Chapter 69 #2
Their entire party was staying in the palace with us, filling the palace with their raunchy jokes and loud competitions. But Aiden was right—having friends, family, and love here had banished so many unhappy memories that I now struggled to remember what it was like before.
My heart beat harder and faster as we wove past the taverns. The Temple burst into view in a blaze of white marble and clanging bells.
The carriage slowed to a crawl due to the enormous crowd that spilled out of the Temple and filled the square to the brim.
Everyone waved and cheered, calling my name and Aiden’s.
The enormity of what we’d done, of what we were going to do, crashed over me like a waterfall. But instead of fear, it brought clarity. Purpose.
This was my place in the world.
Guards cleared a path from the carriage to the Temple and helped me step out. Delysia and Melaena followed, adjusting my dress even as the mischievous breeze rumpled it.
I glanced at the sky. White clouds billowed across the endless blue. Perhaps Mynastra would send another storm. Perhaps not. But no storm could break me today.
I walked toward the open Temple doors, heart in my throat. Once inside, the cool shadows breathed relief against my skin. The scent of lilies and sweet smoke soothed my mind while harmonious chanting stirred my soul.
A sea of people stood inside the Temple, packed around the soaring marble columns apart from one strip of floor. A walkway led to the middle of the Temple, bathed in a mix of torchlight and sunlight from windows out of sight in the dome.
A short journey surrounded by our allies that ended with the person I loved most in the world.
The moment I laid eyes on him, nothing else mattered.
I didn’t wait for a signal. I forgot to acknowledge those who’d gathered to witness. I saw nothing but the man waiting for me.
I strode down the aisle.
Aiden’s green eyes widened, and his lips parted as he drank me in.
His black hair was glossy and fell over his brow as it was wont to do. My fingers curled, desperate to dig into it. Even though he must’ve shaved, the shadow of his stubble still carved out his cheekbones and clenched jaw.
He wore a formal suit of deep violet, embroidered with gold. His father’s ring glinted on his finger.
He descended the dais to meet me, stretching out his hand. I grasped it hard, my body trembling.
“You’re more beautiful than the sun, Kiera,” he murmured, his whole face glowing with admiration.
I smiled and, because I couldn’t help myself, rose on my tiptoes and kissed his lips.
He returned the kiss as if he’d been starving for a taste of me all day.
I faintly heard a few chuckles and one whistle that had to be Maz.
We broke off.
“Marry me,” I whispered.
“Forever,” Aiden promised.
We climbed the dais to face Librius, who gave us a fond smile. Everett grinned at us from his place with his Teacher brothers and sisters in their long hoods. One girl wore Nikella’s patched cloak—a gift we’d bestowed to a Teacher in need. Nikella would’ve appreciated that.
Librius lifted his hands and began a prayer to the Four, whose statues surrounded us.
I clung to Aiden’s hand, barely hearing the prayer. Rather, I listened to my heart drum in anticipation, fancying I could hear Aiden’s as well. Like the drums we’d danced to on Arduen’s Night.
Finished praying, Librius nodded to us. “You may speak your vows now.”
I took a deep breath and faced Aiden. “Aiden Falcryn,” I began, trying to ensure my voice carried through the Temple. “I vow to be your wife for as long as my soul inhabits my body.”
Aiden’s hands tightened around mine as emotion flared through his gaze.
“I will be a light when you can’t find your way in the shadows,” I continued, my voice growing stronger as I shared the unscripted words.
“I will fight at your side against every enemy. I will be your truest ally, your honest friend, and your most loyal counsel. I vow to trust you even when I’m afraid and to tell the truth, even when it hurts.
” I stared into Aiden’s deep green eyes, finding all the love and acceptance I’d been looking for shining within.
“I love you,” I whispered as a few tears escaped down my cheeks.
Aiden smiled softly and caught them with his thumbs, letting his own tears fall.
I swallowed hard and finished my vows. “We share our life as we share our breath. May the gods never find one without the other.”
