Chapter 76 The Public Wedding, Lorian
THE PUBLIC WEDDING, LORIAN
The media crowd outside the Celestial Spire's main entrance is a writhing mass of cameras and speculation. Three days of building frenzy since the annulment, and now they're rabid for any glimpse of our terrorist-pet-turned-bride.
"Ready?" Rafe adjusts his formal collar—deep charcoal with silver threading that matches his eyes. We're both in full Reima Two formal wear.
"Ready to parade our traumatized human naked in front of the galaxy?" I straighten my midnight-blue jacket. "Absolutely thrilled."
"The law requires it," Rafe reminds me unnecessarily. We didn’t want to push our luck when negotiating Eve’s new terms of sentencing with the IGC. And this is just the kind of dramatic spectacle the galaxy likes. “Humans that were pets must be married in their natural state."
“This is something I might have found titillating two years ago," I admit.
“Goddesses, Lorian, don’t tell Eve that,” he says, and I remember how upset she was when she found out she had to marry us in the nude. Rafe puts his hand on my shoulder. “Now, let's get this over with so we can get on with the ceremony.”
We step out together, and the crowd surges forward, but security holds them back while we take our position on the temporary platform. The questions start immediately.
"Is it true Eve Eden tried to kill herself when you married Madame Zira of House Serath?"
"Will Eve Eden be required to remain naked while she serves Celestial Spire guests as part of her sentence?"
"How does it feel to marry your property?"
“Will she maintain a collar for the next ten years?”
“How good is her Imperial now?”
I grip the podium edge hard enough to crack it, but Rafe, ever the diplomat, raises a hand for silence.
"We'll be making a brief statement. No questions.
" His voice carries a particular authority that makes even the boldest reporter shut up.
"Today, we are here to correct an injustice. Our human receptionist and liaison, Eve Eden, was sentenced to seven years as property for the crime of ignorance and compassion—freeing humans during the Grand Championships held at the Spire two years ago. Since then, she has served out her sentence as property with dignity, despite being a sentient being, as recognized by the IGC.”
“Today," I continue where Rafe left off, “Eve Eden formally returns to the Celestial Spire to not only resume her position as our receptionist and liaison, but also to become our wife, while still serving her legal sentence, yes, but as a person and an equal galactic citizen. We ask for your understanding and respect during this transitional period.”
"Respect?" a reporter shouts. "She'll be naked at her own wedding!"
"The law requires it," Rafe says. "We don't make the laws, we only abide by them.”
“With regard to her nudity, if anyone captures or distributes images of our bride during the ceremony, you will face the full weight of the Ascendant Alliance's legal team,” I say, but the look in my eye lets everyone know I actually mean the Cohort.
"But it's a public ceremony—"
"With invited guests only. Not voyeurs." I lean forward. "Test me on this. Please." I leave off saying, I would love to release some of this anger I have and kill someone else who has wronged Eve.
Rafe touches my arm—a warning to back off.
"The ceremony begins in one hour," Rafe concludes. "Invited guests only. Thank you for your understanding.”
We leave and I hear a few reporters wish us well, and many daughters.
We walk in silence to the Grand Ballroom, where the ceremony and reception will take place.
Rafe put Lira in charge of everything, and I’m not surprised to see the space has been transformed into a feminine dream—thousands of flowers from across the galaxy, crystals refracting light into rainbow patterns, holographic projections creating an ethereal atmosphere.
Beautiful and horrifying in equal measure.
"How is Eve?” I ask Lira, who appears from behind some flowers.
“Nervous and furious, but determined." She pauses. "She's had her makeup done. She says if she has to be naked, she'll have a perfect face and skin to compensate."
"Of course." My chest tightens with pride. “And the dress?"
"Ready for the moment you are her lucky husbands. The dress she chose is perfect, emphasizing style over ostentation, but I made sure it’s still striking. And the jewelry is all lined up to your specifications. She will look like your equal in every way.”
“Thank you, Lira,” Rafe says, and by his tone he really means,
Thank you for enduring all of this that was included in your job description for the last two years.
