A warm hand wraps around my wrist, drawing my gaze. "I suppose if we open the portal, your father can give you its twin,"the king smiles and my heart stutters. "One must always have a matching set."
My mouth opens and closes. Words fail me. Thankfully, Ronan is beside me to ask what I'm thinking. "So, you'll help us?"
The Dwarven King nods, shifting his sights back to me. "Aye, we'll help you. We owe Enver Sol for saving our realm before. Besides, we Dwarves can't sit by and let everyone else have all the fun slaying creatures from the underworld." He winks, clamping a hand on his son's shoulder. He smiles at Riggs. "We will leave the morning after Prince Ronan's wedding. We have a lot of work to do."
Thirty - Two
Shaye
With the Dwarves officially joining the war efforts, I can breathe a bit easier as I dress for Ronan's wedding. I can't believe it's finally here. And the Harland brothers won't be dragging their cousin to the altar kicking and screaming.
Ronan has a brightness in his eyes and a skip in his step these days. He isn't arguing with his father nearly as much and he's even taken it upon himself to help in the wedding planning. He told me and Nyx he wants everything to be special for Viella. She deserves nothing less than the best.
Nyx teased his cousin for falling in love so fast, but Ronan tossed it up to when you know, you know. It's so cliche, but he's right. Sometimes you just know. Love burrows straight into your heart and suddenly you don't know how you ever lived without this person.
Viella has opened Ronan up to the world of artistry. Granted, he's not very good, but I don't think being a watercolor master isRonan's goal. The idea of opening himself up to her world so he can understand her more is all he wants and it shows.
Now, with their wedding a short hour from now, I finish applying my makeup so we as a group won't be late. The Harland brothers always clean up nice for fancy events. Per Ronan's request, they're all in black suits, hints of Tronovian green and gold added to their ensembles. Finn sports his gold earrings and rings. Nyx has taken the time to braid and style his long hair. And Atlas nearly steals the breath straight from my lungs when he offers me his hand when I descend the steps with Eris.
Unfortunately, Eris doesn't look like Eris. She looks like Freya Harland. She's adhered to the Tronovian color scheme to fit in with the Harland brothers and she looks incredible. A fitted green gown that hugs her curves in all the right places with gold accessories makes her the perfect plus one for Finn. There's a hint of worry in his face, but Eris reassures him thedissimulowill work perfectly as she snakes her arm in his. He presses a gentle kiss to her forehead and my heart leaps. They're so cute together.
"You look stunning." Atlas' voice slices through my thoughts and I smile. There's a twinkle in his eye when he spots my engagement ring.
I spin once so he can appreciate the beauty of my outfit. When I saw it, I knew I had to have it. I'm used to wearing form-hugging dresses but today, I wanted to try something different. Something I felt was more in tune with who I am today. The off-the-shoulder black velvet body suit has wide leg pants and a tulle skirt attached at the waist. It boasts a decent train with lifelike gold and green lace flowers sown in. All my tattoos are visible, and the ensemble fills my heart with confidence. I feel beautiful and powerful.
"Do you like it?" I ask Atlas and his eyes are already molten when I finish my twirl.
"I'll like it even more when I get to take it off of you tonight," he whispers in my ear, kissing my cheek.
"We ready to go?" Nyx snatches his keys from the hook and motions to the front door. "If we show up late, Ronan will blame me, and I was the first one dressed."
He doesn't wait for confirmation from the four of us. He throws the door wide and trots down the steps to the awaiting carriage.
He's nervous. Or maybe a little envious. I'm not entirely sure, but I know something is off with him. A battle for later.
The carriage doesn't take us to Starnborough. We pass the castle and end up at a cliffside church made entirely of wood and glass. The inside is just as impressive as the outside. Wooden beams stretch upward, arching over us like a tree house. Glass panes line the entire sanctuary with the sea the backdrop. Behind us, the city and the forest of the Old Kingdom, the tips of the trees laden with snow.
Ronan wasn't kidding when he said this wedding would be one to remember. There are flowers lining the aisle and simple wooden pews provide ample space for guests to watch Ronan and Viella exchange their vows.
Ushers escort us to the front where King Soren, his wife and other children, and Soraya and Rafe Harland are already seated.
Soraya and Rafe greet us all with hugs and kisses before Atlas tugs my hand upward for them to see the engagement ring. I don't know why my stomach drops, as if they are going to be disappointed their son is marrying me, but my fears are unwarranted. Soraya's smile is warm and kind, her excitement subdued compared to her husband's. Rafe tears up a bit, drawing Atlas to him in a fatherly embrace.
"I am so happy for you both," Soraya kisses both my cheeks. "You are good for him."
"Thank you," I squeeze her hand. "I promise I will love him with my whole heart."
"I know," she says just as my mother walks up the aisle. Thrane and Kamari trail her in their finest Basilus navy and silver ensembles. "This must be your mother. Finn told us all about what happened in Elowen."
I nod, and motion for my mother to join us. "Mother, this is Soraya Delaney Harland. Soraya, this is my mother, Sylvane Basilius-Sol."
The titans stand toe-to-toe. These two women are some of the most fearsome warriors in our realm, and here they are, dressed in finery being introduced at a wedding. I half expected them to meet on a battlefield instead. If Atlas and I ever have children, I know deep in my bones, these two women are going to spoil them rotten and prepare them for whatever hardships they might face.
My mother extends her hand. "It is nice to finally meet you, Soraya. I have heard about you."
Soraya shakes my mother's hand, a twist of a smirk playing across her lips. "All dreadful, I assume."
Sylvane smiles widely. "Frightening." She nods. "I like frightening."
