We left them alone to celebrate their newfound happiness. I took Alandra’s hand as we walked away to offer her some support. I could see her battling to hold her tears back.
“You did a good thing back there, my Queen.”
“I know. I am just really going to miss her. I grew so used to having her around.”
I came to a stop and looked out at all the beauty Vaalbara had to offer. “You don’t really comprehend the vastness of what you’ve done today, do you?”
She just shook her head, not trusting her voice at the moment.
“In that room there’s a family celebrating. They have so much love to give the bundle of innocence you’ve just blessed them with. Love, family, and innocence have all been saved because you cared. You cared about another, Alandra.”
That’s when the warrior princes - the new Queen - cried. “I love you, Alchera.”
“I love you too.”
~*~
I was just about to climb into bed when there was a soft knock at my door. I was so tired, I thought of ignoring it.
“Who is it?”
“Fleur.” I opened the door and stared at her smiling face. She was holding a box. “Come, we do not have time.”
“Time for what?”
“You will see. Put this on.” She removed the most beautiful dress I’d ever seen from that box and held it out to me. “You have a date with Raighne and you are already late.”
The dress was made of satin and fell all the way to the ground. It had small straps that crossed over my back, leaving my skin exposed. The bodice was padded, and just barely covered what it had to, leaving my sides and back bare. I felt so feminine in the dress, which shimmered like pearls whenever I moved.
“What about shoes, Fleur?”
“No shoes. Nothing else. Just run a brush through your hair and you will look absolutely amazing.” She took my hand and led me out of the castle. My heart was pounding faster and faster with every step I took.
“What’s going on, Fleur? Please tell me.”
“No, I have been sworn to secrecy. We are almost there.”
“Where? All I see are trees and grass. You have me in the middle of the forest. Fleur!” My words dried up the second we stepped into a small meadow of wild flowers. There were lanterns hanging from the trees to shed light on the small area where Raighne, River, and Alder stood waiting for us.
“Ah, there they are. Come, children, the hour is getting late.” Alder held his hand out to me as I got closer. I shook my head, not understanding what was happening, until Fleur came to stand behind me and Raighne moved in on my right.
“Raighne?” My heart burst with joy when Alder confirmed my thoughts.
“Raighne and Alchera,” he began. “You are standing here before me tonight because the love you hold for one another has brought you to a time where you can no longer live without each other.”
My heart was thumping hard in my chest. I felt almost dizzy, while Sid was already shooting off fireworks in celebration.
Alder continued, “Raighne, you have asked that I bind you and Alchera in marriage this night; that I join your souls as one. Do you understand that once I have joined you and Alchera together, nothing will be able to separate you for all of time, without end?”
“I understand.” Raighne’s eyes gazed into mine, saying the words that would bind him to me for all eternity.
Sid! Stay alert! Something bad has got to happen because this is way too good to be true.
“Alchera, do you understand that once I have joined you and Raighne together, nothing will be able to separate you for all of time, without end?”
I waited a second. I didn’t know what for. Perhaps I needed Sid to call out an, All Clear! Or, maybe I was waiting for Carter to appear and spoil it all?
“Alchera?”
“I...I do understand, Abba.”
Raighne let out the breath he was holding, as the smile grew bigger on his handsome face.
“As Awo now forever binds you as one, you will never live as two again. With all the Angels as your witnesses, you are now man and wife. What light has joined together, shadows can never undo.”
That was it. We were married. Raighne took my face in both his hands, kissing me gently. River and Fleur served as our observers, and after receiving their blessings they lovingly left us alone in the meadow.
~*~
“Now we go home, my wife.” Raighne bent over me, picking me up in one swift movement.
“Home?” I was still stunned by the whole wedding.
“Yes, my house. Did you think I lived in a tent?” He chuckled in my ear.
“You’re two hundred and one years old. You just had a secret wedding with me, and it turns out you have a house. Anything else you care to share while you’re at it?”
“Does my age bother you?”
“Not if mine doesn’t bother you.” We neared what looked like a village - a group of cozy houses nestled against each other. “Why haven’t you brought me here before? I didn’t even know this was here.”
“I wanted to surprise you. So…surprise! Do you like it?”
“It’s beautiful.” Raighne stopped at the house nearest to the entrance to the woods, opening the door without letting me go. Once inside, he kicked the door closed and headed for the back of the house.
“Raighne?”
“Mmm?”
“What are you doing?” I knew it was a stupid question. Of course I knew what he was doing.
Raighne walked into the bedroom and gently placed me down in the middle of his bed. He took off his jacket and tie, and then leaned over me. Raighne’s eyes took in every inch of me, while his hands slid up my dress, reaching for the thin strap. His fingers gently slipped underneath and slid it off my shoulder, leaving a trail of kisses behind.
“I am going to love you, Alchera. That is what I am going to do.” He kissed my other shoulder, slipping that strap off, as well. Lifting me slightly, the dress fell from my body. “Tonight, I am going to love my wife.”
Sid…take a hike!
***
315
Table of Contents
Copyright
dedication
PART 1 The Return Home
Chapter One
Chapter 2
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
PART II The Chosen Ones
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Vaalbara; Visions & Shadows Page 31
