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"Love, in its truest form, is not just an emotion. It is a force, a power that binds, heals, and elevates. As you both stand here, ready to embark on this new chapter in your lives, remember that love is your anchor. In moments of doubt, let it guide you. In moments of joy, let it amplify your happiness.
"To the union of two souls, two legacies, and two eternities, I bestow my blessings. May your love be as boundless as the ocean on which we sail, as enduring as Earth herself, and as radiant as the stars lighting up the night's sky.
"I now pronounce you bound by love, united in soul, and partners in eternity. Let your journey together be filled with adventures, laughter, and endless joy."
As Annani ended her blessing, the ambient glow of the lights of the dining hall shimmered a bit brighter, casting a golden hue over the couple standing before her.
Turning to Orion, Alena took his hands in hers. "From the first moment we met, I felt a pull that drew me to you. I tried to resist it because I was afraid of losing myself to you, but you showed me that my fears were groundless and that together, we were much more than the sum of our parts. Today, as I stand before you, with eternity stretching out ahead of us, I vow to cherish the light you've brought into my life and to be the beacon for you in times of darkness, just as you have been for me. I vow to be your partner in every adventure and to celebrate every joyous moment together. I vow to respect and honor the differences between us, for it is in our differences that our strengths lie. I vow to stand by you, to uplift you when you're down, to laugh with you, and to offer my strength when yours needs bolstering. And above all, I vow to love you unconditionally and eternally with every beat of my heart."
She took the ring Annani handed her and slipped it over his finger. "Orion, son of Toven, you are mine forever, and I am yours."
As Orion gazed at Alena, his eyes shone enough light to illuminate the entire ship.
"Alena, from the very first moment I heard you sing, I knew you were destined to be mine, and when I first gazed into your eyes, I knew I would do everything I could to win you over. Today, I stand before you humbled and honored to be your chosen one. I vow to protect and cherish the love we've built, to be your anchor in the stormiest of seas and your compass if you ever feel lost. I vow to be your partner, your confidant, and your best friend, to share in every high and low and to walk beside you every step of the way. I vow to honor and celebrate the history you carry, the family you have raised, and to build a future that pays homage to both of our pasts. And most importantly, I vow to love you, deeply and truly, for all the days of our eternal lives and beyond."
He took the ring from Annani and slipped it on Alena's finger. "Alena, daughter of Annani, you are mine, and I am yours."
Her gaze locked onto her mate's, Alena's eyes glistened with tears, and he, usually so composed, seemed overcome with emotion. His hand trembled slightly as he lifted Alena's, pressing a gentle kiss to the back of her hand.
As the dining hall erupted in applause, cheers, and whistles, the couple turned to face their guests. Annani took the opportunity to step down from the podium.
Her heart was heavy with a mixture of happiness and sorrow. Watching her eldest daughter basking in the love of her mate and her clan was bittersweet. Somehow, Annani had never expected Alena to leave her side, and letting go of her was more difficult than it had been with her younger siblings.
Syssi placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It's hard, isn't it?" she whispered. "Seeing your children grow, change, and choose their own paths no matter their age."
Annani nodded, her gaze still fixed on the joyous couple. "Every parent's dream is to see their child happy. But parting, even for the best of reasons, is never easy."
Syssi smiled gently, "Alena is not going far, and soon she will have another child for you to dote over. These are happy times, Clan Mother."
"Indeed." Annani patted her daughter-in-law's hand. "You are wise beyond your years, my child from another mother."
Syssi laughed. "Don't let my mother hear you say that. She'll get jealous."
Annani patted Syssi's hand again. "Perhaps it will inspire her to retire and move into the village to be near you."
"Not a chance." Syssi smiled sadly. "I learned to let go of that hope a long time ago."
Dagor
"That was so beautiful." Frankie dabbed at her eyes with the napkin.
Dagor didn't know whether she was referring to the goddess's speech or the vows the couple had exchanged. The truth was that he was a little moved himself.
The ceremony was very different from the ones he'd witnessed on Anumati. Over there, an oracle always presided over the wedding, giving the couple her vision of their future. They were also done with much more pomp and ceremony. Gods invested heavily in the wedding parties for their children. After all, most were lucky to have one offspring, so one wedding celebration was all they would ever get to have. There was also the issue of good luck, which many believed was tied to how grand the party was and for how long guests talked about it—a silly superstition that was probably propagated by the owners of wedding venues.
"Indeed." Gabi lifted her champagne goblet. "It puts pressure on us to come up with even lovelier vows."
Aru arched a brow. "No need because we are not getting married."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm not getting mated without my family, and since they can't come to our celebration, we can't have one. We will just need to stay unmarried."
Gabi gaped at him. "Where did that come from? I thought you were happy staying on Earth so we could be together."
"I am. But do you really need a ceremony to make our love official?"
Gabi deflated. "I guess not." She rose to her feet. "I should spend some time with my family." She gave him a tight smile before walking away.
