Page 125 of Of Vows and War: Special Edition
Adbeel lifted his hands, bending his fingers down towards his palms as a sign for the crowd to quiet. They did almost immediately, everyone watching with bated breath. Adbeel looked away from them, his gaze catching each of us periodically as he spoke.
“The great realm of Eoforhild has known many rulers. The Ayad line has sat upon the throne for many millennia. Though a new name shall take the honor of being— ”
“No,” Asher cut in. Adbeel peered down at her in bewilderment, clearly as astonished as I was at her interruption. She looked between us, seemingly making a quick decision. With a deep breath, she lifted her chin. “I am an Ayad. That is the name I was born with and the name I…deserve. I will be an Ayad from here on out.”
Adbeel gasped, his hand flying to his mouth and a tear trailing down his cheek. I held in my own emotions, having to close my eyes. Asher was always surprising me in the best ways. When I opened my eyes again, it was to find Adbeel gathering himself. He cleared his throat, reaching out for each of our free hands.
“Well then, an Ayad will again sit on the throne,” he said, his husky voice full of emotion. “There has not been a pair more deserving of—more perfectly fit for—the titles of King and Queen than these two right here. Under your rule, I foresee a great change. A beautiful future of triumph and happiness. May you lead us to victory in the coming war, and to peace in the time after. More than that, I believe we can all agree when I say that I hope, above all else, you bring us change in the form of unity.”
Once more, Adbeel cleared his throat, nodding faintly before turning towards Henry. My best friend—my brother, really—lifted the pillow, sending Asher and I each a wink. Asher snorted at my side, but I just smiled his way.
“I crown you King Bellamy Ayad, ruler of Eoforhild,” Adbeel boomed, light leaking from his hands as he took the crown, lifted it high, and placed it upon my head. Screams erupted again, though Adbeel silenced them with a raised hand before rotating to face Noe.
She was already a mess, tears soaking her cheeks and her lips quivering. I scoffed, shaking my head in amusement. Her foot kicked out, striking my shin in retribution. I grunted but remained standing, Asher giggling to my left.
“Okay, beasts, let us finish before you destroy one another,” Adbeel said, humor lacing his voice. Then, he grabbed the crown on Noe’s pillow and faced Asher. I dared to look at her, catching the way her eyes widened and her mouth opened as Adbeel lifted the crown high and let his light again shine. “I crown you Queen Asher Ayad, ruler of Eoforhild.”
The three of us joined hands again, smiling fondly as the crowd once more erupted into cheers.
Chapter Fifty-Two
Asher
Ray wore a dress some might—okay, they did—deem too casual for a wedding, the solid brown piece of cotton stretching from right below her collarbones to just above her knees. The sleeves were short, cutting off halfway down her bicep. Her sandals were equally plain, the leather entirely inoffensive in my opinion. I had done my rounds, saying hello to everyone I knew, and there had been far more scandalous clothing.
Yet, a male walked past me, his eyes catching on Ray before he scoffed audibly and mumbled, “Ridiculous dress.” In his head he criticized Ray, calling her frumpy and…ugly?
Rotating, I took my glass of red wine and flung my arm his way. The liquid flew out of my cup, soaking the stupid male—staining his pale shirt and light trousers.
“Now you look just as ugly as you actually are, you stupid idiot!” I shouted, raising my arms as if asking him what he was going to do. All he did was act the coward he was, shrinking back and dashing away to save his own life.
Ray had her mouth wide open, staring at me in shock and awe. “What? It is my wedding and I do not want horrid creatures here.”
A soft smile formed on her lips, and soon she was jumping into me and wrapping her arms around my waist. Stumbling back, I quickly grabbed her and steadied us.
“You are the most amazing queen,” she spoke into my shoulder. The hug lasted a few more seconds before I pulled away, swallowing the emotion that her comment brought forth—pride.
“Are you hurt?” came a melodic and whimsical voice. Lara approached, her small blue eyes squinting at Ray. She had chosen a vibrant purple dress that cascaded down her small body, fitting against it but never showing more skin than her arms and legs. Her long black hair had been left down to sway with each of her nearing steps.
“No, just happy, I promise,” Ray said back, turning just as Lara reached forward and grabbed her face. My jaw fell open as the two leaned into each other andkissed.A small yet intimate peck was shared, and then they separated, their hands connected still.
“Actually, I am not just here for Ray. I would like to speak with you in private, Queen Asher.” How odd, hearing her speak to me in such a way. She had once wanted me dead, to end the suffering she knew I felt after following Henry, Wrath, andI around. Now, she called me Queen and kissed pretty females andsmiled.
“Of course, Lara.” Ray waved, walking towards Bellamy and thinking about work she had to get done. Lara and I headed towards the far end of the training yard where the crowd thinned, but I already knew what she would ask me. How had I not heard her and Ray’s loud thoughts before? How had I not noticed? “Just Asher, please.”
“I want my memories back, Asher,” Lara said without hesitation, looking at me head-on. “You gave them back to that prince. I know we are not friends, but I would like you to do it for me, too.”
A soft and patient smile dug just slightly into my cheeks, my eyes roaming over Lara’s face. Was that really what she wanted? I was not sure if she could handle having them back after everything she had been through. Looking at Sterling and I was the most obvious show of how dangerous such things were. We suffered immensely from it all still.
“Are you sure?” I asked warily.
“Ray has helped me, and she will be there to keep helping me. She is different from the rest of you. She is not miserable and angry and better off dead.” Okay, ouch. “It has nothing to do with being male or female or anything else. Ray is…kind. Her skin is soft and her hair never gets in my mouth during sex. Not once has she tried to take the noose down in my closet.” I made a mental note to take that down. “She has made sure our garden never dies, even after that one time I tried to kill it when I was angry. She is never cruel. And the sound of her voice reminds me of times when birds sang and I listened.”
While I could make very little sense of both Lara’s thoughts and words, I still felt her resolve—her surety. So, with a deep sigh and a racing heart, I nodded.
“They are not mine to keep. If you want your own memories back, then that is your choice. Would you like them now?”
“Yes,” was all she said.
