Twenty-Nine
Zidra
Wedding guests filled every seat, prayer alcove, and side chapel in Vairdros Cathedral and spilled out into the street, according to the matronly priestess attending me. I stood in the back of the cathedral, hidden behind tall wood-paneled screens. Although the makeshift room had been convenient for getting ready and staying out of sight until the proper time, I had spent the last two hours listening to the gathering crowd. The screens had begun to feel like a trap, and the noise and scents were approaching overwhelming.
I didn’t know most of the people in attendance—everyone from commoners to rengiri to archons to nobles and officials. The priestess thought Emperor Valesiart himself was watching from a secure, hidden side chapel, but I refused to think about it. Also in attendance were Sylathria and Kyrundar’s parents and siblings and several of his extended family members, all of whom I had met over the last week in a blur of names I’d already forgotten.
My nephew Zarik was somewhere as well, which was bittersweet. He’d accepted my invitation to talk, and our conversation had been good, if awkward. I hoped I’d convinced him to avoid some of the mistakes I’d made, to reject the lies wyveri culture had instilled in us. Still, I respected that he wanted to keep our family ties a secret. Competitive Harcos students could be judgmental, and Zarik was young and both proud and self-conscious. It was enough to know that he was not ashamed of me and was excited to attend the wedding.
Still, Zarik’s presence highlighted the painful absence of my parents and siblings. Releasing my desire for their support and feeling confident in Iskyr’s approval was proving to be a slow process, but I was getting there.
I closed my eyes and reached for the heartbond. Bubbling joy and anticipation tumbled from Kyrundar, alongside the steady reassurance he had been sending me unceasingly since we separated this morning. My impatience to wed him grew.
Soon. Any moment now.
I turned to the tall mirror standing in the corner and checked my reflection one last time. My white gown had gauzy sleeves that flowed down past my hands and fluttered lightly as I walked. Silver beads arranged in the shape of flower blossoms trimmed the heart-shaped neckline, and delicate chains and silver rings formed a belt at the bottom of the lace-covered bodice. A large teardrop-shaped pale-blue gemstone that matched Kyrundar’s earrings hung from the V-shaped point of the belt. The same gauzy fabric as the sleeves overlay the skirt. My curls were pinned back with silver pins tipped with pearls, and crushed mica dusted my cheeks, giving them a sparkling shimmer. I felt beautiful, and I couldn’t wait to see Kyrundar.
Finally, the choir started to sing. Taking one more steadying breath, I nodded to the priestess. She smiled and moved one of the screens aside. I stepped out into the center aisle.
Blue and red ribbons and flowers adorned the ends of the packed pews and wound around the towering columns. Matching petals were scattered over the stone floor between me and the altar. Blue for Kyrundar’s ice magic, red for my dragon fire.
As I drew nearer to the front of the cathedral, the choir mostly covered the crowd’s murmurs. The joyful atmosphere filled the air with palpable energy. The scents of all of those people and flowers and the incense rising from the altar mixed together. Even with the center aisle cleared and no one touching me, the press of so many people and all of the overwhelming sensations made me want to freeze or flee. As I walked the length of the nave toward where Aekyrdra and Kyrundar waited in front of the altar, my heart pounded, and a headache built behind my forehead.
But then I met Kyrundar’s gaze. His ice-blue eyes, glistening with tears of joy, captured mine. Breathtaking desire rushed through the heartbond. My own eyes watered, and a smile stretched my cheeks. I struggled to walk in time with the choir’s serene song. As long as I kept my eyes on Kyrundar, though, I could do this.
I barely heard Aekyrdra’s short speech as I focused on Kyrundar—his hands clasped in mine, the smile on his face, his joy in the heartbond.
Somehow, I made it through reciting my vows without either breaking down in tears or becoming tongue-tied due to so many eyes watching me.
At last, Aekyrdra said the words I had been waiting for.
“In the sight of Iskyr and all of those gathered here today, by the authority granted to me by Iskyr and the Order of the Rengir, I hereby declare you husband and wife. People of the Laedreshian Empire, I present to you: Kyrmaris!”
A roar went up from the crowd.
I tapped my toes, growing more impatient by the moment.
Aekyrdra raised her hands for quiet. “You may now kiss the bride.”
Kyrundar grabbed my waist and braced one hand against my upper back as he dipped me back so fast he stole my breath. I gripped the front of his white and silver tunic to steady myself. Then, his eyes glittering and a lopsided smirk on his lips, he bent down and kissed me.
My eyes drifted closed. It was a good thing he had a firm grip on me, because my legs turned to jelly. I released his tunic to wrap my arms around his neck and bury my fingers in his silky hair. He deepened the kiss, and for a moment, I could no longer hear the cheering crowd. Nothing existed but me, my ice elf, everywhere our bodies touched, and the hungry movement of his mouth against mine.
We separated, and Kyrundar whipped me back upright. I stumbled a little and laughed as I caught myself against his chest.
He held me close and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.
I groaned. “I want more proper kisses.”
“Then we’d better get out of here,” he said with a mischievous grin.
My heart fluttered. He started to turn toward the front of the cathedral, but I grabbed the sides of his head and pulled him down into another kiss. His hands tightened on my back, and a soft groan escaped my lips.
He pulled back and sighed contentedly. “I love you, Zee.”
I opened my eyes and gazed into the face of the man whose heart I was so blessed to have. “I love you, Kyr.”
At last, we turned and waved to the crowd. And as the bells of Vairdros Cathedral rang out and the crowds cheered and tossed handfuls of dry rice, we ran down the center aisle and into the next chapter of our lives—together, as we were always meant to be.