Chapter 45 Torin
Chapter Forty-Five
Torin
Ellowyn was a vision.
A goddess sent from the cosmos to this plane.
Somehow, she was made just for me.
Everything else faded to oblivion as I watched her practically skip down the aisle, pulling Peytor along with her. My best friend’s lips twitched with a smile, his eyes softening as he watched pure, unadulterated happiness radiate from his sister.
All of his worry bled from his expression as he escorted Ellowyn down the aisle in lieu of their father.
Peytor is more of a father figure to her than her father ever was.
As if sensing my thoughts, Ellowyn glanced quickly from me to her brother once, but it was enough to see the love and grief they shared that bonded them together.
My wife’s eyes flicked back to mine, holding my gaze with her own, steel-grey glinting with fierce love and devotion.
Everything faded the moment our gazes locked and held.
All the faces of our people, the presence of Lord d’Leocopus at my back, the vine-encased arch over my head, the hanging Mage Orbs that resembled gently dancing stars—none of it mattered as I watched my love come to join her life with mine.
Forever.
Her lavender scent floated on the warm breeze, gently wrapping around me in a lover’s embrace until I was surrounded by it completely.
Ellowyn stood breathless at the base of the hastily constructed wooden platform before Peytor guided her up the two short steps until she stood directly in front of me, chest-to-chest, nose-to-nose.
“Hello, sweetheart,” I whispered, tucking an errant lock of hair behind her ear.
Ellowyn practically radiated happiness at the motion, cheeks pinking prettily.
Her hair was wound in some combination of intricate braids that formed a crown before wrapping around her head to fall into bouncy curls down her back.
The dress she found in Vespera was understated, yet completely elegant.
It fit her body perfectly, and I ran my hands over her hips just to feel the smoothness beneath.
There was a hardness there, beneath all the soft layers of fabric and makeup, a hardness only brought about by trials and tribulations.
My heart ached that the innocence she once possessed was completely obliterated.
Yet, despite the horrors she faced, she wasn’t yet jaded, still in possession of some of that hope that tinged her world with a rosy hue.
I loved her all the more for it.
“Hi,” she whispered back with a small giggle. Peytor shook his head with a low chuckle before placing Ellowyn’s hand in my own. Nothing but confidence and conviction shone in her wild eyes even as she shook slightly.
My girl was excited.
A grin ripped across my face, stretching the muscles in my cheeks that hadn’t been used for this purpose in months.
“Gods, you two are nauseating,” Peytor teased before patting me on the shoulder. The motion jostled my body, but I didn’t even pay attention to his retreat down the stairs and into the crowd.
I was too enthralled with the creature in front of me.
“Lords and ladies! Friends of the court! You have gathered this evening to witness the union of Lord Torin d’Eshu of Iluul and Miss Ellowyn d’Aelius of Hestin!
” Lord d’Leocopus’ voice boomed out over the crowd, causing everyone to shuffle and find their seats.
His jowls flapped and his expansive stomach jiggled as he gestured wildly, preaching about something or other regarding Ellowyn’s and my marriage.
The man was a pompous prick and would undoubtedly somehow make it about himself.
“We are honored they chose Lishahl as their place of union and know they will always think fondly of us in the years to come.”
And there it was, and not so subtly mentioned, either.
I rolled my eyes so only Ellowyn could see. Her white teeth came down hard on her plush lower lip, squeezing tightly as her body shook with mirth.
Neither of us was under the impression that the sniveling Lord d’Leocopus sanctioned our wedding out of the goodness of his heart; it was all about political moves and countermoves, even during a time that should be full of jubilance and love.
Ellowyn squeezed my hands tightly, rocking them side to side, never tearing her gaze from mine.
“The Lord and Lady have chosen to respect our customs in Lishahl and will be exchanging rings in the place of the more traditional handfast.”
Ellowyn wanted nothing of today to remind her of the union she was forced into with the Warlord, and I would give her the world, even if it meant sacrificing some of my own long-held beliefs.
Itanya crept up the side of the stage, holding out a small leather bag with a giggle before retreating hastily back down the steps to her mother and Lex. I smiled gratefully, opening the bag and dumping the two rings into my palm.
The crowd gasped and tittered when they nearly fell onto the platform, but I caught them in a shaky fist, holding it aloft for all to see.
Ellowyn’s joy was infectious as she threw her head back and laughed.
“Gods, you’re so beautiful,” I said, sobering once more as I held her ring between my fingers.
“I want to hear that sound every day for the rest of our lives. Laughter and love, time together and peace. That’s what I want.
That’s what I promise you, Ellowyn. Wherever you go, I will go.
Whatever you want, I will want. You are mine, and I am yours.
I will always promise you that.” There was so much more I wanted to say, so much that words could not adequately express, but I hoped my actions over the rest of our lives would suffice.
With a trembling hand, I slid the etched gold band onto her finger. It was engraved with a rune from each of the people closest to us and imbued with Fay’s Blood Magic. Mine was a mirror to Ellowyn’s, just wider.
When Fay had approached us with the idea, Ellowyn cried before throwing her arms around her friend in excitement and acceptance. It was the greatest gift our friends could give us and a way for them to feel close to us in our marriage.
“Torin,” Ellowyn said, her voice clear and strong.
“There is so much I want to say to you, so much I want to promise, yet I don’t know if I have the words.
When many would have run, you stayed. You helped; you gave me the space to grow and become without demanding I do so in a way that fit best for you.
” Her voice broke as emotion filled her eyes.
Ellowyn paused for a moment, forcing the tears back as she took calming breaths.
“Everyone in my life has tried to warp me into something I’m not, to tell me who to be and how to be it.
But not you. At least, not after I made it clear what would happen if you did. ”
A watery laugh accompanied her words, one that set off chuckles in the audience as well. I shrugged self-deprecatingly, fully aware of—and apologetic for—my previous actions toward my wife.
“But you listened and you loved me through it all. Maybe, when all this is over, we can go somewhere quiet, just a place where you and I can be without obligations. That is what I want for us, Torin. Just peace. And I want to find it with you.”
Ellowyn’s warm fingers gripped my hand, pulling it toward her as she slid the cool metal onto my finger, where it rested snugly above my last knuckle. I flexed my hand, admiring its weight and the small comforting zap of magic.
It was perfect. Just like her.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride,” Lord d’Leocopus exclaimed, and I wasted no time scooping Ellowyn into my arms and pressing my lips to hers as I dipped her toward the floor.
Shouts and cheers rang out, but they were drowned completely by the feeling of her lips against my own.
Our mouths moved in a sensual dance as our tongues collided. Ellowyn’s arms wrapped around my neck, pulling us ever closer, before someone wolf whistled, breaking our embrace in a flurry of embarrassment and sheepish grins.
“Shall we?” I whispered against her lips, falling into the urge to peck her mouth once more.
“Shall we what?” Ellowyn parroted.
“Make this thing official? Consummate our marriage?”
My wife threw her head back once more, arms still wrapped around my neck, at my proposal.
“Yes, husband.”