Chapter Fifty-One
Bellamy
G ods.
Asher had always been stunning. Perfect really. She was the most extraordinary creature to walk Alemthian. Yet, there was something otherworldly about seeing her in a wedding dress. I was terrified she would change her mind after last night, but instead she stood there, ready to seal our love with more than just a blood vow.
I was practically bouncing on my feet as first Lian, then Noe, and finally Nicola made their way to us. What they wore or carried or even looked like was gone to me. It was as if there was a haze that left everything but Asher a blur.
There was only her.
And then, somehow, despite everything that tried to rip us apart, Asher began walking my way. Her slow glide to me was both taunting and enchanting. I thought I might cry, or perhaps faint. I felt Henry’s hand grab my shoulder, tugging me back towards him. As his breath fanned against me, Asher made it to the halfway point.
“If you cry, I will make fun of you for the rest of our lives,” he chuckled near me.
“If you do not get your stupid ginger head away from me, then I will have Asher send you images of Genevieve walking down the aisle to you and then leaving you at the altar,” I hissed, throwing back my elbow into his gut. Air left him in an audible whoosh. Smiling, I focused back on my fiancé—no, Asher was about to be my w ife.
Okay, so I was crying. Fine. Who cared? I could cry. It was my fucking wedding day!
And then, magically, Asher was before me. Farai and Jasper each took a turn to kiss her left hand, the one that bore the ring I had given her, before offering it to me.
Me.
I thought I might die from the sheer ludicrous nature of the moment. Asher was marrying me. Of all the males and females and fucking gods, Asher chose me.
Quickly, eagerly, I grabbed her hand and pulled her up onto the small silver platform. She smiled, her true smile now so common it no longer surprised me. But oh did it still excite me. Her large gray eyes were on me and her hands were in mine, a testament to how perfect my life had become.
“Hello, demon.”
“Hello, beautiful creature.”
“What, no princess?” she asked mockingly.
“No,” I rasped, my smirk full of a bravado I did not feel. No, I could feel nothing but sheer joy.
“Why not?” Confusion painted her stunning face, those alluring red lips pinching slightly.
“It does not fit any longer. Does not mean enough.” I pulled her left hand to my mouth, placing a kiss just above where her ring was. “My Queen.”
Adbeel sniffled loudly to my right, causing Asher to blush. But she did not pull away or scold me for my mushy nature. Instead, she just smiled softly and leaned down, offering a kiss to the finger she would soon place a ring on as well.
“My King.”
I was getting hard. Oh no, I was literally getting hard in my pants. I tried and failed to think of something that was less arousing. Anything other than Asher, really. But how could I when she was right there making every single one of my dreams come true?
Adbeel’s voice was deep and firm as he spoke, informing the attendees that we were there to bond us in matrimony. He blessed the union, begging for the gods to grant us their favor. None of the gods we once worshiped would. Except— maybe —the pink-haired one in the crowd. She watched on with bland disinterest, her hands wandering over Sterling in a way that likely left him even more excited than I was.
At least I was not the only one.
Sooner than I expected, Adbeel was stating that we vowed to honor and cherish one another, ranting about sickness and riches and so many things that did not matter. I would more than likely die in this war, but if I miraculously did not, then Asher would be the most beloved being on this world. By the masses, yes, but by me most. Nothing could stop me from loving her. So when Adbeel called for Asher to state her vows, I readied myself, trying to remember that Asher might not be the best at expressing her feelings verbally, but she would always be there to remind me in every way she knew how.
“Bellamy. There is so much I could say right now, so many promises I wish to make and thanks I want to give. If it were not for you, I would have been lost forever. But those things, they can be given, slowly, maybe even daily, over the course of the rest of our lives. For now, I just want to say this. I would wait centuries on that cold and lonely balcony if it meant I could have even a moment of your time. I would suffer a thousand lifetimes of pain if it meant I eventually found my way back into your arms. I am of the belief that there are few things in life that can beat fate and chance and whatever lies in between the two. But this, Bell—you, me, us —we are eternal. No force in this universe could tear us apart again. To you, I give my all. I give myself. Today, tomorrow, and every day until forever.” And then she took my hand and slipped on a gold wedding band with swirls of black, rubies and diamonds glittering around it.
Well shit. I was most definitely tearing up.
That was fine. Everything was fine. I was just feeling my soul leave my actual body.
At my back, I heard a soft sniffle. Turning, I watched as Henry cried.