Lira's professional mask slips slightly. "She's strong, but this is... cruel. To make her play out her heart’s desire with such…"
"We know," Rafe says quietly, “but it will be over quickly.”
“After all she’s endured,” I say to Lira, “she can do this. It’s the last hoop she needs to jump through.
And as you know, we chose the shortest ceremony in the galaxy.
Now go and stay with her until it’s time.
” I have an irrational fear that Eve’s going to disappear with Terra Ka and leave us standing at the altar.
I watch as Lira departs and guests begin arriving.
Zira sweeps into the ballroom with Marcus at her side—he's wearing an expensive suit, but still very much an employee.
Board members, business associates, progressive politicians who support the personhood laws, follow.
Even Tribune Jin Kol's successor, Kai Lo, are all here to witness the legal precedent.
As we turn to take our places at the front of the ballroom on a makeshift stage, I’m surprised to see our father.
"Boys," he greets us, Autumn at his heel in decorative chains. "Quite the spectacle you've arranged."
"Father," Rafe acknowledges. "We didn't know if you’d come. You skipped the last one."
“Bah,” he waves his hand. “Why would I waste my time witnessing a sham wedding? But this.” He surveys the elaborate setup, “Is worth it. And seeing Eve finally happy. Goddesses know I suffered through her worst days; I deserve to see her smile. Though parading her around naked at her own wedding seems excessive.”
"The law—"
"Yes, yes. The law." He says dismissively. "I guess they wanted to squeeze one final humiliation in there for all of you.”
The officiant, a Reima Two judge who specializes in complex marriages, takes her position near us and says, “All present are now binding witnesses.”
And then the doors at the other end of the ballroom open. Eve enters, and my heart stops.
She walks with her head high, every inch of exposed skin on display, but somehow still maintaining dignity through sheer will.
The collar at her throat—that damned symbol of ownership—catches the light.
But it's her face that is bewitching me.
Perfect makeup: dark lips, smoky eyes, and cheekbones highlighted to sharp perfection with pink.
A work of art that says clearer than words: Look at my face, not my body.
Her whole demeanor screams, I am worthy and I have never been prouder of her.
The crowd murmurs with shock. No one has ever seen a naked human with Reima Two makeup on. But if Eve hears them, she ignores them. Her brown eyes are fixed only on us. And I’ve never felt so nervous.
"Breathtaking," Rafe murmurs.
"Our brave prisoner,” I say.
Eve reaches us, and says, "Hi.” Then under her breath, “This is horrible."
"We know," I reply. "But you won’t die."
“The last time you said that to me, you almost killed me with a whip.”
“This time I mean it,” I correct. “And remember, Dr. Veil was there.”
The judge clears her throat to get us to stop talking.
"Goddesses take note. Today we gather to witness something unprecedented. The marriage of property to persons, transforming a sentence of degradation into one of dignity. Some might even say the dark glass hiding the truth about the Lost People will be broken today. And that the Sovereigns will have shattered it for us, as one of the Lost People has chosen them to be her husbands, according to Imperial tradition.”
I barely hear the judge’s formal words. All I can see is Eve—the way she stands between us, naked and collared but unbroken.
Ours.
"The vows," the judge prompts.
Rafe goes first, as he does in everything.
His voice is steady despite the emotion I know he's feeling.
"Eve Eden, I take you as my wife. Not as property, but as a partner.
Not less than, but equal in all ways the law allows and beyond what it recognizes.
I vow to spend every day of your remaining sentence and every day after, proving that you are cherished, respected, and free. "
Then he takes his ceremonial dagger and cuts his palm, letting his blood flow freely down onto the ground between us. “No one will ever come between us. May the goddesses witness my sacrifice.”
Eve makes a small gasp, and I realize no one told her about this.
“You won’t die,” I whisper, ‘It’s just a small cut.” I say as Rafe puts his blade into her small hand and nods to her.
The judge says, “Eve Eden, you must cut your own hand for the goddesses and connect it with Sovereign Rafe’s.”
Eve shakes her head slightly.
Rafe nods reassurance for her to do it. And when she doesn’t, I gently put my hand over hers and make the cut in her palm and then lead her hand to connect with my brother’s.