Unfortunately, our cake feeding episode was misinterpreted by the fey, and several couples proceeded to smash cake into each other's faces. When royalty did something in Fairy, it was often imitated, if for no other reason than politeness. You couldn't have your king starting a fad that never took off. That just wouldn't do. I had to send servants around the room to quietly explain why cake smashing wasn't necessary. And that made Raza laugh even harder.
“Everyone, may I have your attention?” Killian stood in front of the high table, holding a glass of champagne (Councilman Murdock had brought ten cases as a wedding gift). “There's a few things humans traditionally do at weddings which I'd like to insist on happening tonight, in honor of Princess -excuse me-QueenSeren's mother. We'll start with a toast. You may call it a blessing here, but in HR well-wishers lift their glasses, declare their hopes for the bride and groom, and then drink, which we call toasting. So I'll go first, since I'm standing here and all.” Killian paused to let the laughter die down. “To King Raza and Queen Seren, may you live long and prosper!”
Killian lifted his hand, separating the fingers into groups of two, to give us a Vulcan salute, before he raised his glass, winked at my eye-roll, and took a sip. The room cheered, followed his lead, and drank. The humans present chuckled into their drinks. Before the toasting could be picked up by the rest of the guests, Killian went on.
“Now, I know you're all eager to look as awesome as I do, and make your own toasts, but they'll have to wait,” he grinned broadly. “The musicians are ready to play again, and now that we've all dined, there shall be dancing. Another human tradition is for the bride and groom to get the first song all to themselves, as it is their first dance as a married couple. So,” he glanced back at the musicians in the alcove behind him, and they began to play, “Mr. and Mrs. Unseelie, if you would please take your places?” Killian waved to the space before him, the clearing between dining tables.
I looked to Raza and he stood, offered me his hand, and escorted me to the dancing area. Applause began as we started to move through a fairy waltz. It was very regal, very pretty, and very boring. Not nearly romantic enough for me. So I pulled my hand from Raza's, and slid in closer, draping my arms around his shoulders. Murmurs of delight floated around the room as the Unseelie King clutched his new bride even closer, and then opened his wings.
“Raza,” my eyes went wide and my mouth fell open.
“Hold on, mo shíorghrá.”
It was a good thing I'd removed my train and veil before we attended the feast. Otherwise, it would have dangled over the guests, probably slapping a few of them in the face. Wouldn't that have been perfect? As it was, I only had to worry about people looking up my dress as Raza flew us above the assemblage, dancing in the way of dragons. Perhaps that's why he hadn't chosen a dress with a full skirt.
“Your vows,” Raza whispered, “no one has ever said such beautiful things to me.”
“You did pretty well yourself,” I smirked. “Though a little warning would have been nice.”
“I didn't want you to be worried about what was proper to say,” he shrugged. “I needed you to tell me how you truly felt. About me and us. What you hoped for our future.”
“For our future?” I glanced down at the delighted crowd. “This. I want to dance in the sky with you. I want to love you without worrying about silly things like gravity.”
“For a heartbeat?”
“Forourheartbeat.”
“Then that is what you shall have,” Raza flew us higher as he kissed me, and I knew our love would climb just as steadily. This was only the beginning.
Chapter Fifty-Four
Several winged couples joined us in our aerial dance after the first song ended, but Raza brought us back down to solid ground. He had plans, you see. My husbands seemed to like planning.
“Killian told me of another human tradition,” Raza purred.
“Oh?” I glanced at Killian and found him smirking.
“The honey moon.”
“Yes, well, we're royalty, we can't take a honeymoon,” I said.
“Why not?” Raza asked. “Rayetayah is here and shall look after Unseelie in our absence. I've prepared everything. Our bags are packed. We leave whenever you are ready.”
“What?” I gaped at him. “Where are we going?”
“It's a surprise,” he smiled. “But I'd like to leave soon, so we still have some of the evening to ourselves.”
“But our guests,” I looked around the hall and saw that our guests were having a fabulous time. No doubt that would continue long after we left.
“They'll be fine,” Raza chuckled. “Are you nervous to be alone with me?”
“Are you kidding?”
“Then?”
“Alright, Mr. Unseelie, let's go.”
“Mr. Unseelie,” Raza rolled his eyes. “Where does that man come up with such things?”
