Chapter 10 Alix
ALIX
After the battle with the “Yule witch” we all returned to the manor, albeit in waves.
Kastian and Odessa were the first to make it home because he literally picked her up, walked out of the cabin, and didn’t stop walking until they were safely back in the manor.
Of course she’s livid about being dragged out of the fight against her will, but I think she’s secretly glad that his priorities are so clear.
Fox, Jett, and Aurelia returned home next. It’s not entirely clear what happened between leaving the cabin and arriving at the manor an hour later, but Dessa told me that the mood was tense when they arrived and Fox was even more quiet than usual.
Finally, Daemon and I were last. We decided to bring Archer and Gwen back to Nikolas ourselves, both because this was technically part of our traditional wish granting and we wanted to make sure to fully complete our mission, but mostly because we felt it was important to explain exactly how and why Gwen had been sent out into the storm alone and how Archer managed to murder the monster.
To our relief, Nikolas was so grateful to see his grandchildren that the details weren’t important.
“How can I ever repay you?” he cries when we’ve finished explaining what happened.
“We don’t need anything,” Daemon says immediately. “It was part of the traditional wish granting.”
“And even if it weren’t we still would have helped.” I add.
Daemon nods. “That too.”
Nikolas hugs his grandchildren, one in each arm, tears pouring down his face. “Surely there’s something I can do.”
Daemon starts to wave him off again, then stops. “Actually…”
I glance at him sharply. “You’re not seriously—”
“No,” he says quickly, “It’s not a repayment, I was just curious. Who’s tutoring the children in magic?”
Nikolas shakes his head and Archer is the one to answer. “No one. Our parents used to teach us, but now no one does. There aren’t that many magic users in Storia.”
“Yes there are, they just all live on our estate with us,” Daemon says. “If you were interested in continuing to train your magic, I could teach you.”
“You?” Nikolas says, awed.
“Well, me and whoever else was around to give lessons.”
Archer and Gwen sit up straighter, both looking excited, but their grandfather interrupts.
“That’s far too generous,” Nikolas says quickly. “And surely you wouldn’t have the time while running the country.”
Daemon shrugs. “Just think about it. We can talk about it more after we get back from our honeymoon.”
Nikolas doesn’t seem to know what a honeymoon is, but he’s too polite to ask. He thanks us again and we leave, stepping out into the dark, snowy street. The moment the door closes behind us I turn to Daemon. “That was a generous offer. Do you really have time to teach them?”
He shrugs. “I’ll make time. Aurelia will help, and Kastian, when he’s on land. We can send Archer to Fox too. That lad’s got killer instincts and he’s old enough to be a squire.”
“I guess, but it was still a big favor to offer spontaneously. Not that I mind, I’m just curious.”
“I’m shit at talking to kids, but I’ll have to learn eventually, right? This will be good practice.”
The corner of my mouth pulls up in a smile. “You’re thinking we’ll have kids soon?”
He shrugs. “Maybe. I’m ready whenever you are, Peaches.
Anyway, that wasn’t the only reason I offered to train them.
We’re a new country and we’re still building up our powerbase.
We could use two magic users who are brave enough to walk out into a storm alone or stab a witch… or whatever the hell that thing was.”
“You don’t know? That was going to be my next question. What was she?”
He frowns. “I don’t know, Peaches. There are lots of creatures in Ellender that are far older and more dangerous than the Fae. I know one thing, though: the next time I hear one of those old children’s legends, I’ll assume it’s real until proven otherwise.”
“That’s probably a good strategy. I mean, my favorite stories turned out to be real too—” I gesture around at the street around us “—so clearly there’s precedent.”
Daemon grins and kisses me hard on the mouth. We don’t break apart for several long seconds until finally I smile against his lips. “What was that for?”
“Just wanted to remind you that I love you before I spend the entire way home reminding you how fucking dangerous it was to come looking for us.”
“Oh please. Without Aurelia, Dessa, and me you would all still be stuck in the basement.”
He growls. “Don’t remind me. I don’t want to think about how she managed to trap all of us so easily and I especially don’t want to think of what could have happened to you.”
I grin. “Then don’t. Let’s just go home. As unbelievable as it is, we still have tons of shit to do before the wedding…assuming it doesn’t get snowed out.”
