Free The Trojan Princess by JJ Hilton Page B

sanctify her, blessing her with children and happiness
in the future with Hector.
               
When she resurfaced, she felt invigorated by the waters cool depths, and she
stepped from the golden tub feeling as though the gods had truly blessed her
and her marriage.
               
The nuptial bath complete, she allowed Iliana and Ilisa to dress her in her
finest robes and they placed a shimmering silver veil over her head, so that it
fell to her waist on all sides, covering her face and upper body completely
from the eyes of others. To keep it in place they put the elaborate
peacock-feather adorned headdress that had been presented to her as a gift from
Hector atop her head.
               
Veiled as she was, Andromache felt freed from the watchful eyes and stares as
she and her maids went once more to the great temple. The streets were heaving
with citizens and it looked to her as if perhaps every citizen of the city had
turned out to celebrate the nuptials. Everywhere she looked, from the streets
to the balconies and even to the rooftops, she saw people clamouring to get a
glimpse of her in her ornate finery, and of Hector as he rode atop a white
stallion, looking for all the world as if he were already a king.
               
At the temple, Andromache and Hector knelt before the altar and made their
offerings to the gods. Andromache, her face hidden behind the veil, looked
sideways at the man who was becoming her husband on this day. His face was
serious as his lips moved silently in prayer, and she longed to reach out to
him, stroke his handsome face, run a hand through his dark hair, but she did
not. She remained kneeling until the offerings were made, and Hector rose to
his feet. He offered her his hand, and she grasped it, allowing him to help her
to her feet. On her feet, Hector gave her a smile - one that she knew only she
could see - and squeezed her hand gently before he released it from his grip.
               
Heart soaring, Andromache followed him from the temple, where the procession
through the streets once more resumed as they returned to the royal palace.
               
The feast was a mighty one – weren’t they all, in this city, Andromache mused –
but this one was by far grander than any she had seen before, and perhaps would
probably ever see again. The men and women dined at separate tables, and
Andromache, still veiled in the silver cloth, did not eat nor drink, though her
royal sisters urged her to. Only when Creusa, sat beside her and sensing her
uncertainty, had discreetly shown her how she could, with dignity whilst
wearing the veil, did Andromache manage to relax and enjoy the feast. She drank
wine – the most beautiful wine in all the world! – and allowed the musicians
and singers to entertain her as they did the whole hall.
               
As the sun began to set upon the city and the skies turned from brilliant blue
to a fiery, dazzling orange, King Priam rose from his seat, silence descending
over the room in anticipation of what was to come.
               
Hector joined his father before the whole room, and Andromache followed suit,
feeling her legs shaking with nerves and excitement. She wished her mother was
here for this; for the lifting of her veil, which would signify the completion
of the wedding, and that Andromache was now a true part of the royal family,
the wife of Hector in the eyes of the gods and of the people.
               
She stood before the silent room and faced Hector, who clasped her hands in
his, the smile upon his face assuring her that he, as she, felt no doubts about
their union. Priam uttered a short prayer, and turned to his new daughter, a smile
upon his ageing face, and with still hands he lifted the veil, and Andromache
looked upon her husband, Hector. He leaned in and kissed her lightly on the
lips and the room erupted in cheers and joy.
     
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