Forever.
She had only been here a few days but had trouble remembering having never been here. Trouble finding the line between her memories and right now. Difficulty understanding how anything could have ever kept her from being with Cian.
Becausesomethinghad.
She was sure of it.
While eager to marry, every step closer to King’s Heart they took, the more anxious and scared she got. For each step brought them that much closer to losing each other like she was certain they had in her dream. To forgetting him again. As if just thinking about it ignited her magic, moments later, she once again wore her green dress.
She stopped short and frowned. “Oh, no.”
“’Tis all right.” Cian didn’t seem troubled that it had appeared on her out of thin air. “’Tis of your calling, lass.” He took her hands and made sure she looked at him. “Whatever comes of us,mo dhraoi, this dress is your inner druidess’s way of being present during important moments. Whether we can ultimately be together or not, you're wearing it because we are allowed this.Allowedto love. To share that love with others.”
She started to shake her head but nodded instead. Nodded because he was right. Every step they took forward had to count for something. Toward a tomorrow they may not have.
Toward a forever that might not be theirs.
So they continued on and made the encampment before the wind kicked up and the first rain drops fell. Having been forewarned they were wedding, his men had gathered beneath King’s Heart.
“’Twill likely be a wet matrimony, but—”
“I don’t think so,” she said softly, sensing something. “I think the tree is backing us up...helping us along.”
It seemed she was right because when the deluge came, it remained completely dry beneath the mighty oak. Nevertheless, he manifested a cloak to match her dress and wrapped it around her before Oran appeared in a different form than usual.
She smiled. “So I finally get to see what you really look like.”
Like Aisling, he was more of a flickering entity than a solid form, yet she saw his strong features. Not old like she would have thought, but around Aisling’s age, she would guess. Cian’s fairy, of course, flickered nearby, clearly pleased with what they were getting ready to do.
“I thought she didn’t like to be around people?”she said into Cian’s mind.
“I believe she feels safe with Oran.”There was a touch of fondness in his inner voice.“Because he does tend to get her to do things that used to make her uncomfortable. He helps her overcome her anxiety.”
While he didn’t say it, she felt Cian’s nostalgia. He would miss having Aisling as a constant companion but liked seeing her happy. Was glad she had found someone more like her. That she was coming out of her shell a little.
The matrimony was interesting as it didn’t fall under the Brehon law of the day and age. Typically, they would be handfasted for a year and a day first. Instead, theirs was more of a spiritual bonding made up of a mix of current and ancient Gaelic. A joining of souls that transcended the laws of man.
However different it may have been, she felt the change between them the moment she recited Oran’s words. A warmth in her chest. A blossoming deep inside made up of not just her inner druidess but his magic. It was a touching and memorable experience, made all that more potent by the wind and rain. The deep rumbles of thunder. How lightning made the tree flash with brilliant, otherworldly light.
When Oran finished, Cian kissed her, and everyone cheered. Even though her sisters weren’t present, it was truly the best moment of her life. It felt so incredibly right. Long overdue.
“You have our heartfelt congratulations,” Oran said, clearly speaking for Aisling too.
“Ta.” Aisling flittered about. “’Tis a joyous day, to be sure.”
“I’m getting lucky with my magic,” Cian mentioned when he was able to manifest a barrel of ale with strict orders that no one over imbibe. Not when they were this close to the border. He considered Madison. “Or mayhap ‘tis not luck with my magic but you.”
When she looked at him in question, he explained. “It feels as though part of you is within me now...leveling me out somehow. Aiding my magic.”
This was what she had felt during their ceremony. Their new bond.
“I feel the same,” she murmured, getting a better sense of it. “As though a piece of you is inside me.”
“I believe the modern-day expression is soulmates.” Oran flittered up and joined Aisling among the branches. “For ‘tis quite literally what ye just became.”
While she liked the sound of it, loved the feel of it, she was surprised the gods had allowed such a connection and said so.
“Ye need understand that something like this,” Oran replied, “something like ye and Cian is out of the gods’ hands once ye’ve been born. More than that ‘tis only possible if ye’re truly connected and meant to be. Otherwise, whilst ye would still be married, ye would not feel such a strong bond.”
