“I sure hope so. This took all morning,” I replied, smoothing down my dress and hoping everything stayed in place.
Marcus hooked his arm with Kallie’s and brought her to his side so they could walk together. Neither one of them seemed weirded out by the close proximity. In fact, both of them gravitated closer. In their free hand, Kallie and Marcus were carrying framed photographs. Kallie had a picture of Monica— Marcus, of Marty.
It was a special thing Charlie and I had requested. We couldn’t have Monica and Marty here with us today, but Kallie and Marcus had become what we’d needed in the darkest time of our lives. It was an honor for them to stand with us today.
Kallie and Marcus stepped through the double doors. My father, Oberi and I remained out of sight, so we wouldn’t ruin the big reveal.
Eventually, we heard the song end, and a new one began— a piano ballad that Charlie and I had composed at the Institute together over a year ago. That was my cue.
“It’s time,” Daddy said. “Are you ready, Ava?”
I took a deep breath, gathered myself, and nodded. By participating in this ceremony, I was fulfilling my soul path and everything that had been planned for me. I felt certain of that. Now all that was left to do was become joined with my destiny.
I felt my breath sweep away as Oberi carried me into the temple’s hall. My father walked at the unicorn’s side, holding my hand as we journeyed down the aisle.
The temple was more elaborate than I’d ever seen it be. Burning white candles hovered in the air above the congregation, and the smell of incense, lavender, cinnamon, and sage levitated throughout the room. Pendant amaranth flowersin a dark pink color hung from the temple ceiling in the thousands.
Amaranth. The flower of love that endures despite great difficulty.
The temple was absolutely packed. There wasn’t a seat left in the house. People gasped, and a few Elvish women wailed as they took in the sight of my dress. My eyes scanned the room quickly, my breath still caught in my throat. I saw so many faces I knew in a flash, smiling at me like I was the grandest thing in the world. All of my family members clustered together in the pews, looking thrilled.
I realized that time was passing too quickly, because we were already halfway down the aisle and I hadn’t had any time to take it all in. Oberi noticed my thoughts and slowed her steps, so I could rejoice in the moment. I glanced toward the front of the room and nearly laughed as I saw our bridesmaids and groomsmen all lined up. Marcus, Ez, Chancey and Alistair were standing up front as groomsmen, Eddie was off to the side, serving as Charlie’s guard. I tried to take in and memorize each of their expressions, but it was hard, because my heart was beating so fast and time was moving so quickly.
At the altar, a trellis had been set up. That trellis had been lined with greenery, white asphodel flowers scattered throughout the eucalyptus leaves.
Asphodel. The flower of love that survives even death.
The Emperor had been very adamant about every flower that we used in our wedding, insisting each bloom had to represent something important for our relationship. I’d figured we’d chosen well. The colors were no mistake, either— pink for romantic, youthful love, and black for the steadfastness and seriousness of the commitment we were making. Charlie and I were very certain of the choice we were making, and we wanted everyone to know that we considered it to be forever.
My eyes found my love. He was waiting at the altar for me, his hands clasped with a huge smile on his face. Time had moved so quickly just seconds before, but it suddenly stopped completely. The entire crowd fell away, until I was certain all that existed was just me and him. Nobody else mattered in this world but us, and he was the only person that was alive to me. My soul honed in on him, and I forgot that this wedding was happening at all, because the only center my universe needed was him.
The biggest grin that I’d ever seen him have spread across Charlie’s face, and I saw two tears slip out of his eyes. He wiped his eyes quickly, the smile seemingly permanent on his face as Oberi finally stopped at the altar.
Daddy reached up to take me down from her back, and as he carried me, I whispered in his ear, “I love you, Daddy.”
Another tear dropped down my father’s face, and he set me into the bridal wheelchair. Kallie, Ivy, Abigail and Opal immediately went to adjusting my dress and veil around the chair, and when they were done, Kallie took my bouquet.
I figured Charlie was going to stand, but the groomsmen passed a silver chair down the line. Charlie set it across from me, sitting down so he was at my level, indicating the two of us were equals.
My eyes immediately welled with tears. I didn’t know he was going to do that.
Charlie reached out to take my hands. Once he did, I immediately relaxed. I found that I could finally breathe.
There was nothing else to worry about. The waiting was over, and we were here, joined in this temple together. Now would be the best part.
My gaze traveled down to our entwined hands, settling on the date inscribed across our left ring fingers in black ink.October 11, the tattoos read. The font matched the names that werepermanently inked across our wrists… his name on mine, my name on his. We’d had Marcus tattoo the date on our fingers back at the Institute after our first wedding. Now here we were exactly one year later, declaring our love in front of all our friends and family who didn’t get to be there the first time. Like the tattoos, our love was permanent, and would be a mark on the world that would never fade.
The music concluded, and Hemlock began the ceremony. “Hail the goddesses Idril and Caralyn, and hail the prince and princess, who are to be wedded upon this day.”
“Long may they reign,”the crowd responded in unison, before the temple went silent.
Hemlock spoke loudly as she stated, “In Elvish tradition, Elven couples are required to undergo a handfasting, and live together for one year before they are officially wed. Today marks the one-year anniversary of the prince and princess’ legal wedding. Therefore, I pronounce that they are ready to be joined together in the eyes of the goddesses. We will commence with the rites that will make them as one. We will begin by casting a circle spell, enshrining the couple with our protection.”
Four mystics stepped forward, each carrying musical instruments like flutes and drums. They began to circle, moving in a ring around us as they played. Elves valued music above all other art forms, and they used it in most of their ceremonies to perform ancient magic.
Hemlock rang a bell. “I summon the goddesses. Speak now, and let their energy cleanse your space.”
One of the mystics circling us beat a small drum, and Charlie said, “I speak to the east, for you are my first dawn, my new beginning.”
