his shoulder and instantly straightened. “Brenin!” he stammered.  

“You idiot, what have you been up to?” Brenin stomped over to him. “The princess is supposed to be married today, and you’re busy beating up random common soldiers?” 

Ren shrugged, though his hands were shaking with fatigue and his legs trembled. “She won’t need me much longer,” he said briefly. He turned to find a training post, since the other guards didn't seem to be in a hurry to step forward again. 

Brenin grabbed his arm. “Don’t be ridiculous,” he snapped. 

Ren shook him off. “Leave me be!” 

“Enough pouting!” 

The confused watchers gradually began to drift away, with the exception of General Xian, who observed with interest. 

Brenin told Ren harshly, “You’re a bodyguard. Act like one.” 

“Oh, shut up, old man.” Ren glared at him. “I’m not doing anything wrong.” 

“You’re acting like a lovesick idiot,” Brenin muttered. 

“What’s your point? I’ve always been a lovesick idiot,” Ren replied in the same tone. 

Brenin grit his teeth. Then he pulled the staff from Ren’s hands and tossed it aside. Ren began, “Hey! What are you-”

“Enough.” Brenin sat him down firmly. “We need to talk.” He sat down next to him. Xian slowly drifted away. 

Ren sat with his head down. Brenin’s heart sank as he saw the defeated look on his face. “Ren…” 

“Brenin, why won’t you let me work through this in my own way?” 

“Because you’re going to kill yourself if you keep at it. Your job is to be in top shape at all times to protect the princess if necessary,” the old man said sharply. “What do you think you’re doing? I didn’t raise you to mope like this.” 

“Who’s moping? Moping is sitting around acting all whiny. I’m just scrapping, which is what I do best.” Ren grinned at him tiredly. “You don’t have to worry about me. It’s not like I’m going to die of heartbreak, old man.” 

“Hmph.” Brenin put his arm around his shoulders and looked away from him with a sigh. “Every once in a while, I feel like I utterly failed in teaching you.” 

“Well, that’s harsh.” 

“It’s also true. Whoever told you to be this sentimental?” Brenin shook his head. “Rest a minute, and then we’ll go make you presentable.” Brenin was happy to see that a little bit of color was coming back into the younger man’s face and his eyes had lost their glassy look. 

“Fine,” Ren sighed. He stood up and stretched before looking ruefully at his hands, which were torn up and bleeding from his exertion. “Guess I did overdo it a bit.” 

“You definitely did. Maybe one of these days you’ll get a brain and be able to tell that for yourself,” Brenin told him. 

Two hours later, Ren stood in the massive marble throne room next to Brenin and Illian. All of their eyes were fixed on double doors as they flew open. 

Three ladies-in-waiting entered first, scattering flower petals mixed with gems onto the floor. Behind them came Kathryn. 

Ren caught his breath when he saw her. Every bitter thought in his mind evaporated. 

Kathryn’s hair was arranged in a towering braid, making her look even more tall and elegant than usual. The delicate silver shoes glittered at every step, and there was no sign that she felt heavily weighed down by the dozens of precious stones all over her clothing. The train of her dress had to be carried by four other ladies. In her hands she held an arrangement of flowers, again with gems mixed in. 

Lorrin watched her approach with a blank, uncaring expression. Gregory saw the entranced look on Ren’s face and smirked slightly. The orchestra played a soaring, traditional wedding tune as Kathryn slowly stepped across the long, ornate floor. 

Kathryn and Lorrin stood hand in hand before the high priest of Navinor as all the royals looked on with bated breath. “Princess Kathryn Prada of Iridalys, will you take the hand of the Prince of Navinor, to walk beside him for the rest of your lives, and serve his kingdom as you would your own?” the priest said. 

Ren bit his lip until it bled. Brenin glanced at him and felt a pain in his chest as the younger man averted his eyes from the beautiful scene. 

“I will,” Kathryn’s clear, strong voice rang out through the room, echoing off of the walls and marble columns. 

“Prince Lorrin of Navinor. Will you take the hand of the Princess of Iridalys, to walk beside her for the rest of your life, protect, and keep her as your own?” the priest continued. 

“I will,” Lorrin said briefly. 

