Annabella looks down her nose at her son, her magic flaring to life, amplified by the ruby conduit embedded in her lace choker. An undeniable pressure fills the air. The families in the balconies struggle to stand their ground, grateful for the distance. The royals in the hall stand by unflinching at the display. Eddie wraps Hakeem in his arms as they hold their resolve, staying strong for their beloved.
Annabella was most definitely holding back last time.
Jackson’s eyes open slowly, his head rising to meet his mother’s ruby gaze. “Will you rival any threat that dares impose risk on our allies and their families?”
Jackson’s mana flares to life, a wave of his own magic bursting through his mother’s, calming the buzzing in the air. “Until my blood turns to dust and my body to stone.”
Annabella’s expression softens, a small smile that grants a peek at her fangs grows on her pale skin. She raises an elegant hand, her fingers splayed as she addresses the realms. “Jackson Nocturne, as matriarch of House Nocturne, queen of the Winter realm, I, Annabella Nocturne, before the gods and royalty, grant upon you the title of Prince Jackson Nocturne, Lord of the Darkest Night. May you serve your people till the dawn daresbreak the horizon of the Winter’s night.”
Jackson regards his mother with determination, the corner of his lip curling upwards, “I shall, my queen.”
The room explodes into a symphony of roaring applause. The glow of the blood moon fades as soft silver light flows in through the windows. He addresses the crowd, gesturing for Eddie and Hakeem to join his side. They do so without hesitation. “Good people of the fae realms. I am Prince Jackson Nocturne, Lord of the Darkest Night and heir to House Nocturne. It is my honor and privilege to be welcomed into your ranks. Before I ask you to join us in a grand feast in honor of this momentous occasion I have one thing I must do.”
Murmurs of confusion spread across the throne room. Annabella and Joseph exchange a confused look whilst Lady Eloise chuckles behind her hand.
“Mother,” asks Annabella begrudgingly, “did you have a part in this?”
Lady Eloise shrugs, a sly grin across her wrinkled face. “Perhaps, perhaps not.”
Annabella groans and rolls her eyes. “Must you always be so cryptic?”
“I have so little in my old age, so yes.”
Hakeem and Eddie shift from foot to foot nervously as all eyes in the room fall on them. Their slacks, shined loafers and button down shirts feel far too informal at this moment, regardless of their loves’ insistence they were fine.
“Jackson?” Asks Hakeem.
“Is everything okay?” Asks Eddie, hesitantly as Jackson turns to face them, love radiating from his expression.
“Things have never been better, my loves. I have spent so many years of my life hiding and running away, and it seems I ran straight into your arms. For all the love, warmth and light you two have filled my life with, I knew there was only one way to show the world, and properly allow myself to express what you mean to me.”
He gets down on one knee, music beginning to play from somewhere in the shadows. Hakeem and Eddie stifle a gasp simultaneously. The soundsof Wendy, Charlie, Oswald and Bernie’s shock are shushed by their families on the balconies. An orchestral composition of ‘Can’t help falling in love’ resonates through the air. Jackson extends a hand, a swirl of shadows conjured in his palm. In its wake lies a black box made of polished wood.
Jackson lifts the lid open on its hinges as tears begin to shine in the eyes of the men he adores. Lying on a velvet cushion are three rings, made of three bands of twisted metal of polished moonlit silver, forest green and ocean blue. “Hakeem Al-Najim, born of true love’s wish, star plucked from the heavens who has become my guiding light.” Hakeem breaks into a shuddering giggle. “Edmund Seung-LaLune, Alpha werewolf of legend, my white knight who has vowed to keep us safe with all the power under your command.” Eddie bites his lower lip, tears threatening to over spill. “You two are my world, and I will fight to make the one we live in better if for no other reason than to ensure our lives together are filled with love and laughter. We have made a home together, taken in a rambunctious little raccoon and faced hardships and darkness that has only cemented our bonds. Though you may be tied to me by magic and fate, there is still one way I want to etch our love into history. Will you both do me the honors of marrying me?”
The room goes still, the realm quiet. Hakeem and Eddie’s lips quiver as rogue tears stream across their faces.
“Yes!” They exclaim in unison and they wrap their arms around their Jackson.
Jackson can hardly contain his laughter and they litter his cheeks with kisses. The room explodes with cheers and applause more thunderous than before. His shadows gracefully slip a ring onto the hands of the men whom he adores. They then take his hand in theirs and together slip the third ring on his finger.
Tears of joy spill down Hakeem and Eddie’s cheeks as they kiss their match.
Their mate.
Their Jackson.
Princess Bandit scurries and jumps from the balcony towards her fathers’. “Yay, happy daddies!”
The world erupts in gasps as she aims for the celebrating men, landing on Jackson’s head. “Fuck!” He exclaims as he collapses into a pile on the floor, tangling in his ceremonial robes as the raccoon assaults him with cuddles.
“Princess Bandit! What did we say about sneak attack cuddles?” Admonishes Hakeem as he lifts the raccoon into his arms.
“Not to do it when he’s holding anything that can be spilled or broken,” replies the tiny terror, innocently.
Eddie chuckles, wiping tears from his eyes. “We really do need to be more specific,” he says as he helps his betrothed up off the floor.
* * *
