Whoa. So, he was the crown prince. Should she have curtsied or something? Frowning, she turned around, surprised to find herself at the beginning of a long hall with no doors on either side. At the very end was another set of double doors. She walked toward them, glancing at the strange designs in the walls. She wasn’t sure what they were, but they were pretty. They reminded her of natural flowerbeds that weaved and twisted amongst themselves. In no time at all, she reached the other end. Should she knock? Or just walk in?
She chose to knock. Without a noise, the doors opened, and she came face to face with Terrian. “Arwen!” he yelled, pulling her into his arms faster than she could even react. “It worked, it worked,” he muttered, pulling her through the doors. Before she could ask him any of the number of questions she had, his lips met hers and she forgot everything but him for a long time.
When she came out of her haze, she was curled up next to him on a long light gray sofa looking out floor-to-ceiling windows. A huge forest stood in the distance beyond a sea of buildings. Turning to him, she smiled. “How?” That was all she wanted to really know. How had he transferred his protection to her?
He smiled and his hand reached behind her neck and she winced as her hair caught on something. The memory of the same thing happening with Mayir came to her and her eyes widened as he pulled his hand back and she spotted a small silver piece that glinted like metal in his palm. “What is it?”
“When I knew you were prepared to give yourself up to save your nieces, I knew I had to give you the only thing I had, my protection, to hopefully keep you safe. When I went outside with Mayir, I told him what I wanted to do. Members of my family are born with this innate protective barrier, while the rest receive it upon going through the Ishmara.” He pulled away for a moment. “Watch my neck.” Confused she focused as he pulled his hair out of the way and placed the silver disk on the lower part of his skull. Instantly it seemed to melt and become a part of him. Within a minute, it disappeared. He gave a small shudder and then smiled. “I had never been without the protection before. I have to admit the last few days have been difficult.”
“Mayir did it,” she said, shaking her head. “I wondered why he put his arm around me. Now I know.”
“Well, he wanted you to succeed as much as I did. Did it help?” His silver eyes latched onto hers and she smiled.
“I had no idea how to beat him,” she admitted. “I said no, and he got through my defenses when I panicked.” He stiffened and she continued quickly. “I couldn’t breathe but knew I had to do everything I could. So, I focused on the memory of your arms around me and felt the power build. I thought it was just the memory of you that did it. But now, I know why the power was as strong as it was. I concentrated on anger, on everything he had done, and just let it all out when I said no for the last time. Your protection allowed me to breathe when I thought I would pass out. It helped me keep a level head. You were with me even though I didn’t know it,” she laughed softly, leaning her head against his chest.
“Oh, Arwen,” he sighed. “I am so glad it worked. What happened to him?” Something in his voice made her look up.
“I don’t know and that is a bit of a worry. I used all the energy I had at the end and was unable to move for a long time. When I finally was rousted by an inter-dimensional lawyer type, Orion was gone.”
A small chuckle left his lips. “Well, you did have my protection and power. Think of anything interesting right before you let it loose?”
Frowning, she tried to remember. “Wait! You know what happened to him.”
Grinning, he shrugged. “Well, no, I do not, but if it worked, it serves him right.”
“What?” she asked, wanting to know what could have happened to her enemy.
“I added on a slight suggestion into the protective field when I removed it. I hoped, just like when you turned Vres into a furry green monster, that it would work.”
Pulling back, she looked straight at him. “What did I do to him?”
“Do you remember an image or a thought hitting you just as the energy left?”
Cocking her head, she ran through the events. “Yes. There was something. It came so fast the first time I didn’t get a hold on it. Even seeing it now, I don’t understand what it means.” An image came to mind of a small black slug-type insect slithering along a bright yellow trail.
He jumped up and rifled through some images on a nearby desk. When he turned around, there it was.
“Yes!” she cried, jumping up. “That’s what I saw!”
Laughing, he handed her the image and sat down. “That is a Vrillian tongue beetle,” he snickered. “I overheard some of what Mayir told you and this image came to mind. It sounds like you turned him into one.”
