Chapter 32
Thirty - Two
Shaye
With the Dwarves officially joining the war efforts, I can breathe a bit easier as I dress for Ronan's wedding. I can't believe it's finally here. And the Harland brothers won't be dragging their cousin to the altar kicking and screaming.
Ronan has a brightness in his eyes and a skip in his step these days. He isn't arguing with his father nearly as much and he's even taken it upon himself to help in the wedding planning. He told me and Nyx he wants everything to be special for Viella. She deserves nothing less than the best.
Nyx teased his cousin for falling in love so fast, but Ronan tossed it up to when you know, you know. It's so cliche, but he's right. Sometimes you just know. Love burrows straight into your heart and suddenly you don't know how you ever lived without this person.
Viella has opened Ronan up to the world of artistry. Granted, he's not very good, but I don't think being a watercolor master is Ronan's goal. The idea of opening himself up to her world so he can understand her more is all he wants and it shows.
Now, with their wedding a short hour from now, I finish applying my makeup so we as a group won't be late.
The Harland brothers always clean up nice for fancy events.
Per Ronan's request, they're all in black suits, hints of Tronovian green and gold added to their ensembles.
Finn sports his gold earrings and rings.
Nyx has taken the time to braid and style his long hair.
And Atlas nearly steals the breath straight from my lungs when he offers me his hand when I descend the steps with Eris.
Unfortunately, Eris doesn't look like Eris.
She looks like Freya Harland. She's adhered to the Tronovian color scheme to fit in with the Harland brothers and she looks incredible.
A fitted green gown that hugs her curves in all the right places with gold accessories makes her the perfect plus one for Finn.
There's a hint of worry in his face, but Eris reassures him the dissimulo will work perfectly as she snakes her arm in his.
He presses a gentle kiss to her forehead and my heart leaps. They're so cute together.
"You look stunning." Atlas' voice slices through my thoughts and I smile. There's a twinkle in his eye when he spots my engagement ring.
I spin once so he can appreciate the beauty of my outfit.
When I saw it, I knew I had to have it. I'm used to wearing form-hugging dresses but today, I wanted to try something different.
Something I felt was more in tune with who I am today.
The off-the-shoulder black velvet body suit has wide leg pants and a tulle skirt attached at the waist. It boasts a decent train with lifelike gold and green lace flowers sown in.
All my tattoos are visible, and the ensemble fills my heart with confidence. I feel beautiful and powerful.
"Do you like it?" I ask Atlas and his eyes are already molten when I finish my twirl.
"I'll like it even more when I get to take it off of you tonight," he whispers in my ear, kissing my cheek.
"We ready to go?" Nyx snatches his keys from the hook and motions to the front door. "If we show up late, Ronan will blame me, and I was the first one dressed."
He doesn't wait for confirmation from the four of us. He throws the door wide and trots down the steps to the awaiting carriage.
He's nervous. Or maybe a little envious. I'm not entirely sure, but I know something is off with him. A battle for later.
The carriage doesn't take us to Starnborough.
We pass the castle and end up at a cliffside church made entirely of wood and glass.
The inside is just as impressive as the outside.
Wooden beams stretch upward, arching over us like a tree house.
Glass panes line the entire sanctuary with the sea the backdrop.
Behind us, the city and the forest of the Old Kingdom, the tips of the trees laden with snow.
Ronan wasn't kidding when he said this wedding would be one to remember. There are flowers lining the aisle and simple wooden pews provide ample space for guests to watch Ronan and Viella exchange their vows.
Ushers escort us to the front where King Soren, his wife and other children, and Soraya and Rafe Harland are already seated.
Soraya and Rafe greet us all with hugs and kisses before Atlas tugs my hand upward for them to see the engagement ring.
I don't know why my stomach drops, as if they are going to be disappointed their son is marrying me, but my fears are unwarranted.
Soraya's smile is warm and kind, her excitement subdued compared to her husband's.
Rafe tears up a bit, drawing Atlas to him in a fatherly embrace.
"I am so happy for you both," Soraya kisses both my cheeks. "You are good for him."
"Thank you," I squeeze her hand. "I promise I will love him with my whole heart."
"I know," she says just as my mother walks up the aisle. Thrane and Kamari trail her in their finest Basilus navy and silver ensembles. "This must be your mother. Finn told us all about what happened in Elowen."
I nod, and motion for my mother to join us. "Mother, this is Soraya Delaney Harland. Soraya, this is my mother, Sylvane Basilius-Sol."
The titans stand toe-to-toe. These two women are some of the most fearsome warriors in our realm, and here they are, dressed in finery being introduced at a wedding.
I half expected them to meet on a battlefield instead.
If Atlas and I ever have children, I know deep in my bones, these two women are going to spoil them rotten and prepare them for whatever hardships they might face.
My mother extends her hand. "It is nice to finally meet you, Soraya. I have heard about you."
Soraya shakes my mother's hand, a twist of a smirk playing across her lips. "All dreadful, I assume."
Sylvane smiles widely. "Frightening." She nods. "I like frightening."
"So do I," Soraya whispers conspiratorially. "From what I heard about your time in the Great War, I think it's safe to assume we will be fast friends."
And just like that, they're sitting beside one another babbling about a plethora of subjects ranging from magic and warfare to swapping favorite recipes.
"You clean up nice," I offer when Thrane takes his seat directly behind us.
"I'm always clean and rarely nice," he drawls. "Your compliment makes no sense."
Atlas leans close to me and whispers, "Someone is grumpy this morning."
