Chapter 36
Midnight
The Winter Realm, where the moon eternally dominates the sky.
The throne room in the heart of Castle Nocturne is deadly silent, not even the wind outside dares to scrape against stone.
The waning gibbous moon slowly turns from a brilliant silver, into a vibrant crimson.
The blood moon’s glow bleeds over the eternal night of the Winter realm.
A royal procession begins to arrive at the castle gates.
The Jeans lead the esteemed guests into the depths of the castle.
The fairies of spring, Sasha and Marina Primavera arrive first. The dragons of summer, presenting human forms, Hiro and Lucy Natsuryū follow suit.
The Centaurs of autumn, Aidoneus and Percival Dendrikos arrive last at the Gothic estate.
The royals of the fae realms and their families arrive one by one to welcome Jackson Nocturne into their ranks.
The throne room flairs to life, sconces on the wall erupting in crimson flames.
Both sides of the room fill with only fae royalty and their direct family.
Annabella Nocturne, Joseph Underbush and Lady Eloise Nocturne wait on thrones of carved obsidian adorned with plush ruby velvet at the end of a long carpet that stretches the length of the throne room, leading to two grand doors of ancient oak that reach the ceiling.
Up in balconies overlooking the throne room, Eddie and Hakeem’s families, and the boys’ closest friends, wait with bated breaths.
In the balcony nearest to the thrones, Hakeem and Eddie wait hand in hand, throats dry and sweat shining on their brows as they watch the doors to the room.
Eddie had returned to them a week prior, exhausted beyond belief.
He spent a cruel month training on the grounds of his family home, fighting for control over his wolf.
The power that exploded out of him the previous month had faded, his dominance as Alpha slipped from his grasp.
He sparred with his father everyday for that grueling month, many rolls of bandages and gauze used on both of them.
Two werewolves clashing, magic dueling, claws sparking like flint as they trained tirelessly.
Eddie was determined to tame the beast that ran rampant in his soul, if not for his sake for his families.
For his mates. The men he loved. Their voices his tether, their love the light at the end of the tunnel.
And finally, after weeks of aches and hardship and letting his wolf run free, he came back to them. He would still train to master the power of the Lycan, but no more was he at risk of hurting the ones he loved.
Hakeem was the first to jump into Eddie’s arm, wrapping himself around the larger man.
Eddie joyfully spun his mage in his hold before locking eyes with Jackson, lovingly staring at him, waiting for him to come home.
His lips were able to taste theirs once more, the sensation sweeter than ever before.
His hands allowed to once more explore their bodies, basking in their warmth.
He had come back to them, just in time to stand by Jackson’s side as he claimed his birthright.
The boys’ eyes dart to the towering doors as they begin to make way for their Jackson.
Their fingers intertwine, nervous mana sparking between their grasps.
The crowd turns its attention to the figure clad in robes of ruby and obsidian, each footfall echoing through the chamber.
Curtains burst open around the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the room in the glow of the blood moon.
Jackson takes a knee as he reaches the thrones at the chamber’s edge, his hands slowly removing the hood from his dark hair, tips red like blood, as he levels his gaze to his family before him.
Annabella’s voice echoes with power across the land. “Jackson Nocturne, first of your name, you come here today to claim your right to the throne of House Nocturne.”
Jackson bows his head, eyes closing gently as he regards his mother. “I have.”
“From this day forward, witnessed by blood and magic royale from across the realms, do you swear to uphold your title with the honor and respect it deserves?”
“I do.”
“Will you fight for those you love and for the peace of the realms, magical and fae?”
“I will.”
“Even if your body breaks, your spirit shatters and your mind falls into despair?”
“I shall.”
Annabella looks down her nose at her son, her magic flaring to life, amplified by the ruby conduit embedded in her lace choker.
An undeniable pressure fills the air. The families in the balconies struggle to stand their ground, grateful for the distance.
The royals in the hall stand by unflinching at the display.
