26. Emilia
Chapter 26
Emilia
“ S top picking at your nails. You look beautiful.” Sigrid wanders over from the other side of the suite, holding a beautiful crown that Timas had specially made for today. It still feels strange that I was a nobody Human over a month ago, just hoping to save my father, to now becoming the Queen of the Day Court. I wish I could go back and tell little Emilia when she was frightened in that strange Orc village that everything was going to be okay and that one day, she would meet a man who would make her feel loved and special every day.
“I’m not picking, I’m… rubbing. Besides, you would be nervous too if you had to walk out in front of hundreds of people to become Queen of the Day Court.” The reflection in the mirror seems otherworldly. According to tradition, I am to wear the royal colours of navy blue and white. The wonderful dressmaker from town made this beautiful gown out of navy blue silk; the fabric feels exquisite. It has a high neck, but the lower back makes it feel more than a little exposed in some ways. A sheer panel of iridescent fabric covers the blue gown, making it seem whimsical. It is sleeveless with intricate flowers embroidered along one side of the gown in a pearl-coloured thread. The gown shimmers anytime I move. My brown hair is done up in ringlets, pulled to the side with an ornate flower pin that sits beautifully in my hair. The yellow sapphire ring Timas gave me sparkles in the light. Sigrid places the delicate crown on my head; it matches the dress perfectly.
“You look beautiful, Emilia.” I look at Sigrid through the mirror. How was I so lucky to have met her?
“Thank you for staying with me Sigrid, for helping me this past year and being more than a friend to me. You’ve been like a mother.” I turn to face her. “I couldn’t have asked for anyone better than you to come into my life and show me what a true woman is: one who works hard, and loves fiercely. A woman who is patient and kind. I’m not sure I’ll ever be as patient as you, but I am so grateful to have you as an example in my life.” A stray tear slides down her cheek, she quickly gathers me up into a hug and squeezes me tightly.
“I love you, my dear.” She whispers.
“I love you too.” Leaning back, she holds me by the shoulders. Okay, none of that, your makeup will get ruined. Now, someone is waiting at the door for you.” A bubble of excitement rises in my stomach. The fabric of the dress flows elegantly around my legs, making walking in it very easy. The door opens, and there stands the second most important man in my life.
“Father.” My seven-foot-tall Orc father stands tall and proud in one of the nicest-looking robes I have ever seen him in. Burnt orange and gold robes hang from his large frame; it makes him seem far more regal than he actually is, which makes me laugh. “You look so handsome! How on earth did anyone ever convince you to not only cover your chest but your arms as well?” I swear I see a bit of pink rise to his cheeks.
“It turns out you will do a lot to impress a woman.” I tried to hide my smile because I guessed he was seeing someone, but he hadn’t told me yet. Taking his arm, we start walking towards the ceremonial hall.
“So I take it Estola will be matching you then? The Fae certainly like to dress similarly to their partners.” He looks down at me with a grin, and the smile I was trying to hide grows bigger.
“I was informed there was a possibility of this happening.” I lean my head against him, slightly hugging his arm as we walk.
“I am so happy for you, Father. You deserve so much happiness. Just don’t make me have to kill her for hurting you. She has helped Timas out a lot, and I kind of like her.” He barks out a laugh, which makes me look up at him again.
“I assure you that will not be the case. I like her a lot. I haven’t felt this way about anyone since…” The pain that has been permanently in his eyes has started to fade since moving here, but the reminder of my mother always brings such heartache.
“I know.” He leans down and kisses my head.
“Do you remember that time you created a soul bond ceremony in the backyard with Serna and her brother Milnak? Poor boy didn’t stand a chance against you but you were determined to plan this magical ceremony. How old were you, fourteen?”
“Oh my suns, Father! I can’t believe you remember that!” He laughs loudly, drawing others’ attention, which makes my cheeks heat in embarrassment.
“Milnak looked so frightened! I thought he might run away and fight a mountain lion just so he could avoid the two of you!”
“First of all, we were NINE, not fourteen, and second, he seemed perfectly fine with the whole thing. It wasn’t until we told him he had to kiss me that he had a problem. He never played with us after that.” Father finally calms enough to speak without laughing.
“But now you’re all grown up and marrying the King of the Day Court. How our lives have changed.”
The doors to the ceremonial hall stand before us, made of thick glass with intricate designs of nature and the sun.
“Well, this is it.” The nerves have returned, making my skin buzz and my palms sweat. Father turns me to face him, he puts his hands on either side of my face.
“You’re going to do amazing, my little swallow. I am so proud to be your Father. What Orc wouldn’t be proud to have such a fierce and loyal daughter? You inspire many, but mostly, you inspire me. You gave me a new reason for living when you showed up at my door all those years ago. I became a better father to Garrick because of you. I love you and I’m proud of you.” He kisses the top of my head and steps back from me. I hastily try to wipe the tears from my eyes before my makeup gets ruined. Father pulls out a little container of brown paint. My lips tip up in a smile .
