by Garnet Hart
The buffet was ready by the time they arrived at the ranch. As everyone sat on their tables, Lysander took the microphone to welcome all the guests and congratulate the newlyweds.
While the rest were enjoying their meal, some guests approached them to offer their personal greetings and their presents. He’d expected the Vampires and Lycans to come, but there was someone he had not expected to see—Nadia of the temple of Freya.
He rose to his feet and approached the Priestess. “I thought you’d be too busy to waste your time coming here,” he said.
“I’m never too busy to attend your wedding. Besides, I’ve missed my daughter. I wanted to see her.”
Lior turned to where Ceres was seated with her husband. Lysander was not there. Instead, another priestess was sitting beside her.
“That’s Tanya,” Nadia said, as though she’d read his mind. “She’s Ceres’ best friend, so I brought her along.”
There was something about that Priestess that seemed familiar, but he immediately dismissed the thought. He turned to his wife instead. “Remember Priestess Nadia?” he asked.
“Yes.” Asra smiled and hugged Nadia. “Thank you for coming.”
“As I said, I wouldn’t miss it. This wedding came to me as a surprise. Imagine what love can do. It could turn an arrogant god to a lowly human.”
Lior rolled his eyes while the two women laughed.
Nadia handed them her gift and left to join Ceres and Tanya.
He thought that would be his biggest surprise. He realized there was more when the next guest came forward and thrust his hand to shake his.
“I know I wasn’t invited,” Raith said, “but I didn’t want to miss this event.”
Lior could not speak. Raith’s presence had surprised him beyond anything else. “Of course you’re invited I was actually wondering when you were going to show up.”
“I’m flattered.”
Lior smiled and was to hug his old friend but Asra moved faster.
“I’m so happy to see you! You had me so worried when you disappeared in the forest,” she told Raith.
Raith smiled and kissed her cheek. “I hope you’ve forgiven me for abducting you.”
“Oh, you don’t even have to mention it.”
Lior agreed. Whatever Raith had done in the past, it was all forgiven without him having to ask for forgiveness. He trusted this Demon, and he knew that he could still be trusted. Soon, he’d sit down with Raith and talk about the problems in Nifel. He might be able to help.
Raith handed Asra a small box which she opened instantly. Her eyes grew wide. “Wow!” she exclaimed. “It’s so lovely! Look, my love.”
Lior smiled when Asra showed him a diamond necklace. The pendant was something special. It had a dark hue of black, and he knew only one place where they could find such rare jewel—from the mines of Nifel.
“Beautiful,” he complimented.
“I would love to put it on you,” Raith said, “but it looks like you’re already wearing one.”
Lior looked at the necklace she was wearing. It was a clear diamond necklace he had given her during their engagement. “Yep, she already has one,” he said, threatened that his wife might prefer to wear this Demon’s gift.
“It wouldn’t hurt to have more, don’t you think so?” Raith asked Asra.
“Of course!”Asra quickly replied. “I really love it. Thank you!”
Raith turned to Lior and handed him another box. “And this is yours.”
“Another from Nifel?” he asked before opening the box.
He was dumbfounded. He had not expected this. He could not believe he was looking at his mother’s jewel once again. “How did you get this?”
“I bought it from the one who won the bidding.”
Lior was certain Raith had paid a lot to get this. “How much do I owe you?”
“Nah,” Raith shrugged. “I paid the man with a black diamond three times its size, and he accepted it.”
Lior grinned. Here in Midgar, black diamonds were rare and extremely expensive, but in Nifel, the nobles had easy access to them. They could just let the Dwarves work in their mines and they could get those diamonds in a day or two.
“Thank you. By the way, Garr told me that a black- winged creature had taken my brother after he fell down the cliff. Do you know something about it?”
Raith shrugged his shoulders. “Probably.”
Lior smiled. He knew that Raith had something to do about it. “And where is Roar? Why is he not in my wedding?”
“Is he not here?” Raith glanced far to his right.
Lior followed the direction. At the farthest table underneath the willow tree, he saw Garr playing cards with a man in hood.
He smiled. Even from afar, he knew that was his brother. “Thank you for bringing him here.”
“No problem,” Raith replied and turned away. The demon had just taken a few steps when something from the crowd caught his attention. He froze and his eyes opened wide like he’d been hit in the head with a rock.
Lior followed Raith’s gaze and realized the Demon was staring at Priestess Tanya. As though Tanya felt someone was staring at her, she turned in Raith’s direction and met his eyes.
The two stared and the priestess flushed and quickly looked away, while Raith remained staring at her, still rooted where he stood.
Something about the two intrigued him. He asked permission from his wife before he approached Raith. “You want me to introduce you to her?”
Like the Demon was splashed with a bucket of cold water, Raith quickly turned to look at him. “N-no,” he replied, stuttering. “No need.”
Lior noticed the Demon’s face had turned red. He could not imagine this Demon, known for keeping six hundred women in his harem, would act so cowardly before a priestess. “Her name is Tanya,” he taunted.
“Don’t say it,” Raith gritted, annoyed. “I don’t want to know.”
“Well, you already know.”
“Shut up,” Raith said and walked away.