“What?” he hissed, wiping his face. “That was practically poetry coming from Ash. Leave me alone and say your stupid vows before I start blowing my snot on your shirt.”
With a disbelieving laugh, I shook my head and faced Ash again. Her eyes were watering as well, her brows furrowed and her smile soft. She was immaculate. Taking a deep breath, I began.
“My entire life, I never felt whole. I was always two halves at war. Death and fury loomed around my heart constantly, leaving me nothing but a plague upon the world. And then, out of nowhere, came the vision of a future I had never dared to dream of. One filled with quick quips, piano keys, sharp blades, soft breaths, and the most perfect gray eyes. You were more than I could have ever thought to hope for. Every day since, you have proven yourself to be the best thing to happen not only to me, but Alemthian. Whatever comes after this, I can vow that I will be at your side, ready to take it all on with you. Nothing I will ever be—a soldier, a friend, a king—will ever amount to how magnificent it is to be yours. I will spend the rest of my days worshiping at your feet in thanks for you choosing to be mine as well.” I took the plain, thin gold band and slid it just above her engagement ring, letting it settle comfortably there.
“I love you,” she whispered, her eyes glassy.
“I love you more.” Blubbers and quiet sobs could be heard all around us, but I had eyes only for her. My wife.
“I now pronounce you wed, may the remainder of your days be spent together in love. You may seal the union with a kiss,” Adbeel said, his voice shaky with emotions.
Diving forward, I grabbed her face with my hands and brought her lips to mine. She tasted like vanilla and pastries. Like hope and dreams. Like forever.
All too soon, Asher pushed me away with a raspy laugh, allowing me to at least keep our foreheads pressed together as everyone screamed and cheered. I did it. I married Ash. I became more than I ever thought possible. I was finally someone. Something with worth.
No, I was more than that. As I looked down at Asher, I realized that to the most important being in the entire world, I was everything.
We backed away from one another, the two of us beaming as we joined our hands and raised them to the sky, even louder cheers erupting. For the joy of Asher’s annoyance at my theatrics, I bent down and scooped her up into a cradle, carrying her leisurely down the aisle. She rolled her eyes, but laughs slipped free of her lips.
“You are ridiculous,” she shouted, trying to be heard over the crowd. I smirked, getting closer to her.
“And you love it,” I teased.
To that, she had nothing to say but, “I do.”
***
Noe had rushed us through our outfit change, practically forcing us into the new clothes. Mine had been simple, made to match Asher. I wore what looked like liquid obsidian trousers and a matching top, the loose-fitting shirt left nearly fully open to reveal my black veins. The only difference between the top and the trousers were the flecks of silver and gold that coated my upper half. Seven thin red chains had been added around my neck, my gold rings back on my fingers and matching perfectly with my wedding band. Asher had made a snarky comment about muscles and self-absorbed males, but I caught her staring at my exposed chest and stomach, her bottom lip tugged between her teeth. I would have teased her if not for my own staring.
It turned out that the sketch I had found ages ago in Pino’s room in Haven had not just been a dream. No, the onyx dress had been real. Pino had given it to Noe for safe keeping, and the little traitor had kept his secret until recently. But the sight of Asher was worth the wait.
Her dress clung to her torso, flaring slightly at the hips where the skirts grew thicker in layers. It was the black of the depths of the sea, sparkling with the same dots of gold and silver that my top had. It cut low between her breasts, held together by seven thin red chains that started just below her chest and traveled up to her collarbones. Her shoulders were held up by braided black fabric, moonstones used as buttons to lock her long cape in place.
Our capes matched as well, billowing and black, baring no additional color other than the faintest hint of sky blue stitching. Both of our heads were without accessories, Asher’s long curls free and my short waves a mess. Something heavy would soon rest there.
“Last touch,” Noe added, reaching into a box to grab Asher’s anklet and what looked like a necklace to match. Had she gotten that made for Asher? My head quirked to the side, watching as Noe reached down and secured the anklet on Asher. Then, my spymaster—one of my best friends—stood and faced me. “Last week, I took Asher to have your ring made. While we were there, she asked the jeweler to make this for you. The female had said, and I am quoting her directly, ‘anything for the handsome prince.’ I think Asher almost killed her.”
My eyes flicked to my wife—my wife, my wife, my wife, my wife —catching her wicked smile before it disappeared. “I would have done it,” she mouthed.
