Unwilling vows - 5

Associates till death do us apart

Sir Noctis, King of Pulse

"Hereby, I pronounce you King, Noctis Lucis Caelum and Queen, Lightning Farron."

Noctis had received the sacred necklace every king of Lucis, the capital of Pulse, used to wear before him. The silver ornament shined on his black clothes and the engraved garnets were the exact color of his eyes at that moment. Red as blood. Lightning had a crown of diamonds, and the seven stones were like seven blades lined up together, forming a shimmering lozenge. The king in black, carrying death, the punishment of justice and war. The queen in white, pure, delicate, emissary of peace, hope and salvation.

All the symbols were right. Just their wearer felt uneasy under their weight.

"Is it all?", Lightning whispered to Noctis as the crowd cheers covered her voice.

"I'd wish so…" he muttered to himself.

"And to respect our coronation tradition, our new king and queen shall open the ball, once more." Remilda said with a wide smile.

She must be glad Lightning will step on my feet or something, Noctis thought.

"Do people dance all the time in this country?"

"Only when my mother is the one organizing something."

"Let me guess, she's always the one in charge when it comes to festivities, ceremonies and all…"

He smiled weakly and gave her his hand. Lightning got up and followed her husband to the center of the room, reluctant over the idea, but still ready to give it a try. She had to be better than the last day. The musicians –she couldn't see where they were coming from!- started to play and she realized this was supposed to be a waltz.

This is gonna be a disaster…, she cursed herself for skipping all her etiquette and dance classes.

"It's okay, just follow my lead. You're good at fighting; it's almost the same you know."

Saying that, he brought her closer to him, putting a hand on her waist and, squeezed her hand in his. She was afraid about the sudden closeness and was furiously blushing. He held her even closer, before to start moving. She tried to follow, but she'd choose the wrong foot to start. He was going left, not right.

"Noctis, you're not trying to get revenge for my win of this morning, are you?"

"Relax, Lightning, I don't care if you miss a few steps. You should just try to have fun."

"You're right. I'm getting defensive again. Sorry."

He slowly set the pace, whispering in her ears the rhythm she was supposed to follow. She tried to predict where he was going, but he always seemed to change his mind at the last second. She stepped on his feet, but he kept dancing. The other couples had joined the dance and Lightning felt relieved. She was disturbed by the people stares, by their talking. And she hated this dress even more than the one she was wearing the other day. There was no sleeve and nothing to tie it to her neck, so nothing to stop it from slipping off her. She felt naked. She wanted to hide.

"You think too much. Just react."

She looked up at him, taken aback by his suggestion. To react? To what? His eyes were still red and he froze for a moment.

"When we dance, we are partners. We work together so that none of us gets in the other way. But if you're that tensed, it can't work. Relax, just like you did yesterday."

"Noctis, I…"

She felt even more uneasy knowing what she knew about him, but it really wasn't the time to bring up that subject.

"Alright now. You close your eyes and do as I say."

"But…!"

"Give it a try for real, Lightning, then, I'll let you give up!"

"If you insist."

She closed her eyes. The grip of her hand on his shoulder tightened. It was still so hard for her to trust anyone. He held her close, so that she could feel his breathing on her forehead and that her face almost touched his chest. His hand on her naked back made her shiver.

"Take small steps. We'll go slowly to begin."

His fingers pressed her back, more on the right side. She took the hint. Hang on to him, forgetting about the rest of the world. She could hear the music in the background. His breathing so near. His warm. The feel of his hand on her back, the fingers pressing on her right or left shoulder blade. Soon, she realized there was a pattern to the way he moved. Left, right, left, left and right again. He wasn't giving her hints anymore. Still, she followed. She didn't have to look at her feet. She was getting used to him and to how he moved.

"You see, I knew even a tomboy like you could do it.", he teased her.

She wrapped her arms around his waist, closing the distance left between them. She had wanted to hug him since she knew everything over that terrible accident with his mother. And it felt so
reassuring. They came to a stop, but she stayed like that, not wanting to let him go. The music had died and people began to talk around them.

"You feel alright?" he asked.