The crowd murmured in unison. “May the gods never find one without the other.”
Aiden continued to hold my face in his hands. “Kiera Torvaine, I vow to be your husband as long as my soul inhabits my body.”
The words rumbled through me like a storm, shaking me with their raw power. More tears ran down my cheeks.
“I vow to find you in my heart and in my world every day. I swear you will never be alone. I will endeavor to never cause you pain or worry, only to vanquish it. I will give you the life you deserve, with all the happiness freedom can bring.” He rubbed his thumb over my cheek, his voice deepening further.
“You will be mine, Kiera Falcryn, as I am yours.”
I shuddered again. Gods, he was going to reduce me to a puddle of joy and desire in front of all these people.
His smile flashed. “We share our life as we share our breath. May the gods never find one without the other.”
“May the gods never find one without the other,” the crowd intoned.
Librius beamed. “By the grace of Viridana, the might of Terraum, the love of Arduen, and the mercy of Mynastra, you are now—”
I didn’t hear the rest because Aiden stole my lips in a victorious kiss that rippled through my body like a glorious wave.
I flung my arms around him and kissed him back. My husband. My husband! The words kept echoing through my mind like the cheers of the crowd echoed through the Temple.
Aiden bent me over backward, kissing me like he had forever. Which we did.
When Librius cleared his throat, Aiden reluctantly pulled away from my lips.
“I hope you’re not too attached to that dress, wife,” he whispered in my ear. “I’ll be tearing it off you the moment we get home.”
Wife. Home. Those words were music to my ears.
Heat pooling in my core, I grinned. “That’s the best plan you’ve ever had.”
All of Melaena’s and Delysia’s fretting, and I simply hoped this dress would be ribbons by the end of the night.
Librius cleared his throat again. “We should get on with the coronation, if you please.”
We faced him once more.
Librius said another prayer and beckoned my brother. They lifted the two crowns I hadn’t noticed from a small table. Aiden’s was the same as ever. He’d elected to keep the chips of sunstone as a reminder of a dark time our kingdom had survived.
Mine was beautiful as well. We’d designed it together. A gold sun crested in the middle, with waves of flames arcing away from it. Gold lilies twined around the band.
The sun was for Rellmira—and me, according to Aiden.
The flames represented the battles we’d faced, but also the love that had never died.
The lilies were for Mother. For me. And for all the women who had struggled for a place in this world.
I hoped their example would guide me and every queen who came after me.
We spoke our vows to protect and cherish Rellmira. To guard its people and bring prosperity. Together.
Librius placed Aiden’s crown on his head, and Everett nestled mine atop my hair. “Love you, little sister,” he whispered.
I smiled through my tears.
“Very good. Now face the crowd,” Librius murmured.
We obeyed, and he raised his voice to fill every corner of the vaulted Temple. “Hail King Aiden Falcryn and Queen Kiera Falcryn! Long may they reign!”
The crowd cheered and applauded, stomping their feet and whistling as they called out their allegiance and well wishes.
Aiden clasped my hand and raised it high.
I beamed and laughed, my heart welcoming every face in the crowd. Maz whooped and clapped his hands over his head, his blue eyes sparkling. Yarina, Sigrid, and Bruna shouted words I couldn’t hear, waving. Ruru and Daire jumped up and down, their smiles bright enough to light the world.
Melaena and Delysia were a bit more dignified and much more teary-eyed. Behind them, Henry laid a fist over his High General’s badge, a show of loyalty. Helene and Isabel waved—a green lizard perched on Isabel’s shoulder.
Skelly and his bone-rattlers hollered their congratulations. Jek gave us a solemn nod, lifting Nikella’s spear in salute.
And there were more. So many more. Soldiers, servants, and city folk that we’d come to know, who’d proven themselves allies. All cheering for us, for the life we promised, for the Rellmira we honored.
I glanced at Aiden to find him already looking at me with that heated look in his eyes that never failed to warm my soul.
Because, in the end, the greatest victory was love. And we would change the world with it.
Thank you so much for reading!