Mermaid_ A Twist on the Classic Tale - Carolyn Turgeon [93]
“Why are you so upset? You are getting married!”
“This is not how I would have liked to be married.”
“Forget her,” Edele said. “I know it is hard, but he is a prince, it is his way. He loves life, and he was with her before you came, and it was you he chose, in the end.”
“But he did not have a choice,” Margrethe said. And then she turned to her friend. “Edele, I have something to tell you.”
THE WEDDING WAS a splendid affair. Every man laid down his arms before entering the church. The two kings stood on either side of the altar. The priest, dressed in the finest sacramental vestments, spoke beautifully about the union of South and North, of husband and wife.
Margrethe and Christopher walked down the aisle together. Margrethe trailed a long silver lace veil behind her. When they reached the altar and turned to each other, Christopher lifted the veil from Margrethe’s face.
She did not know what to feel as she looked at him, as he took her hand in his and slipped the ring on her finger. Her heart was in pieces. She loved him, and there was the chance, now, finally, for a new world. But the cost! One creature, and the possibility of everything beautiful crushed along with her.
“You are now man and wife,” the priest said. “You share the same soul, the same blood.”
The same soul, the same blood.
Christopher leaned over and kissed her. She closed her eyes and felt his lips press against hers, his warm mouth. Despite everything, the feel of his mouth on hers thrilled her. She imagined, for a moment, that they were back in the garden with snow falling all around, that he had been able to stay, to kiss her, that there had been no kings and kingdoms, but her heart was broken now and she could not pretend otherwise.
After the wedding and feasting, Prince Christopher and Princess Margrethe were escorted to the bridal chamber by a formal procession led by both kings and, in front of them, the priest.
And then, finally, they were alone.
She turned to face him. Her face was radiant with love, the way the mermaid’s had been when she leaned over him. But she felt she was watching as if from a distance, as if she were an angel hovering in the corner of the room.
His voice was soft. “I am sorry for what you have had to endure here,” he said. “But we will be happy. We will create a new world.”
She turned around so he would not see the grief in her face, and he unlaced her dress, let it slip. “I love you,” he said, whispering into her neck.
She closed her eyes, imagined she was underwater. Felt his hands move over her.
And she imagined it was her, swimming through the water, her skin as thick and beautiful as a gem, with his body in her arms.
AFTER, SHE WATCHED him as he slept. Even through her sadness and guilt, she loved him. But she could not stop thinking of Lenia and Christina. She moved, gently lifting his arm from her shoulder and unwrapping it.
“I will be back,” she whispered, kissing his cheek.
She pulled on a nightdress and took a small torch from the side of the bed, then slipped past the guards stationed outside the door.
“Princess Margrethe,” one of them said, bowing. “It is not safe for you to go out right now. May I escort you somewhere?”
“Remain where you are,” she said, pushing past them before they could protest.
She moved swiftly through the castle, to Lenia’s room. The sound of Christina crying filled the corridor. She knocked on the door and pushed her way in.
The wet nurse sat with the baby at her breast. Trying, without success, to comfort her. Lenia was not there.
“Where is she?” Margrethe asked.
The woman looked up, terrified, and awkwardly went to stand, cradling the child. “Your Highness,” she said.
“No, please,” Margrethe said, stretching out her hand, gesturing for her to sit down. “Do not get up. Tell me where your mistress is.”
The woman sat down. She was flustered to have