Page 33 of Dark Horizon New Dawn

Callie smiled, her eyes trained on Brundar, who surprised her by returning her smile and nodding.

She was so stunned by that smile that her step faltered, and she had to steady herself to regain her footing. She'd been graced by his smiles on rare occasions, but never in public. Was this the start of a new Brundar? Or was he only lowering his shields for this one night?

When Brundar averted his gaze to look at the Clan Mother, Callie was finally able to tear her eyes away from him and shift her attention to the goddess who was presiding over their wedding.

Just as in the three preceding nights, Annani wore a gleaming white gown with long sheer sleeves that looked like angel wings when she raised her arms.

It was a different gown every night, but it was a variation on the same theme.

Shifting her eyes back to Brundar, Callie glided toward him on the wings of love. Or at least it felt like that because all she could feel was the smile stretching her face. It probably looked manic, but she couldn't help it because Brundar was once again smiling at her across the room.

As she and her bridesmaids reached the podium, she took her place by Brundar's side while her bridesmaids joined the groomsmen.

Brundar reached for her hand and clasped it gently, pouring strength into her.

The Clan Mother lifted her arms, and the last of the chatter stopped.

"My dear children. We are gathered here tonight to celebrate the union of Callie and Brundar. It is most fitting that this joyous occasion follows a great victory of good over evil, and on this eve, our hearts are filled with joy and hope for a better future."

Smiling, she lowered her arms and trained her glowing eyes on Brundar. "Brundar's journey has been one of courage and determination, of triumph over adversity and the relentless pursuit of excellence and growth. You have been a staunch defender of the clan. With bravery and skill, you have walked a path of honor, courage, and personal growth. In Callie, you have found a safe harbor of calm water, peace, and unconditional love."

The goddess shifted her warm gaze to Callie. "Callie's journey paralleled Brundar's. With courage and determination, you triumphed over hardship while retaining a spirit bright with optimism and hope, a guiding light of compassion, and a testament to the healing power of love. You are proof that the gentlest of touches can move mountains and that kindness can illuminate the darkest of paths. In each other, you have found love and a mirror reflecting back the best of yourselves, and together, you are stronger than the sum of your parts."

She turned her gaze to their gathered family and friends before returning it to the two of them. "May your joined journey be an odyssey of growth, filled with shared joys and enduring companionship. Your love is a sanctuary, a haven of peace and renewal, not just for yourselves but for all who are touched by it. May you walk hand in hand as partners, mates, and scions of hope and inspiration in the Fates' great tapestry of life."

The goddess smiled, and Callie's heart missed a beat. "In the presence of your family and friends, you may now recite your vows of love and commitment to each other."

22

BRUNDAR

Callie was always beautiful to Brundar, but today she looked like a fairytale princess in her white dress and her low-heeled white slippers that he had to examine to make sure they weren't made from glass.

He might be the last male anyone could mistake for a prince, but Callie was dancing only with him, and if anyone was to find her glass slipper, it would be him.

The silly thought brought a smile to his face, but it melted away when the Clan Mother spoke of love's transformative power. Brundar knew what she was referring to, but he hoped that the rest of the assembled clan did not.

In fact, Annani wasn't supposed to know either, and he wondered who had told her.

It couldn't have been Anandur, who had sworn to take the tale with him beyond the veil, but his mother could have said something to the goddess. She also didn't know the details of what had happened to him, but she'd seen him when Anandur had brought him home, and it hadn't been difficult to guess what had been done to him.

Anandur had protected him as he had always done and prohibited their mother from asking questions.

His secret should have never reached the goddess's ears.

"You may now recite your vows of love and commitment for each other." Annani's words pulled him out of his thoughts, and he turned to Callie, the love of his life and his savior in so many ways.

Her brilliant smile and the sheen in her eyes melted some of the ice that had formed around his heart, and he smiled back. "I'll go first if you don't mind." He took her hands and waited until she nodded.

"Callie, my light in the darkest of nights. From the moment our paths first crossed, I knew deep in my heart that we were destined to be together. You were married to a monster, but at the time, I didn't know the extent of his monstrosity, and I tried to stay away. But the Fates whispered in my ear to keep an eye on you, to guard you in case you needed my help, and that was my excuse for watching you like a stalker."

Callie smiled. "You were not a stalker. You were my guardian angel, and you saved me. I felt you watching me, and your presence was reassuring rather than threatening. The Fates must have whispered in my ears as well."

Brundar gave her hands a light squeeze. "We saved each other. You have been my guiding light. In your eyes, I found a world filled with hope and a future I didn't think was possible for the likes of me. You have shown me that love is more than a soft feeling. It's a force that can move mountains, heal the deepest wounds, and bring light into the darkest corners. In your love, I have found a sanctuary."

"Oh, Brundar." A single tear slid down Callie's cheek. "I love you so much."

"I love you more than words can express. I vow to honor the love you have given me, to cherish it, nurture it, and protect it against all. In the quiet moments and the chaotic ones, in the challenges and the triumphs, I promise to stand by your side as your partner, your best friend, your guardian, and your greatest ally. I promise to be the warmth in your winter, the breeze in your summer, the harvest of your autumn, and the bloom of your spring."

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