Chapter 78
The wedding was a small affair.
North convinced Vali this was the better option, not wanting to repeat what happened at her failed coronation in Idavoll.
Her heart clenched at the thought of it—of the lives lost and her people who she’d failed to protect. She would reclaim the stolen crown as soon as she possibly could. But first, she had to establish herself as Queen Consort of Alfheim.
They needed to be wed, Vali needed to become king, and then they would liberate her people. Though she wished her sister was with her.
North swept gracefully down the short aisle in the sacred garden of Frigg, goddess of marriage. Her skin pricked with the pressure of eyes on her, her back stiffening.
She could not make any missteps here, both in the aisle and in the realm. Not only were all eyes on her here, but she also felt the attention of the other realms, watching, waiting. Wrapping herself in the air of a queen, she steeled her spine, head held high.
Every Elven monarchy since the beginning of Yggdrasil had been married in this garden. Power surrounded her. She let it fill her, let it taste her own loosened magic as flowers bloomed in her wake, gliding towards a priestess whose silver robes fluttered in the light breeze.
The aged female gave her an encouraging smile, one which reached her eyes and crinkled the skin of her face. Silver hair reached past her waist, blending into the shimmering robes.
For an Elven to show her age, she must’ve been at least two thousand years old. The papery feel of her skin as she clasped North’s cold hand confirmed it.
“Do not be nervous, dear.” The priestess raised her other hand to cup her cheek, and North bent to receive the kiss she placed on her forehead. “The goddess herself has blessed this union,” she said, gesturing to the sun-kissed evening.
An unusually warm day for this time of year in Alfheim. North had gratefully soaked up as much of the sun as she could before getting ready, revelling in every opportunity to leave the cold of Idavoll behind.
If the priestess told her it was a good sign, she would hold on to that hope.
Both females turned to face the garden doors as Henny and Bo entered carrying baskets of wildflowers, sprinkling them around as they made their way down the aisle in matching suits of deep violet.
The brothers smiled and Bo winked, tossing a few petals in her direction.
She was surprised to feel lighthearted in this moment and grateful for the alliance and friendships she had in Alfheim. It would certainly make marrying an Elven—and not just any Elven, the Elven king-to-be—much easier.
It didn’t hurt that when Vali entered the garden, he looked like he’d been brought to life by an enchanted sculptor.
North was used to being around Fae who, while they didn’t quite have the ruggedness of the Vanir, were broad and domineering, their figures imposing.
Vali was all grace—tall and lean. His long blond hair was half pulled back, showcasing pointed ears adorned with gold and silver rings. As a Fae, North’s own ears mirrored Vali’s, as was customary in Elven weddings.
Though her ears were softened by the mixture of races in her ancestry, North admired the angled peaks of Vali’s. She dragged her gaze down his silhouette. His deep sapphire robes complemented his olive skin tone, and the warmth in his chocolate eyes deepened as he took her in.
He strode down the aisle, each step strong and sure, his lithe form almost predatory in the way he approached.
Many who did not understand Fae heritage thought they’d inherited their base instincts from their more barbaric ancestors in the Vanir, but the truth was that it came from the Elven.
A peaceful race, yes, but more so due to the fact that they were grounded, one with nature. All aspects of nature.
Elven’s heightened senses were even greater than the Fae’s, with highly animalistic instincts, which was where the Fae’s predatory nature came from. It was what made Fae mating bonds so strong.
With the creation of the new race, Thiramin traits passed on through the mating bonds of Fae. Mind communication, emotional connection, the ability to strengthen each other physically. Combined with the love match of the Hjarta, the Fae mating bond was the strongest among the races.
Though every Fae had a mate somewhere on Yggdrasil during their lifetime, Thiramin matches worked slightly differently.
Not all Thiramin were romantic partners—some were friendships, companions, family members.
These bonds were not so obvious. Relationships took time to develop, and as such, Elven took all their relationships seriously.
North doubted a Thiramin bond would develop since her mating bond had proved faulty. The fact that Vali was marrying her despite their lack of bond meant that she was his and he was hers.
An unfamiliar instinct rose in her as he joined her at the altar.
Her tongue flicked over her aching canines, and she wondered if his sharper, longer ones would hurt if he ever bit her. Swallowing hard, she banished the thoughts that came to mind. Such explicit images had no place in the sacred garden.