"I'm always grumpy." Thrane motions to his pointed ears when we toss him surprised glances over our shoulders. "I have immaculate hearing."
"Surely, you must be at least a little happy," I say, ticking off my fingers. "Your plan to get all the leaders here worked. The Trolls and the Dwarves have joined us and you're not the one having to get married today. All in all, I'd say you are victorious."
A slight tug of his lips is all I get. "Well, when you put it that way."
"See," I wave with excitement. "It's a happy day."
"For some," he says simply. "The Hydrans did not agree to join the war – "
"Did you expect them to?" Atlas' question comes across hostile.
"Did I expect Astrea to agree? No." Thrane's eyes narrow into angry slits.
"Then what were you expecting?" I ask, attempting to diffuse the tension.
"I didn't expect her to show up at all." He's mulling something over, something he's not sharing.
"What is it, Thrane?" I press. "What aren't you telling us?"
"I wish I could put my finger on what's bothering me, Aurelia, but I haven't figured it out.
Astrea Talay has not left Hydra in decades.
She has failed to appear to most events in the realm she's been invited to.
Only a handful of times has she even sent a delegation or one of her daughters in her stead.
" His mind is spinning at top speed, I can see it in his face.
"So, why accept this invitation? Why come to a wedding on short notice?
It doesn't make sense. It's out of character. "
I shrug. "Maybe she is trying to be more open? Play nicely with others?"
Even Atlas frowns at that flimsy excuse.
"My dear, Aurelia, always attempting to see the good in others," Thrane sighs. "It's a good thing you surround yourself with skeptical minds so you are not taken advantage of."
I twist forward, refusing to listen to one more unsavory word. "Try not to ruin the wedding, Thrane," I shoot back with a snarl.
It takes a few more seconds before Atlas faces the altar as well, his shoulder brushing mine. "Shaye – "
"I don't want to talk about it here," I interrupt. I smooth my frown, remembering where we are and why we're here. I won't be the one who ruins Ronan's wedding day.
Atlas drops his hand to my thigh. His reassuring touch calms my irritation.
Although I want to smack my cousin for his rudeness, I have to admit Thrane has me worried.
Astrea Talay is widely known for not leaving her kingdom.
It was a long shot she'd come here to Tronovia.
But she immediately accepted the invitation and brought not only herself, but her husband and heir as well.
I risk a glance to my right. The Bavans and Hydrans take up the pews just behind King Soren and his family.
The Trolls are colorfully dressed and lively – as if they know they're about to be the life of the afterparty – but the Hydrans are stoic.
By the royal family's expressions alone, you'd guess they were at a funeral and not a wedding celebration.
Jocasta, Astrea's oldest daughter, looks sick. The heir shifts in her seat, as if uncomfortable despite the flowy sea-blue dress she's wearing. The king consort fidgets, his hands twirling endlessly in his lap.
My eyes dart to Astrea. Her face is hardened, her lips drawn into a tight neutral smile. The only sign of her nerves is the rapidness of which she breathes. Something is wrong.
Damn it. Thrane might be onto something. I grind my back teeth. I despise when he's right.
I twist back to face Thrane but before I can direct his attention to the Hydrans' odd behavior, trumpets blast announcing Ronan's arrival.
The prince marches down the aisle dressed in a forest green suit with black shoes and gold accessories and stands at the altar.
I am not used to him being polished. Not only does he look great, but he's beaming.
Pride, love, and excitement all radiate from him.
My eyes water at the sight of him, staring up the aisle waiting for his bride, his partner, his other half.
Cellos and violins play, alerting us the bride will now be coming down the aisle.
We all rise and watch as the doorway fills with white tulle.
Viella is simply gorgeous with her hair up to showcase her shoulders, a beautiful silk ballgown complete with a corset bodice to sinch her waist, and a lace train that is dramatic in the best way.
She clutches her white bouquet tightly, the only sign she's nervous.
Her eyes are fixed on Ronan's as if he's her anchor, the lighthouse in the storm.
Her gaze doesn't waver from him and with each step, her smile widens.
When she finally makes it to the altar, Ronan takes her hands in his and exhales, as if he was scared she'd change her mind.
I zone out as they exchange rings and vows, my mind whirling with fears of the future.
Today is a joyous occasion but I can't help but wonder what tomorrow will bring.
This wedding was a tool used to bring the leaders of our realm together to discuss war.
As happy as I am for Ronan and Viella, I can't help the tremor in my heart that something bad is about to happen.
I'm being ridiculous. In the past, if things were going too well, it was hard for me to be truly happy.
I was always waiting for something bad to swoop in and ruin my temporary happiness.
What a horrendous way to live life. I've done a lot of growing and maturing over the last several months.
I have quite a way to still go. This being one of the areas I struggle with most. I'm now accepting Atlas isn't going to leave me if we have an argument or disagreement over something.
He's not going to toss me to the side for someone else because I've let my guard down.
Just because life is good, doesn't mean something bad is bound to happen.
Atlas squeezes my hand, bringing me back to the present. The minister has officially announced them as husband and wife and they kiss to the cheers of the attending guests.
"Is everything all right?" Atlas whispers.
I nod, offering him a smile. "Yes, everything is – "
A rumbling rattles the church. I shoot up from my seat as a few people scream.
"Earthquake!" Someone bellows, but it's not an earthquake.
I turn to stare at the city behind us and sure enough, there's black smoke. Several more rumblings erupt followed by explosions and black smoke.
"Those aren't earthquakes," Eris shoots up, eyes wide.
"We're under attack." I narrow my eyes. "They're here."