Chapter 28 #2
He kissed me then. Soft and sweet. The lightest brush of his lips across mine. But it meant everything.
He meant everything.
We walked to the house hand in hand, Mack having disappeared while we’d been otherwise engaged. Caelan assured me he would have gone to the stables, but I still worried, so we headed in that direction so I could see for myself.
The horse, of course, was already in his stall, unsaddled and happily munching away on his feed. The stable hand assured me Gertie was also tucked in nice and sound, so we crossed the courtyard to the rear of the house.
“You’ve made a decision, then?” Caelan asked, pulling me close, an arm around my waist.
“Aye,” I said, stealing his word. His eyes lit up with amusement and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of love. His rugged features and misty eyes made my heart happy.
He rolled said eyes at me. “You’re a cheeky one.” But there was a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
Pulling on his hand, I stopped him, my decision made. “I want to do it, Caelan. I want this bond. I love you, and if that means I can never return home, then…” I bit my lip. “I will just have to make this my home instead.”
A wave of determination swept through me as I said the words, and a feeling of rightness settled into my skin. Caelan was my home now. Caeldonia was my home. And somehow, I’d known it as soon as I’d stepped into the realm.
The joy that lit up his face brought tears to my eyes. He bent and pressed the softest of kisses to my mouth. “I love you,” he whispered. “When did you want to complete the ceremony?”
We continued walking. “I didn’t ask Eudora what was involved. Do you know?”
“Aye. It’s usual to invite at least a thousand guests. Witnesses, you see. And there will be a grand parade in the village, and fires…”
He trailed off at the look on my face and a mischievous glint appeared in his eyes.
“You’re teasing me,” I guessed.
“Aye,” he smiled. “If you prefer, it can just be us with your brother as a witness, plus Eudora to officiate. The ceremony itself will involve reciting the vows Eudora speaks, and then our hands will be bound together to symbolise the blending of our souls. It’s quite simple, really.”
“That…” It sounded perfect. “That sounds lovely. Let’s go find Aenan.”
Aenan was overjoyed with our happy news, and preparations surged into action, starting the very next day.
We decided to hold the ceremony on the winter solstice, a date that was met with Aenan’s adamant approval.
He believed the solstice – marking the shortest day and longest night of the year – held profound significance for the ritual we were to undertake.
I was happy to seal the bond immediately, but Aenan advised me the solstice was a time when the world stood at the threshold of darkness, symbolising the beginning of renewal and the promise of light returning.
The words he’d used sounded meaningful for the prophecy we were trying to fulfil.
So, although I was unfamiliar with the intricacies of fae customs, I trusted his judgement, accepting the date wholeheartedly.
Plus, it gave the household staff enough time to prepare for the celebrations.
Jesmina practically danced with happiness when I told her, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
She immediately started scribbling notes on all the tasks she had to do, the list seemingly endless.
It was soon filled with so much detail, my head swam.
She had grand plans, ones I was sure were not needed.
Amongst them was the commissioning of a new dress. The task was entrusted to the skilled hands of Mrs Balfrey, and notice was sent to her at once. Jesmina envisioned a gown of glass beading and gold thread, and I had to talk her down, something a little more simplistic in my mind.
But it wasn’t just my outfit that consumed her thoughts.
There were countless other arrangements to be made.
A Flower Weaver was required for the decorations.
Musicians. Extra candles. Tablecloths were to be pressed.
The list went on and on and on. As she pored over her notes, I left her to the arrangements and went in search of the cook.
Mrs Gretchen, with her usual vigour, wasted no time in setting the wheels in motion for the feast she envisioned.
She promptly dispatched a kitchen boy to town, bearing instructions for the sowskeep to fatten up a pig.
She was buzzing with ideas for the menu, and I advised her I was quite happy to leave everything in her skilled hands.
She bustled off happily to check her pantry.
As for the venue, Caelan and I agreed that the castle’s conservatory would provide the perfect setting for the ceremony.
It had expansive windows that overlooked the lawns all the way to the mountains beyond, and I could envision the view in a month’s time with all the fallen snow.
We would be able to bask in the beauty of the season while remaining shielded from its chill.
Aenan had extended an invitation to all the household staff to join us in the Grand Hall for the celebrations, and I felt the buzz in the air that swept through the castle at his announcement. Maids and houseboys, guards and stable hands congratulated us, all looking forward to the day.
For the ceremony itself, I had expressed a desire for intimacy, just as Caelan had advised. It was only to be the two of us, with Aenan as our witness and Eudora as our officiant.
And with that final decision made, all I had to do now was wait.