Vali took her ungloved hand in his, lifting it to place a gentle kiss on her skin, his gaze never leaving hers. North’s stomach fluttered unexpectedly, the chaste gesture so at odds with the intensity in his eyes.
“My queen,” he whispered as his lips left her hand. Her fingers lost their feeling as pins and needles worked their way up her arm.
The priestess joined their hands, tying them with a ribbon made of wildflowers and herbs.
While the priestess hummed the words of the ceremony, they drank a Dreamroot tea from the same chalice.
The late queen had kept a stash of the magical plant for her sons’ weddings, should they ever decide.
Her forethought brought tears to North’s eyes as she drank deeply.
The effects of the rare herb were slow.
North had been prepared for this part of the ceremony, but when her mind went foggy and her eyes opened in another world of stars and light, she panicked.
Vali was there, hands still firmly gripping hers.
“It’s okay.” His voice sounded too loud and too quiet at once. “I’m here.” She stepped closer, the heat of his body settling her nerves.
The echoes of their own voices surrounded them in the void.
Never shall you wander in the dark again
For I will be the light that guides your way
Vali startled when a spark of light burst from behind her head. She held his hand tighter when magic Dagaz runes appeared on their arms. The rune for light within.
Sorrow shall never cloud your day again
For I will be the sun that brightens your day
All the light vanished around them save for an aura that outlined their bodies. The Wunjo rune, for joy and kinship, lit up next.
And your hands shall never be cold again
For I will be the one holding them
The grip of their hands felt permanent, like they would never again let go. North didn’t want to. Ehwaz, the rune of twin souls, appeared, the other runes glowing brighter with each addition.
Your enemies shall be my enemies
As my enemies shall be your enemies
But they will never defeat us
For together we are stronger
A shadowed figure emerged from the darkness, charging towards them. As one, North and Vali each released one hand, the others still firmly intertwined. Their free hands each held a sword and together they slashed down the figure. The Algiz rune for protection joined the line down their arms.
No hurdle shall ever be too high
For we will overcome it together
Their bodies lifted off the ground and North found herself wrapped in Vali’s arms. The Uruz rune for strength.
And you will be mine as I will be yours
With this I vow my life to be yours
In life and in death—and for all eternity
North stared deep into Vali’s soul, a lifetime flashing before her eyes. Their lifetime. She wondered if he was seeing the same thing from his perspective. Before she could ask, he faded from existence and her foggy mind returned to the sacred garden.
She was still in his arms. And the last rune glowed just as bright as the rest. The Inguz. The rune for love and harmony.
“Frigg sends the highest honour of her blessing,” the priestess declared, flower petals raining from the sky. It was the most magical experience of North’s life, and she still couldn’t take her eyes from Vali’s.
They recited the ancient vows. As per tradition, North went first, speaking the words in the ancient tongue.
“Eilífu geei.
Tar sem hjartae.
Vernda tig ae eilífu.”
Vali repeated the vows in his own language.
“May our spirits be one forever.
Where your heart is, there I will be also.
I vow to protect you forever.”
The sincerity in his voice rang clear to all those who heard it. It touched North’s heart to know he meant the words as much as she did. The glowing runes dimmed until they were barely visible, shimmering faintly in the light.
“May Freyja bless you with love and passion. May Frigg give you the sight to overcome your obstacles and trust each other with your blades. And may Thor bring strength and courage to your union, that you may always find your way home to one another.”
At this, North and Vali exchanged both rings and swords, as was customary.
Vali slipped the intricate woven band of silver onto her finger, tiny gemstones in the shape of leaves and flowers glittering between the interlaced bands. It was beautiful.
She placed a simple gold band on his finger. There would be a time to tell him the significance of the band, but not yet.
Like he could feel its power, he stared with awe, eyes glassy, matching her own feeling of warmth towards the male in front of her. She blinked away the moisture.
The priestess gave them a secret smile as she held their hands in hers.
“This union, and your love, is blessed.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, a thread of untouched magic wrapped around their joined hands, the runes flaring to life once more, and for a moment, a stirring emerged from deep within North’s soul. She blinked and it was gone.
Vali’s presence entwined with hers, their threads of fate weaving together.