by Amy Sumida
“You don't want the honor of having the High King perform your wedding?” I asked.
“V, you're the reason I have all of this,” Roarke went serious. “Without you, I'd still be running around the Earth Kingdom, doing my father's bidding. You helped to make me a king and give me a family. There is no one else I'd rather have to join Anna and I. It has to be you.”
“How can I say no to that?” I hugged him again. Then I pulled back. “Are you doing your own vows or do I have to read a script?”
“You can start with the traditional, but we might add to it.” Roarke winked at me.
“I suppose I deserve that after I interrupted the High King's ceremony.” I grimaced.
“Thank you, Vervain,” Roarke said sincerely. “It means a lot to me.”
“I love you, Roarke. It means a lot to me to see you so happy.” Then I sighed deeply. “But I had better get upstairs and change... and find a book with a faerie wedding ceremony in it.”
Chapter Fifty-One
Two hours later, I stood in the officiant's place on the dais beside a grinning Roarke and two other cat-sidhe men; his groomsmen. I wore a pale yellow gown; nothing too flashy. I didn't want to take any attention away from the bride; my crown was enough of a distraction as it was. But Anna would soon have a crown of her own.
Roarke wore crimson and black velvet with a simple gold crown on his head. His Fire Cat crown had a single ruby set in the front center; carved into a flame. It mimicked the jewel flames in my fire crown; showing Roarke's affiliation to Fire and his rank as a king just below my position of Fire Queen. I have two crowns; my fire crown with a gold base of stylized flames, accented by yellow diamonds and rubies carved into more flames, and a dragon crown of white gold dragons encrusted with diamonds. I'd worn the fire crown today to show my connection to Roarke and his bride. A smaller version of Roarke's crown waited on a cushioned pedestal behind me; its central flame was a yellow diamond.
Arach sat with our sons in the first row on my right. King Guirmean, Queen Nora, and Prince Morgan sat beside them with and Earth Royals, King Ruari and Queen Bronagh, next to them. Across the aisle, going out from the position of honor at the inner end, was High King Cian, High Queen Meara, and High Prince Lugh. Then there were Dark Royals; King Rowan, Queen Liatris, Prince Baidhen, and Princess Sinnea. Finally, there were the Air Royals; King Fionn and Queen Breana... whose belly bulged with her pregnancy. Queen Breana beamed at me as if I had personally been responsible for her child's conception. I smiled back warmly.
“This is the first time I've waited on the dais at a wedding,” I whispered to Roarke, and he chuckled.
Then soft music drifted out from where the musicians were set up; off to the side of the ballroom entrance. Anna's attendants waited in a line within the doorway; the bride hidden behind them. The ladies smiled brilliantly—both of them cat-sidhe—as they glided gracefully down the aisle between the rows of faeries. Then Anna stepped forward in a gown of fire. Flames undulated along the crimson foundation of her dress; licking up her lithe body. They blended with the burning veil that covered Anna's startling white hair with its single, crimson stripe. Her face was shielded by a heat haze veil, but her soft smile could still be seen through it. She held a brimming bouquet of fire orchids—a flower that my magic had birthed in our kingdom—but her left hand was held by her escort; Hunter.
Hunter was dressed in a similar fashion to his father, with a crown of unadorned gold on his head. He lifted his chin proudly as he escorted his mother down the aisle to his father. Hunter was nearly six years old now and looked every inch the little prince. He grinned at the gathering and took great care to help his mother up the dais steps when they arrived. Then he gallantly placed Anna's hand in Roarke's and went to take his seat beside my boys. They high-fived each other, and I pressed my lips together to hold back my laughter. Then Roarke lifted the hazy veil away from Anna's face and eased it back over her head to reveal his beautiful bride.
As I stared out over the gathering of joyful faeries, I was suddenly overwhelmed. Roarke had been a part of my journey to become Queen of Fire; he'd been beside me from the beginning. A lot had happened to get us both there; we had been through so much together. I had the book of Fey ceremonies in my hand but before I looked down at it, I spoke with my heart.
“Thank you all for being here,” I said to the gathering. “Roarke has asked me to perform the ceremony for him and Anna, and I'm honored to do so but first, I want to express how delighted I am to be standing here today before these two people and how honored I am to be the one to unite them formally in their love.”
I paused to smile at the bride and the groom.
“Roarke has gone through a lot to make it here, to this moment of peace and happiness,” I went on. “He battled intrigue, hatred, racism, and arrogance.”
I glanced over the crowd and noted with surprise that Roarke's father was there. King Liam gave me a self-deprecating look and acknowledging nod. He was one of the biggest obstacles Roarke had to surmount. But Liam had changed his tune and was now supportive of his son. I was glad he was there.