Lior’s gaze followed him and realized he was heading to the table where a few men were gambling. Lysander and Bran were there, their cards over their faces.
“Hey, traitor!” Bran said as Raith sat beside him. “Glad you made it.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world, cow thief,” Raith replied.
“And boar thief,” Lysander added. “You see all these meat here? He stole it from Valhalla.”
“You had the guts to steal from Odin?”
“Nah, I just borrowed it. Tomorrow, the boar’s back in his pen. Odin can come down here and strike me with his Gungnir. I’ll measure how many bolts his weapon could cast.”
Lior grinned and went back to his wife on the long table. Bran was never afraid of Odin, because to Odin, the dickhead was someone special. That was the reason why Odin ordered him to come down to Midgar during the Dark War, to make sure that Bran lived.
He didn’t know why. He never asked. But right now, he was wondering what was with Bran that Odin wanted him protected at all costs.
Everyone’s attention was caught by a loud sound of a trumpet. He turned to the gate and saw an army of Lycan warriors marching in.
He frowned. After Nadia and Raith, another surprise visitor was about to come in, and he chose to make his entrance exceptional.
The warriors halted and moved aside to make way for that very special person. A seven and a half foot man in cape emerged out of the crowd.
Lior was struck dumb in surprise as everyone rose to greet the newcomer. This was indeed a very special guest, and he only deserved such spectacular entrance.
He glanced at his wife who was still in awe of what she just witnessed. “That’s my father,” he said.
“Oh, he’s so handsome!” she exclaimed.
He grinned. “Let’s go meet him.”
People flocked around Fenrir before they could reach him. Lysander and Raith were there first, followed by Priestess Nadia. They all looked very excite
d to finally meet the famous beast of Asgard, now the king of Vanar.
He noticed that even Roar was there, waiting for his turn to speak with Fenrir. He decided to step back and give his brother the opportunity.
Everyone else did the same and Roar found himself face to face with his father. Neither said a word, and then Roar fell to his knees and sobbed.
“Forgive me, my king.”
Fenrir smiled. “Rise, my son. You might have chosen the wrong path, but everyone knows you did it for the sake of Vanar. You are forgiven.”
Lior smiled when his brother rose to his feet and hugged their father. Their reconciliation lifted a weight off his shoulders. His eyes moistened. He glanced at Asra beside him and noticed she was about to cry, as well.
Finally, Fenrir’s eyes turned to him.
He stood straight and waited for his father to come to him.
Fenrir nodded at Lior and looked at Asra who was nervously clutching to Lior’s arm.
“So, this is infamous daughter of MacLeod,” Fenrir said and gently touched Asra’s chin so he could see her face clearly. “Such a lovely face. No wonder you had my son crazy about you.”
“I am crazy about him,” she replied shyly.
Fenrir nodded in approval. “That’s love. I wish you both happiness.”
“Thank you, my king,” Lior replied.
Fenrir glanced behind him and nodded to his guards. Seconds later, two Lycans appeared carrying a huge and elaborately designed gold-plated chest.
They laid the box before their feet and opened it for them to see what was inside.
The box was brimming with varieties of sparkling gems in different colors.
Lior quickly held Asra when he felt she was about to collapse. “You okay?” he asked.
She blinked her eyes several times.
“I do hope it is to your liking,” Fenrir said.
Lior smiled when he noticed that his wife could hardly speak. “I’m overwhelmed, my king,” she said faintly. “I don’t know what to say, but thank you.”
Fenrir smiled and looked at Lior. “They’re not from me. They’re from the people of Vanar. They gave the most of what they can to thank you both, for liberating them.”
Lior glanced at his wife proudly. “Indeed, if not for that wail...”
“But I was just crying my heart out. I thought you were dead,” Asra said.
Fenrir smiled glowingly at Asra. “How fortunate for us that Odin’s seers failed to see how you fell in love with my son two hundred years ago, and he, with you. That would have told them about the wail that could break all spells and curses. The wail of a songstress in her deepest grief.”
He hugged his wife and kissed her hair. “Please, extend our gratitude to the people of Vanar for this wonderful gift, father.”
Before Fenrir could reply, Bran came in. “Did you just loot Vanar of all gems to put them in that box?”
Fenrir turned to Bran and was briefly startled. “What a pleasure to meet the legendary warrior here.”
“Nah, I’m no legend.” Bran replied and picked up a piece of a round blue gem. From all the guests, he was the only one who didn’t seem thrilled of Fenrir’s presence there. “D’you have a lot of these in Vanar?”
“We used to,” Fenrir answered, “but the Aesirs have exploited almost all of our natural resources.”
“If I were you, I’d steal Odin’s Gungnir in exchange for the wealth he’d stolen from you.”
Fenrir just sighed and ignored Bran’s suggestion. Instead, he glanced at Asra. “Son, would you give me the honor of dancing with this lovely lady?”
Lior grinned. “Of course.”
Flattered, Asra held on to Fenrir’s arm and they headed to the middle of the lawn. Lior raised a hand at the disk jockey to start the music.
He smiled and watched his wife gracefully dancing with his father. Fenrir was a warrior through and through but he realized his father could actually dance.
