He nods and then gestures toward the door. “Shall we?”
“Wait. Ivan, can you send someone to check on Willa? She was supposed to be here by now.”
“Of course.”
“Thank you.”
Luca sees Nora still holding my train, and he comes to replace her. I say goodbye to everyone, and Cally blows me a kiss as we leave the wing. Ivan leads Luca and me to a room down the hallway, where he’s created a small portal. He steps in it first, then I follow, with Luca behind me.
The portal spits us out at the same spot where I started the walk to the castle for my coronation. When we get here, I can feel my heart beating faster. The reality of this moment tightens around my rib cage. I’m about to get married. I can do this.
I use my magic to create the same effect that I did during my coronation, settling a glow over my features. I send a small wind behind me, and my entire train unfurls and rests on the soft wind, cascading ten feet behind me.
My breath catches in my throat when I see what’s behind me. The stag slowly walks toward me, and I want to cry at the sight of him. I’m so grateful to see him again today. His presence makes me feel like Ishouldbe the Deer Queen with him by my side. Ivan and Luca watch me as the stag approaches, neither of them speaking.
Finally, he steps beside me, and I place a hand on his back.
“Thank you for being here with me,” I lean down and whisper. He huffs in response, then starts walking. Ivan and Luca follow behind me, Ivan casting a shield around us.
We make our way down the path, coming to the edge of the crowd of spectators. When they see me and the stag, they bow again, falling silent. It’s just like my coronation day. I see all manners of hybrids in the crowd. Deer antlers rise above, but I also see bear hybrids, big and burly, and cat eyes find mine as I walk down the path.
I wave to everyone, a smile on my face. Joy radiates through my body, coming from my heart. The stag showing up was a symbol to me that this is right. I look through the crowd, hoping to spot Willa, but knowing already that I won’t. Everyone who was guaranteed a seat for the ceremony should already be seated by now. The procession is more for citizens of the kingdom to see me if they didn’t receive an invitation to watch the ceremony.
The crowd ends at the entrance to the castle, the spectators not allowed inside. Before I enter, I turn and wave at everyone. The crowd responds by clapping and cheering, and I can’t help but grin at their excitement.
In the distance, dark storm clouds lazily head toward us. A flash of lightning cracks through the sky, followed by a boom of thunder.
Ivan ushers us inside.
The stag follows me, keeping its slow pace. We come to a stop outside the throne room.
I look at the stag, who still stands beside me. “Want to walk me down the aisle?” He bows his head in response.
Ivan and Luca open the double doors into the throne room. Everyone inside rises slowly from their seats, turning to get their first glimpse of the bride.
I smile, one hand holding my bouquet, the other hand resting on the stag.
We begin walking down the aisle. There’s no flower girl, but flowers have already been artfully placed down the center of the aisle, leading right to my future husband.
Marik stands at the altar. He dons a black suit and a tie the color of berries, the same shade as my bridesmaids’ dresses. I smile, wondering who spilled the details. He sees me and grins, his entire face lighting up as it takes in my dress, the crown, and the veil, then the stag beside me.
I wink at him, then scan the crowd, looking for Willa. I still don’t see her, so she must be upfront and out of my line of sight. At least, I hope she is. If she’s not…The smile begins to slip from my face, and I cut the thought off before it can take hold.
I smile at every person that I pass as I walk down the aisle to the tune of the song. I’ve been smiling so much that my cheeks feel like they’re about to explode.
Finally, finally, I get to the end of the aisle. Marik extends his hand to help me up the stairs to join him. Before I ascend the stairs, I turn back and plant a soft kiss on the stag’s nose, whispering a soft thanks to him. He follows me up the stairs and lays down in his usual spot directly in front of my throne.
I turn my attention to Marik now and find him looking at me, happiness written all over his face. I glance at the officiant, who’s holding a leather-bound book and smiling at me. Marik reaches for me and holds my hands in his.
“Welcome,” the officiant booms. “Please be seated.” I hear clothing shift and chairs creak as everyone takes their seats.
“Marik, Mae,” he says, looking at each of us. “Today, we are gathered to celebrate the love you two have for each other and to support the commitment you are about to make to each other and to the kingdom. Although you have only known each other for a short period of time, marriage is all about continuously finding the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful in each other and in what life has to offer you. This is the easy part of marriage. The part where you profess your love and celebrate the happiness that is to come. The hard part comes when turmoil comes. It will push you, but it will ultimately make you stronger partners. Remember to lean on each other in these times. Today, you have entered as individuals, but you will leave together. As husband and wife.”
Marik squeezes my hands in response.
The officiant addresses the crowd. “Marik and Mae present themselves to you to witness their union, surrounded by the people who love them the most. They want to thank you for your presence today. They ask for your support and encouragement in this decision.” He glances behind him and asks, “May the ring bearer come forth and present the rings that the couple wishes to use?”
William steps forward, two velvet boxes in his hands. I smile when I see him, and he bows immediately, a genuine smile spread across his face. He hands the boxes to the officiant and darts out of sight.
