Page 129 of A Simple Truth

I swallowed hard, even as my mouth went dry. I hadn’t seen Gideon since that day in the tent, and now, he stood near the arch in all of his glory and might.

A dream. A beautiful nightmare.

The Lord of Death.

He was dressed in his large, dark armor, his pitch-black cape wavering in the occasional gusts of wind. His handsome face solemn and reserved. Those ancient eyes pierced straight to my trembling core, and I almost stumbled as my eyes darted away from him.

There, next to the General, stood Broderick, twisting on his feet as he anxiously glanced over us. Beside him, Orest and the rest of the battalion commanders, all lined up, fully dressed in their armor too, their hands on the hilts of their large swords by their side, each one of them lost in a daze at the beauty of their wives. But none of us were even remotely as mesmerizing and spectacular as Gia. Her tall and muscled figure was dressed in a simple, but elegant, white dress, a crown of exquisite flowers atop her lightly curled, strawberry blonde hair. She held on tight to a large bouquet of lovely blooms, their garlands dropping down below her arms. Gia was magnificent. Even the sun, mingled between the first stars, lingered longer to see her. Her hair, her makeup, and her dress were stunning and immaculate, but nothing—nothing—matched the beauty of her bright eyes and her beaming smile.

We had all promised her not to cry and yet, as we now stood watching her walk down the aisle, tears of joy traitorously slithered down our cheeks. Even Zora, who was rumored to have never cried, even as a baby, tried hard to hide that one small, silver drop.

The music quieted and Gia took her spot on the golden sand by her soon-to-be husband. Broderick just gaped at her. I was sure that the man had lost his sense of speech as he stared at her, unable to say a word. And I understood him wholly. Gia was the purest soul I had ever met and to spend an eternity with her? A true gift of Fate.

“I hope you all laugh at my funeral if that’s how much you are crying at my wedding,” Gia teased, making us chuckle, while Motra pulled out a handkerchief, dabbing her cheeks.

Gideon cleared his throat, quieting the tiny crowd gathered on the small strip of sand. Even he seemed a bit nervous, his jaw tensed, his shoulders squared, but his voice didn’t shake or waver as he started his brief speech. Soon after, Gia and Broderick, exchanged their own vows to love, to care, to be loyal, and to forever look for each other on the other side of the veil. The moon had lit up the sky as day turned to night at last. Gideon pulled out his extravagant dagger, slicing both of their palms as they clasped their hands together. He then motioned with his hand, and small silver ribbons appeared out of thin air, gently wrapping around their wrists.

“By the powers given to me by the gods, I have therefore forged this marriage by blood and by spirit, that even Death won’t keep you apart; for the love that has created this union is eternal, from now until forever may you never be apart.” Gideon’s voice settled deep within my bones as my throat bobbed at his words. “You may now seal the marriage by true love’s kiss.” He smiled tenderly at them, his harsh featuressoftening as he stepped away and Gia together with Broderick united in a heartfelt kiss.

I joined the cheering crowd of the Destroyers loudly whistling, as Broderick lifted his-now wife, spinning her around and landing another kiss while fiery sparks shot up far in the dark purple sky, igniting the world with hope.

76

GIDEON

People danced, laughed, drank, and ate all manner of food lining the long wooden tables on the small open field. Large flower arrangements decorated the space with a few hearths giving a bit of light and warmth to the dark surroundings swallowed by the shadows of the night. The playful music filled Dragon’s Island, as mages and humans joined Destroyers in a lively celebration of the newly-formed family.

“Well, you two are looking extra broody today.” Xentar approached us, casually sipping on his drink, his golden eyes giving Orest and I a sardonic look. But neither Orest, nor I felt like talking. In fact, we had been sitting away from the crowds in complete silence for a while now.

My eyes slipped back in the direction I had promised myself I wouldn’t look and yet, each blink, I had found them there again. Xentar curiously followed my sight.

“Ah...” he said, noticing Finn deep in conversation with Viyak next to a couple other freed slaves that had dared the outing. My heart skipped a beat each time my eyes landed on her.

She was particularly breathtaking today. Her hair, her dress, her charcoal lined eyes…Finn ran her fingers through her loosecurls, moving them to the side as she smiled wide at whatever Viyak had just said.

Fucking breathtaking.

“You know, growing up, I never understood how my uncle could betray his brother, his people, his Emperor, and throw it all away for a woman. For the one who could never love him back. It seemed so foolish to me as a child. But now? I fucking get it...” I clenched my fists attempting to calm the burning fury within me as Viyak’s arm reached around her shoulders, squeezing her with a quick side hug as they laughed. “Gods, I would burn the world down if it meant she’d smile at me like that,” I mumbled, letting out a sharp sigh.

“Um, well, thanks for the heads up, brother.” Xentar chuckled. “But before you kill us all for a smile, have you considered getting flowers instead? A gift, perhaps?” He mocked me with his mouth stretched wide as I glared at him, but without my consent, my eyes returned to her, still laughing withhim.

I fucking hated Viyak. I’d kill him right now if I knew that she wouldn’t hate me for it.

Fucking hell.

I hated this so damn much.

“Maybe you should go talk to them all. Viyak is a cool guy, and before you murder him, just know he is like an older brother to her. Nothing more, Gid. Again, emphasis onbrother.” Xentar tried to calm me, but I didn’t reply; torn between pure agony within from not being near her, and relief seeing her okay, even from a distance.

I stood up, unable to bear another second of her being there with another man; my patience had officially run out as I felt my blood turning to molten lava. I had to go before I’d lose whatever forbearance remained.

“Good night, gentlemen.” I marched off, suffocating under the usually comforting weight of the armor. Instead of followingthe pull of my heart and my soul, I meandered in the opposite direction, away from her, away from the music and the celebrating crowds, into the quiet midnight darkness.

“Gideon.”Finn called out my name, approaching me in the dark.

I closed my eyes as a little shiver ran down my spine at the sound of her voice, braving myself to face her as I turned around. She stood there, illuminated by the moon, the overgrown grass reaching her knees, the night wind rustling her perfect hair as her eyes speared straight through my heart.

She was perfection.

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