Now… it was time to begin living in our peace.
I cupped his cheek, so taken by the stunning sight of him. As the sun kissed its golden rays over his face, it transformed him. The light danced across his features, warming the sharp angles and casting a soft glow over the deep pools of his eyes. He was a harmony of light and dark, a paradox that made him seem untouchable and profoundly human all at once.
His nerves were because he wasn’t forced to hide in shadow anymore. He didn’t have a vicious name that masked the real person behind it.
Nyte was ready to show the world who he wanted to be.
“I love you,” I said. It wasn’t enough for what I felt for him, how proud I was of him, but I would say it every day for the rest of our lives.
Nyte’s eyes skimmed over every inch of me. My hair was meticulously braided, each strand woven into intricate patterns to hold the weight of an elaborate crown. The crown itself was a masterpiece—clear and purple diamonds catching the light like fragments of a shattered sunrise. My gown was elegant black adorned with the same regal finesse in silver and purple detailed embroidery. The sleeves were sheer and the neckline dipped low, exposing the powerful silver markings of the star-maiden over my skin.
“I love you, my Starlight. It is my honor to stand by your side in this world.”
He kissed me in promise.
Then our hands clasped as we faced the open balcony doors. His fingers tightened around mine with our first step toward those awaiting us, gathered in the city of Vesitire.
A smile broke on my face. “I wouldn’t have thought you’d suffer stage fright.”
His hand gave mine a purposeful squeeze in jest.
“Fear is a powerful thing to have to hide behind,” he said.
Nyte had led and commanded thousands in an army. He was no stranger to being the focus of attention, but he’d always worn a mask. Now… he was free. That vulnerability he embraced was what made Nyte as fragile as the rest of us.
We stepped into the midday sun, and the crowds erupted the moment they caught a glimpse of us. I’d sworn to everyone this morning that I wouldn’t cry, but I was already fighting back the prickling in my eyes.
Banners rippled through the warm air, proudly flying the new black-winged banner of the star-maiden. I waved, overwhelmed with joy seeing the flood of smiles and happiness pouring through the endless throng of people.
Nyte was rigid beside me, and I let go of his hand to slip it across his back. It worked to relax him some, but as he waved with me, I could hardly contain my laughter.
“Am I really that bad at this?” he asked, smiling so brightly I was taken by him.
“Kiss me,” I said.
“Are you trying to start a frenzy down there?”
I bit my lip and his eyes darkened. “Our love isn’t destruction anymore. It’s hope. I want the world to feel it too.”
Nyte’s hand slipped along my jaw, and he was right, that movement alone stirred the ground impossibly louder.
“There is no dawn that breaks as brilliantly as you,” he murmured, inching his mouth closer to mine.
“There’s no dusk that falls as peacefully as you,” I whispered before our kiss sealed.
As the dusk and the dawn. As the night and the stars. As the dark and the light. History would remember the two fragments of gods, opposite in every catastrophic and triumphant way, who defied fate to become one.
Nyte pulled back; his grin shone brighter than the brilliant sun.
“Do we really have to do this six more times?” he complained playfully.
After our celebration ball here in Vesitire, we’d be leaving on a coronation and wedding tour for the next few weeks. Visiting all the kingdoms and their reigning lords to gain their blessings for our union and reign.
Then we would go to Althenia, the land with the most to rebuild. Without the High Celestial order, I’d stepped in, dividing my time between Vesitire and Althenia to rebuild after the war. The celestials in Althenia were the most wary of me and Nyte, with many believing we’d killed all the High Celestials to take their thrones. The province least shaken was Zephyr’s, as his son, Raider Luna, had taken over ruling with the close advisement of his council. Auster’s land had the most infrastructure to rebuild still, but the people were thriving under Zadkiel’s leadership.
Notus and Aquilo also had children to take over their fathers’ places, but unlike Raider Luna and Zadkiel Nova, they were not as forthcoming with me. Nyte and I were expecting to face resistance from them in some way or another. It was a power struggle we were preparing for and not frightened by. Our mission for peace was stronger than ever, and our pillars of allies grew every day.
After our appearance on the balcony, we barely got inside before I was torn away from Nyte when Rosalind, then Davina, then Lilith pummeled into me. We embraced in a chaotic heap of arms, laughing out of nothing more than the pure happiness spilling uncontrollably out of us.
