I lifted my brows at Rath.
He shrugged. “They wanted him to settle down and have babies.”
“Ah. Which explains why his father is here now.”
“They're all here. His parents, brothers, and the rest of the Gold Clan.” Rath nodded in the direction of the platform.
Behind it and in the trees were burly men and tall women, all with temples that glittered gold when they caught the light. Out of their midst strode Nex, looking even more magnificent than usual in a gold-trimmed, cream linen tunic and brown leather pants. He had his long, blond hair braided back, showing off the dramatic angle of his Tytra jaw, and his amber eyes shone with pride and joy as he stepped onto the platform. He nodded at his father.
“Holy shit,” I said.
“Yeah, the Gold Clan doesn't come out in numbers like this for everyone. His parents may not have approved of his decision, but his clan did. They're damn proud of him.”
And then a hush fell that silenced our whispers. Everyone turned to face the opposite direction. There was Evina, even more beautiful than Nex. Her dark hair was swept up into a crown of white flowers and a sheer length of white silk draped that, creating a haze over her that made it seem as if she walked forward through mist. She wore a pale pink gown that molded to her lush upper body before flaring out at her hips, and she held a bouquet of pink roses and peonies. A massive man stood beside her, his arm lifted to support her hand. He was even bigger than Nex's dad, with shoulders broad enough to set Evina on—on one side. His long, dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail so that nothing hid his big grin as he marched Evina toward her intended husband.
The pair of them was so striking that no one made a sound. There was only that sweet music played by Nex's father.
And then a child shouted, “Evina! Aunty Evina! You're so pretty!”
Instead of being upset, Evina smiled so brightly that it could be seen through her veil and the fabric fluttered with her laughter. She stopped just before she reached the platform and turned to the orphaned kids of Fress who'd been given the prime spot beside the Emperor. When she crouched and opened her arms, they all rushed to her, and Sally went with them. Evina didn't care one whit about her mating garments. She hugged every one of those kids, cooing sweet things to them before she straightened and went back to the grinning man who I assumed was her father.
As the children cheered for her, Evina reached the platform. Nex rushed forward to meet her but first, he bowed deeply to her father. The man slapped Nex on one shoulder and offered him Evina's hand. Nex took Evina's hand as the musictrailed away, and Nex's father drew back into the trees with his clan.
“Thank you for giving us your blessing,” Nex said to Evina's dad. “And for raising such a wonderful woman.”
“I know you will look after her with the same ferocity that you do the rest of the world, Wraith Lord.”
“With even more than that, sir.”
The man nodded at Nex, then kissed Evina through her veil. He stepped down from the platform and joined his wife and clan, across the aisle from the Emperor. Meanwhile, the Emperor stepped up onto the platform, leaving Sally with the rest of the children.
“What's happening?” I asked.
“The Emperor is conducting the ceremony,” Taroc said.
“Whoa.”
“Thank you all for coming today to help Lord Nexhavaren, one of my Goddess-blessed Wraith Lords, and Evina.” He paused to smile at her. “One of the most generous, kind souls I've ever met, celebrate their love today. We are not only joining two people but also two clans and two races—Ladrin and Tytra. So, instead of focusing on the mating traditions of either race, the couple has asked me to unite them in a ceremony of their own creation.”
This wasn't news to me. I'd heard all about Nex's mating ceremony from the start. Usually, he was whining about it. None of the Tytra or Ladrin seemed shocked either. So, I assumed they'd been prepared. Good. This could have gone poorly if some of them had taken offense.
“Love is hard to find in our world,” the Emperor said gravely. “Especially for my Wraith Lords. But Nexhavaren and Evina found each other amid tragedy and violence. Their love sprouted in darkness. But that is where the most beautiful plants live. The strongest.” He looked around at the gathering. “The rarest. That is what their love is, and I am honored to be the one to unite them today.” He looked at Nex. “You may speak your heart now, Lord Nexhavaren.”
“Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty,” Nex's deep voice rang out, then he took a breath and stared at Evina. “I never wanted love. I didn't want to tie myself down to one person for eternity. I thought that was foolish.”
Even as people murmured in affront, Evina smiled at Nex. She knew her man better than anyone.
“But then this woman stormed into my life. A force of nature. A mama bear come to protect the young who had no mothers.” Nex made an annoyed sound. “I didn't even like children before I met you. But you opened my eyes to many things, Evina. A lot of it beautiful, some of it painful, and some of them were damn right annoying.” He growled the last bit and made a face at the orphans.
The kids laughed and waved at him.
Grinning, Nex looked back at Evina. “I never knew what truly loving someone meant. I didn't understand that it's not a weakness but a strength. That love can make eternity seem like an instant.” He snorted and shook his head. “You turned my world upside-down, woman. My friends made fun of me. I had terrible nightmares. Nightmares! Me! I knew what was happening but I couldn't stop it. You snatched my heart right out of my chest and refused to give it back.”
People chuckled at that, the sound moving like a happy wave through the clearing.
“That's my girl!” Evina's father called out. “Take what you want and never give it back!”
The Bear Ladrin cheered.
