Part III
Part Three
Coudersport, Pennsylvania. One week later…
All of their friends and family had made the trip and were mingling by the lake, waiting for the sun to set.
After two full years, they had finally cleared away all the dark magick and repaired the physical damage Dùbhghlas had done to the cabin and the glade.
In fact, Merlin was putting his final touches on the warding the night before their guests had arrived.
Everything looked just as Nox remembered—with the addition of all the tents and decorations for the celebration—and they were about to sanctify the ground and the lake again with new magick.
The party that would follow the ceremony would be epic and would please their ancestors.
There was enough whiskey and wine to blind a Roman legion.
The only thing missing was Nox’s parents but they were watching over him as he joined Nelson on the cabin’s front deck. Torches were scattered around the clearing and lit the way to an altar, where Merlin waited in a flowing jumpsuit in nearly transparent layers of glittering black silk.
Speaking of Romans, Tony was next to Merlin at the cauldron and a goofy, stoned smile curved his lips.
The rest of the party was gathered around the altar, holding candles.
Everyone was there, including Ronan, Ingrid and the girls, and Niall’s aunt was there with her wife.
Smoak had even kept his word and seemed sincerely happy for them.
All that love was focused on Nox and Nelson, love that they had helped nurture and protect.
“Ready?” Nelson asked, offering Nox his arm when Merlin started to chant and dance around the cauldron with a feather and a smoking smudge stick.
“Just one more minute,” Nox gazed at Nelson, burning the picture into his psyche.
Nelson had never looked more handsome or more proud.
Not just because he was about to walk with Nox to the altar, but proud of himself.
Dressed in a simple, elegantly-tailored black tux, Nelson looked like a god.
He had skipped a tie and left the top buttons of his shirt open, complimenting the more casual, pagan mood of the evening.
“And one more kiss for magick!” He caught Nelson’s cheek and stole a quick kiss, careful not to leave any lipstick behind.
For Nox, pagan was the theme. He had started with a pair of tuxedo pants and patent loafers but that was where he drew the line with tradition.
A flowing, black silk robe was chosen instead of a coat and Nox didn’t wear a shirt or a tie.
His lips and nails were black and his eyes were heavily lined.
Clancy had placed an antler crown on Nox’s head before he stepped out to join Nelson.
“You are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, Nox.” Nelson’s eyes glittered as they clung to Nox’s. “This has to be a dream.”
“It’s real. We’re real.”
They were summoned by a gong and the setting sun, shining across the lake as they approached the altar.
“The gods and our ancestors smile upon you,” Tony announced as he dripped a blend of oils on their brows.
Merlin finished chanting to the four corners, then bound Nox and Nelson’s hands with a golden rope.
“I knew when I first laid eyes upon Nelson that he was the one fate had intended for our Nox and that their love would break an old curse and bring about a new beginning. They are one and a new godly light, meant to lead the world into a glorious new age of peace.”
There were cheers, claps, and whistles as they kissed that turned into astounded shouts and tears of joy as the setting sun and the dreamy, watercolor sky were blotted out by black birds.
They swooped over their heads and circled the lake before flying over the trees to their north and disappearing.
“I love you, my brave, beautiful Uaithne,” Nox said as he stared at the timeless warrior he knew from his visions and fantasies.
Nelson’s long hair and beard were intricately braided and his brow and cheeks were tattooed with a crown and harp strings.
This was the face of a god and a selfless warrior and lover.
“My Uaithne,” he whispered, closing his eyes as he worshiped Nelson’s lips.
Bees buzzed around them and butterflies tickled their ears, cheeks, and hands as they kissed.
“I am yours forever, my lord and my love,” he answered and when Nox opened his eyes, Nelson’s silver eyes were golden and glowed like the sun.
The End