Page 15 of Stars in Umbra
‘It’s so poignant,’ Sheba whispered to Rina.
‘So freakin’ romantic,’ Rina agreed.
Moments later, she, too, stretched over to whisper her blessing and pin a small emerald in a pouch onto Issa’s veil.
‘Congratulations on a stunning ceremony. I shed a tear.’
Issa gave both her and Sheba a smile and a wink.
‘Sante for joining us. You two are radiant today. You’re beautiful enough to enamor all the single men in this place. I predict that we’ll soon have another coupling as divine as mine.’
The way she said it, her eyes flaring with sacred demi-goddess energy, was sufficient to imbue Rina with hope that she, too, would one day enjoy such celestial love.
4
A Sacred Inferno
RINA
After the ceremony, the mood shifted from hushed reverence to joyous celebration.
The energy was electric, a palpable hum that vibrated through the air under adjacent canopies draped with cascades of fragrant wisteria and twinkling light vines.
The space was decorated as a tribute to vintage-inspired romance, a perfect fusion of classic elegance and celestial wonder.
Beneath this floral canopy, a vibrant tapestry of platters was spread out, as silent servers glided through the area with trays of crystalline flutes and glowing cocktails.
The drinks were a spectacle in themselves, shifting in color from a soft, ethereal blue to a dynamic magenta with every subtle temperature change.
Guests clinked glasses in a delicate chorus, as they sampled herbed canapés.
The murmur of conversation, punctuated by bursts of laughter, filled the air as they mixed, either as old friends reconnecting or making new acquaintances.
The aural backdrop was a lush soundscape of orchestral love themes, remixed with a modern, celestial twist by Mirage, the official wedding DJ.
It was a beautiful mingling of cultures and species, a true union of terrestrial and astral beings.
The Sacrans, with their skin and clothes woven from pure light, sipped drinks beside earthy merchants and Riders in their stark formal blacks.
Immortal demi-gods, weathered war heroes, seasoned diplomats, and humble farmers, toasted one another beneath the endless twinkle of orbs that hovered over the tables.
These sun shifted in hue from soft, buttery gold to a rich, deep violet as the sky surrendered to twilight.
Yet through all the diverse beauty and electric energy, the couple, Ki’Remi and Issa, remained an island unto themselves.
They mingled with their guests, exchanging greetings and smiles.
Nevertheless, their eyes were a magnet for each other, always finding their way back in a silent, meaningful exchange.
Their bond was the real heart of the evening, a calm, radiant anchor in the swirling sea of celebration.
As the pre-dinner drinks lingered, Rina found herself in a fascinating conversation, riveted by Issa’s father.
The infamous Sacran demi-god, General Zephyr Astraeus D’Leqan, stood with one hand curled around a goblet of violet wine, the other gesturing as he spoke.
His posture was regal, his timbred voice sonorous and inviting as he shared how battles in the highest dome of Sivania were waged.
Though his silver hair flowed in thick braids down his back, there was nothing aged about him.