“Anna and Roarke were nearly torn apart when he became the first Fire Cat-Sidhe and made a home for himself in our kingdom,” I looked away from Liam as I continued. “But Anna followed her heart right into the flames and came to us to be changed by Faerie too. Still, she wouldn't give in, and Roarke had to wage one final battle to win her heart. Through it all, he has proven himself to be a great king and an even better friend. This marriage isn't just a celebration of Anna and Roarke's love; it's a celebration of their victory over impossible odds and of our good fortune to be able to call them our friends. The entire Kingdom of Fire rejoices today.”
The faeries cheered, and Roarke swallowed convulsively; more moved than I'd seen him since the night Anna had accepted his proposal.
“Now, I've been warned that things might go astray.” I winked at High King Cian, and he shook his head with a laugh. “But we shall start this ceremony in the traditional way. King Roarke”—I focused my gaze on him—“here, beneath the Holly and the Ivy, do you declare your love for this woman?”
“I do,” Roarke said proudly. “I love her above all others.”
“Do you declare that she will come first in all things for you?”
“I do; her happiness is my happiness.”
“Do you declare yourself to be her protector; to guard her life with your own?”
“I do.” Roarke laid his palm on Anna's cheek. “I can't exist without you. I would give my life to protect you, my love.”
“No, Roarke,” Anna protested just as I had done to Arach at our wedding. “We will stand together to face whatever this life brings us. If it is peace, I will lay in the sun beside you, and we will bask in its heat. But if it is war, I will fight beside you, and we will protect our love and our family together.”
“That sounds so much better than what I said,” Roarke agreed. “Let's go with that.”
The crowd laughed merrily.
“Roarke, place the ring on Anna's finger and repeat after me; With this ring, I thee wed.”
Since Anna and Roarke had decided to exchange rings as well as vows, I decided to add a little human tradition to their ceremony.
“With this ring, I thee wed,” Roarke said solemnly as he slipped the ring onto Anna's finger.
“Lady Anna, here, beneath the Holly and the Ivy, do you declare your love for this man?” I asked her.
“I do,” Anna said in a clear, strong voice. “I love him above all others.”
“It's about time,” Roarke muttered with a smirk.
“But that doesn't mean I'll take any of your lip, you randy tomcat,” she admonished him.
“You love my lips,” Roarke said confidently.
“Roarke, if you taint the sacred vows of our wedding ceremony with your licentiousness, I will make you pay for it forever,” Anna growled.
Roarke laughed boisterously, and the gathering joined him.<
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“Very well, my love; I will hold my tongue for you.” He winked at her; implying all of the things he'd be doing with his tongue later.
“Anna, despite how irritating Roarke can be, do you declare that he will come first in all things for you?” I moved us along.
“I do,” Anna said as her eyes went soft. “His happiness is my happiness.”
“I think we've covered the last bit, but I'll reiterate,” I said. “Do you declare yourself to be his partner; in peace or in war? In sunshine or in blood? To do all in your power to rejoice in and to protect your love and your family?”
“I do,” Anna vowed. “I will stay true to this man for the rest of our lives.”
“Anna, place the ring on Roarke's finger and repeat after me; With this ring, I thee wed.”
“With this ring, I thee wed,” Anna whispered as a tear slipped down her cheek.
“You may kiss your bride!” I declared.
Roarke gently wiped away Anna's tears and then pulled her forward into a beautiful kiss. After they eased back from it, I placed my hands on their heads.
“May blood flow and fire burn,” I said and then paused to allow the Fire Faeries to repeat the blessing. “May brine preserve and water cleanse. May breath surge and air renew. May stone defend and earth sustain. And may spirit unite us all.” I paused after every blessing, allowing the faeries of that element to repeat it, but the last blessing was spoken by all of the faeries there.
On top of that, I added one more, unspoken blessing. My love magic lifted inside my chest and took the form of butterflies. The delicate but powerful avatars carried my magic into the new bride and groom and coated their love in an impenetrable shield. Not that they needed it; I knew their union would last. But still, an extra blessing couldn't hurt.
Roarke and Anna gaped at me as the magic left them and fluttered home to their point of my star. I winked at the Fire Cat-Sidhe couple and then reached behind me to pick up the waiting crown.
“Now, the Fire Cat King will crown his bride,” I announced as I handed Roarke the crown.
“I crown you, Queen Anna of the Fire Cat-Side.” Roarke gently placed the crown upon Anna's head, and they beamed at each other.
I turned the couple to face the gathering. “I present to you; King Roarke and Queen Anna of the Fire Cat-Sidhe!”
The faeries applauded and cheered as Roarke escorted his wife down the dais where they collected their son and then headed out of the ballroom as a family; down the corridor to the dining hall where the wedding feast waited.
Chapter Fifty-Two
Anna, Roarke, and Hunter sat at the high table with Arach, my boys, the other royals, and me to enjoy the feast. This was nothing new; they'd been welcome at the high table for quite awhile. But this time, Anna was a queen, not just a lady who got to sit there because she was dating a king. I could see the difference in her bearing; she was far more confident now.
