Chapter Text
“What?” said Roxane, the word reverberating around the marble walls of the chamber like the crack of a whip.
“I said,” said De Guiche, “That you are going to marry Cyrano.”
Roxane looked at Cyrano.
Cyrano looked at Roxane.
Roxane didn’t know exactly what expression her face was currently wearing, but apparently it was enough for Cyrano to step forward and say, “Don’t be ridiculous. Roxane and I are friends, nothing more.”
De Guiche narrowed his eyes. “May I remind you that I am king of the gods? My word is law, and I say that you will marry. Or else.”
“Or else what?” asked Roxane.
Lightning flashed in the sky outside, bringing with it a rumble of thunder. “Or else,” said De Guiche, his voice as soft as cruelty.
“Why?” Roxane knew that she should probably stop asking questions, but she asked anyway.
De Guiche’s eyes travelled the length of her body, and Roxane suppressed a shudder. “You incite lust among the gods, and jealousy among the goddesses. You must be married. Cyrano is a… valued member of Olympus, and a bachelor. So you will marry him.”
“Neither of us get a choice, do we?” Roxane said quietly. She wanted to yell, to scream and claw at De Guiche with her nails, but she kept herself in check. If it came to a fight, she would lose.
Cyrano folded his arms. “Let’s just get it over with, shall we?”
De Guiche nodded. “By the power vested in me as the king of the gods, I hereby declare you both to be man and wife. Now, if you will excuse me, I must inform the other Olympians of your marriage.” He nodded at them, business-like, and left the room.
Roxane sank to her knees. After a moment, Cyrano sat down beside her.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I think I’m probably the last man you’d want to be married to.”
She gave him a small smile at that. “Not the last. At least I’m married to a friend… it could have been anyone De Guiche wanted. It’s just…” she ran a hand through her hair. “I’m the goddess of love. If I’m marrying someone, it should be for love, not because the king of the gods orders it.” Roxane looked up at him. “Are you alright? I mean, neither of us is going to be able to marry for love, now.”
A flicker of pain crossed his face, and he hid it away as fast as it appeared. “I think I’ll be able to live with it. And as much as De Guiche has forced the marriage, he can’t force anything else. Separate beds, I promise.”
Roxane pushed herself to her feet. “I want to get out of Olympus for a while. I know that people will stare when I come back, but I’d rather be stared at when our marriage is old news. I need some time to get used to this.”