"Is there somewhere around here where we can be alone?"

She sounded uneasy and nervous. He wondered what could be going through her mind now, but he couldn't hear anything coming from her.

"Come on, I'll show you somewhere."

They quickly crossed the crowd, avoiding the people that would have tried to talk to them, especially Noctis' mother. Then, he took her into countless corridors, until they arrived before a wide balcony that was hanging over Lucis' town. The sky was a dark shade of blue, and it was snowing. The moon hid behind clouds and Lightning's eyes widened when she realized it wasn't the moon.

"Is it…? It's Cocoon!" , she exclaimed.

A smile brightened her face. Suddenly, she looked like a child. She ran on the balcony, stopping at his very end, leaning over the balustrade to gaze at her homeworld.

"I can see Bodhum and Palumpolum! Can you see it too?", she asked.

"Sorry, I've never been there before."

"That's right… It's just that… It feels as if I've been away for years."

He joined her, gazing at her smile and her hair, which was a bit untidy because of the dance. Her cheeks were pink and the moonlight was turning her skin a pale blue. She laughed as the cold snow melt on her shoulders. How could she be so carefree when she seemed always ready to attack the rest of the time? She looked at him and frowned. He found her beautiful.

"I know I'm acting strange but… it's the first time I'm seeing snow in my whole life!"

"Really? Well, it can look fun, but you'll catch a cold if you stay out dressed like that for too long."

"Talking of which, you never told me what you thought about that dress…"

"Going flirty are we?"

"What? I never meant to…"

Now, she looked panicked. He chuckled, shaking his head.

"I was just joking. Compared to that dress, your choice of clothing is highly conservative… Not that I mind any. It seems anything would look good on you."

She blushed once more, looking away. She wasn't hoping for such a great compliment. And she didn't know what to think about it. She was nice to look at, she already knew it. But if she was going to sleep next to him every night of her life, she wasn't too sure if she wanted him to find her that attractive.

"I feel so exposed like that."

She shivered and Noctis thought that is just wasn't fair. He wanted to kiss her again. It really wasn't the time. She wrapped her arms around herself, rubbing her forearms.

"Why is it you lack confidence now, while you were so cocky when we fought this morning?" he sighed.

"I don't know. I feel so clumsy. And that's stupid to do clothes that way. I could make myself three or four outfits out of this skirt while I'm half naked at the top."

"Well, you got a point there, but still, it's not that bad. You just look womanlier."

She bit her lips, blushing even more. Why did she even ask him what he thought of her dress? She was afraid to look him in the eyes and see a sparkle of lust in his iris. A gust of wind blew over them, sending shivers through her whole body.

"Here." he whispered, removing his jacket to put it on her bare shoulders. "Don't be ashamed. You're the prettiest queen Pulse's seen in decades. You should be proud."

She tensed at the touch of his hands brushing against her skin. His jacket was warm around her and she felt protected.

"Thank you, Noctis. I guess I'm looking even more confusing with each new hour we spend together…"

"I'd rather say you have your weak points too. I, too, would feel uncomfortable in a dress."

She laughed at his comment and they looked once more at Cocoon, with a small sigh.

"I hope everything's going alright. There's still many monsters rampaging in our streets, back home." , she whispered.

"Soon, you'll get to check on things yourself.", he encouraged her. "Tenebrea has declared war to Lucis and I will go to the front in one or two weeks to put an end to it. On your side, you'll go back to Cocoon, to get things checked."

"Wait, a war? But we just…"

"Pulse is wider than Cocoon. We weren't fighting just against you lately. Anyway, this war is more a vengeance thing. I've tried to negotiate, but there was no way to come to an understanding. The best I can do now is to make sure that no civilian will be implied in our fight."

"Why did you wait so long to tell me about it?"

"Pulse's security is my responsibility.", he replied. "I'll leave Cocoon to you and…"

"But that means that you are taking almost all the job and…"

"Lightning. I know Pulse and I'm used to the ways of its people. You still have everything to learn about it. I'm the only one who can stop this war. For now, I'll take care of Pulse. Anyway, we shouldn't be talking about that now."

"Well, what should we talk about then?"

