Tears flowed freely down both of their faces.Zane had almost lost his voice at the end.Proclaiming his love for Talon felt so easy, so natural.
“Zane, you are my heart.I don’t believe I ever truly lived before I met you.You make me a better man.A man I always knew was inside me, but just needed some coaxing to be freed.I promise to lift you up when you’re feeling at your lowest.I promise to tenderly guard your heart so that it continues to beat with mine.And, finally, I promise to cultivate our love one day at a time until it is a garden bursting with color and life.I love you, Zane.More than words can say.”
“Thanks to the blessing bestowed upon me by Aaris, God of Marriage,” the officiant said.“I now declare you both as legally bound within the eyes of the empire and the gods.You may kiss your husband.”
Zane and Talon were all smiles and tears as they came together.Their lips met for the first time as a married couple, and it tasted all the sweeter for it.Sniffles and cheers came from their friends.Kaz wolf-whistled when Talon dipped Zane backwards to deepen their kiss.When they straightened, Zane’s face was flushed.
“Now let’s party!”Kaz dashed back into the castle where they had food and drinks waiting, as well as two violinists who had volunteered to play.
Emmeric walked up to them and clasped a hand on each of their shoulders.“I’m so happy for both of you.Zane, I’ve never seen Talon glow as much as he does in your presence, and I think it’s amazing you two found each other.”
Then Iyana bounded over and hugged both of them around the waist.Talon laughed as they hugged her back.She sniffed and wiped away tears as she drew back.
“I love both of you.Even though we met because you kidnapped me, I wouldn’t trade you for the world.You deserve every happiness.”
“Thanks, Smalls,” Talon said lightly as he tousled her hair.But Zane could tell her words touched him deeper than he would show.“I hear congratulations are owed to you, as well.”
The Aztia blushed as she looked to Emmeric.“Emmeric asked me to marry him.Twice actually.I said yes the second time.”
Tal smacked his best friend on the back.All four of them were grinning.“Amazing, brother.I knew you had it in you.”
“Come on!” Kaz yelled from the doors to the castle.Chuckling, Em slung his arm around Iyana’s shoulders and walked away.He bent to say something that made her giggle.Zane’s heart was happy they had finally found each other as well.
Talon wound his arm around Zane’s waist and leaned into his ear.“What do you say,husband?Shall we go join them?”
A shiver ran down his spine, both from the word and Talon’s proximity.“Yes, husband, let’s.”
With a laugh of pure joy, they intertwined their fingers and ran to meet their friends.The rest of the night was spent dancing—which, Zane was surprised to learn, Talon was very good at—drinking, and eating good food.They laughed with their friends and told stories of the past while dreaming about the future.Zane never once stopped grinning.He didn’t think he’d ever had this much fun in his life.
Close to dawn, they stumbled upstairs to his room.Clothes were shed and kisses were shared.Zane spent the entire next day wrapped in the embrace of his husband, and he realized this was when his life actually began.With the love of a good man in his heart and ruling by his side, he was capable of anything.Nothing would ever be the same, and Zane found that, for the first time, change was not terrifying.
No.It was beautiful.
Chapter 74
Iyana
Twoweekshadpassedsince what the people were calling The Celestial War, and it was time for Iyana to go home.Yrza had left directly after the wedding, claiming she’d been away from the gods’ realm for too long.Kaz and Zahar stayed in Athusia for a few more days to rest and recuperate, and allow their army to do the same.Then they, too, left to return to Nyr.
At first, it was easy to stay within the castle now that Uther and his cronies were gone.Iyana and Emmeric were put up in a lavish suite where they spent most of their time lounging in bed or in the large bathing tub.Or they were worshipping each other’s bodies the way they’d never had time to before.Occasionally, they would help Zane and Talon with official business, or Iyana would visit the healer university to aid in the treatment of those injured in battle.
But, after some time, her mind began to wander back to her home.Imothia had been burned to the ground, but everyone had survived, thanks to Scuti.His loss had been painful to learn of as well, but Iyana found comfort knowing he’d be with his astalle again.
She wanted to return to help rebuild their village.Athusia wasn’t home, and neither was Istoria.Despite her newfound relation to Queen Camilia, Iyana felt out of place within a castle or a palace.She’d much rather be in her little hut, mixing potions and salves to help her people.Once she realized this, she sent a letter to Camilia, telling her she was not interested in taking the throne.Her heart had been in her throat the entire time she waited for a reply, but she hadn’t needed to worry—Camilia insisted it was always going to be her choice, and if she changed her mind to let her know.
Soon, homesickness overwhelmed her, but she was hesitant to bring it up to Emmeric.Athusiawashis home.His best friend—his brother—would be staying, and Iyana felt guilty for taking him away from someone he loved deeply.One evening, when they were tucked in bed together, Emmeric took a deep breath.
“Mouse, it’s okay if you want to go home.”Iyana had looked up at him with tears in her eyes, and he smiled down at her.“I’ve been feeling how much you want to return, through the bond, and I also know you haven’t brought it up because you want me to be able to stay in my home.But, Iyana”—he ran his finger across her cheekbone—“you’re my home.I need nothing else.”
So they found themselves readying a horse a few days after that conversation.Zane and Talon stood with them in the stables, holding hands.Iyana was thrilled for them; that they had found each other and committed to spending their lives together.
“You’re sure you won’t stay?”Talon asked.
Iyana shook her head.“I’m a village girl at heart, Tal.I don’t belong here.”
“And where she goes, I go,” Emmeric added.
“We’ll visit as often as we can, though,” Iyana said.“And you’re always welcome in Imothia.I’m sure you’ll be doing more diplomatic trips to Istoria, so we can meet there as well.”