But Anna and Roarke didn't sit for long. They ate their dinner and then got up to dance wildly around the open space before the high table. Their court joined them; the Fire Cat-Sidhe wild with joy and celebrating as only cats can. They spun, leapt, and twirled with grace and dexterity as the other faeries applauded and danced more sedately around the edges. Then King Liam and the Earth Cat-Sidhe stepped up, and everyone went still. The two types of Cat-Sidhe faced off until Liam hugged his son and offered his congratulations. Then the Earth Cats joined the Fire Cats in their exuberant dancing. It was one of the most vibrant receptions I've ever attended.
Included in the wedding feast were some human favorites that Roarke adored; pizzas, hamburgers, and hot dogs. The faeries ate them as if they were the most gourmet delicacies they'd ever had; groaning with delight and going back for more. I enjoyed a slice of pizza myself but was more interested in the fey food that I could only get there. When I was done with my meal, I sat with my husband; sipping faerie wine as we watched our people rejoice. Our sons were on the dance floor with the other children; thrashing about as wildly—if not as gracefully—as the Fire Cat-Sidhe.
“Congratulations on your pregnancy, Queen Breana,” I called down to the Air Queen. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you, Queen Vervain!” Breana rubbed her belly, as she'd been doing most of the day. “We're so excited.”
“Beyond excited,” King Fionn amended as he leaned over and kissed his wife.
Their monarch butterfly wings shivered and stroked each other behind them.
“And you have just given birth, Queen Vervain,” King Cian pointed out. “I hope it went smoothly and your child is in good health.”
“He is; thank you. Vero's with his father now,” I said. “He's a sweet baby; very healthy.”
“I would like to visit Pride Palace and meet him,” Lugh said. “Perhaps you could join me on my visit, Isleen?”
Isleen blinked. I don't think it ever occurred to her to visit my home in the God Realm.
“I'd love to have you both visit. Although, you'll have to guard Isleen carefully from my lions,” I warned Lugh. “They get frisky around beautiful women.”
“On second thought; I may be too busy to visit.” Lugh scowled.
“I would love to see your Lion Palace, My Queen,” Isleen declared. “I accept your invitation.”
“Good; maybe you could take the boys with you while Arach stays here and watches over his kingdom.” I smirked at my husband.
“No,” Arach said simply.
“Arach,” I cajoled.
“No,” he said again. “If my sons leave the realm, I go with them.”
“It's enough that I get to go,” Isleen assured me. “And I'd like to meet your new son, My Queen.”
“Excellent.” I nodded.
“So, you handled the issues in the God Realm?” King Cian asked. “All is well there?”
“All is well,” I confirmed. “Arach and I took care of it.” I slid my hand into my husband's, and he lifted it to kiss tenderly. “I couldn't have done it without him; Arach helped me track several villainous gods.”
“You tracked them, King Arach?” King Ruari of Earth asked with interest. “How exciting!”
“It was indeed,” my husband said proudly. “They were powerful gods who had strengthened themselves by stealing magic from other gods. They nearly killed me, but my wife healed me with her star.”
“Her star?” Queen Bronagh of Earth asked.
“My wife has three trinities of magic inside her,” Arach explained. “They are joined together to form a nine-pointed star; just like the symbol for Faerie herself. This star focuses Vervain's magic into a single, unstoppable force when she's in need.” He leaned forward to deliver the best bit. “I was struck in the heart with a wooden spear but my wife saved me.”
The Royals gasped and gaped at Arach.
“You didn't tell me about a wooden spear?” Isleen growled.
“How could you have healed such a wound, Queen Vervain?” King Cian asked.
“My star did it.” I shrugged. “It kept regenerating Arach's heart until I incinerated the spears, and then it healed him fully.”
“Did you just say spears? As in; plural?” Isleen looked as if she were about to faint.
“I was—” Arach cleared his throat and looked away.
“They speared him in several places,” I explained so Arach wouldn't have to. “All in an illusion that prevented Arach from fighting back. Then they speared his heart with the wood spike.”
“And you made me whole again.” Arach leaned down and kissed me.
“Ever the savior.” King Rowan smirked at me.
“The Star doesn't always work,” I protested. “It has an agenda and sometimes the things I wish to change are the very things it wishes me to experience. Thankfully, my husband's death wasn't one of those. And I'm not always the savior, King Rowan; there are many times I've needed to be rescued. You've seen that for yourself.”
King Rowan bowed his head and chuckled; acknowledging his rocky start as
King of the Dark Fey; our rocky start.
“At least Brevyn's prophecy has been averted,” Arach said. Then he dropped his voice to a whisper, “As well as that warning Brevyn gave us about you forgetting yourself.”
I had told Arach about the incident with Ilmarinen despite withholding it from my other men—except Trevor and Kirill, of course—because Arach needed to know. He had heard Brevyn's warning, and I needed to put his mind at ease.
“Yes; that's a relief,” I whispered back. “Forgetting you seems as if it should be impossible, but it happened, and it's not the first time.”
“Yes; I remember Atahensic.” Arach scowled. “I'm glad you didn't say anything about her to Brevyn.”
