Page 152 of The Curse of Golden Blood
I pulled her into my arms, holding her close despite the watching thousands, letting her have this moment of grief in the midst of joy. Because that was what life was now. Both things co-existing, neither diminishing the other.
When she pulled back, her eyes were clearer. "Thank you."
"Always." I pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Now, shall we face the festivities? I believe there's supposed to be seven courses of dinner, twelve types of wine, and dancing until dawn."
"Faerie tradition is definitely exhausting," she muttered, but she was smiling again.
The celebration that followed was everything a high fae wedding should be. Music filled the air, performed by musicians whose instruments had been crafted centuries ago and played melodies that made even the stones weep with beauty. Tables groaned under the weight of food from every court, dishes that sparkled and smoked and sometimes moved of their own accord.
We sat at the high table, receiving congratulations from an endless stream of nobles. Each court's representatives came forward to present gifts, some practical, some magical, some so bizarre I couldn't begin to guess their purpose.
I was speaking with Lord Hasin of the Fog Court when I noticed Miralyte's attention had been captured by something across the hall. Following her gaze, I saw Narietta approaching with Silvyr at her side.
Silvyr. The sight of her walking without pain, her dark skin no longer marked by the black veins of rot, was still miraculous to witness. She was tall and regal, her silver hair styled with silver ornaments that marked her as eldest daughter of the Fog Court.
Miralyte rose from her seat immediately, moving around the table to meet them. I followed, curious about this reunion.
Silvyr dropped to one knee the moment Miralyte was close enough, her head bowed in formal obeisance. "Your Highness. I come to offer my gratitude for the gift of my life."
"Please, get up." Miralyte's voice was thick with emotion. "You don't need to kneel to me, Silvyr."
But Silvyr remained kneeling. "I do. You saved me when no one else could. You risked yourself, let yourself be used in those bloodletting sessions even when you didn't understand what it meant. You gave me back my future."
Narietta stood beside her mate, her own eyes bright with tears. She looked at Miralyte, and something passed between them. An understanding born of shared trauma and hard-won healing.
Then Narietta moved forward and pulled Miralyte into a tight embrace. My sister held Miralyte like she was something precious.
"I'm sorry," Narietta whispered. "I shouldn't have hugged you, it's just—"
"Shut up and keep hugging me." Miralyte's voice sounded choked.
I decided to give them a moment, not eager to meddle with these waters just yet. Turning my attention to Silvyr, I found her smiling fondly at the pair.
Narietta finally released Miralyte and gave her a watery smile. "Welcome to the family, sister."
Miralyte's cheeks flushed and her eyes shone. "Thank you... sister."
Some weight she'd been carrying seemed to lift. And maybe now she could begin to move beyond the loss. She could begin to forge a new life that didn't dwell on her past.
I watched them, these two women who had both suffered under Ylvena's reign, finding comfort in each other. Silvyr caught my eye and nodded, a gesture of respect and gratitude that needed no words.
When they finally separated, Miralyte turned her attention to me, stepping close and sliding her hand into mine.
I led Miralyte onto the floor for the traditional first dance, our bodies moving in perfect synchronization as we'd practiced all week. Her gown swirled around us like captured sunlight, and my wings spread to shelter us from the watching crowd, creating a moment of privacy in the midst of chaos.
"Are you enjoying yourself, wife?" I murmured as we spun across the floor.
Her answer was a soft, brilliant smile. "I never imagined I could have this. You. A family. A place to belong. Someone to belong to."
"I love you." It was not the first time I'd said it, and it would not be the last.
"And I love you." She stretched up on her toes and kissed me, pulling me closer until even air could not fit between our bodies.
I deepened the kiss, uncaring of the hundreds of fae watching. She tasted of lightning and light and freedom and love.
As the evening wore on and the wine flowed freely, the atmosphere grew more relaxed. Miralyte laughed more easily, the grief of earlier fading into the background as she let herself simply enjoy the moment. I watched her charm visiting dignitaries, saw the way even the most ancient and powerful fae softened in her presence.
She was going to be an incredible ruler. She was already proving it every day.
