Page 96 of An Empress of Earth & Darkness

Torin thought about how much Artem had been losing his shit over Breighly. “You just know. You can feel it somewhere deeper than your heart. It’s not your heart that is ruling your emotions, but your soul.” Torin swallowed. “It’s not as fickle as your heart’s feelings; it’s more like your soul wrapping around someone else’s. It’s something that the stars will know before you do.”

Artem hummed before letting out a sigh. “That’s beautiful, Tori-boy. I always knew you had a poet’s heart.”

Torin scoffed. “Fuck off, Stryker. My heart is pure warrior through and through.”

“I am serious.” Artem pushed away a huge branch that was in their way. “I think we hunters struggle with being emotional. Eventually, I want to have what you and Emara have. And I can’t see how it’s possible if I think about marriage being for nothing more than power. I want it to be about feeling, you know?”

Torin’s dark heart wavered, and he risked a side glance to see Artem’s brows pulled down over his golden eyes. “You will get there, brother.”

“I know.” He sighed. Torin could see Artem contemplating something serious before he noticed him watching. “Okay, I don’t know about you, but I am itching to get back so that I can wind up Emara about how I will be conducting the vows at the ceremony.”

Torin’s brow lifted. “You do realise that she could emerge as the Supreme of this kingdom at any time but you still want to go back and fuck with her before one of the biggest moments of her life?”

“Of course I do.” His gilded eyes sparkled. “We are best friends. She won’t harm me.”

“You’re a braver man than me, Stryker.”

The sky above Lake Rhiannon was utterly breathtaking in its pink and gold glory. The broken wisps of clouds had parted, giving the overall backdrop a stunning softness as the subtle pastels from the sun’s rays glinted off the still waters. Bristlecone pines edged around the far end of the lake, and from what Emara could see from behind the tent flap, it looked like little white candles outlined a walkway on the grass.

Her throat closed shut.

She had washed up the minute everyone had begun setting up camp and then the rituals of the coven had begun. Lorta had brushed her hair, cleaned her feet with moonwater infused in lilacs, and painted her lips red. Emara barely heard the chatter outside her tent through the drumming of her pulse in her ears. Kaydence hummed a sweet melody as she weaved wild roses and gypsophila into Emara’s intricate braid.

Naya Blacksteel’s head popped in the opening of the tent. Almost immediately, her eyes filled with pride as she looked at Emara in a white slip dress. “Oh, my love, you are just beautiful.”

Emara looked towards Kaydence and Lorta, and they bowed out, leaving her alone with Naya. She inhaled a huge breath and then blew it out.

Naya nodded as if knowing the nerves that were fluttering around in her heart. “Are you all right? I feel like we haven’t had a moment to catch our breath lately. I wanted to check in on you.”

Emara swallowed, nodding again. “Yes, I–I…Weirdly…” She tried again, her eyes sweeping over the tent, “This feels exactly where I should be.”

Naya’s smile was so warm and inviting. “I don’t think that’s weird at all. I saw this moment for you.” She walked towards her, her tiny fingers linking with Emara’s. “I knew you would become family some day. And I know that I promised you that my boys would look after you, but I am just so happy it’s you.”

The lump in Emara’s throat thickened. “And they have looked after me. They have saved me more than they will ever know.”

“And now Torin gets to do that for the rest of his life.” Naya squeezed her hands as an excited yet emotional smile reached her eyes. “He will always save you.”

Emara squeezed back. “And I promise to look after him. I will always fight for him, Naya.”

Naya’s smile softened. “I know you will look after my son. You are made for each other.”

Emara’s breathing hitched as she heard the truth.

“You are all he has ever wanted, and I truly wish you the best life together.” Naya pulled back, wiping a finger under her eye. “I hope you don’t mind, but I have a little something for you.”

Emara’s eyebrows pulled down. “You do? You didn’t need to get me anything.”

“Yes I did, my girl.” Naya walked over to the opening of the tent and appeared a second later with a huge box. Emara didn’t remember seeing it at all whilst travelling here. “I wrote to King Oberon about your union here and he arranged for this to be brought to you.” She sat the box on the ground. “It’s a good thing the king understands the importance of one’s attire on such a special occasion.”

Emara gasped at the thought. Had Naya arranged for a dress to come from the Faerie court? Emara had made her peace with the simple dress she wore now; she’d had to travel lightly.

“Open it when I am gone,” she encouraged. “Take your time and feel the magic of this gown. It is breathtaking.” Her stunning blue eyes twinkled. “You will be a vision, Emara Clearwater. I am so proud of you, just like your mother and grandmother would be if they could see you at this moment. I know they will be here today, standing with us all as we watch you build a future.”

Tears fought to pour from her eyes, but Emara didn’t let them fall. Her lip trembled, but she couldn’t ruin the effort that Lorta and Kaydence had put into her face. She sucked in a tremor. “Thank you, Naya. For everything.”

Breighly popped her head in through the opening of the tent. “It’s almost time. The sun is setting. Kellen was certain it happened at sundown, right?”

“Yes.” Emara nodded, feeling a few nerves snake in her belly. “That’s what the Gods showed him in the vision.”

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