“Oh my God,” she said, starting to laugh. “So he’s crawling around in the dirt?” She wondered if Circe had found him. He might be a noteworthy thing to find.
“Maybe. Or you might have transported him to the wades in Vrill. That is where the Vrillian tongue beetles make their home. We can hope that is the case, because the wades give off a natural energy that denies anything magical. So, if he is there, he cannot magic himself back into human form until he crawls out, and if he is there, it will take him, oh, a few centuries to achieve. That is, if one of the beasts who feeds on them does not get him first.”
Laughing in relief, plus thinking that was a suitable form for him to have taken, she collapsed onto the sofa next to him. “Oh, it’s kind of a relief. A part of me was afraid he would appear at any moment.”
Chuckling, Terrian put his arms around her. “Arwen, now that I have you here, I need to ask you something.” Looking up, she was surprised at the seriousness of his tone and face.
“Okay.” Would he ask her to leave? She couldn’t blame him if he did. He had been through a lot since they met on IDS.
“Do you love me?” The four words were simple, but her eyes widened. “Because I love you and I need to know if you feel the same way.”
This was awful fast. They just found one another online, met, kind of dated while Mayir helped her and then…shaking her head at the logic that wanted to control her actions, she took a deep breath. “I…uh.” Why was it so difficult to express how she felt about him?
A low chuckle rumbled in his chest. “Yes, I have studied Earth dating customs. They are strange,” he mused. “You date for years before you are willing to share your short lives with one another. A Darinthan knows within a short period of time if he or she has met their mate. I knew the first time you fed me chocolate how I felt about you.” She smiled at the memory. “In fact, I have requested some of our scientists to learn everything they know about cacao production and how to turn it into chocolate. This continent has tons of room to grow it, and it would be a great addition, I think.” He placed his finger underneath her chin and prodded it upward. When she looked into his eyes, he stopped. “I know you are worried, but I hope you will at least be willing to ‘date’ me. Though, I dearly hope you will not make me wait two years to make you my wife,” he grunted. “I will have to protect you constantly.”
Stunned, she blinked. “You want to marry me?” How had they gone from love to marriage? Butterflies bounced around in her stomach even as her left ankle began to tingle and the feeling slowly spread up her leg.
“Of course,” he responded in confusion. “Did I not make that plain? I love you, Arwen. Finally, I have met the woman I wish to be with me for the rest of our lives. I know and, once you know, my mother will plan the Ishmara and we can wed. Then…”
As he talked, the tingling sensation began to take over her whole body. Immediately Abigail’s words came back to her. “About seven centuries ago, they entered into a contract with the Interdimensional Dating Service to provide magical talismans to their female clients to help them recognize men they might truly match well with.”
Laughing softly, she reached down and stroked the raised crisscrosses. Since she had gotten the anklet, she had mostly not
iced the burning as it warned her off Orion, but she remembered now all the nice feelings it gave whenever she read Terrian’s emails.
“It knew even then,” she whispered.
“What knew what?” he asked, watching her hand.
Looking up at him, she gazed into his eyes. “It knew what you meant to me,” she said smiling. Reaching forward, she kissed him before pulling back. “I do love you, Terrian. Marriage is a huge step, and I would like some time to get used to it. But I do love you, and I want to be with you.”
A smile spread across his face. “That is a great start, my lovely Arwen. A great start.”
Chapter Eighteen - Epilogue
Giggles and laughter reached Arwen, and she smiled as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. One year ago, she had been fighting for her life against a psychotic zoor. Today she was marrying the love of her life. Her fingers drifted over the back of her neck, trying to feel and yet knowing she wouldn’t, the thin piece of myr metal lying at the base of her skull. The night before she had gone through the Ishmara ceremony and was given the eternal protection of Terrian’s family.
