Snow

he said and winked at David, then darted back out of the room. The dressers giggled again and talked animatedly for a moment, then fell silent as David didn't join in, just stood patiently waiting for them to finish. They did so in silence and after they left the maid who wasn't one gestured for him to sit down, combed his hair out and then pulled it tightly, holding it in one hand as she wove strands of diamonds though it with the other. Her fingers moved quickly, and he was glad there was no mirror in which he could watch her work.

"Thank you," he said when she was done but she'd already turned away, walking across the room to hold the door open for him. As he stepped through it he saw Judith in the hallway, watched her look at the maid who wasn't one and saw the maid nod once, slowly. He saw Judith nod back, a satisfied smile on her face, before she vanished into the throng of nobility that had been chosen to escort him to the cathedral.

When they arrived at the cathedral David waited outside, a noblewoman he didn't know standing on his right side, a nobleman he didn't know standing on his left, both of them so happy to be where they were that he could feel it. He glanced at each of them, at the smiles on their faces.

When the great doors were opened and the trumpets sounded he walked inside, down the length of the church to where Michael was waiting.

Michael's voice was strong as he declared that David was his now and would be forever more.

"This I vow before God and you," he said and turned toward him. Behind Michael's head a great window showed sun and sky. David looked out the window and thought of a day when sun and sky had swirled together in his mind, created a color he'd known he'd never see again. He looked out the window and wished for what he knew would never be. He repeated Michael's words back to him and watched a smile bloom across his face. He thought about someone else's smile. Every time he took a breath he could feel himself being held securely, bound so that nothing inside him could leak out. His eyes didn't sting at all, stayed clear and focused on Michael's face.

Two songs were sung after a priest had blessed them and promised them joy forever, a chorus of voices singing praise, and then Michael took his hand and the two of them walked outside. The sun was still shining and the sky was still a lovely endless blue. People pressed flowers into David's hands as he and Michael walked up a flight of stairs toward a decorated archway where everyone who'd gathered could see them. He looked at the flowers, at how they bloomed beautifully, every color he'd ever seen alive and cradled in his hands. He'd always wanted to live in a world like this, full of color and light and happy people who weren't afraid to look at him.

And now he did. He held the flowers tightly, closed his eyes when Michael placed a crown on his head and then kissed him, listened to the crowd roar their approval, their joy. He had never felt so empty. So alone.

A banquet was held in the evening, the castle filled with nobles from every corner of the kingdom. So many people had come for the ceremony that the banquet was held outside in a pavilion Michael had specially built for the occasion. He and David sat at the far end of the pavilion, up on a raised dais so everyone could see them. Those closest to Michael, those he trusted most, were seated right below them. David was not surprised when Judith sat down next to him, her smile warm when she greeted Michael and fading when she turned to him.

During a lull, when they were waiting for servants to come with the next course and Michael was talking to the person sitting on his other side, a pleased smile on his face, Judith passed him the wine and said, low-voiced, angry, "He's given you everything and yet you just sit there, silent and far away. He deserves more from you."

David took the wine and poured it into his cup slowly. Then he turned to Michael and spoke his name gently, smiled and asked if he wanted any. Michael nodded and wrapped a hand around his wrist as he poured, kissed the skin there gently. David pulled his hand away and waited, watched Michael's face and saw his eyes flare hot and eager. Then he put his hand against Michael's face briefly, willingly, and smiled.

When he turned back toward Judith she was looking at him. Her eyes were very bright and hard.

"I'm sorry," he said and he almost meant it. She loved Michael with an intensity, a ferocity, that he understood. "This is all I have to give."

Later, when the two of them were alone, Michael brought in some of the gifts that had been sent.

He passed all the jewels to David and motioned for him to put them on, smiling when he did so.

He looped a finger through a bracelet shining on David's wrist and tugged him close, kissed him.

"You outshine all of it."

The next gift was wrapped in lovely gilded paper. David touched it as Michael ripped it open. It was heavy and smooth against his fingers, somehow almost warm to the touch.