Page 270 of Spring Guardians & Songbirds

Snow arrived moments later, her hair unbound and spilling over her shoulders, a red silk and lace dress floated around her. She glistened—glistened like the first snow, like the northern star on a summer sunset. So majestic and divine. Even though the tarp of the moon goddess hung above us carrying one of her finest works, what stood before me was unmatched. I was born an adorer of night, but I’d forever live and die as her worshipper.

“You’re staring,” she said, reaching a hand to my face. “Hard. Are you leering at me?”

“I’m debating. I’ve never been one to pray, but it must be this newfound religion of mine. Do I go down on my knees or do I kiss a prayer away? How do I show my faith that I needed saving and that she has saved me?”

Her eyes rounded—they turned to my shining suns and there was suddenly so much light amidst all the dark. “Tell her that you love her. It is what saved her.”

I rested my forehead against hers and breathed an unrestricted breath. “I love you, Snow.”

“And I love you, Kil.”

“Are we to know why we are being called all secretly in here?” Mal asked, his glances jumping between Snow and I.

Alaric suddenly stood from his seat and took one short look at us and then Atlas before he said, “You want to get married.”

“You what?” Driada and Eren both asked at once, the rest were still grasping what was happening.

“We want to get married,” Snow said, clutching my hand tighter.

Alaric’s eyes filled with tears. “You love the boy?”

She nodded. “I love the boy very much so.”

My heart threatened to burst out of my chest.

The older man beamed despite the tears pouring out of his eyes. He turned to my brother. “Did you hear that, boyo? She said very much so.”

“You heard that too, huh?” My brother said, crossing his arms. “Thought the younger one struck me too hard in the head a moment ago.”

Thora was too overwhelmed to even pay attention to my brother, she jumped from her seat and flew in her sister’s arms, hugging her tight.

And so did Nia, shedding heavy tears for her friend. “I knew it,” she said, holding Snow tightly. “I knew it. I’ve always known it. I am so happy, Snow.”

“So am I,” her friend whispered back. “I am happy, Nia.”

Cai stood at her side, extending a reluctant hand to her head and then pulling her to him. They didn’t say a word. I don’t think they needed to. It was how it had always been with them. But he did bring a foil wrapped candy and handed it to her. “Samira makes them.”

Snow gaped, taking the candy from him. “Why are you telling me this now?”

“Because I never knew how to make you happy any other way. This was my only trick to bring you out of whatever room you locked yourself in.”

“Cai—”

He patted her cheek and turned to me. “I only had one. But maybe she has learned to share.”

Snow unravelled the sweet and popped it on her mouth. “Let’s not go that far.”

Night was serene overhead and the garden a pool of sweet scents and fireflies. All sorts of magical folk had gathered to witness our union, littering our clothes with glitter and silently whispering sugar and sweet spice about Snow’s beauty and their excitement at what had never been witnessed before—the joining of two different Aura.

Snow and I knelt facing one another in the middle of the white flowers that had fully bloomed under the starry skies. It almost…almost felt like the cruellest dream I could have ever dreamt of. The girl I’d loved for almost fifteen years stood before me. And she loved me back. Her eyes gleamed—they shone so bright. They shone looking at me. They shone round and full, beady and warm, they shone for me like they shone for no other. They shone how I’d always dreamed they would shine.

Atlas lowered a bowl of water between us with shaky hands, managing to spill most of it on the grass. “The mirror of gods.”

Snow squirmed where she sat and swallowed nervously staring at the reflective surface of the water.

“Remember,” I said, holding her hands tightly in mine. “For all we care, we have already blessed us.”

Her thumbs smoothed over my skin. “We have.”