Page 93 of Bewitched

Rhys felt happier than he ever had in his life. “Nay, I don’t mind at all,” he told her. “I like to keep my friends close and my family even closer.”

They flew through the sky, and when they got to the Lake of Souls, Rhys saw the swirling colorful portal opening below them. The crystal key glowed and felt warm against his chest. Life was good. Life was damned good, and he never wanted that to change.

Twenty-Two

A month later

Medea walked down the aisle in the courtyard of Kasculbough Castle holding on to her father’s arm. Lucio de Bar had eight children, and cared for every one of them. Medea realized he was just as proud of her as he was of all the others.

She and Rhys had accepted the positions of King and Queen at Kasculbough. The coronation had taken place as soon as they’d returned from taking Rapunzel home through the portal. However, they decided to wait on the wedding until all of Rapunzel’s family could attend.

It was a big wedding with all her siblings, their spouses, and children present, and Rhys’ family, too. It had taken a while to plan the details and the menu. They made sure to include meat dishes, as well as some without, so everyone had what they liked.

Rhys and Medea had considered getting married in the forest like Darium had, but realized with all these people, they needed more room and proper accommodations to house their guests. A castle was the only place big enough to hold them all.

“Medea,” said her father, as the music played and he walked her toward the dais. It was set up outside in the courtyard and was where they would be married. “I am so happy you finally decided to accept your family. We all love you, you know.”

“I didn’t know that before, but I do now,” she responded, meaning every word of it.

“I am so happy for you and Rhys. I also love my new grandbaby, Lily-Rae.”

“I’m just happy that Lily-Rae is still two years old instead of eighteen right now.” They both laughed at that. Thankfully, it seemed that Alaina and Rapunzel’s theory was right, dealing with the blue-milk aging potion. They stopped feeding it to Lily-Rae immediately, and since Medea was stripped of her dark powers, it seemed little Lily was growing up at a normal rate for now. Medea also hadn’t heard her mother’s voice in her head since the gods stripped her dark magic. However, she still felt her mother’s presence, so she knew that Hecuba was not truly gone from her life yet. Still, she would be careful to keep good thoughts and only use good magic from now on, and hopefully she would be able to keep those haunting voices at bay.

Talia, as well as Rapunzel, acted as Medea’s bridesmaids. Medea wore the blue gown that had been crafted by Henrietta. The handmaid accepted the position to be Medea’s lady-in-waiting from now on, instead of just a simple handmaid. She also acquired the title of being the castle’s seamstress and Medea’s personal clothier, and midwife, too. Henriette became Medea’s closest friend and surrogate mother.

As they approached the altar, Medea felt butterflies in her stomach. She never had this much attention before, and neither did she think her entire family would support her as much as they did. Medea’s father kissed her cheek, handing her over to Rhys. Medea felt so nervous that the bouquet of lippenbur lilies in her hand was shaking.

“You look beautiful,” Rhys whispered, taking her arm, standing in front of the King’s advisor, who normally conducted the ceremonies of marriage at the castle.

“Thank you,” said Medea. “I feel so nervous. My whole family is here, as well as yours, and everyone from Kasculbough. They’re all here just for us.”

“Of course they are,” said Rhys with a chuckle. “Don’t be nervous, sweetheart. They are here to support us, and to show they care about us. They are all excited that you are starting a new life. Even little Lily-Rae is happy. Just look at her smiling.”

Medea turned her head to see Rhys’ mother in the front row holding the baby. Lily-Rae laughed and clapped her hands together. When she did, Medea gasped. The baby manifested a lippenbur lily. Alaina quickly took it away from the baby, looking up at them and smiling.

“All right, let’s get this over with,” came a grumpy voice, causing Medea and Rhys to turn around. Elric stood on the dais along with the King’s main advisor.

“What’s this?” asked Rhys. “Why are you here, elf? To ruin my wedding?”

“Nay, you fool. I’m here to officiate the wedding ceremony, since I was the King’s second advisor.”

“You?” asked Rhys. “You’re Cirle, that the King spoke of?

“Yes, me. That’s Elric spelled backwards,” he answered with a chuckle. “I’m also the one you have to thank for talking that evil king into giving you his throne, Rhys.”

“Why would you do that?” asked Rhys.

“I have to admit, it started out as a means just to cause trouble. If I had ever believed for a moment that the King would die and you’d actually take his throne, I swear I never would have done it.”

“So you were the spy the King sent to Macada Castle as well?” Darium called out.

“Of course,” answered the elf. “Did you think I was really there as the court fool?”

“Let’s get on with the wedding,” said Rhys. “The King’s main advisor will be the one to officiate the ceremony, Elric, not you.”

“Actually, Elric is a sage, so he is higher ranked than me, sire,” said Raudfer with a bow. “I’m afraid when he asked to perform the ceremony, I had to agree to it.”

“Fine. Whatever,” said Rhys with a sigh, hearing Darium and Zann chuckling from behind him.