Eveline reached the school at the same time Chiya was opening the door and turning on the lights. Out of breath, she panted, "Chiya, I have news."
"Sit and catch your breath before you pass out on me. What has happened? Why were you running?"
"There's not much time, if all goes well. I won't be working today. Tae and I will be mated instead. That is, if the king allows it," she announced.
"How wonderful!" Chiya exclaimed. "But, it is such short notice. There is so much to do. Maybe, the king will ask that you put it off for a few days."
"No, please don't say that. It has to be today. He has to allow it!"
"My goodness, Eveline. Stop panicking. A day or two will not change anything. Tae will wait and love you still. Calm yourself," Chiya demanded.
"It isn't Tae's feelings I'm worried about. Today is a turning point of some sort. Can't you feel it? We have to do this now. I swear it," Eveline replied.
"Today is no different than yesterday. But, if it means that much to you, surely the king will agree."
The monitor in the classroom began to buzz. There was an incoming message from the palace. Chiya released Eveline's cold hands and opened the link.
"I come to you this morning with an announcement that will bring joy to your hearts," the king recited. "Tae, one of our lieutenants is to be mated with our newest human arrival, Eveline. Work and school are suspended in lieu of the ceremony. We are to celebrate their blissful union. It will occur in the main plaza two hours from now, so hurry."
"Well, it appears you will get your wish. Do you have a dress?” Chiya asked.
"No, but it isn't necessary. I will wear something from among the things Michelle gifted me. I am just relieved that the king has agreed to the ceremony," Eveline answered.
"I disagree. It matters a lot. This day is one of the most important in your life. My mother is a seamstress. Let me see what she has on hand. I will bring something to you at your home."
"Oh, thank you, Chiya! You are a wonderful friend. But, don't bring it to my home. Bring it to Michelle's instead. I need all my friends today," Eveline stated.
Michelle had heard the announcement and was waiting impatiently when Eveline arrived. "I knew it," she pronounced. "The two of you were destined as mates. I saw it every time you looked at each other. Congratulations! But, why the hurry?"
"Everyone keeps asking me that. I have no way to make you understand. We just feel that if it doesn't happen today, it may never happen at all. We woke up beside the waterfall and somehow, we knew there was an urgency. Don't force me to try and explain. I need you to be my friend today. Help me make this happen," Eveline implored.
"Okay, no more questions. Only happy thoughts and celebrations for the rest of the day. Let's find you a fancy dress and some shoes. I don't have really have anything for a special occasion, but we'll add embellishments."
The buzzer sounded, and Eveline explained, "That will be Chiya. She's bringing a dress. Her mother is a seamstress, and she said there might be one in her shop."
Chiya had been right. The perfect dress had been waiting, and Eveline now slipped it over her head. The shimmering silver sheath flowed over her slim curves as if its threads were still a part of the plants growing in the pool beneath the waterfall. It fell to the tops of her feet that were clad in soft slippers of the same shimmering silver. Together, Chiya and Michelle arranged her hair in loose curls entwined with silver threads and green pearls from Talonia's shellfish. A dainty necklace to match was added, making her green eyes sparkle. It covered the faint scar left from her days as a slave. Tears sprang to eyes as she saw herself for the first time.
"You've made me beautiful. I could never have done this without you. I love you all so much. I don't deserve friends like you."
"You were always beautiful. Love for Tae has just enhanced it. The dress and hair are just accents. And of course, you deserve friends. Don't allow the doubts planted by the Savra to ruin your day. You are special, or you wouldn't be here. Something greater than all of us sent Tae to you that fateful day. Never forget it," Michelle declared.
The plaza was filled with smiling faces, though there appeared to be far fewer men than women. A scowl of concern crossed Eveline's face, but it was wiped away as she saw Tae standing at the king's side. His uniform was brand new and had a shining emblem to declare his status as a lieutenant. He stood tall and proud. His father sat in a chair on his left, dressed in his finest. Jax and Tae's sisters had front-row access. They were beaming up at their brother.
A large hand grasped her arm. "It is my privilege to hand you over to Tae. I am sorry I cannot stay for the entire ceremony, but the king has other duties for me," Hesher confided. "Daer will take my place once we reach Tae."
"You are a surprise," Eveline replied. "No one told me you would be my escort."
"I became your guardian the day I wrapped my wings around you on Savra. Both you and Tae remain under my watchful eye. I will not let you down."
The crowd parted and allowed Eveline and Hesher to walk toward the raised platform. Her smile grew as she glided up the steps to join her beloved. Hesher put her hand in Tae's. He bowed to the king and said, "I present this woman to be mated. May you add your blessing to the union." He backed away and swiftly descended the steps. Daer moved forward into the space Hesher had left.
The king spoke to the crowd, "I give my blessing to the union of Tae and Eveline. They have chosen this day to declare themselves as mates. We have accepted Eveline as one of our own, a Talonian by assimilation though not by birth. I will allow them to speak their vows then I will bind them with a symbol of their union."
Tae turned to Eveline and vowed, "Forever in my heart and bound to my soul, I claim you as my mate. No longer will I roam the world alone. You will be at my side. I rejoice in the day we were brought together, despite the dire circumstances. May the past be forgotten, and the future hold nothing but joy. All that I have is yours. I will protect and defend you with every breath I take."
Eveline took her turn. "Forever in my heart and bound to my soul, I claim you as my mate. I am lost no more. You are my savior and my life. I received a miracle in you. The past is forgotten, and my future is with you and Talonia, the planet I now owe my loyalty. Never will I forsake you. We were meant to be."
"Give me your hands," the king commanded. He laid Tae's, palm side up, on a table. Eveline's was placed atop Tae's, also palm side up. The king held a small, square piece of metal. Eveline was startled when he heated its surface with dragon fire. She started to back away, but Tae held her in place.
He whispered, "Please, do not run. It may hurt a little, but it is the binding mark."
The king placed the hot metal on Eveline's wrist. It burned and yet it didn't really cause pain. When it was removed, her wrist held the tattoo of a dragon. It was a tiny replica of the one on Tae's broad shoulder.
"You are mated and bound by the symbol," the king announced. "I give—"
His words were cut off by a rumbling from the sky. The clouds darkened in protest. The citizens of Talonia were silenced by fear. A bright light shot into the sky, flames burst overhead, and the world became chaos.