"I don't know. Maybe we should head back inside."

"No, I like it here. No one's telling us what to do. No one's talking in my back. And I can see the capital as I never had before. You know, at first, I thought that Lucis was a cold and gothic place, with all those black building and all. But with all the snow and the lights, it's almost lovely."
She untied her hair with a sigh and he watched the way her locks fall around her face with a pang of sorrow in his heart. Was it right to find her so pretty? Was it right to feel like that while Stella was still so vivid in his memories?

"I never thought of Lucis that way.", he smiled.

"Well, I've heard you'd never stay too long in the capital. It seems you prefer to wonder throughout Pulse with your friends."

"That's right… Before that the war started over again with Cocoon, I was always out in Pulse. In Tenebrae, or on the plains. We got lost in the desert one time… we'd come back after six months and my father almost killed me on the spot when I showed up. My teachers hated me."

"So… Do you like your city or, do you prefer another place?"

"My favorite spot is in a forest not far from the capital. There's a waterfall and a little lake there. I used to go there all the time. Just to escape the pressure."

He used to bring Stella with him, and they'd made love for the first and the last time in that place. It held all his most precious memories. He shivered, but not from the cold. When he looked at Lightning, he saw that she was smiling at him.

"You're the one going to get cold now because of your gallantry."

"I'm tougher than I look.", he lied.

As he said that, a soft song started playing from bellow the balcony. They both looked down to see that people were singing in the streets and feasting the coronation of their new king and queen. The music was carried up by the wind, reaching them and Lightning knew that even if the nobles were judging her, even if her mother-in-law didn't like her, the people of Lucis, at least, were happy with the change.

"I never heard that song before.", he wondered where it come from.

"Care to dance one last time?", she suddenly asked.

"What?"

"Well, as I won't be wearing such a dress again before years, we should make the most out of it, don't you think?"

Sometimes, her own logic got her confused, but he just smiled at her and took her hand.

"I'll let you lead from the start. But I won't close my eyes this time, alright?"

He nodded and grabbed her waist. The fabric of her dress was as soft as satin. She held her breath as he held her close. She locked her eyes with his, wishing to see what he was thinking. They danced to the music. Never did she step on his feet, not even once. They talked a bit, about Cocoon and Pulse. About what kind of King and Queen they wanted to be. About her sister. About his war. They danced until they couldn't feel the cold anymore, letting the paces fasten and forgetting to listen to the music. He made her turned around herself for the nth time and then brought her back to him with a motion of his arm. She had to tilt her head back to look at him and they both were looking for their breath. A sweet tension was building up between them. She felt his chest softly rising against hers. They had stopped to talk since she didn't know when but… she was mesmerized by his eyes now. They were as blue as the sky behind him.

The way he'd hold her, she knew something was up, but she couldn't tell what. She felt protected when he held her, she felt free and accepted just as she was. She thought that she didn't know him enough to feel all that. She had forgotten about the story on his mother. All she knew was that he was her husband. He was sensible, gentle, and shy, even if he was strong. In fact, what was it that really made someone's strength? The fact that he could show to everyone his weakness, that he could share or something else? She would never have thoughts like that before. But when she stood before Noctis, Lightning felt different. He looked at her, not expecting a princess or a queen, but someone who would try to understand him. And she was so ready to try…

But why do I feel like this? I can't be in love with him, not after only two days. I'm hanging on to him only because he's the only one who has been nice to me since Serah's gone. I can't keep on going like this. I can't let him sweep me off my feet just because he's the first man to enter my life. He was forced on me, why am I so glad? , she argued with herself.

She looked lost and confused, just as he was. He tried to smile. To focus on her face and on her green eyes. To forget Stella's. Lightning was his wife. She was always full of life and forced herself not to smile, but he already liked all that. The way she frowned, the way she punched him when she wanted to laugh. Since Stella's death, he had been alone, even when he was with his friends, but now, that woman from Cocoon, she was his. His heart was beating fast. He knew he didn't love her yet and that this wasn't right. She was his queen, nothing more. But he wanted more and he was scared by that impression.

"Lightning… You're going to take me too far.", he sighed.

