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They were married and their love was being honored with a sweet salute as each guess put their hands over their hearts and blew kisses. Lucius looked down at his new bride and queen. If he was shocked by her actions, he didn’t show it but his expression was far from unreadable. Their love would give him the strength to take on all things that meant to do her harm. His mouth and jaw were set with determination, his stance and posture was a warning to anyone who dared.
He had searched for her so long. It had been his purpose, then his promise. He looked down at her with the power of their vows still in the air around them. She was waiting for his acknowledgement and acceptance. No words were needed, a simply touch would suffice. With arms that felt like they were wrapped in lead, he reached out and gently placed his hand on the crown of her head, with his other hand he helped her to her feet. He pulled her in his arms and kissed her.
The flowers bloomed around them; the grass began to grow beneath their feet, even the Great Tree stood taller; all things making itself its most beautiful in witness of such a great love. With this kiss Lucius gave Wila her full powers and Wila gave Lucius his wings.
The soft golden light that grew around them started directly over Lucius’ head. There was no pain, just a feeling of being untied for Lucius as his wings were suddenly freed. His angelic strength and power flowed through him so strongly for a moment he thought he’d take flight. His wings were incandescent and the purest of white. He wrapped them around their joined body and rested his forehead on hers and held Wila tightly. Ordinarily, she would have braced herself, but she was stronger, she matched his strength. He could feel it, the power that had lain dormant and the potential of it. He could feel her fear and hopes. When their lips met in their first kiss as man and wife their heat beat became one.
“Hadraniel,” Sariel addressed his dear friend by the name assigned him in heaven.
“Brother,” Lucius said.
A thousand years had passed since Lucius had allowed himself to think of himself as an angel. He hadn’t realized it until the single word passed his lips. Azriel had taken so much more from him than just his wings; his strength. The woman he belong to gave it back…and more.
He remembered how it’d felt to be an angel full of power. The strength he’d gain by binding himself to Wila was immeasurable. It was almost frightening. He went to his friend, still holding Wila’s hand, and hugged him in a one arm embrace. When he backed away from the hug, he saw Sariel’s throat working as he reined in his emotions.
“My queen and king,” Sariel said, “Your army awaits your instructions.” Sariel took a step to one side to reveal the guests he’d brought to the wedding.
The clap of thunder was loud enough that Lucius saw the majority of the wedding guest jump and a few cover their ears. With the arrival of the angels Lucius knew that a line had been drawn and it was time to pick sides. Those standing in the field beyond the great tree had chosen. The numbers were better than Lucius had ever hoped for. The sea of angels seemed endless. They moved as one and were silent as the grave, as they all kneeled. Their voices filled the night air as they swore their oaths.
“I do render homage and fealty to the Queen, by right of arms from this day forward I shall serve her faithfully and will remain true in all ways.”
Lucius watched as Wila stepped away from him, towards the mass of his kneeling brethrens. To his right Sariel had also knelt. Wila approached the first line of her new army and he watched with great pride as she touched the shoulder of an angel and felt the electric shock of the contact through the bond that they shared. He didn’t need to see her face to know she was crying. He could feel the joy and hope, the love and fear. They would fight until death for her. She knew it and it wasn’t sitting well with her.
“Then having sworn these solemn oaths, I accept your vow of shield and sword.”
Had he expected her voice to waver? It came from the very heavens. He’d watched her; a girl that became a woman. He watched her as she became the celestial Queen Mother from the prophecy that the world had waited on for three thousand years. He watched his wife stand before an army of angels and he knew fear like he’d never known it before.
“Rise, my Knights of Light.”
With these words their wings were revealed. It was a sight to behold. So beautiful, so strong, even Lucius’s breath caught in his throat.