Kyran cocks his head, uttering a soft hum. “And yet, I know you have not yet asked for a ceremony on the full moon. What is the holdup?”
I didn’t dare propose it before, but after our reunion? It’s just a formality. “He was unwell at times, but I don’t think there’s anything stopping us anymore. I would like to make our vows tomorrow, even if without much fanfare. I don’t want to wait another month to make him my Dark Companion. A lavish wedding can wait a few months.”
Kyran’s gaze lights up, and he pats my back. “I’m happy for you. No man deserves a happy union as much as you after the way you helped Luke and me in our darkest hour. I shall be waiting for the invitation.”
I haven’t discussed this with Nate yet, but we’re looking toward the same North Star. “Luke better be done with his hangover by tomorrow.” I snort when I see him swaying on his feet and Nate holding his arm to steady him. “I… love him so much, Kyran. He is the sweetest thing I ever tasted, and not just because I could get lost in his dark eyes. You know me, I’ve been infatuated in the past a few times, but it’s different with him.He… he gives me purpose. I know his shadow is faint, of course I do, but it couldn’t matter less. I yearned for that bond from the moment I grabbed his hand and pulled him out, even if I denied it at the start.”
Kyran sighs, toying with the silver trim of his cloak. “I understand. This isn’t a bond that can be forgotten. If you take them out of the river, they’re yours. I remember being so angry knowing Luke was meant for my twin brother, but fate brought us back together. Same with yourself and Nate. I can see he adores you.”
“I… I do worry if I deserve him though,” I say quietly. It’s not every day I admit to my insecurities when my whole life is built on trying to prove myself. “In the back of his mind, I will always be the one who left him to endless nights of suffering.”
Kyran’s fingers tighten on my shoulder. “You couldn’t know. Lorsen Gloombane has always been a proud man, but I have never heard any accusations of cruelty. You did the best you could. And, most importantly, you came for Nate and saved him.”
Kyran isn’t a man who gives out platitudes, so it’s a relief to hear his opinion. “I can only hope that with time, comfort, and care, the memories of that horror will fade. Any advice on how to spoil my Dark Companion?” I ask in a more casual way as the sudden tension disperses. Nate looks so happy with the bats and Luke, a fresh glass of cherin in his hand. I’m sure he will settle in over time.
“Convince him he has everything to gain by staying with you,” Kyran tells me. “And that no man will love him the way you do.”
It’s the truth. I just need to prove it. I’m sure making him see stars under his eyelids each night won’t hurt either.
He and Luke are headed our way from the bat enclosure, both smiling widely.
Luke grabs Kyran’s hand as soon as he’s close enough. “Snowflake is actually a wyrm bat!” he says breathlessly. “He’s just an albino. He will need fresh blood, and I will look after him, and he should recover soon, I’m sure of it.”
Kyran’s attention drifts away from me, and I don’t mind it, because all I want is to be with my promised during this celebration of love. “Truly? You need to explain the difference, my love,” he says as they walk toward the nearest sofa.
Nate grins at me, and when he rises to his toes, I lean down to give him a kiss. He’s perfection.
“I missed you,” he says softly, making my blood buzz with warmth.
I pull him in for a hug. Thanks to the nature of this ball, even our more overt shows of affection aren’t too much. “I missed you more,” I tease. “Were the bats good company? I have wings too, you know?” I make a show of letting my shadow wings unfold.
His eyes glaze over, and I sense the gentle sweep of his fingertips. “As nice as the bats were, none of them interest me more than you,” Nate admits, and I find myself drowning in his admiration. I want to be his, and for him to be mine. I want to make our love my purpose.
“I should hope so, as that would be inappropriate,” I tease and give him a kiss before picking him up and spinning him to the sound of jolly music. I could only be happier if he were already my Dark Companion and husband.
Nate chuckles, tightens his arms around me, and then leans to my ear and whispers. “Show me the labyrinth I’ve seen from the balcony? It could be very romantic…”
“Let’s get lost in it, away from prying eyes,” I say and pull him by the hand. “There are ‘love games’ hidden in the labyrinth, whatever that means, but even if they’re not fun, I’m sure we can come up with our own.”
“That depends on how many guests get the same idea,” Nate says, and while I can’t know whether this was meant as an innuendo, I can’t keep my mind from straying to how beautiful he looked on my bed. How he arched, flushed, moaned…
My hand gets a bit sweaty as we leave the bright tents, heading off down an alley decorated with sculptures of ice.
“You know they’re made with sweet ice?” I say and suck on an ice sculpture’s finger. “Mmm, delicious.”
“Noo! What?” Nate leans in and licks a pink ice flower, then makes a face. “Liar.”
I laugh out loud and kiss him. “Sorry, sweetheart.”
He scowls. “You made me lick random ice. I can’t believe it! I bet you just wanted to see my tongue in action.” It’s a playful accusation, and when Nate walks ahead, I jog to catch up with him.
Beyond the reach of swamplight lanterns, snow covers every bush and flower bed within sight, but the alley is pristine, as if someone’s removed ice by hand, so I don’t worry about my lover slipping.
“I always want to see your tongue ‘in action’.” I laugh and pull him in for another kiss. It seems impossible to keep my hands off him, but someone clears their throat, and I refrain from picking him up for more heated kisses. After all, it’s bad form to sleep with one’s promised before the vows are made. I estimate that at least half of the couples don’t adhere to this rule, but I don’t want to be seen as a cad, so we’ll have to wait until we’re someplace more discreet.
Once we reach the maze, I’m very content to not see or hear a single soul from within. Usually, the guests only drift into its weaving alleys once they’re thoroughly soaked with cherin, so for now we seem to have its stark walls of black and green leaves to ourselves.
I make sure Nate’s hood is on to protect him from the cold as we meander into the labyrinth. I know this place all too well, even though it feels so different in winter, so I play along and let him choose where to turn. I feel like a lovesick pup every time he smiles at me.
