Daemon stood at the foot of the altar, wringing his hands together as he paced in a small line. He’d been awaiting this day for what seemed like a lifetime, his soul restless as he waited for the sun to kiss the horizon.
“Breathe, D,” Aiden whispered as he made his way back to his starting point.
Nodding his head, Daemon ceased his pacing and took in the scene around him.
The sanctuary of the Goddess Rhayne looked beautiful. Its towering columns were wrapped in intricately woven vines with sprigs of lavender and delicate white flowers twined within. Ivory candles flickered in tall glass vases that were nestled into rich green foliage that lined the aisle's edge, and white petals were scattered down its length.
It was beautiful, but it all faded into the background as the musicians began to play.
An excited energy ignited the air as people began to stand from their seats, and he had to take a large breath to steady his anxious heart.
One by one, members of Emerald’s court, led by Priestess Riona, made their way down the aisle. But the world around him ceased to exist the moment Auraelia stepped into view.
She was absolutely breathtaking.
And as if her presence had demanded it, the sun dipped into the horizon. Its peachy glow washed over the space and illuminated her in an ethereal light, making her look like the shining star he’d always known she was.
A gentle breeze blew through the sanctuary as she took her first step toward him; a cascade of wisteria blossoms fell from the air just like the last time they’d been there together. The memory of the fire in her eyes, as they met his during her coronation, brought a smile to his lips. It broadened as those same eyes locked onto his from the opposite side of the aisle, love and adoration burning brightly in their stormy depths.
Time seemed to slow to a crawl as she made her way down the aisle, but tears welled in his eyes when she was finally before him as he took in every detail.
“My star, you look—” he whispered, his words falling short and evading his mind as his eyes roved down her frame. There wasn’t a single word that could accurately describe what he wanted to say, each one seeming less consequential than the last.
Her hair was pulled back in intricate twists with strings of pearls woven within them to pay homage to his court, leaving her face exposed save for a few delicately curled strands. The silvery-blue fabric hugged her torso and cascaded down from her shoulders and waist to pool at her feet, every inch bedecked in intricately beaded stars and constellations.
She had become a living embodiment of the night sky.
The light within the darkness.
The light inhisdarkness.
Words still failed him as he took her hand, nestling it into the crook of his arm as he guided her up the steps to where Priestess Riona waited.
“We’re gathered here today, in front of witnesses, loved ones, and the Goddess of Love herself, to celebrate the bond blessed upon this couple…”
The opening words of the ceremony faded into the background as he let himself get lost in Auraelia’s eyes.
He still couldn’t believe that they’d made it. After everything that the world had thrown at them and all of the obstacles they had to overcome within their own hearts, they’d actually made it.
“King Daemon, if you would, please.”
His eyes widened as the priestess’ voice cut through his thoughts, and Auraelia let out a small chuckle as she extended her left hand. Anticipation filled his chest as her palm met his. It grew as the priestess draped the long piece of rope from his own ship over their clasped hands and began to loop it into and over itself.
“Your Majesty, would you like to go first?” Priestess Riona asked, a small smile tugging on her lips as she turned toward Auraelia.
With a slight bob of her head and a slow exhale, she turned her eyes back to his, tears lining their rims.
“Daemon Alexander, love of my life and soul of my soul. I thought that I knew what love was before I met you. I thought I knew how I wanted my life to unfold. But I knew I had been wrong from the moment our eyes met.
“You swept into my life, turning it upside down in all of the best ways. You’ve shown me time and time again what it’s like to be loved. To be wanted and needed. You’ve lent me your strength when I needed it most and stood by my side when I was determined to stand alone. You’ve been there for me in whatever capacity I allowed, regardless of the hurt I know I caused you.”
A sob wracked her chest, and Daemon tightened his fingers around her hand as tears began to flow down her cheeks.
“You are my heart, and I will spend the rest of my life showing you how much you mean to me. I vow to stand by your side and weather the storm of life with you. To be the light in your darkness and the shoulder to share your burdens. To love you wholly and unconditionally in this life and every life thereafter. Forever, and always, I am eternally yours.”
Daemon could feel the tears rolling down his face as she finished. He always thought that marriage would be a burden inflicted upon him by his obligations to his kingdom. But as he watched Auraelia slide the twisted silver and onyx band onto his finger, nothing had ever felt more perfect.
Moreright.