Eddie wraps Hakeem in his arms as they hold their resolve, staying strong for their beloved.
Annabella was most definitely holding back last time.
Jackson’s eyes open slowly, his head rising to meet his mother’s ruby gaze. “Will you rival any threat that dares impose risk on our allies and their families?”
Jackson’s mana flares to life, a wave of his own magic bursting through his mother’s, calming the buzzing in the air. “Until my blood turns to dust and my body to stone.”
Annabella’s expression softens, a small smile that grants a peek at her fangs grows on her pale skin.
She raises an elegant hand, her fingers splayed as she addresses the realms. “Jackson Nocturne, as matriarch of House Nocturne, queen of the Winter realm, I, Annabella Nocturne, before the gods and royalty, grant upon you the title of Prince Jackson Nocturne, Lord of the Darkest Night. May you serve your people till the dawn dares break the horizon of the Winter’s night. ”
Jackson regards his mother with determination, the corner of his lip curling upwards, “I shall, my queen.”
The room explodes into a symphony of roaring applause.
The glow of the blood moon fades as soft silver light flows in through the windows.
He addresses the crowd, gesturing for Eddie and Hakeem to join his side.
They do so without hesitation. “Good people of the fae realms. I am Prince Jackson Nocturne, Lord of the Darkest Night and heir to House Nocturne. It is my honor and privilege to be welcomed into your ranks. Before I ask you to join us in a grand feast in honor of this momentous occasion I have one thing I must do.”
Murmurs of confusion spread across the throne room. Annabella and Joseph exchange a confused look whilst Lady Eloise chuckles behind her hand.
“Mother,” asks Annabella begrudgingly, “did you have a part in this?”
Lady Eloise shrugs, a sly grin across her wrinkled face. “Perhaps, perhaps not.”
Annabella groans and rolls her eyes. “Must you always be so cryptic?”
“I have so little in my old age, so yes.”
Hakeem and Eddie shift from foot to foot nervously as all eyes in the room fall on them. Their slacks, shined loafers and button down shirts feel far too informal at this moment, regardless of their loves’ insistence they were fine.
“Jackson?” Asks Hakeem.
“Is everything okay?” Asks Eddie, hesitantly as Jackson turns to face them, love radiating from his expression.
“Things have never been better, my loves. I have spent so many years of my life hiding and running away, and it seems I ran straight into your arms. For all the love, warmth and light you two have filled my life with, I knew there was only one way to show the world, and properly allow myself to express what you mean to me.”
He gets down on one knee, music beginning to play from somewhere in the shadows.
Hakeem and Eddie stifle a gasp simultaneously.
The sounds of Wendy, Charlie, Oswald and Bernie’s shock are shushed by their families on the balconies.
An orchestral composition of ‘Can’t help falling in love’ resonates through the air.
Jackson extends a hand, a swirl of shadows conjured in his palm.
In its wake lies a black box made of polished wood.
Jackson lifts the lid open on its hinges as tears begin to shine in the eyes of the men he adores.
Lying on a velvet cushion are three rings, made of three bands of twisted metal of polished moonlit silver, forest green and ocean blue.
“Hakeem Al-Najim, born of true love’s wish, star plucked from the heavens who has become my guiding light.
” Hakeem breaks into a shuddering giggle.
“Edmund Seung-LaLune, Alpha werewolf of legend, my white knight who has vowed to keep us safe with all the power under your command.” Eddie bites his lower lip, tears threatening to over spill.
“You two are my world, and I will fight to make the one we live in better if for no other reason than to ensure our lives together are filled with love and laughter. We have made a home together, taken in a rambunctious little raccoon and faced hardships and darkness that has only cemented our bonds. Though you may be tied to me by magic and fate, there is still one way I want to etch our love into history. Will you both do me the honors of marrying me?”
The room goes still, the realm quiet. Hakeem and Eddie’s lips quiver as rogue tears stream across their faces.
