by Zora Marie
“You’re beautiful, have been since the moment I first met you.”
Zelia raised her brows. “Ratty hair, sheet, and all?”
“Yes, though a bit of love has done wonders for you.”
There was a knock on the door and Zivu bid them enter.
“Hm. That’s definitely a new look on you,” Loboran said, then grinned brighter than she’d ever seen. “May I have the pleasure of escorting you this evening?”
Zelia glanced from Loboran to Zivu and back again. She’d assumed Eadon would be the one to give her away, but if Yargo was here, too, and with Erolith being gone, maybe it was best this way. Best to ease the burden of her mate’s lost father. “Of course.”
“I’ll see you out there,” Zivu said and left ahead of them.
Loboran took a moment to admire her dress. “No wonder Starling was gushing so much last night. The dresses tell your and Linithion’s stories. Well come on, Starling already took off with Linithion.”
“Oh? He’s not stealing her away, is he?”
“Never. He’s all mine and he knows it.” He gave her a feline smile. “I just let Linithion borrow him.”
“Hm. Sure you did.” Zelia smiled at Loboran as they headed for the stairs. The happiness that had faltered around Zivu burned brighter in the presence of Loboran.
When Skylar said a few other royals had come, she hadn’t realized he meant royals of every kingdom on the mainland. She scanned the faces of those gathered. King Eadwulf stood with his old friends Lucky and Jones near the gazebo, along with King Connan, James, King Yargo, Queen Zivu, and so many friends and family. These were her kin, all people she’d gotten to know over the last few years. The friends that had filled up holes in her soul from centuries alone in darkness, all but a few from Dragon Island and beyond.
It was such a contrast to those centuries in the cave that she had to fight back tears as Elves mixed in the crowd began to sing, play flutes, and other instruments. And with that music Loboran led her towards the vine gazebo that everyone circled around.
Across from them, through that gazebo, was Linithion being led towards them by Starling. Linithion’s hair was in much the same fashion as her own, only hers was woven with dark teal colored flowers. As they reached the gazebo, leaves budded on the vines in answer to the songs around them.
Starling placed Linithion’s hand in hers before he and Loboran headed to the edge of the crowd. There would be no giving away of the bride as the humans did, because they were no one’s to give away. Besides, they’d long ago given their hearts to one another.
“You’re as beautiful as always,” Zelia whispered and Linithion blushed as someone came up behind her.
Yargo stopped beside them and his smile shone in his eyes as he began, “A year ago you risked your lives to save the realms and together you forged a peace stronger and more widespread than I have ever seen. You needn’t someone to officiate your union, but as I was asked,” Yargo grinned, “may we please have their new rings?”
Eadon stepped forward and placed a golden ring in each of their open palms, tears of happiness shining in his eyes as he stepped back to Eleanor’s side.
“Today we have gathered to celebrate the union of the realms’ most famous princesses.” Yargo grinned at her and she rolled her eyes. “I know not of any more deserving of them than each other. So, it is for them I ask all the old and new gods, of all realms, to bless this union. As a ring is a circle that never ends, so shall be your love for one another.”
He nodded to them and Zelia moved first to take the silver ring from Linithion’s finger. “It is with this ring and my soul that I, Zelia, declare my undying love for you, Linithion. I give to you my hand, heart, and spirit, at the setting of the sun, and the rising of the stars. No death shall part us, for I shall find you in every life from this day until the end of time itself.” She replaced the silver ring with a band of gold etched with leaves and flowers.
Then with the silver ring slid on her other hand, she let Linithion do the same for her. Linithion didn’t even watch what she was doing, as her eyes never left Zelia’s. She said much the same, only their last lines differed. “Though one day death may take my soul from body, I shall never leave you, my love.” Her gaze seemed to say that she didn’t care if the entire realm was watching, if the gods were indeed watching, only they mattered in this moment.
As the gold ring slid onto Zelia’s finger, she felt the bond between them flare to life with love and happiness.
“You have both lived through the trials of war and loss together, so I will not waste breath on advice to survive such things. Rather I bestow upon you the blessings of the gods and with it your souls shall be bound together until you are of but one soul in two bodies forever bound to one another.”
A ripple of power flared out from them, their souls joining in a flash of light. Zelia’s heart raced as though it could escape her chest and join with Linithion’s, as though they were indeed a single soul split in two.
Many in the crowd gasped, but Yargo just hummed a note of amusement. “You may now kiss.”
Their lips met, tender and sweet. There would be time for deep claiming kisses later. The power that had flared between them buzzed along Zelia’s skin, in her heart and soul like living flames meant to forge them as one. Linithion was hers and she was Linithion’s, then and forever more.
The celebration went on late into the night with feasting, dancing, and laughter. Lucky even roped Rogath into helping him play pranks on their friends, much to the delight of everyone involved. Zelia had never been so full of happiness as she was when they finally left their kin behind and headed to the house near dawn. She was happy to have seen and talked to so many of her friends and family, but her soul burned for Linithion. One look at her soulmate told her that she felt the same. They had done it, had fought for and won their happy ending at last.
If you enjoyed this, try
A Touch of Moonlight (A Court of Moonlight, Book 1)
Do you love fae shifters, magic, and romance?
Then this one is for you!
Click the image to go to Amazon
Thank You
I hope you enjoyed journeying with Zelia. If you have a bit of time, a review would be greatly appreciated.
Reviews help authors entice readers, get promotional deals, and sometimes give us a much needed pick-me-up. Even just a ‘this was great!’ or even an eloquent ‘eh’ would be a huge help. Though for former would probably help with the pick-me-up bit more.
Thanks again,
Zora Marie
