Tori’sgown was almost as gorgeous as her.Layersof lace and gauzy fabric had been draped over her shoulders and gathered below her ribs before flaring out into a train longer than a man was tall.Thecraftswomen had spent hours on the fabric alone, andIknewTorihad compensated them handsomely.I’doffered her any gems she wanted, but she had used them as payment, except for one emerald she had placed over her heart.Itwas a far simpler gown than any other queen had ever worn to her coronation, but it suited her perfectly.
Shespun around asIentered our room and scrunched her face at me. “Ithought inXyr’straditions it’s bad luck to see me before the ceremony begins?”
“Whatis life without a little risk, little bird?”Iswept her up in my arms and kissed her.
Anirritated grunt sounded to my left, “Excuseme, but we have a timetable to keep here,YourMajesty,”Pallassaid, wearing a very unamused expression.
“Oh, let them be,Pallas.”Junwrapped his arm around the irritable woman, and she deferred, her expression still one ofannoyance. “Weare done anyway.Let’sgive them a minute.”Junled her out of the room before.Beforehe closed the door, he stuck his head back in and gave me a poignant stare and instructed, “Oneminute.”
Ilaughed and waved him off before returning my gaze to my bride. “Youare more lovely thanLifeherself, little bird.”
Shesmiled, her eyes twinkling. “Quitethe compliment.Shelooks like the kind who could leave a few scars.”
Ichuckled and placed one more kiss on her forehead.
“What’sin the box,Abraxas?”Sheeyed the packageIhad hidden behind my back.
“YouknowIalways liked you in a crown.”Iopened it to reveal a dark metal tiara that mimicked the shape of my horns, butIhad emeralds and diamonds to compliment the rest of her coronation jewelry.Iplaced it on her head, the weight pressing into her hair before she gave me a spin.
“So, what do you think?”
“Ravishing.Muchmore beautiful than mine.”Shereached up and ran a finger along the length of one of my horns, andIshivered.
Shegave a wicked smile. “Iliked these from the first timeIsaw them.”Shegently tugged on them and pulled me into a deep kiss, but our minute was up.
“Timeto go, myQueen.”
AllofXyrhad gathered on the cliffs overlooking the sea.Thecelebration had begun early in the morning, and the crowd was raucous and mostly drunk.However, asToriandIstepped up to the edge of that haunted place, silencefell.
Junstood onTori’sother side, and she took his hand.Theyglowed a soft white.
Forfive hundred years, the earth had been scorched and barren here.ToriandJun’spower allowed it to be reborn.Tendrilsof white light poked up through the earth, followed by thousands of blades of grass.Theirgreen blades danced in the autumn breeze, reflecting the setting sun’s light.TorireleasedJun’shand and took mine.
“Ready?”
Itook her hand and stepped onto that land that had been nothing but a curse.Asmy steps left footprints in the fresh grass,Ifelt nothing but elation.
Wewalked to the small shrine at the cliff’s edge, and the crowd followed behind us.Junstood above us on the stone landing asAvlynandTori’scohort pushed themselves to the front of the crowd.EvenPallaswas present, her hand inAvlyn’s.
“Oi, shut up!”Avlynshouted over the crowd, and slowly, the noise died down to a low simmer.
Weboth looked toJun, whose eyes were alit with tears but whose smile was as bright asTori’s.
“Tori, do you takeAbraxasto be yours until the breaking of the world, or you know, maybe a bit after that?”Junchuckled.
“Ido.”Shesmiled, and it was like the light of a thousand dawns.
“Anddo you,Abraxas, takeTorito be your queen and wife from now until the end of all things?”
Ilet my fangs show asIsmiled at her. “Ido.Noteven the end of the world would keep me away from you.”
“Justkiss, you idiots!”Avlynshouted from the crowd, and several agreeable whoops followed behind them.
“Youheard them.”Torismirked at me.
Iwrapped my arm behind her back and dipped her low asmy lips pressed into hers as the entire crowd erupted into deafening cheers.
Iheld her there just as long asIdared before standing her back up and facing her towards the crowd.
