Page 65 of Mountain Orc Daddy

“We have about four more min—”

Just like that, the horns finally blow. Without missing a beat, I go to take a peek through our ‘hiding spot.’ The guests look towards the entrance of the base, and my eyes follow them. The leaves rustle and the ground vibrates.

Uzul’s the first to appear. He bangs his chest to the beat of the drums. Rogar follows behind with a small unit of orcs, doing the same gesture. They all bellow a chant I’m not familiar with. Different from the battle one of course.

The guests part down the middle like the Red Sea. Uzul’s the only one that walks through the middle, while his tribesmen separate into the sides. They continue the chant until Uzul stops at the altar. It’s almost time for me to come out.

Jade pulls my arms and fusses even more around my face and hair. She licks the tip of her finger to remove a very small speck of dust. After, the female orcs shoo me off to where Uzul came in. They extend the train to lay perfectly flat on the ground.

I start walking when I hear my cue; the flutes. I take a few deep breaths before my feet move on their own. The reality of the event finally settles in, and all I can do is smile until my cheeks hurt.

Uzul and I lock eyes. He looks so handsome and fierce with his new body tattoos. They accentuate his muscles and bright yellow eyes. The markings of a married man.

My family stands up front next to Rogar and Uzul’s closest members. It’s bittersweet that his parents can’t be here on this blessed day. At least they can be at peace that their son will surely be loved and appreciated.

Finally, I join my beloved at the altar. There’s a large scepter of fire before us. An orc, to what I can assume is the shaman, greets us with a bow.

Uzul takes both of my hands. I step closer towards him and look up at his towering height. The only expression on his face is tenderness and devotion.

“You may exchange your vows to commence the ceremony,” the shaman instructs.

I go first. “Uzul, there are no words to describe the love that I feel for you. Only know that it gets bigger each time I look at you. Never in my wildest dreams have I thought to meet someone like you and be blessed enough to marry them. Yet, here I am. You always say that I changed your life but really, you changed mine. I got to learn about my world through your eyes while also looking into yours. Before you, I was reclusive and self-conscious. Now, I can take on anything, as long as I have you by my side. You are my strength and my pride. I swear to you my dedication, respect, and love. You will never go a day without any of them, as long as I live.”

Then, Uzul continues. “Blair, I lived for a long time, yet, I’ve never felt so alive until I laid my eyes on you. That was the first time I actually felt my heartbeat. I will never stop saying how lucky I am to be marrying you. It’s an honor to be with such an intelligent, loving, and beautiful person like you. For you, I would fight death itself. For you, I would sacrifice myself a thousand times just for you to breathe a second longer. For you, I give my whole life, my heart, and my soul. Your pain, sorrow, and anger, shall be mine as well. You, too, shall never go a day without my dedication, respect, and love.”

The shaman throws sage in the fire, making it bigger and brighter. Uzul gestures for Rogar to bring him a sacred cloth. From what I learned, the orcs’ goddess of marriage and fertility sewed this cloth out of her own tears.

He binds our hands together with the sacred cloth. Then, the shaman pricks the tips of our fingers, to let them fall on it. Uzul raises our hands over the fire, where the cloth shines brightly as it absorbs our droplets.

“With this cloth, we are bound together for eternity, even in death. Even in reincarnation. I will always find you in our next life,” he says.

Before we get to kiss, my family incorporates a witch custom to the ceremony. With the cloth in hand, they create a protective circle around us. With a powder made of peonies, they spread it around us. My mom lights up a white feather that burns between me and Uzul; blessing our unions with love and prosperity.

The drums and guests go crazy once Uzul and I share our kiss. As soon as our moment ends, the reception begins. It’s a joyous celebration that will last the whole night.

A bonfire is made. Everyone dances like no one watches. It’s the first time I’m able to see orcs and witches mingling and exchanging cultures peacefully. After the battle with Aisling, it left me wondering if we’d get to this point.

Seeing a witch trying to snag Rogar pieces it all together. Uzul and I share a giggle after pointing it out. Who knows, maybe we’ll come back here in a couple of years for Rogar?

There’s not a silent moment with each group Uzul and I mingle with. The orcs excitedly show the witches their weapons, asking if they can do any cool tricks. The witches, without any qualms, show off. They exchange stories of how they creatively use certain tricks as the orcs listen intently.

As I listen to the story, Uzul tugs my hand.

“The sun is setting now,” he says.

I smile. “Ready for our first dance?”

“I’m more excited than ready.”

He signals the drummers to stop for the flutists to take their spot. The guests gather around us, full of excitement and happiness. On the count of three, the music flows like a serene river.

Uzul holds me by the waist as I rest my head against his large chest. I can feel his heart beat go fast, much like mine. My feet are light as Uzul gracefully takes the lead.

“I love you, my wife.”

“I love you more, my dear husband.”

Underneath the stars, surrounded by our loved ones, we dance as we look forward to our future.

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