Page 41 of The Grip of Death
“With this ring,” Xander said, with trembling voice, “I thee wed.”
I returned the favor, perhaps gripping his hand a little too hard to try and steady myself. I slipped the black diamond ring onto Xander’s finger — no more enchantments this time, not since the mixup with our engagement rings. Only symbolism,and adornment, and adoration, these matching golden loops. Infinite. Endless. Me and Xander. Click, flicker.
“With this ring, I thee wed.”
Gleeful, nervous laughter stuttered out of my throat. Xander’s cheeks puffed up when he stifled his own giddiness, both of us too excited for words, laughing at nothing, or at the world’s funniest joke. We were married. Married!
“By the power vested in me by OvernightOfficiants dot com, I now pronounce you partners for life. You may now kiss your husband.”
Xander took me by the waist and the back of the neck, then kissed me hard. I kissed him back, surprised, smiling, laughing. The gardens erupted with applause. Xander dipped me and kissed me even harder. That wasn’t part of the plan, but I loved it. He pulled me back up, grinning as we broke the kiss.
“Worried I was going to drop you?” he asked in a whisper, his words barely audible through the hoots and howls of our loved ones.
“Never,” I whispered back, kissing him hard and dipping him, too, giving him a taste of his own medicine. Xander laughed against my lips, gripping my shoulders tight. The Palace of Briars roared with the sounds of celebration.
We’d have each other’s backs, literally, just like this. Forever. Just me and my husband, Xander Wright.
17
The restof the ceremony proceeded smoothly as we transitioned into the reception, which was only a short walk away to a banquet setup that occupied both the gardens and the palace’s grandest veranda.
I sat next to Xander at the head table, facing all of our guests, patting my belly — finally satisfied after a long day of worrying, stress, and yes, holding back my gorgeous, manly tears.
Dinner had been absolutely delicious, consisting of dishes that sort of reminded me of things from Earth and yet didn’t — like a delightful garden salad that legitimately included more things you’d commonly find in a garden. So many flowers, most of which only grew in the Verdance. I didn’t expect to enjoy eating something that looked so delicate and pretty.
There was a seafood appetizer prepared with a fresh catch from the fishing villages just north of the Palace of Briars. The Court of Summer, Sparrowheart had assured me, was known for its seafood and its beautiful beaches — something that she promised to show us in good time. I couldn’t imagine King Oberon taking us on his promised tour of his kingdom when he’d already given us so much.
The main course was a beautifully dressed fowl, flavored with a fragrant citrus sauce. I couldn’t decide if the bird tasted closer to chicken or duck, the skin so crisp and the flavors so fruity and lemony. I did appreciate how the kitchens had made every effort to include more familiar ingredients from our side of the universe. We did have more in common with the fae than just our physiology, after all.
The speeches had come and gone — short and sweet, but all deeply appreciated. Preston had stumbled through his, red-faced and shy, so sweet and soft-spoken despite his frame.
Beatrice, of course, drew the most attention and laughter, punctuating her cutting jokes — most meant for me — by waving a champagne flute in the air. She started out with a full glass at the beginning of her speech and ended up with a half-empty one by the end, sloshing champagne all over the garden grass.
“I wonder what’s for dessert,” Xander asked, leaning close to poke the side of my belly. “If dinner was anything to go by, then we know it’s going to be amazing. But I’m also curious about the cake that Lore made for us. I’m sure it’s great, too.”
“Yeah,” I said, scanning the garden and the veranda. I patted my stomach for emphasis. “I think we can do that once everyone starts to settle down a bit.”
There was actually plenty to do at the wedding beyond just dinner and the ceremony. Xander, Beatrice, and the others had gotten so excited looking at all the fun things they could add by checking for ideas online. There was one of those photo booths that let you put on funny props and wigs, with photography provided by the finest lensman that the Ringing Hollow could provide.
There was also the guest book, a sizable tome that had been placed at its own podium not far from the dining area. The book itself was a gift from Kaoru, hand-bound with the finest paper, its cover finished in ivory leather.
He’d also kindly provided a set of pens with various vibrant inks, perfect for guests to inscribe their well wishes for the happy couple. Us, that is. I’d peeked at the podium throughout dinner, noting to Xander with delight that Flint, Harlock, and even Giuseppe had all bothered to write a little something for us.
“Here,” Reza said, his head popping between the two of us as he unloaded an armful of gift boxes onto our table. “Dessert’s taking too long and I can sense that someone here needs a little dose of sugar.”
“Rude,” I said, making a show of frowning as I hurriedly, gratefully unwrapped one of the boxes.
Oh, sweet. These were the souvenir cakes that Gertrude brought. I licked my lips in anticipation. Xander started tugging at the ribbon on his own box. A little pre-dessert dessert wouldn’t hurt anyone.
“Found them on that table over there,” Reza said, his breath smelling of icing, but also some sort of liquor. “Looks like Gertrude Goodness brought too many so we’ve got plenty for snacking. They’re super good.”
Bruna Hernandez grinned and waved at me from the bar. Wow, she really hooked us up, Reza most of all. I laughed as I looked up into his uncharacteristically ruddy face. It was nice to see him letting loose for once, enjoying the party with the rest of us like he was actually human, too.
“So cool of Gertrude to make these all herself,” I said. “Come to think of it, she probably baked them all in that special oven she keeps in her office.”
Reza stared at me blankly. “Huh? In the what, now?”
“The oven in her office? Big shiny thing. She calls it the Crucible as a joke. My parents made it. Reza, you were right there when she was telling us about it.”
