Page 75 of The Curse Between Us

As they rounded a bend, the lake came into view, and Edric felt his breath catch in his throat. It was a sight he had seen many times before, yet every time it struck him anew with its beauty. Zephyr, riding beside him, let out a soft sigh, his eyes reflecting the same awe. The lake shimmered under the sunlight, just as it had the day they had helped bring it into being. But today, there was something new—something that made the scene even more breathtaking: a gleaming marble temple, perched on the shore of the lake. The pillars of the temple rose majestically, reaching for the cloudless sky, their pristine white surface shining in the sunlight.

Edric pulled his horse to a halt on the smooth stones in front of the temple, his heart swelling with pride as Alec came striding out to meet them. Alec stood tall, his posture proud and confident. His hands were planted on his hips as he regarded Edric and Zephyr. “Well?” he asked, his voice laced with anticipation. “What do you think?”

“It’s perfect,” Edric said, his voice full of sincerity. There was no need for any embellishment; the temple, simple in design yet full of significance, was exactly what it needed to be. Builtwith care and dedication, it stood as a testament to the joint efforts of both kingdoms. Alec had been the first to suggest building the new center of worship and learning here, at the very heart of their united lands, and both Clara and Hadley had immediately approved.

Edric’s heart swelled as he observed the pride and joy written all over Alec’s face. There was a quiet satisfaction in his demeanor, a sense that he had finally found a place where his leadership could shine—not as a general, but as a creator, a builder. Alec had commanded the workers with the same natural authority that had once made him the most feared general in the Rafrian army. But here, his purpose was different. His goal was not to conquer, but to unite and build something that would last.

“Come,” Alec said, motioning for them to follow. “Let me show you the sanctuary.”

The last time Edric and Zephyr had visited, the sanctuary had not yet been completed. But now, the temple was ready, its walls rich with history and promise. Swinging down from their horses, Edric reached out for Zephyr’s hand, and together they walked into the cool, serene interior of the temple.

The walls of the sanctuary were adorned with tapestries from Rafria, their intricate designs telling stories of the past. In front of the tapestries stood sculptures from Eskarven, each one a work of art in its own right, adding depth and texture to the space. At the far end of the sanctuary, the altar stood proudly—a massive block of dark marble, smooth and imposing. Two familiar figures stood before it: Hadley and Clara, their presence commanding yet welcoming.

Edric’s heart swelled as he approached them, his smile genuine and warm. He offered a low bow, his respect for them evident. “My ladies,” he greeted them. “You have my sincere congratulations on this accomplishment.”

Hadley smiled warmly at him, her eyes briefly flicking over to Alec before she spoke. “In truth, we did very little,” she said modestly. “Your brother was the driving force behind most of the design and construction.”

Alec flushed at the praise, though he looked pleased. “I had a great deal of help from the Eskarvens,” he countered. He glanced at Zephyr, his expression softening as he spoke of their shared efforts. “Your cousin Wilfred, in particular, was invaluable. I hope to visit the academy soon to see many of the texts he referenced for myself.”

Zephyr smiled and nodded. “I believe he would like that very much,” he said.

Clara, standing beside Hadley, offered her own suggestion. “You may escort me back after the ceremony if you wish,” she said gently, her voice softer than Edric had ever heard it. It was clear that the past months had changed her in ways that went beyond the political. She had softened, but she remained a force to be reckoned with, her strength still palpable. “Once we’ve concluded today’s ceremony.”

At that, Edric exchanged a glance with Zephyr. “And what exactly does this ceremony involve?” Zephyr asked, his curiosity piqued.

Hadley laughed, shaking her head. “Nothing to fear, my king,” she said, her voice light with amusement. “We simply wish to dedicate the new temple, to open it to the world, and to allow them to see the wonders we’ve created here.” She gestured toward the corner of the sanctuary, where a velvet cloth hung over an alcove in the wall. “Come, let me show you.”

Edric raised his hand, pausing to look at Alec for permission. Alec nodded eagerly, so Edric approached the alcove and tugged the cloth away. His breath caught in his throat as the object beneath it was revealed.

It was the sword given to them by Being, encased in thin sheets of glass that gleamed in the light. The blade rested on a marble pedestal, and a silver plaque beneath it bore the name Harmony.

Zephyr stepped forward reverently, pressing his hand against the glass, then pulling it away with a guilty expression. Edric bit back a laugh as he watched Zephyr hurriedly clean the surface of the glass with the sleeve of his shirt, much to Alec’s amusement.

“I’ve done the same thing,” Alec admitted with a chuckle, slapping Zephyr on the shoulder. “It’s hard not to, isn’t it?”

Zephyr smiled softly. “It’s wonderful,” he murmured. “This is a fitting home for it.”

The sword, once a symbol of conflict and division, had now found a new purpose—a token of peace. Edric and Zephyr had discussed the fate of the sword when they first received it, wondering whether one of them should carry it, or whether it should pass between them. But with their world united and at peace, it no longer seemed necessary to wield it in battle. It had become something else: a symbol of what had been achieved through their union and the hard work of countless individuals.

Alec gestured toward another part of the temple. “There’s more,” he said. “I think you’ll like this as well.”

They followed Alec down a hallway that led to a courtyard, where a fountain bubbled merrily in the center. But it was what surrounded the fountain that stopped Edric in his tracks. Laid out on the ground was an intricate mosaic, a map of their land. The fountain formed the center, symbolizing the lake beyond the temple. Edric slowly walked in a circle around the mosaic, marveling at the tiny details—every landmark carefully placed in its proper position. There was the castle of Eskarven, the path through the mountains, the meadow they had named Over, and the new forest.

Zephyr had followed the same path, and when he reached the end, he turned to Edric, pulling him into a tight embrace. Edric rested his chin on Zephyr’s head, inhaling the comforting scent of pine from his soap.

“We made this,” Zephyr said softly, awe in his voice. “I can’t believe it. We created this world, just by being together.”

Edric smiled and nodded. “Not just by marrying,” he said, his voice steady. “It took more than that. It took the choice to give our alliance a chance, to turn it into something true. It took the choice to really know one another and encourage our people to do the same.”

Zephyr tilted his head back and looked up at Edric, a smile playing at the corner of his lips. “Choice,” he echoed. “Not just an ancient prophecy?”

Edric laughed softly, shaking his head. “No. The marriage was only the beginning. It was never about the prophecy. It was about what we chose to do after.”

Zephyr’s eyes sparkled as he pressed a soft kiss to Edric’s lips. “Not that it was hard for me to fall in love with you.”

Even after all the time they had spent together, Zephyr still managed to make Edric blush. Edric laughed and whispered his own words of love in Zephyr’s ear, the sound of the crowd’s quiet murmurs around them slowly fading away.

“It’s overwhelming,” Zephyr whispered after a long moment. “I can hardly believe it. This is our future, Edric. It’s so beautiful.”

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