Chapter 37
T he schedule called for our arrival just as the reception’s cocktail hour ended. We would be the last to be announced upon arrival for the evening.
While waiting for the announcers to be ready for us, Amyra turned to Spencer and me, and said, “That was truly the hardest secret to keep. Mina promised she would allow me to join the union, but that it was to be a gift to you two, so I couldn’t tell you.
I had known since almost the day she arrived we would get this. ”
She was grinning from ear to ear.
I returned the smile. “Amyra, I had never known you to keep a secret like that from me. You’ve always been the one ready to share everything you know. But that was truly the best gift you two could offer, and I’m so glad you did.”
It was at this moment, in a quiet, dimly lit hallway awaiting our entrance to the reception, where we shared our first kiss.
She leaned in, and her honeyed raspberry taste enveloped me as I returned the kiss.
Though my eyes were closed, I could sense that same light flashing around us; the gods accepted our union.
I placed my hands on her waist, deepening the kiss.
I wished to touch more, but I didn’t want to ruin her hair.
Finally, we broke apart, and I glanced at Spencer, intending to pull him towards us .
His eyes had widened, and he studied us. “Your hazes, they merged fully.” He whispered in awe. “Can you stand apart?”
We obliged, stepping two steps back from each other.
His eyes darted between us, taking in what he could see.
“Wait, Lyla, you must have mine within yours also. You embody an entire scene of a mountain stream, with the emerald grass and trees and the brown sandy shores and the crystal blue water. I’ve never seen anyone’s haze so clearly. Amyra, yours is missing something…”
With that, he leaned in and shared his kiss with her.
The two of them didn’t hold back, with Spencer dipping her as they kissed.
They had the same flash of light, a small one, but one all the same.
Once they broke apart, Spencer took a couple of steps back, and within a moment, a satisfied smile crossed his face.
“There, your haze is now identical to Lyla’s. I’ve never seen this before. But then, I’ve never seen a union blessed by a goddess.”
The band sounded the cue for us to make our grand entrance. I looked at my two partners, offered my hands to each of them, and when they took my hands, we turned and walked as one through the doors to be announced as Queen, King Consort, and the Crown Princess of Elthas.
I had gotten what I wanted, and so much more. I married my girlfriend, I guess now she’s my wife, and gained a King that would rule Elthas at my side, not as the man I must serve, but as the man who supports me and defers to me.
The reception carried on so quickly. We had so many well-wishers from all of our nobility and our visiting dignitaries coming to us and congratulating us for such a moving ceremony and coronation. Even Lord Luther treated Amyra royally, as if having her at my side had never been illegal.
Amyra’s father approached us, tears in his eyes. “I knew, even though you two could never tell me, I always knew. And I’m so glad that you can live freely as you are. I couldn’t have hoped for a better daughter-in-law, and son-in-law. ”
Amyra hugged her father, grateful for the support. She whispered in his ear, but I couldn’t hear it. Whatever it was, it caused Lord Greenhow to cry a little. Once she pulled away from him, I held out my arms and asked, “May I?”
“For my queen, anything you wish,” he replied before hugging me.
He then whispered, “Welcome to the family. I will always cherish you as my own.”
After we pulled away, he turned to Spencer and offered a handshake. Spencer pulled him into a hug, and they exchanged words privately as well.
“I must keep moving. You have so many people to speak with this evening,” Lord Greenhow bowed as he stepped away. He quickly disappeared into the crowd as we greeted others.
The announcement for dinner was soon made, and we proceeded to the dais.
They set up the royal chairs, placing a smaller third chair at the table so Amyra could sit with us.
I made a mental note to commission a third for her, and to amend the throne room for her to join us when we needed to hold court as well.
We took our seats, and the food started coming out.
As we were enjoying the main course, a commotion came from the back of the hall, where the main entry was.
A man in a blue marching uniform with Scoria Bay insignia rushed through, reaching the dais.
He handed me a paper before any of the guards could reach him.
As they reached him and wrestled him into a position to drag him away, he shouted, “Please, I need to stay and receive the Queen’s response.
This is urgent and can’t wait another moment. ”
I nodded to the guards holding him, and they forced him to kneel at the bottom of the stairs. I broke the seal and opened the letter. As I read, Spencer and Amyra both leaned over to read with me. I reached the end of the letter and looked up at the courier.
“All hail Bel!” He shouted.
He then started choking and convulsing. The guards let go of him, unsure of what to do.
We all watched in horror as the man paled, unable to breathe.
He choked his last breath out, and before his body could fall, it turned to ash.
The dust that was once a man drifting eerily in the air before it simply vanished.