Hailey and Captain Seo glance at each other, and the captain shrugs. “At least we cleaned the blood off the armor.”
“I want to forget about the war and the Amheuk,” I say quietly, “at least for the ceremony.”
“Of course, Sunny.” Hailey tugs the captain by her elbow toward the room divider. “We’ll change.”
Minju returns to the alcove and says, “He’s ready for you, Sunny.”
My stomach dips, and a tremor spreads down my limbs.Why am I so nervous?It’s Ethan. I want this—I want him—more than anything. I clasp my shaking hands and nod at Minju.
The Queen of Sky gives me a kind smile before she walks out of the alcove, followed by Bora, who flutters her fingers at me in a small wave.Cheyun squeezes my shoulder as she passes, then Minju and Hailey pull me into a quick three-way hug before bustling into the audience hall.
“I guess it’s my turn.” I take a wavering breath. “It’s now or never.”
On knees like water, I step out of the alcove to a chorus of gasps from the “boys.” But I’m only interested in one boy, who stands closest to the dais, with the other males lined up behind him.
Love, tenderness, and desire burn in the silver-green flames of his eyes. And I know mine reflect those same emotions as I drink in the sight of him in an ancient Koreanhanbokin emerald green. He looks impossibly tall and broad in his long, resplendent robe, with his crown of gold and jade nestled snugly on his overgrown hair.
Cheyun, Minju, Bora, and Hailey stand opposite Jihun, Jaeseok, Taeyoung, and ... the Judge of Tenth Hell? He grins at me from behind his dark sunglasses.What in the world?But I set aside the question. That can wait.
Everything can wait but Ethan.
I join him at the head of the line and offer him a tremulous smile. He doesn’t return it at first, gaping at me, his eyes wide. Then one corner of his mouth kicks up in a crooked grin. He takes my hand in his and presses a kiss on my knuckles. I laugh under my breath at his boyish eagerness.
But when he glances up at me through his lashes, the dark promise in his eyes makes my toes curl.I’m not mad.They can curl, as tight as they want. It’s a foregone conclusion that I’m head over heels for this guy anyway.
The Queen of Sky stands at the edge of the dais. It seems fitting that she is our officiant. I already feel close to her. But when she offers me an encouraging nod, I gulp, my nerves kicking into overdrive.
I have no idea how impromptu wedding ceremonies work in the Realm of Four Kingdoms. I’ve actually never been to a wedding—impromptu or not—even in the Mortal Realm. I shift my gaze to Ethan when he squeezes my hand.
I got you,he mouths.
I smile and speak into his mind,I know you do.
Just like that, my nerves unknot with a sigh, and I feel calmer and more present than ever before. This moment, right now, means everything to me, and every fiber of my being is here for it—here for him. Hand in hand, we turn to face the Queen of Sky.
“A love destined by the heavens,” she says, “is a blessing not often bestowed by the fates. Yours is a love that completes your souls. You will make each other whole and strong, and bring each other joy beyond measure. But your love is also a great responsibility, because once united by your vows, your bond can never be broken, even by death.
“Sunny and Ethan,” the Queen of Sky continues, “love each other fearlessly. Hold nothing back, because your love is more powerful than any challenge you will encounter. A love like yours can change the course of destiny.”
My heart pounds in my chest, my throat, and the tips of my fingers. My life force beats in every corner of my body. The cynic in me wants to laugh off the queen’s words as flowery exaggeration for her nephew’s wedding, but they ring true in the depth of my soul.
I glance sideways at Ethan, and his heated gaze collides with mine. My chest tightens to the point of pain, because I love him so much. Our love is bigger than the two of us. We are not only meant to be together. Wehaveto be together. There is no truer path.
“Now for the vows.” The Queen of Sky waves one hand, and a bowl of water with tiny white petals appears in her other hand. “You may kneel.”
Ethan bends his knees, and I follow him to the ground. The queen holds out the bowl, and he accepts it with both hands. He shifts on his knees to face me, and I do the same.
He takes a sip from the bowl, silver-and-green fire flickering in his eyes. Then in a voice that echoes with timeless truth, he says, “Ours is a love destined by the heavens. I will love you until my dying breath.”
I accept the bowl he hands me with a rush of panic. I don’t know the words to the vow. Do I just repeat what he said? It would be true, right? Before I can spiral, Ethan nods at me to drink.
With more headstrong determination than courage, I sip from the bowl, and I squint in confusion. I taste the salt of tears and the mineral of earth, laced with the lovely scent of flowers.Cloud blossoms.I don’t know how I know, but I do.
The audience hall and everyone in it fades away, and Ethan and I stand at the foot of a mountain with sunlight streaming down on us. His face shines with love brighter than the sun, and I know what I am meant to say.
“And I will love you in this life and the next,” I vow in a voice that is both mine and not mine—repeating the words spoken by the first fated lovers in a union blessed by the heavens. I blink and the eerie overlay of thoughts and feelings dissipates. Then we’re back in the audience hall, and I find my own simple words. “I’ll love you forever, Ethan.”
“Even when I die and turn to dust, my love for you will endure for all eternity.” Ethan takes the bowl from my limp grasp and hands it to the Queen of Sky.