“Now I know we are supposed to be following all the Fae rules but you are an Orc and we must follow some of our traditions.” He pushes his thumb in the paint and puts a line down on one side of my one arm, and then the other. The last line of paint sits in the hollow of my neck, completing the trio. “May the goddess look down on your bonding and bless it.” I lean up and kiss him on the cheek, proud to wear the markings.
“Thank you, Father.” He puts out his arm again, and I take it. The doors to the ceremonial hall open, and a gorgeous sight sits in front of us. People are standing in a semi-circle around a dais that sits in the middle of the room. The dome on top of the hall refracts the light from the sun, which causes a series of colours to dance on the floor, walls, and people. Gorgeous flowers hang in glass vases from the ceiling, with vines climbing the walls. Father stops just before the small path that leads up to Timas, gives me one more kiss on the head, and melts into the crowd.
My heart hammers in my chest. There are so many people here. But then I see him: my love. He is wearing dark navy robes that match my dress, and on the arms of his robes are the same embroidered flowers. His black hair is covered in braids with something shiny running through them. My feet propel me forward to the man who has become my whole world. His smile changes from the hard King that everyone else sees. This Timas is the one who will fight an entire Fae Court just to save me. My cheeks are starting to hurt from the smile on my face, but I don’t care. I ignore the many people watching this unfold and focus on those dark blue eyes. Finally reaching the dais, Timas extends his hand and helps me up. Two priests stand on the ground just behind the dais, both with smiles on their faces.
“You are stunning, my flower.” Holding both my hands, he squeezes lightly.
“Thank you,” I whisper. Soft music floats into the room, and one of the priests starts to speak. I don’t know which one because I am lost in Timas’ eyes.
“Our spirits are the very essence of our beings. Without it, we are but shells. Today, before the sun and the god, we will connect these two spirits for all eternity. Where one spirit ends, the other begins. They will be one. They will strengthen each other through the hard days to come, and together they will celebrate the good. Please make your vow for one another.”
Timas speaks first.
“My beautiful flower, I thought my life would be nothing but duty and the stability of my people. I never imagined I would find you—my spirit bond—though I hoped for you. I waited for you to come into my life. I never expected to find you in the Royal Gardens, but there you were, and you took my breath away. The love I have for you cannot be put into words. You bring colour and life to my days. You bring joy and laughter. You have given me your heart, and I promise to care for and cherish it for all the days of my life. May our spirits be intertwined as one and never be separated.” His words hit all the rough and broken parts of my heart, the parts that wondered if I was ever worth loving. Trying to swallow around the lump in my throat, I cough slightly to dislodge it .
“Timas, my love. You came out of nowhere. Admittedly, I thought you were a little bit unstable when you professed your love for me in the garden, but you showed me that it wasn’t some magical bond that was tying us together. It was a genuine love you had for me and who I am. I love you, Timas, with everything that I am. With no magic and nothing exceptional about my Human self, I vow to give everything I do have. I give you my love, my loyalty, and my partnership. I am so blessed to be eternally connected to you. I love you Timas, now and for always.”
“Fate will connect these spirits, and death will not separate this union.” The other priest says. Both priests have their hands open and held up, with each palm filled with a light that becomes brighter and brighter. Suddenly, the light leaves their hands and swirls around Timas and me. I watch them move around us, catching Timas’ smile. They explode, and a warm feeling fills my chest. The warmth covers my whole body. At first, it scares me, but then I looked at Timas, and I can feel him, feel his happiness. He is overwhelmed with joy which makes me want to cry. Everyone around us yells and cheers, and Timas leans down and presses my lips to his. The people and the world melt away, leaving just us.
***
“Are you sure it’s okay we didn’t stay longer at the dinner?” We’re standing on Timas’ balcony, or rather, our balcony.
“I really don’t care if it’s okay or not. I have been waiting far too long to complete our bond and I don’t really want to see or talk to anyone that is not Emilia.” He comes up behind me, wrapping his arm around me. He plants little kisses up and down my neck, which makes me shiver.
“Milori will be disappointed he didn’t make the cut.” I can’t help but tease.
“My flower, if I hear you speak his name one more time I might have to kill him just so you don’t bring him up again.” I can’t help but laugh and turn around in his arms.
“That’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think?” His smile falls, and his eyes take me in.
“I almost lost you Emilia. You were taken away from me and I was afraid I would never get you back. I am a very clingy man who wants his bonded. Can’t you indulge me?” His slight smile makes me roll my eyes, but I know what he means. I was afraid too, that I would never see him again.
I stretch up on my toes, lock my hands around his neck and pull him to me. This time, there is no holding back. His lips meet mine in a passionate kiss. His tongue searches my mouth for the answers to all his questions. A moan slips from my mouth as he picks me up, forcing my legs to wrap around him. His hands hold me like he is afraid I will melt away, but I won’t because he is my future. His kisses become more frantic, and I can’t help but give in. I give in to the man I will spend the rest of my life with, the man I will stand by through thick and thin. I don’t know how one little trip to the Day Court turned into this, but I’m not complaining. This isn’t the end of our story. It’s just the beginning, and I can’t wait to see what adventures we will have in the future.