But today, she would get to see her family, well most of them anyway. Abigail had assured all of them the travel between dimensions wouldn’t hurt her nieces as they were growing and children were not as affected by shifting as adults were. Unfortunately, Jane could not come as she was happy with her husband and children and did not want to tempt fate. Cory, in her own words, had said, “To hell with it. If I stop aging, Brent can just crow he has the youngest woman around. I’m not missing my baby sister’s wedding.”
“We’re here!” Abigail called as the door to Ari’s room opened and three girls ran in laughing and squealing. Kari, Nell, and Shasta were dressed in simple spring dresses. Ari thought they looked adorable.
“Auntie Ari!” they screamed as they caught sight of her. “You’re pretty!”
Laughing, she reached down and hugged each one. Terrian’s mother Ishlie had become a good friend to her. Even at over one thousand years, she kept a youthful playfulness that made Ari laugh. Before her family arrived, Ishlie helped her dress in her ceremonial wedding gown. Not having to shop for a wedding dress had actually been a plus in Ari’s book. It would have been too difficult to choose a gown that would perfectly match the love she felt for her soon-to-be husband. The sleeveless silver gown felt like silk. It hugged her bodice tightly, but flowed out at the waist. The only decoration on it was a gold sash that went over her right shoulder. A tiara of spun silver topped off the ensemble. She truly felt like a princess.
“Well, so are you,” she assured her nieces. “And I am so glad you can be a part of my wedding.”
“Smile!” She looked up to a blinding flash as Cory took her picture. “Ooh! I promised Jane I would document everything,” she smirked.
Chuckling, Ari reached forward and hugged her sister. “I’ve missed you.” As her sister pulled back, she finally saw her grandmother standing behind them. “Abigail, I’m so glad you came.”
“Ah, honey, wouldn’t miss it. Besides, Mayir is going to be here in his finest clothing, which from what Verisha tells me was considered fashionable about six millennia ago. I had to come or I would miss the ability to get something to tease him about for the next few millennia,” she snickered, hugging her granddaughter.
“Ah, your family arrived.” Ishlie, crown princess of Darinth walked in, looking regal in a similar dress to Ari’s. It was the twinkle in her eye that belied the royal figure in front of them. “Abigail, it has been a long time,” she gushed, reaching forward to hug Ari’s grandmother.
Cory raised an eyebrow at her. “Abigail knows everybody, I guess.” Snickering, Ari nodded.
A tug at her skirt made her look at Shasta. “Who’s that?” Shasta asked in a loud whisper. “She’s pretty.”
Ishlie turned and smiled, her brown hair highlighted with silver streaks waving as she laughed softly. “Well, thank you for the compliment. Are you Nell, Shasta, or Kari?” she asked, squatting down in front of the little girl.
“Shasta.”
“Well, you are very pretty too. You and your sisters will look amazing in the wedding procession. I am so glad you could join us for your aunt’s wedding to my son, Terrian.”
Now that the ice was broken, the three girls chattered at the tall lady in front of them as if they had known her forever, and she smiled, a wistful look filling her eyes.
“Is she all right?” Cory asked, nodding toward the crown princess.
“Yes,” Ari replied. “In this particular blood line, only sons have been born for so long nobody actually remembers a daughter born to a crown prince. Ishlie said she loves her daughters-in-law so much, but she wishes she had a daughter of her own.”
“I bet Jane would be willing to give at least one up once they hit their teens,” Cory snickered making them both laugh.
Turning to them, Ishlie’s face was once again filled with happiness. “The procession is about to start, Ari. I suggest Abigail and your sister Cory go down the stairs where Laylin is waiting to show them to their seats. Then, you and the girls will need to come down and get ready.”
“Thanks, Ishlie.”
Smiling, she nodded and left the room swiftly.
“I guess Mom decided not to come?” Ari said, trying to mask her sadness. Three times in the last year, she had contacted Destra to get her to come visit, but each time she had received a reply letting her know her mother was just too busy. She would have gone to her, but Terrian had refused to allow her to leave the planet until she was fully protected.