“Even if it does, we’re still going on our honeymoon,” he grumbles.
I nod fervently. “Of course, I—oh shit!”
Daemon furrows his brow. “What’s wrong?”
“I just remembered I have to tell you something. My mother is here and she’s been dying to meet you. I’d brace yourself, this could be rough.”
He sighs and grabs my hand. “Alright. Come on Peaches, let’s get this over with.”
Afew hours later, Daemon, and I sit on a couch by a roaring fire in the middle of our sitting room.
Christmas music emanates from my battery-operated CD player—the only way I can play human music in Ellender—and the scent of freshly baked cookies wafts in from the kitchen.
Around us, the entire room is packed to bursting, and every seat is full.
My mom, who warmed up to Daemon immediately upon realizing that he’s gorgeous and literally a king, is sitting in an armchair to our right and smiling. I haven’t seen her so serene in years and it’s honestly creeping me out.
Nana sits in another armchair beside Mom, chatting with Beatrix while Sushi snoozes on her lap. I don’t know when Sushi found his way back to the manor, but I guess I can’t complain that he was out in the woods after he led us straight to Gwen. I swear that cat is smarter than he should be.
On the other side of the room, Dessa and Kastian are sitting on the floor, grinning as they watch Jett and Connell drag Aurelia around the room, passing her back and forth in something resembling a three-person waltz.
Fox leans against the wall, his arms crossed, also watching the dancing. His expression is completely unreadable, but his light eyes keep flicking to Aurelia, then looking away the moment she turns in his direction. Interesting.
I sigh contentedly and lean back against Daemon’s chest. He reaches up absently and drags his fingers through my hair. “You okay, Peaches?”
I nod. “Great, actually. This would be a perfect evening, except for the storm.”
Daemon glances at the dark window where the snow is still raging on.
Beatrix, clearly overhearing us, raises her voice to be heard over the music. “Don’t worry, Alix, the wedding guests will still make it.”
I sigh. “I appreciate the optimism, but I’m not so sure. We might have to accept that the other courts aren’t going to be able to get here in time.”
“All the fucking better,” Daemon growls. “I keep telling you, we’re bonded. We don’t need to put on a show in front of a thousand strangers.”
I pat his arm affectionately. “I know. Honestly, I’d be happy to get married right this second with only you all here.”
There’s a ringing silence throughout the room where only the slightly scratchy sounds of Walking in a Winter Wonderland play out of the boombox.
“Then why don’t you?” Jett says finally.
“What, get married right now?”
“Ooh yes,” Dessa gushes, sitting up straighter. “You should.”
I laugh. “But we’ve been planning this huge thing for months.”
Beatrix and my nana glance at each other, then at me.
“I think that big ship has sailed, Ali,” Nana says. “All the optimism in the damn world won’t change the weather.”
My heart starts to beat a little faster, excitement and anticipation building in my gut. I crane my neck to look at Daemon. “What do you think?”
He grins at me. “I like it.”
“Ooh, okay!” Dessa jumps up, clapping her hands together. “That’s settled then. Alix, come on, I’ll help you get ready.”
I smile back and start to rise, then my stomach sinks.
“No, wait. Nerine still has my dress, and honestly I don’t know how willing she’ll be to give it back.
That woman seems as obsessed with her sewing as Mrs. Hilde was with her baking.
I’m afraid if I wrinkle the dress again she’ll turn into another one of those Krampus-looking nightmares. ”
Everyone laughs, but I’m not entirely joking. Maybe we should double check there aren’t more of those monstrous old ladies wandering around…after we get back from our honeymoon, that is.
“You could always wear my dress, Alixandrea,” my mom says loftily.
I look over at her. “Mom…even if I wanted to, it’s not here.”
“Actually, it is.”
I stare at her, bemused, until finally it clicks. “You packed the dress to bring to ‘Ireland,’ didn’t you?”
Mom doesn’t look the least bit abashed. “I might not have if I’d known I’d be shoved in a lake. You’re lucky I always triple wrap everything in space-saver bags when I travel or it would have been ruined.”
“Not to sway your decision, Ali,” Nana pipes up, “But am I to understand you have to grant any wish in the week leading up to your wedding?”
