AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I have no idea how Nereid has gotten her hands on the two our witnesses are holding, let alone the bouquet she’s carrying as well. I’ll admit I’m touched by her pick. While it could be a coincidence, I don’t think so. I’m learning that when it comes to my nereid, she doesn’t seem to do anything without thinking it through—and I’m pretty sure that includes her choice of flowers.
The delicate, pink flower only grows among the rocky terrain of the Acropolis of Athens, the ancient hill that is home to the Parthenon—not to be confused with the Pantheon in Rome, where my nereid asked me about Nadia, my dead wife. However, both buildings are majestic and where one is dedicated to all the Olympians, the other is dedicated to the goddess of wisdom, Athena herself.
I don’t need to know Acacia’s thought process, knowing there is one is more than enough and it makes warmth spread through my chest as I take her in. Today she’s wearing a long, simple, strapless dress. The long slit reaches the apex of her thighs, but the cut is strategic and doesn’t reveal anything. She’s not wearing any jewelry or makeup, and her long hair flows behind her in the breeze, as she walks towards me with bare feet.
Did I really think I stood a chance of rejecting her? At pushing her away? I’m a fucking fool.
“Nereid.” Her name is a reverent whisper, a caress of my lips.
Acacia smiles bashfully at me. “Kai.” As she says my name, Gus and Liam kiss her on the cheek and take their place to the left, the traditional side of the bride.
While the Kronos Guardian waffles on about why we’re gathered here today, I can’t take my eyes off my nereid. She’s so fucking beautiful it hurts to look directly at her. Her heart is bigger than I ever thought possible, and she’s the strongest person I’ve ever known. She’s a woman in every sense of the word, yet she has a childish quality in her stubborn refusal to give up on those she’s deemed worthy to reside in her heart. It’s admirable.
I can never allow myself to forget that no matter how fierce Acacia is, she’s just as vulnerable, and I get to spend the rest of my life protecting her.
“Acacia Drákon.” She doesn’t lift her gaze from our joined hands. “Do you agree to rule at Kairos Kronos’ side? Do you promise to provide him with valuable council, and to assist him as you rule together? Do you vow to protect, treasure, and forever be his partner?”
Instead of looking at the Guardian, Acacia squeezes my hand and brings it to her lips, placing a tender kiss in my palm before saying, “I do.”
I hold my hand out, accepting the gold rings from my Guardian. Where mine is simple, with a scythe edged into the metal, the one for Nereid is more elegant and sophisticated. At the front, the metal parts, and the left side goes up—over the clock made of white-gold in the middle—and the right side goes below it, holding the clock in place. The parts surrounding the circle in the middle are shaped like scythes, wholly embracing my family name.
As soon as the rings are in my hand, I slide hers onto the ring-finger on her left hand, along with a soft kiss on her knuckle.
“Kairos Kronos.” I force my attention back on my Guardian as he says my name. “Do you take Acacia Drákon to rule at your side? Do you promise to hear her council before anyone else? Do you vow to protect, treasure, and forever be her partner?”
For the second time in my life, I speak the binding words, “I do.” The regret and guilt I expected to feel isn’t present in my body. Instead, I feel a longing to take my nereid into my arms and kiss her—to feel her warm lips on mine.
She takes the ring from my outstretched hand and places it on my finger, beaming all the while.
“It’s my honor to declare that the Kronos Society is once again blessed with a male and female Ruler. Please recite the vow.”
Wrapping my arms around Acacia, I pull her flush against me. I look into her beautiful, gray eyes, eyes that are shining with unshed tears, and together we say the words.
Time is nigh
Time is sly
Time is demanding
Time is withstanding
Time is a weapon
Time is an excuse
Time is where I belong
“All hail the Rulers,” the Guardian says, and everyone chimes in as I finally capture my nereid’s lips.
Our kiss is unhurried, languorous, and slow as we taste and tease each other. “You’ve made me a very happy man,” I say as I break the kiss. “And I hope I can one day make you as happy as you’ve made me.”
“So much for a loveless marriage,” she giggles, teasingly nipping at my bottom lip. “Don’t go mushy on me now, Kai.”
Love… I don’t love Acacia, yet—but I have no doubt that one day I will. That day might even be coming sooner than I could have anticipated, at least if the way my heart skips a beat every time she looks at me is anything to go by. But damn, how can I not feel like a giddy fucking school boy when she turns her gray eyes on me?
I hear the rustling of papers behind me, and I look over Aca—my wife’s—shoulder, where Lupa and Morgana are scribbling away on papers. I’m about to suggest we make our way to the yacht I’ve arranged to come to this island so we can celebrate, when we’re interrupted.
“What’s going on here?” Nereid stiffens in my arms, and Gus swears under his breath. I protectively hold her firmer, unsure of what to do. “Why has the Drákon sanctuary been invaded by outsiders? And why is my family gathered here without its Leader?” Alexander’s thundering voice carries easily to us.