“D’you realize how much all of this is worth?” Gustavo asked.
Lior noticed his friends were all over the chest. He could see the humbled look on their faces as they stared at Fenrir’s lavish gift. “Not a clue,” he replied.
“You could be the richest person in Midgar now.”
Lysander crossed his arms and looked at Raith. “The next time you give gifts, don’t be stingy.”
They all laughed, for they all knew how expensive Raith’s gift was, but paled in comparison compared to the contents of this chest.
“I could go back to Nifel and dig the land myself. I’d probably get more than this,” Raith said.
“Well, tag me along,” Lysander added.
“You pricks are losers,” Bran, who was still on his haunches and checking each gem, said. “You feel humbled by all these trash because they’re the only precious things you know. This is nothing compared to my gift.”
“Gift?” Lysander taunted. “You stole that pig, for your information.”
Bran shrugged. “Look at them. They’re all enjoying the food. Nobody cares it was stolen.”
“Well, thank you,” Lior said. “Let’s just hope Odin will single you out with his wrath.”
“I fear no holy pricks.”
“But you fear pricks getting into your ass.”
Everyone laughed while Bran retaliated with so much profanity that he had probably invented himself.
But nothing can ruin his moment, no matter what Bran called him.
He turned to look at his wife who was still dancing with his father. When their eyes met, she smiled.
He smiled back. In his eyes, she was the loveliest of all women. In a few hours, he’d fly her to the castle in Ukraine where they’d spend a week together. He couldn’t wait to undress her and see the beauty hidden underneath, but right now, he was content just watching her.
The music stopped and Fenrir nodded for him to come over. He obeyed and took his father’s place. As his father walked away, he commanded everyone’s attention.
Lior was left with his wife in the middle of the hundreds of visitors who were more interested in the king of Vanar than with them.
They slowly danced to the music.
He stared at his greatest treasure. He had no need of a castle or crown, or a temple where people can praise him. There was only one woman he needed, the one woman who had made him complete, satisfied, and happy, and she was right here in his arms.
“What is it, Lycan? Why are you staring at me like that?”
He smiled. He liked how she addressed him, just as how much he liked calling her Elf. “I’m just wondering when was the last time I told you that I love you.”
“On our way here from the castle.”
He nodded. “Should I say it again?”
“Anytime, Lycan.”
“…Well, I already did.”
She frowned. “When?”
“Just seconds ago.”
She giggled.
He lowered his head and kissed her lips.
So, who said a god and a half-human, half-Elf can never fall in love? He did. And he was proven wrong. But how grateful he was that he was wrong.
If he had not loved her, this bliss that he was basking in right now could have remained just a longing in the deepest part of him, an ache, a void that he will carry with him for centuries.
But now that she belonged to him, nothing could take her away from him anymore. Not ever.
She was the moon that would forever keep his life at its brightest.
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INDEX
**Mostly based on Norse Mythology (modified by the author)
Aesir – dwellers of Asgard, also called Asgardians
Alpha – fusion of a Lycan and an ancient Vanir god
Ancients – elite and highly skilled warriors of the dark races (Vampires, Lycans, Demons, and Dark Elves)
Asgard – the world of the Aesir gods lorded by Odin
Creator – the source of a transformed Vampire’s blood
&
nbsp; Dagger of Death – an artifact owned by the lost race of the Dragons
Dáinsleif – the legendary vampire slayer crafted by the Dwarves
Dark Elf – dweller of Svartalfar with slightly darker complexion compared to the Light Elves
Descendant – a vampire transformed by another vampire (called his creator)
Demon – a horned creature that dwells in Nieflheim and guards the gates of Hell to prevent any souls from escaping
Dragon – dweller of Muspell and the guardians of Midgar
Drow – an ancient dark elven race
Grimrist – the legendary beast slayer crafted by the Dwarves
Hel – the queen of the underworld who tortures soul
Hell – the realm of Hel located within the world of Niflheim where souls of the dead (refused by Asgard) are sent.
Jotnar – dweller of Jotun (also called Giants)
Light Elf – dweller of Alfheim
Loumari – an ancient Demon race
Lycan – a race of shape-shifting werewolves from the world of Vanar
Midgar – the world of humans
Niflheim – the underworld, the home of the demon race, and the world where the realm of Hel is located
Nidavellir – home of the Dwarves which is located within Svartalfar
Nosferatu – an extinct ancient powerful race of the Vampires
Ring of Mylinn – a ring that suppresses the growth of the bearer
Vanir – dwellers of Vanar, specifically referring to the ancient dark gods
**The 9 Worlds (Connected by the 9 roots of Ygdrassil)
Alfheim/Alfheimr – word of the light elves
Asgard – world of the Aesir gods
Hell – world of the dead (modified by the author)
Jotun/Jotunheimr – world of the giants
Midgar/Midgard – world of humans
Muspell – world of the dragons (modified by the author)
Nifel/Niflheim – world of the demons (modified by the author)
Svartalfar/Svartalfheimr – world of the dwarves and the dark elves
Vanar/Vanaheimr – world of the ancient Vanir gods and the Lycans (modified by the author)