“Then I pronounce you husband and wife by the authority of Navinor.” 

Once again, the thought crossed Kathryn’s mind: “I’ve won. It’s finally done.” She found herself looking instinctively for the person whose look of approval she wanted most desperately. But she quickly reminded herself that he was at home ill, and there was no chance she would see him. 

The watchers cheered. Ren kept his eyes on the floor. Brenin nudged him. “Clap,” he hissed. 

Ren complied mechanically. 

After the ceremony, there was a reception. Ren couldn’t get close to the newly married royals, so he stayed at the back of the room, watching them in silence. 

Brenin told him once, “You should eat something.” 

But Ren said automatically, “I’ll eat in my quarters later.” 

“It’s no longer your job to watch the princess, Ren. You can eat now.” 

“I dunno about that. I haven’t been dismissed yet.” Ren managed to smile at him. “I’ll wait until I am.” 

Brenin decided it was better to leave him alone. 

Kathryn looked like a graceful statue. There was no emotion at all in her face, but she responded graciously to the many congratulatory comments. Illian approached her and bowed. “My lady,” he said. “Congratulations on your marriage.” 

“Prince Illian.” Gregory, who was standing nearby, stepped forward and held out his hand. “I had hoped you would be able to attend.” 

Illian smiled. “I’m quite familiar with you, Prince Gregory.” He shook his hand. “You and your brother were well known on the battlefield.” 

“Not like you, your highness. You are a legend in our kingdom,” Gregory observed. “Though I suspect your legendary reputation may be supplanted one day, if what I’ve heard about your sister’s tactical prowess is true.” 

Illian whitened. But he only said, “Ah, well, my hope is that she won’t have to use her ‘prowess’ in that area.” 

“Of course,” Gregory said with a smile. 

Throughout this exchange, Kathryn only wondered when the reception was going to be over. Her face hurt from smiling, and every time she glanced at Ren, she felt like she was guilty of murder. The triumph was beginning to give way to fear and uncertainty. She wasn’t sure which she dreaded more: another moment of the reception, or the moment it would be over. But finally, the end came, and it was time to go up to her husband’s room. 

Ren watched her go. He was very proud of himself for maintaining his composure. He escaped before Brenin could follow him and hurried back to his quarters. 

The guards were busy, so he had the room to himself. He lay down on his bed and stared up at the rough ceiling. “Well, that’s that,” he said out loud. There was a strange burning sensation behind his eyes. He covered them with his hand. 

He stayed there for several minutes, not thinking about anything in particular except the image of Kathryn as a bride. Until, that is, he heard voices just outside. He recognized them as being from some of the guards he had sparred with previously. One voice said, “Do you think they’ll be successful?” 

“It’s hard to say. I don’t know that the prince will really be able to go through with it. It’s his own family, after all.” 

Ren sat up and pressed his ear against the wall to hear better. 

“When will we know?” 

“There will probably be plenty of noise; we’ll start hearing the commotion soon,” the second voice said. 

Ren frowned. He had a strange feeling welling up in his stomach. A sudden sense of dread came over him. He stood up and found himself walking in the direction of the wedding chambers. It was already quite dark out, and he had to pick his steps carefully to avoid tripping on the scattered stones along the path. 

Strangely, several of the Vipers were missing from their positions, though a few remained. He met their eyes and saw they looked even more wary and hostile than usual. He started walking faster. 

Ren reached the silver double doors where four Vipers were waiting. One of them said, “You shouldn’t be here.” 

“Uh…yeah, I just wanted to make sure everything was okay. I saw a suspicious character sneaking around,” Ren lied. 

“We are perfectly capable of protecting the new Navinorian princess,” another Viper retorted. 

Before Ren could respond, a scream split the air!

Without a second of hesitation, Ren shoved the Vipers aside and threw the doors open violently. 

Kathryn was standing there in a light nightdress, staring down at a body at her feet. She looked unhurt, but she was absolutely frozen with horror. 

As Ren rushed to her side, he saw what she was looking at, and his heart plummeted. 

The body on the floor belonged to Prince Lorrin. His lifeless eyes stared at the ceiling, confirming Ren's worst fear.