Torin
Ellowyn was a vision.
A goddess sent from the cosmos to this plane.
Somehow, she was made just for me.
Everything else faded to oblivion as I watched her practically skip down the aisle, pulling Peytor along with her. My best friend’s lips twitched with a smile, his eyes softening as he watched pure, unadulterated happiness radiate from his sister.
All of his worry bled from his expression as he escorted Ellowyn down the aisle in lieu of their father.
Peytor is more of a father figure to her than her father ever was.
As if sensing my thoughts, Ellowyn glanced quickly from me to her brother once, but it was enough to see the love and grief they shared that bonded them together.
My wife’s eyes flicked back to mine, holding my gaze with her own, steel-grey glinting with fierce love and devotion.
Everything faded the moment our gazes locked and held.
All the faces of our people, the presence of Lord d’Leocopus at my back, the vine-encased arch over my head, the hanging Mage Orbs that resembled gently dancing stars—none of it mattered as I watched my love come to join her life with mine.
Forever.
Her lavender scent floated on the warm breeze, gently wrapping around me in a lover’s embrace until I was surrounded by it completely. Ellowyn stood breathlessat the base of the hastily constructed wooden platform before Peytor guided her up the two short steps until she stood directly in front of me, chest-to-chest, nose-to-nose.
“Hello, sweetheart,” I whispered, tucking an errant lock of hair behind her ear. Ellowyn practically radiated happiness at the motion, cheeks pinking prettily. Her hair was wound in some combination of intricate braids that formed a crown before wrapping around her head to fall into bouncy curls down her back. The dress she found in Vespera was understated, yet completely elegant. It fit her body perfectly, and I ran my hands over her hips just to feel the smoothness beneath.
There was a hardness there, beneath all the soft layers of fabric and makeup, a hardness only brought about by trials and tribulations. My heart ached that the innocence she once possessed was completely obliterated. Yet, despite the horrors she faced, she wasn’t yet jaded, still in possession of some of that hope that tinged her world with a rosy hue.
I loved her all the more for it.
“Hi,” she whispered back with a small giggle. Peytor shook his head with a low chuckle before placing Ellowyn’s hand in my own. Nothing but confidence and conviction shone in her wild eyes even as she shook slightly.
My girl wasexcited.
A grin ripped across my face, stretching the muscles in my cheeks that hadn’t been used for this purpose in months.
“Gods, you two are nauseating,” Peytor teased before patting me on the shoulder. The motion jostled my body, but I didn’t even pay attention to his retreat down the stairs and into the crowd.
I was too enthralled with the creature in front of me.
“Lords and ladies! Friends of the court! You have gathered this evening to witness the union of Lord Torin d’Eshu of Iluul and Miss Ellowyn d’Aelius of Hestin!” Lord d’Leocopus’ voice boomed out over the crowd, causing everyone to shuffle and find their seats. His jowls flapped and his expansive stomach jiggled as he gestured wildly, preaching about something or other regarding Ellowyn’s and my marriage.
The man was a pompous prick and would undoubtedly somehow make it about himself.
“We are honored they chose Lishahl as their place of union and know they will always think fondly of us in the years to come.”
And there it was, and not so subtly mentioned, either.
I rolled my eyes so only Ellowyn could see. Her white teeth came down hard on her plush lower lip, squeezing tightly as her body shook with mirth.
Neither of us was under the impression that the sniveling Lord d’Leocopus sanctioned our wedding out of the goodness of his heart; it was all about politicalmoves and countermoves, even during a time that should be full of jubilance and love.
Ellowyn squeezed my hands tightly, rocking them side to side, never tearing her gaze from mine.
“The Lord and Lady have chosen to respect our customs in Lishahl and will be exchanging rings in the place of the more traditional handfast.”
Ellowyn wanted nothing of today to remind her of the union she was forced into with the Warlord, and I would give her the world, even if it meant sacrificing some of my own long-held beliefs.