"That's not what I'm trying to do and you know it."

"You majesties! What are you doing out in the cold night? Everyone has been looking everywhere for you!" , a maid yelled as she found them.

"To believe you would still be running away as soon as you can, Lucis!", Remilda hissed. "You didn't even make your speech!"

"It's way too late for it now, mother…"

…

If it was too late for a speech, it wasn't too late for a real feast. The banquet was thrown with the arrival of their highnesses. And just as she stepped in the throne room once more, Lightning saw her sister rushing to her. She opened her arms, smiling.

"Serah!"

"Lightning!"

The sisters hugged each other, oblivious of the crowd still staring at the freshly pronounced queen.

"I never expected you were coming!"

"How could I miss my big sis' crowning?"

Noctis stood back, smirking at the sight. Lightning and Serah were clearly sisters, but still real opposites. Same hair, same curves. But Lightning was taller, with sharper looks, while her little sister was small, frail and looked innocent. In their dresses, they were both delicate, but the king could tell it was Serah's average look, while Lightning always looked tougher. Even in such a dress, he could tell which one was the fighter and which one was the wiser.

"Wow, you actually look like a queen, Lightning", Snow mused, joining the pair of sisters.

"Why you…!"

Noctis' smile even grew wider. Then, someone pinched his arm and he turned back. His own friends were in front of him, all smiling.

The taller, Sync, cleared his throat while replacing his glasses. Shawn let go of the king's arm, smiling as widely as his highness.

"Seems she's way more fun and hot that you thought she ought to be…" , commented Sync.

"What a lucky man you are, Noct, you're collecting all the hottest chicks from Pulse to Cocoon. Even your sister's-in-law's a cutie!", Shawn playfully added.

"And we didn't get to see you in two whole days. Guess you were keeping yourself busy." mocked Lucas.

Noctis blushed and grimaced a bit at their jokes.

"Cut it out, man! It really isn't the time."

He had to keep his cool, at least in front of all his people. But Noctis wanted to talk about his wedding with his three friends, even if they were going to talk over Lightning's looks, remind him that he was indeed lucky to have such a hot wife and how jealous they were just to think he could sleep next to her every night of the rest of his life.

"You never have the time Noct."

"I know… We'll talk tomorrow, okay?"

"Right. You've got to stick with the queen. You think we didn't see you dancing a moment ago? And how you two sneaked out without even one hi to your old friends?"

"She's far from her home and people. She needs a friend, and that's what I intend to be, okay, nothing more. I won't be able to get to know her for long, since we're going back to war in a few days." He reminded them.

"Yeah, you're right, Noct. Still, people are beginning to think that this wasn't a real arranged wedding. You're all lovey-dovey together each time you dance. You have to teach Sync your tricks, you know. He's still single after all." Lucas smiled.

"Hey!"

"Well, first, our new king owes me one. My Heather wants us to get married now. I'm only twenty, for god's sake!" Shawn complained, faking to tear off his own hair.

" 'S not like you're going to die or anything. Heather's the loveliest thing out there for a moron like you. Can't picture how you even get to be her boyfriend."
Noctis chuckled at that.

It was nice having these guys around. He was glad they would be with him during the upcoming war. Then he looked at his "wife". She was frowning at her sister, turning a slight shade of red. Seemed like he wasn't the only one being teased. For a moment, he thought everything was perfect. And then, the banquet began. And Lightning almost caused three political incidents with the responses she gave to the other nobles, or because of Snow, who got mad when a guy tried to flirt with his girl.

When he sat back after clearing out things, Noctis felt good, thinking back at the moment when he was holding Lightning in his arms on the balcony. Then, his mother realized something.

"My little Lucis, could you tell us why your wife is still wearing your jacket?"

"Huh… What?"

He looked puzzled, before to blush once more at the smiles of the nobles around him. He didn't really care. She was shy in her dress and he'd rather face their teasing then seeing her vulnerable in front of them. He knew just too well they were all as sharks in the wild sea. Lightning was a fighter for the battlefields, not the court. And he was going to protect her, even if she had won their first fight.

To be continued…