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Quickly, I’d come to realize the lies people will believe in order to sooth their own doubts To keep themselves and their own safe

Millstone farm was still s, and my real father, who’d been buried with all honors, was apparently my favorite tutor

The codom ran deep

“I do,” I said with a smile

“And do you, King Randal…”

Pros, and I watched—er, at the way the diaertips

“…then you may kiss the bride”

The organmy whole body tremble, but as soon as his lips met mine, I hardly heard or felt the vibrations of the notes Because the kiss, oh God, that kiss He tookthe back of ers

I groaned into his htly parted lashes He atching me, too, and I felt hih; this was deep and long and the sort of thing I’d never done in public before The crowd hooted their appreciation as he stepped into me and pulled me close, with onedip

When the kiss finally ended, the crowd erupted in applause and delight

Noas the part of the ceremony e turned to walk back down to the aisle, but as I tugged on his ar All ot a surprise for you,” he said into my ear

Myhelped me at the farm, stepped back, as did Randal’s men Two priests joined the bishop that hadchord and then ceased as the cheers of the crowd died down

There was a silence, the likes of which can only happen in a full cathedral—complete, sudden, and total The priests bowed their heads; the squeak of the pewsdown the aisle before us was the royal reen velvet cushion he carried a crown

My crown