“Yeah, but we only had to grant a thousand and we just finished that today.”
“Actually,” Daemon begins slowly. “We had 998 wishes granted this morning, Peaches. Rescuing the kids made 999, but there’s still one left.”
My eyes widen and I try to think back to all the other wishes we granted this week…he’s right.
I turn to my mom. “Is this really important to you?”
She nods once. “I clearly don’t know anything about your life, Alixandrea—I mean, Alix—” she corrects herself, using my preferred name for the first time in living memory. “I just want to be included.”
My heart melts just a little. “Okay, then let’s do it.”
My mom beams.
Daemon and I get married at midnight in the rose garden behind our house.
Aurelia bends the weather just slightly to keep the snow from piling up on us and our guests. Even though I’d assumed that only our closest friends and family would witness our impromptu wedding, we actually have a far larger audience.
The garden fills with whispers and shuffling feet as the now familiar faces of all the soldiers, servants, and townspeople who we’ve been granting wishes for all week crowd into the garden dressed in heavy coats thrown hastily over nightclothes.
Standing in front of the pond, moonlight catches on the brass buttons of Kastian’s, Fox’s, and Jett’s matching navy jackets, their shoulders straight as they flank Daemon.
The crowd hushes as Aurelia and Dessa walk toward them down the makeshift aisle, bunches of roses in their hands, their golden dresses shimmering with each step.
My nana’s fingers tremble slightly against my right arm, my mother’s grip firm on my left as we step forward. The white lace of Mom’s dress catches on the frozen rosebushes, tiny crystals of ice clinging to the hem with each step.
Behind me, Gwen whispers “Careful!” to Archer as they guide the other children holding my train off the ground.
I look up and lock eyes with Daemon. His pupils dilate in the moonlight, and the corner of his mouth lifts in that half-smile that still makes my heart stutter.
When we finally reach the front of the crowd, my mom’s fingers slip away from my arm, and Nana gives me one last, surreptitious squeeze before releasing me.
Daemon catches my hand immediately—like he’s been waiting to do it all his life—and grins down at me with a look that’s so unguarded, so him, that for a second the crowd’s whispers fade to silence and it’s as if we’re all alone.
The fae priest is not what I expected. He’s shorter than Aurelia and wears a robe the color of fresh moss with a dusting of snow on the shoulders.
His eyes are sharp but his smile is enormous and takes up most of his face when he greets us.
He holds a golden rope in his hands, the ends knotted with little blue and white beads that glitter like frost, and gestures for Daemon and I to clasp our hands together.
“Friends, citizens, and honored guests,” he begins, his voice somehow both musical and gravelly. “We gather under the old moon and the new snow to witness the joining of these two souls.”
Somebody—probably Jett—whistles. I can’t help but grin.
The priest gestures again and Daemon and I step closer, our hands now firmly joined. The priest begins winding the rope around our wrists, the gold and beads cold and heavy against my skin. Each loop is punctuated with a question: “Do you come here freely?”
“Yes.”
“Do you bind your fate together, for better or worse?”
“It could always be worse,” I mutter automatically.
Daemon laughs.
The vows are long and traditional and punctuated by many sniffles from the crowd.
It’s possible I’m crying too, I can’t tell because my nose is numb and my eyes are watery from the cold, but my heart is about to trampoline out of my chest. I try to collect myself, but all I can think is how much I love this man and how lucky I am that I found my way here to this very moment.
When the priest’s weathered fingers secure the final knot with practiced precision, the golden cord wraps halfway up our wrists. The priest’s eyes crinkle at the corners as he steps back. “May your fates be tangled together forever,” he says, voice carrying across the hushed garden. “You may kiss.”
Daemon’s free hand finds the small of my back, pulling me closer until our breath mingles in the cold air between us. When our lips finally meet, the crowd erupts: Jett and Kastian whooping at the top of their lungs, Beatrix sobbing, Nana cheering, and even my mother quietly blows her nose.
Daemon pulls back, his lips still warm against the shell of my ear. “I love you, Peaches,” he whispers, the words a secret between us despite the hundred witnesses. My cheeks ache from smiling as our bound hands swing between us and we walk back down the aisle and into our happily ever after.