"And Iobel," says the priest, "do you swear to heed, adore, and support Edarial as your husband, in sacred ordained marriage so long as the tie binds?"

She tells herself the promise is meaningless. Given under duress, the ceremony would be stupidly worded anyway, she's more likely to kill her husband in his sleep than "adore" him. But she knows her script full well and he has Cricket.

"I so swear," she says in a low voice, still staring down Edarial with eyes full of ice.

"My prince, take the tiara from her hands and make her your queen," says the priest.