Page 64 of Dreams of Ash and Smoke

Again, as usual, he wears a black suit. His shirt holding a few undone buttons from the top and he stands there with his hands together in front of him. It looks like a normal suit but the closer we get, the more I noticethe shining glimmer of iridescent color on his shirt, barely visual. He sees where my gaze is transfixed and the corner of his mouth twitches up before he flattens it back out.

We arrive to the front of our guests and as I look around the building, it’s magical. Drapes in hues of purples and blues are strung on the beams, golden stars dropped from invisible string as if they’re floating through the air. The entire place is so beautiful.

Eryx steps down a step, reaching his hand out for me to take. I place my small hand in his much larger one and he helps me step up to stand in front of him.

In his way, this entire wedding is showing me how he loves me as if I was his kingdom. I mean more to him than it does. The stars, the nickname, the sacrifices he’s been through with me here, the trust he’s put in me? It’s all one big sign from the Gods to me. He is mine and nothing will change that.

Chapter 33: Bow

Verena

“Repeat after me,” The high priestess says after a lengthy monologue of the meanings marriage. “I, King Eryx Ashwood,” She speaks and Eryx copies. “Vow to be yours. I vow that the love I have for you knows no bounds. My love for you does not falter to sickness, health, joy, or sadness. I vow to have you as my equal. When you speak, I will listen. When you fall, I will catch you. When you rise to fulfill your dreams, I will be there to help you reach your greatest heights. I vow to treat you as if you are apart of me, because you are in my eyes and in the eyes of the Gods. May they bless this union and ride with us through our journey.” I hold my emotions together even as I copy the same vows.

The high priestess reveals the marcam used to carve rune into ourselves. But this one is different. Eryx smirks as he hands it to me, “Queens first.” I look at him with confusion before taking it from him. He opens the chest of his shirt further, revealing an open spot over his heart. “I’d go lower but I don’t think anyone wants to see that.” He whispers and I laugh loudly, unable to prevent the sound from slipping out. Confusion slips over the crowds faces at my laughter but only the high priestess and my self heard him. She clears her throat, clearly not amused, and I sober up, smiling at him still as I move closer to Mark him.

The design is the same wedded rune. But I pause when I see that the colorisn’t the usual one. It’s an exact replica of the hue of my irises. A perfect indigo. My heart beats hard in my chest at the love I have for him. This answers the question on why he was smirking at me.

When it’s his turn, his isn’t silver like Zorya’s. It is as black as his hair, as the night sky, as the look in his eyes when he peruses me in an act of coitus.

He motions for me to choose where to have him mark, so I match him with my heart, thanking the fact that the dress doesn’t need to be moved.

Unlike my wedding with Dryston, I wasn’t full of existential dread. It was love, hope, and joy. And the look of promise in his darkening eyes has sparks shooting through me, tightening in my lower stomach.

“Love is not a path we determine ourselves. It’s determined by the gods, by the marcam itself. Our fates entwine into their twisting patterns, binding us together beyond our own desires.” She says and as the high priestess chants the ancient incantations, a shiver runs down my spine, a sense of unease creeping into my heart. The marks glow with an ethereal light, pulsing with an unseen power that seals our vows in ways we cannot comprehend.

As the ritual concludes, I feel a weight settle upon my shoulders, a burden of responsibility and destiny that comes with this union. King Eryx’s eyes meet mine, and I see in them a mixture of determination and uncertainty, reflecting my own emotions back at me. We are bound now, not just by words or love, but by forces older than time itself.

The high priestess steps back, her gaze inscrutable as she pronounces us husband and wife in the eyes of the gods.

Without another word, Eryx’s hand grabs my hip roughly and pulls me toward him, dipping me into a fierce kiss that ignites a wildfire of passion in my body. Every inch of me is consumed by his touch as he hungrily devours my lips, leaving nothing but a trail of burning desire in his wake.

“If this room were empty, I’d take you right now.” A blush colors my face.

“Why wait?” His eyes flash to mine, surprised, but debating almost.

He sighs, “No one else will see you so natural. You are mine. I am yours. And I do not share.” He kisses me again, more this time as if he doesn’t kiss me with the same ferocity as always.

He faces the crowd now, his face dropping solemnly, “Bow.” Were his onlyinstructions and my face reddens as if it couldn’t get worse. Embarrassment floods me at the sight of everyone doing just as he demanded. The guards don’t even hesitate and I take note of some of them holding back smiles. But, while the Court held uneasy glances, Calanthe, Hadeon, Esmeray, and Ruelle bow their heads with smirks and smiles. Eryx takes my hand and starts walking down the aisle once more while everyone continues to bow.

He faces them, “Now, we celebrate before we go to war. Enjoy your evenings.” I feel a mix of emotions swirling inside me as Eryx’s words hang in the air, heavy with unspoken truths and hidden promises. The weight of his gaze on me is both thrilling and daunting, a reminder of the tangled web of fate that now binds us together.

* * *

Once everyone arrives in the ball room, Eryx makes his way up to the dais, sitting on his throne. But I stand, announcing loud, “I graciously thank you all for your patience, and for showing your love and support. My vows are not just for King Eryx but for this kingdom. I will do everything in my power, in my queendom to help Khyrel flourish and thrive.” I am greeted with applause as the entire ballroom burst into a lively celebration.

The sound of music fills the air, mingling with the laughter and chatter of the guests. I can’t help but feel overwhelmed by the grandeur of it all, the extravagance of the decorations, the opulence of the feast spread before us.

I sat down temporarily and caught glimpses of familiar faces – friends and allies who had come to witness our union. Calanthe’s eyes sparkle with mischief as she raises her glass in a silent toast, while Hadeon grins like a Cheshire cat, clearly enjoying himself.

But amidst the revelry, a sense of unease crept over me once more. I glance around discreetly, trying to shake off the feeling of being watched. It was ominous but I brush it off. I still haven’t adjusted to having so many people wantingto meet me.

I dance through the night after we eat, spinning around in the traditional dances with Ruelle. With a wild abandon, I raise my hands above my head and spin in the open-air ballroom as rain cascades down. A lot of the rooms for big crowds were designed with this very purpose in mind— to let nature’s elements join in on our revelry. Above us, the stunning Aurora Borealis dances across the sky in vibrant shades of green and pink, its magic amplified by the reflections on the falling raindrops. Unable to contain my joy, I throw my head back and laugh, taking in the breathtaking sight before me. It is a moment of pure wonder and delight.

The music seems to fade into the background, leaving only the sound of our footsteps and the racing of my heart. Eryx places his hand on my waist. It’s firm and possessive, guiding me with a familiarity that speaks of countless dances shared between us in another lifetime. I look up into his eyes, dark pools that reflect the shimmering lights above like distant stars.

The metallic stars hanging from the ceiling cast a dreamlike glow over us, creating an illusion of floating through a midnight sky filled with wonder and magic. And suddenly I am not worried about the haunting war on the horizon. Nothing else matters in this moment except us. I want to make him feel how happen he makes me. I want to cherish him and worship his body. He seems to take note of the change in my eyes before leading me out of the celebratory dancing and toward our own room, calls and whistles sound from behind us and again, another blush reddens my chest, my face, everywhere at the fact that everyone in attendance will know what we were about to be doing. Eryx laughs fully, more than I had heard from him in the time of knowing him and It is more heavenly than the music playing. I want to hear it all the time.

The anticipation of what was to come mingled with nerves and excitement, creating a heady concoction that made my pulse quicken.

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