Just like Charlie and me.
As the blanket was draped around our shoulders, Oberi changed from a unicorn into a phoenix, flying over to suspend herself on the quilt between us. She gave a loving coo as she nestled her beak in my hair.
My grandmothers stepped aside. After the quilt was wrapped tightly around us, Hemlock said, “The ceremony is complete, and you are now married. I now pronounce you prince and princess, husband and wife. Prince Charles, you may seal your love for your bride with a kiss.”
Charlie didn’t waste a second. He kissed me, and ancestors if it didn’t bring me back to one year ago, when we’d kissed for the first time as husband and wife in the Institute’s chapel. We might as well have traveled back in time, because his kiss roused something deep in me… something we’d done over and over for thousands of years and couldn’t wait to do all over again in ournext lifetime. This time around, things had been better than I could’ve ever dreamed. Oberi let out a little song as she perched on the blanket between us.
Flower petals began falling, but I wouldn’t have noticed if I didn’t sense their weight in my hair, or hear the crowd celebrating our love with exhilarated applause. I felt myself getting swept away by Charlie’s kiss, once again breathless, flying and falling all at once.
Charlie was mine, and I was his. I couldn’t imagine a better way to start off our forever.
And this forever would never be stolen from me. I’d kill anyone who tried to take it away. There was no more him, or me, justus— a soul united in love, andnothing, not the gods or The Mission or the Warden himself, would ever tear us apart.
Our love would always win. So let the world do its best to destroy us. Even if there was no tomorrow, I wasn’t afraid of what was coming next, because if I had Charlie there’d always be something left to fight for. I’d always remember us just like this, young and ready to take on whatever the future had in store.
Charlie was my one and only. I’d never love again after him, never love anyone else— he was the only man I wanted, needed, or desired, for now until my soul ceased to exist.
I’d be his wife for all infinity, until the last days of existence came. And even then, there’d always be a whisper in the universe of what we were and how much we’d meant to each other. Our love was something that had sparked at the beginning of eternity, I was sure of it.
Eternity, I was sure, would never be enough. But it was a pretty damn good place to start.
Chapter Seventeen
CHARLIE
Ava and I had been married for a year already, but this ceremony was different. Back then, we’d been forced into a marriage, but here we were a year later, choosing each other all over again and declaring our love in front of our entire kingdom.
When my grandfather first suggested it, I figured the ceremony would more or less act like vow renewals, but it wassomuch more than that. I felt like I was marrying Ava for the first time. Nothing was rushed this time around, and I could actuallysitwith the excitement all morning. My face hurt from all the smiling.
I couldn’t wait to be in the same room with her, so I went to visit her before the ceremony. I felt her anxiety, so I needed to be there to support her. I knew she wouldn’t leave me at the altar, but I couldn’t say I wasn’t relieved as hell when I heard Oberi’s hooves walking through the temple. I’d told Ava I’d be waiting for her at the end of the aisle, and by the Great Spirit, I held my promise. I could never express the joy I felt when she chose to join me.
When we spoke our vows, I felt them deep in my soul, like a contract we’d made long ago was finally being sealed. I didn’tthink I could love Ava-Marie more than I already did, but by all the gods in the Blessed Haven, I loved her more than ever now. I was certain that neither of us would exit this temple the same.
Thunderous applause drowned out the sound of celebratory flutes. My lips were still on Ava’s, and I never wanted the kiss to end. I kissed her again— over and over again, as if no amount of kisses would be enough to show her just how much I loved her.
Save it for the honeymoon, lovebirds, Oberi teased.It’s time to go.
I scooped Ava into my arms and carried her down the aisle. I left her chair behind, knowing someone else would grab it for her later. She draped her arms around my neck and squeezed me tightly, like she never wanted to let me go. Gleeful laughter escaped her chest as she waved to the guests as we passed. I practically danced down the aisle, and I felt like I was floating on air… maybe Iwas. I couldn’t be sure, because all my attention was stolen by the woman in my arms.
“This way,” my grandfather said. I hadn’t even realized he’d followed us.
He wasn’t the only one. Other guests flooded out of the temple doors, cheering for our union. I felt someone remove the quilt from our shoulders, taking it to our room for safekeeping.
“It is tradition to present the royal couple to the city following their marriage,” my grandfather explained. “Your guests will remain here at the castle, enjoying a cocktail hour until you return. Enjoy the parade, for you two have earned it.”
Cassiel guided us into an open-top carriage, and Oberi fluttered down onto the seat beside us. I set Ava onto the velvet bench. Her dress was so big it covered my legs.
The carriage driver snapped the reins. The sound of hooves hit the cobblestone as we were guided toward the palace gates. The gates creaked open. It was quiet for only a moment before I heard a roaring ovation erupt from outside the castle. Ilamantheresidents had gathered along the streets to witness our parade, and they cried out in celebration when they saw us coming.
It’s the prince and princess!
We love you, Charlie!
Ava-Marie is the most beautiful bride!
“Charlie, I feel like a real princess!” Ava raved.
I squeezed her hand. “That’s because youare, pidge. You better start believing it.”