“Yes!” They exclaim in unison and they wrap their arms around their Jackson.
Jackson can hardly contain his laughter and they litter his cheeks with kisses.
The room explodes with cheers and applause more thunderous than before.
His shadows gracefully slip a ring onto the hands of the men whom he adores.
They then take his hand in theirs and together slip the third ring on his finger.
Tears of joy spill down Hakeem and Eddie’s cheeks as they kiss their match.
Their mate.
Their Jackson.
Princess Bandit scurries and jumps from the balcony towards her fathers’. “Yay, happy daddies!”
The world erupts in gasps as she aims for the celebrating men, landing on Jackson’s head. “Fuck!” He exclaims as he collapses into a pile on the floor, tangling in his ceremonial robes as the raccoon assaults him with cuddles.
“Princess Bandit! What did we say about sneak attack cuddles?” Admonishes Hakeem as he lifts the raccoon into his arms.
“Not to do it when he’s holding anything that can be spilled or broken,” replies the tiny terror, innocently.
Eddie chuckles, wiping tears from his eyes. “We really do need to be more specific,” he says as he helps his betrothed up off the floor.
* * *
The crowd moves to the grand hall of Castle Nocturne for a feast in honor of Jackson’s coronation, his birthday and now, his engagement.
The trio is congratulated by all in attendance, the attention only mildly overwhelming compared to the joy in their hearts.
Hakeem finally gets to meet the other royal families of the fae realms. He gets the chance to greet the Primavera’s.
The group is invited now as guests of honors for the summer solstice in the morning, a week-long festival in the Summer Realm, by the Natsuriyus.
The sound of food stalls most definitely entices Hakeem and Eddie to ask Jackson if they could indeed go for the whole week.
He lovingly obliges his fiances’ request, mentally preparing for the heartburn that will surely follow their attempts to feed him.
The Dendrikoses offer their own congratulations and well wishes for a bountiful life together.
Eddie’s family swarm around them next, Charlie pushing past them from Sarah’s side to engulf Hakeem in a hug.
They cry so violently you’d think it would be a tragedy, but they are simply overwhelmingly happy for their dearest friend.
Eddie’s siblings argue who would get to stand by him as his best man/maid of honor.
Eddie breaks away from the rabble to offer his congratulations to Meghan who announced earlier in the week she and his brother Michael were expecting.
Wendy sneaks by to wrap Jackson in a crushing squeeze, only slightly mad she wasn’t told of his plan beforehand. Jackson jokes saying he didn’t want every gossip in Solomon City to know before today, which she conceded was only mildly fair.
Oswald and Bernard lift Eddie off the ground in tandem as they celebrate their high school best friend. Cheering for him as though they had just won their homecoming game.
After all royals and socialites had given the trio their well wishes and congratulations, the Al-Najims made their way to them.
Shadi stands ahead of the group, stoic expression unwavering as he draws his nephew into his embrace.
“Hakeem, I know I’ve been a stubborn man, but I am so happy for you.
This might be more than Hiba ever dared dream for you. ”
Bahera kisses her nephew’s cheek, love radiating from her touch, “We are so happy for you, habibi.”
Hakeem wipes his tears, both his loves close by with a hand on each of his shoulders, “Thank you, Khalo Shadi, Khalto Bahera. For everything.”
Nour and Mazen echo Eddie’s siblings’ query of who gets to be by Hakeem’s side for the wedding. Charlie appears between them and argues it should be them. The scene stirs rowdy laughter from everyone, there truly was so much to be done.
There was a year left in all three men’s degrees. After that, now there was the matter of the wedding of the century to be had.
The idea of what lies in store for the three of them seemed overwhelming.
They would be under constant scrutiny by society, their peers and the expectations laid upon them.
The path onward would be arduous to say the least. There was no doubt in their hearts that they could face whatever trials and tribulations the realms threw at them.
Together.