Chapter 37
AVELINE
By the time two days pass, the creepy violet Unseelie snow finally melts off the valley, leaving the cobblestone streets of the Wild Oak Woods wet and mushy with mud, but the actual autumn sunshine is finally back out.
I might be thawing right along with the weather.
Spending forty-eight hours back at the keep watching a literal god of the underworld play nice, double-check the castle perimeter, and look at me like I hung the moon is...
overwhelming. In a good way, mostly. Back in Stormspire, the only thing anyone ever handed me was a list of my flaws.
Here, this terrifying Elder God hovers around, making sure I am warm and fed, making sure I’m well loved, making sure I know I’m special.
My fingers are securely tucked into Malakai's elbow as we walk down the main street. Looking up at his stupidly handsome face in the daylight makes my heart impossibly happy.
Even if his hair is currently braided better than mine ever is.
I pull on his arm, steering us left toward the dressmaker's shop with the lavender and yellow striped awning.
Malakai blinks, smoothly adjusting his long stride to stay anchored to my side. His dark eyes trace my face with that devotion I don’t think I’ll ever get used to. "Are your new clothes already ruined, Aveline? I can command the castle to make more."
"My clothes are fine, Malakai," I tell him softly, offering a reassuring smile as I push open the door. The pretty elf from the other day looks up from a bolt of silk, her eyes instantly widening as she recognizes us.
A sudden flutter hits my stomach, a wave of genuine nervousness washes over me.
I clear my throat slightly, stepping up to the counter and smoothing the front of my cloak. "Actually, I’m here to inquire about... wedding garments. And perhaps a few banners. If you have time to outfit our ceremony, that is."
The elf squeals with delight, clapping her hands together.
I glance back at Malakai, my cheeks immediately flaring a warm, delicious pink. "I am hoping we can look at your finest white silks. And perhaps we might need a few tailored trousers for his brothers."
Mostly so Cern doesn't show up to a sacred ceremony wearing nothing but a leather kilt and a smirk, bless his overgrown, antlered heart.
Malakai’s stopped dead in his tracks in the middle of the shop floor. He stares at me, his jaw slightly slack.
"Aveline," he says slowly, his voice a low, hesitant rasp. Shadows twitch around his boots, then race over to mine. They tickle as they climb my legs. "Our... our wedding? The threshold is sealed. We are already married."
I give the elf a long-suffering look, and she grins at me, clearly thrilled with both getting to make our wedding clothes and with having a first row seat to our little drama.
I turn around to face him fully. My heart leaps at how entirely adorable he looks right now. I reach out, my small hands gently resting against his muscled forearms.
"I know we are married in the eyes of the magic," I say softly. “But if we are going to do this, I would really love to do it my way, too. You might have locked the magic down in your..."
I decide at the last minute the elf doesn’t need to know that much about us.
"...but I would love a proper ceremony," I continue. "I want the coven there, and I want to hear you say the actual vows out loud where people can hear you. I want to celebrate our bond."
Malakai stands entirely frozen for two agonizing seconds.
A brilliant grin breaks across his face, making him look impossibly roguish and young. The shadows around his ankles dance, swirling around his boots in a synchronized, ecstatic rhythm.
I laugh as the ones around my ankles try to climb higher.
He closes the distance between us in a single stride, his hands locking around my waist to hoist me a few inches off the shop floorboards.
"Whatever you wish, my queen.” His dark eyes burn with a love so fierce and undisguised it takes my breath away. He kisses my forehead. “Buy the entire storefront. Rent the Wild Oak Woods. I will force my brothers into velvet doublets myself if it pleases you."
The seamstress lets out a delighted laugh behind the counter, already reaching for a massive bolt of creamy lace. "Well, Aveline... it looks like we have a lot of work to do before the weekend."
I kiss my husband on the mouth, not caring who sees.
“It will be worth it,” I say.
“Finally,” Ter rasps from where he waddles across the floor.
“Do you make raven sized clothes?” I ask the elf.
She laughs, and I raise my eyebrow at Ter before wheeling around.
This wedding isn’t going to plan itself, after all.