“My daughter is unfortunately a very selfish woman,” Abigail sighed. “I do believe Vane is here as he wants to see his child married. Of the two, he is much easier to get along with.”
Snorting, Cory nodded. “Yeah, Vane’s a kick. All right, let’s go so Ari can finish getting ready to become Mrs. Terrian…” She paused and turned. “What will your last name be?”
Fidgeting a little, she shook her head in embarrassment. “I won’t have a last name after this. Instead I will be…” She paused as she knew her sister would get a kick out of this. “Lady Arwen.”
A laugh burst from her sister. “Ooh, Jane is going to drool on that one. Hey girls,” she called to their nieces. “After today, your auntie is going to be a princess. You will have to call her Lady Auntie Ari from now on.”
“Cory,” she said, shaking her head in amusement.
“Ooh, Princess Ari!” Nell squealed, clapping her hands. “Our auntie is marrying a prince!”
Laughing, Cory took a couple pictures of her and the girls before she and Abigail left. Ari’s nieces chattered to her and to each other for the half hour it took before they were ushered downstairs. Her heart beat fast, and she almost felt as though she would hyperventilate. Ishlie had invited over a thousand people from many different dimensions to the wedding. Ari was sure she had never met that many people in her lifetime and yet her mother-in-law informed her it was a small percentage of the people she wished to invite.
When the large wooden doors in front of her opened, she froze. Thankfully her time wasn’t here yet, and all she had to do was watch each of her nieces walk forward, each one of them trying to be as dainty as possible as a maid handed them the small baskets they would carry down the aisle.
“Nervous?”
Gasping she turned and rolled her eyes at Mayir. Abigail was right. His clothing was bizarre. The only thing that came to mind when she looked at it was Robin Hood.
“Pardon?” he asked, but she just shook her head.
She could laugh at him later. The plume in the hat itself was worth at least fifty good jokes. For now, she needed to figure out how to calm herself. “There are over a thousand people in there,” she hissed. “How can I walk past them all?”
He gazed over at the door and then around. “Have you nobody to walk you down the aisle?”
Embarrassed she shook her head. “No. Terrian’s dad couldn’t because he officia
tes part of the ceremony. I didn’t know Vane would be here until a few minutes ago, and I don’t even really know him.”
“Well then,” he said pompously as he held out his arm. “Might I escort you down the aisle to Lord Terrian, Lady Arwen?”
All thoughts of making fun of his outfit left her head as she realized he was the closest thing she would find to a father. As her mentor for those short few weeks, he made more of an impression on her than she could have imagined and knowing he was actually her grandfather made everything just fit. The smile started out small, but finally it spread across her face. Placing her hand in the crook of his elbow, she nodded. “I would like that, yes.”
The aisle was so long she couldn’t even see the people at the end of it when the doors opened. If Mayir was not holding on to her hand, she wasn’t sure if she could make it to the end. After fifteen minutes of walking, she finally saw him. Standing at the end of the aisle, in front of his father, Terrian was striking in silver trousers and a silver jacket with a golden sash over his right shoulder. A few medals decorated the front of his jacket. His dark hair was pulled back at the nape of his neck, and Ari found herself staring into his bright silver eyes.
The last fifteen minutes of walking seemed instantaneous to her when all she could see was him. She was aware of him taking her hands and of turning to face him. She was also aware of his father speaking beside them, but those were only mere fragments of images in her mind. Instead, all she really saw was the handsome man in front of her.
Terrian, who she had met on an online dating site.
Terrian, who loved her so intensely he gave up his own protection to keep her safe.
Terrian, the man who did everything he could to make her happy when all she really needed was him.
The ceremony was in Darinthan. While she had learned a few words of the flowery language, most of it was still foreign to her. Thankfully, Terrian and Ishlie had practiced everything she needed to say so when her part came up, she was able to repeat the words back without a stumble. When Terrian spoke his vows, it felt as if he was saying them directly into her soul and she fought the tears stinging her eyes.
Your Dimension Or Mine? Page 19
