“Are you ready?” He offers his elbow, and I slide my hand through the crook of his arm.
“Never been readier.”
The music changes when he leads me out of the tent, but the new melody isn’t coming from the instruments. As the insects join in with our song, I give Kirian a knowing smile.
Of course he’d play our own music.
We pass the serious soldiers, and I can’t help but give Kai a little crap. He might look grumpy as fuck, but he’s actually pretty cool. “Hey, Kai. Ever heard of resting bitch face?”
A thoughtful expression replaces his frown. “No, I don’t know this bitch. Who is she?”
I laugh. “Never mind.”
We’ll have to work on his human lingo another time.
Smirking, Kirian covers my hand and draws me closer. I rest my head on his bicep while we walk on a deserted path between rows of trees blooming with turquoise flowers.
This part is just for us. Our quiet moment. Aside from Isla and the soldiers standing back at the tent, we’re alone.
Up ahead, there’s a stone staircase built into the incline of the ground. It’s tradition for fated couples to climb it together, and I swear I can feel some kind of power in the air as we place our feet on the first step.
“Is Dawn and Dusk as beautiful as you remember it to be?” I ask, looking up at the sky through the trees above.
Half of it is day and half is night. The place down the middle where the two merge is a clash of light and color, making it look like a rainbow Aurora Borealis.
The light here has a pinkish hue, casting a warm glow over everything.
Mist floats in the forest around us, and Kirian already told me it comes from one of the many waterfalls. The air has a sweet smell to it, and unique colorful flowers I’ve never seen before are sprouting up everywhere—from the ground, out of the tree bark, even the rocks.
Later, we’ll be staying in a special cave. It’s a place just for the royals on their honeymoon. Since it’s behind a waterfall, we’ll have mist to drink. Exotic fruit and leafy vegetables grow from the rocks, so we’ll have plenty to eat. We won’t have to leave for days.
No visitors. No servants. Just us, uninterrupted.
“Yes.” Kirian’s gaze darts around us, unable to stay focused on one thing for long. “I was worried this place wouldn’t look the same. Maybe I’d built it up in my mind to be something it isn’t. But it’s actually better this time around. I appreciate it more because you’re here with me.”
Grinning, I press a kiss to his arm. A silent thanks for loving me. For always coming back to me. For just being him.
When we get to the top of the stairs, I see a trellis at the end of the aisle. The archway is covered in ivy and midnight roses—a wedding gift from the gnomes. Speaking of my little friends, they’re among our guests, along with our family and friends.
When everyone notices us, they get up from their chairs and I’m incredibly happy to see all the familiar faces.
Even Zander decided to come as a show of peace between our kingdoms. It’s selfless of him, considering the turmoil going on in the Day Realm. He’s taking time away from his people to be here for us.
Although, his problems are our problems, too.
The Glow addiction is getting out of control. Just last week, Kirian’s soldiers busted a distillery in the Night Realm, and there’ve been reports of volatile incidents involving amplified fae powers in Delaveria and Aelustria.
For the first time in thousands of years, there’s actually a shortage of soldiers. They’re just spread too thin.
Damon even mentioned putting his mission to find his mate on hold. Poor guy. He’s standing at the front, fulfilling his role as Kirian’s best man, and Astrid is on the other side as my maid of honor. I’ve never seen her look so happy. Or colorful. There’s a big smile on her face and she’s traded out her drab gray dress for a neon pink gown with bright yellow trim. I don’t know if she’s trying to upstage me—I wouldn’t put it past her—but I’d told her I didn’t care what she wore as long as it wasn’t made out of hair.
The whimsical song comes to an end, and a new tune begins for our wedding march. My nerves kick in full force. Everyone’s staring at me, and I hate being the center of attention.
Needing something to calm me, I glance up at Kirian to find him staring at my face.
A grin tugs at my lips. I keep my gaze locked with his, blocking everyone else out as we move forward.
I like that Kirian’s the one to walk me down the aisle.
Here, that’s what mates do.
There’s no one to ‘give me away’ because I’m already his. I’ve always been his, and he’s mine.
We’ll take this walk together, because this is how we intend to live our lives—side by side.
And, apparently, we don’t need a flower girl, because Kirian’s got this. Pink petals shower down from the trees, sprinkling us with his magic.
My new in-laws are the officiators. When we get to them, Zella tells us to clasp hands. I barely listen to Keryth reciting the ancient words in a language I can’t understand, and I’m still gazing into Kirian’s eyes when the crown is placed on my head.
All hail me as queen.
That was fast. I didn’t realize the ceremony was going to be so quick, but I’m glad. Now we’re getting to the good part.
Kirian steps closer because it’s time for us to kiss. It’s a little backward to do this before the vows, but whatever.
Cupping my cheek, Kirian leans down and rests his forehead against mine, like he wants to savor this moment. His shirt parts, and his marble necklace catches a glint of light right before he presses a light kiss to my lips.
Compared to all our other kisses, it’s chaste and innocent, but from the way his teeth graze my bottom lip, I can tell there’s more to come. Much more, once we’re in the privacy of our cave.
He nips my mouth one more time before straightening to his full height.
Then we say the promise we’ve already made to each other—the one that will last for all eternity.
“From dawn ‘til dusk, from dusk ‘til dawn, I’ll never love another.”
THE END
Well… sort of. While Kirian and Quinn get their HEA, there are still issues to be resolved in Valora, and two kings who need to find their fated mates before the coven does. Damon’s story is coming later this year!
If you haven’t read the prequel yet, Between Dawn and Dusk is a novella about Kirian’s parents. Get Keryth and Zella’s story here.
To get updates on my books, please sign up for my newsletter.
Good Guys Series:
Trucker
A Trucker’s Christmas (Short Story)
Dancer
Dropout
Outcast
Magic Man
The Good Guys Box Set
The Night Time Television Series:
Untamable
Untrainable
Unattainable
Standalone Novellas:
His Mimosa
Sweet Dreams
Between Dawn and Dusk Series:
Between Dawn and Dusk
The Fae King’s Curse
Jamie Schlosser writes steamy new adult romance and romantic comedy. When she isn’t creating perfect book boyfriends, she’s a stay-at-home mom to her two wonderful kids. She believes reading is a great escape, otters are the best animal, and nothing is more satisfying than a happily-ever-after ending. You can find out more about Jamie and her books by visiting these links:
Facebook
Amazon
Bookbub
Newsletter
Website
Also, do you like being the first to get sneak peeks on upcoming books? Do you like exclusive giveaways? Most importantly, do you like otters?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should consider joining Jamie Schlosser’s Significant Otters!
ser, The Fae King's Curse
The Fae King's Curse Page 29