Noe went to my back, reaching up and over my shoulders with the necklace before securing it on my neck. The Moon kissed each of our cheeks then, declaring that she would see us down there and leaving us momentarily alone.
Like Asher’s, the chain was gold and littered with rubies. My fingers went up to it, rotating until I saw the clasp. Just like hers, mine was also held together by one clasp coated in silver diamonds and the other in black diamonds. When I let my gaze rise to Asher, I found her already looking at me.
“A queen of stars and a king of night, joining to secure the future,” she declared, reaching a hand out to me. I smiled, nodding as I grabbed it. Tugging her close, I gave her red lips a chaste kiss.
Together, we descended the many flights of stairs, taking our sweet time to bask in one another. As impossible as it was, I felt like I loved her even more. We were one, now and forever. Even after my death, I knew I would be a part of Ash. And maybe, just maybe, I could manage to defy fate and be with her forever.
By the time we reached the doors, the party had begun. Everyone was drinking and shouting, music playing wildly outside. I laughed as demons, mortals, and more huddled around us, all of them more excited than they probably should be. But war loomed, and we all needed something to find happiness in. So I welcomed their affection, letting them kiss my free hand and pray for our happiness.
We were herded towards the altar, everyone screaming out their congrats. The base was vibrating with the excitement and joy of everyone—alive with love and hope. I could practically feel their emotions in my chest and taste them on my lips. Silently, I wondered how Asher was doing.
She held me firmly, not looking up as we made our way to the raised silver platform. It had to be overwhelming to have so many minds all around her, but she remained firm as she walked, her shoulders squared. I tightened my hold on her.
Adbeel stood where he had during our vows, smiling with tears in his eyes and his head absent of a crown. At his sides, Noe and Henry held plush blue pillows with the towering crowns atop. They were identical, as they always had been. Kings were no more important than queens and vice versa. Equal in the eyes of all. Just as Ash and I were.
We stopped before the current king, each of us sporting wide eyes. This was it. We were about to become rulers of an entire kingdom—a realm.
Adbeel lifted his hands, bending his fingers down towards his palms as a sign for the crowd to quiet. They did almost immediately, everyone watching with bated breath. Adbeel looked away from them, his gaze catching each of us periodically as he spoke.
“The great realm of Eoforhild has known many rulers. The Ayad line has sat upon the throne for many millennia. Though a new name shall take the honor of being— ”
“No,” Asher cut in. Adbeel peered down at her in bewilderment, clearly as astonished as I was at her interruption. She looked between us, seemingly making a quick decision. With a deep breath, she lifted her chin. “I am an Ayad. That is the name I was born with and the name I…deserve. I will be an Ayad from here on out.”
Adbeel gasped, his hand flying to his mouth and a tear trailing down his cheek. I held in my own emotions, having to close my eyes. Asher was always surprising me in the best ways. When I opened my eyes again, it was to find Adbeel gathering himself. He cleared his throat, reaching out for each of our free hands.
“Well then, an Ayad will again sit on the throne,” he said, his husky voice full of emotion. “There has not been a pair more deserving of—more perfectly fit for—the titles of King and Queen than these two right here. Under your rule, I foresee a great change. A beautiful future of triumph and happiness. May you lead us to victory in the coming war, and to peace in the time after. More than that, I believe we can all agree when I say that I hope, above all else, you bring us change in the form of unity.”
Once more, Adbeel cleared his throat, nodding faintly before turning towards Henry. My best friend—my brother, really—lifted the pillow, sending Asher and I each a wink. Asher snorted at my side, but I just smiled his way.
“I crown you King Bellamy Ayad, ruler of Eoforhild,” Adbeel boomed, light leaking from his hands as he took the crown, lifted it high, and placed it upon my head. Screams erupted again, though Adbeel silenced them with a raised hand before rotating to face Noe.
She was already a mess, tears soaking her cheeks and her lips quivering. I scoffed, shaking my head in amusement. Her foot kicked out, striking my shin in retribution. I grunted but remained standing, Asher giggling to my left.
“Okay, beasts, let us finish before you destroy one another,” Adbeel said, humor lacing his voice. Then, he grabbed the crown on Noe’s pillow and faced Asher. I dared to look at her, catching the way her eyes widened and her mouth opened as Adbeel lifted the crown high and let his light again shine. “I crown you Queen Asher Ayad, ruler of Eoforhild.”
The three of us joined hands again, smiling fondly as the crowd once more erupted into cheers.