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Silently, she recited the seer's words from memory.
Do not despair, Princess Annani. Not all is lost. True love cannot die. Its fire cannot turn to ice. Your beloved's love floats in the ether, ready to be reborn. Khiann will find a way to come back to you in some form. Seven children will be born to you, all different, but his spirit will shine through their eyes, warm and bright. And one day, many years from now, he will cometo you, and you will know him at first sight. I saw it all with my blind eyes, my lady, and everything I see with my second sight comes to pass.
The possibility that Khiann might reincarnate as an immortal, or perhaps even as a god on Anumati, lingered in her thoughts. The recent arrival of gods from Anumati had opened up a realm of possibilities Annani had never considered before. Could her Khiann be waiting for her there?
The notion that she might find him again if she one day took the throne, as her grandmother planned, was both tantalizing and daunting. Even if she was keen on usurping her grandfather, the Eternal King, it would take many thousands of years to achieve, and she wanted her Khiann back now.
Annani pushed these personal reflections aside.
Tonight was not about her and her lost love; it was about Wonder and Anandur. They deserved her full attention.
Focusing back on the couple, Annani allowed the significance of their union to guide her words. This was a celebration of a bond that transcended time and space, a union of two souls destined to be together.
"Today, we witness not just the joining of two individuals, but the celebration of a destiny fulfilled. Wonder and Anandur, your journey to this moment is a testament to the strength of love and the power of fate."
Annani paused, looking at each of them in turn, ensuring her words reached not just their ears but also their hearts. "In each other, you have found a mirror for your strengths, a balm for your weaknesses, and a partner for your journey through life. May your love be a beacon that guides you through everychallenge and a sanctuary that brings you peace in times of turmoil."
Annani looked upon Wonder and Anandur with affection as she raised her hands. "Before all gathered here and the eternal embrace of the Fates, I bestow upon you my blessings. May your love be as deep and unending as the oceans, always finding its way back to the shores of each other's hearts. May it be as steadfast as the mountains, unshakable in the face of trials and tribulations. May your union be blessed with understanding and patience, with laughter and joy, with courage and strength. May you always find in each other a haven of peace and a wellspring of happiness. May the bond that unites you grow stronger with each passing day, weaving a tapestry of shared memories, dreams, and aspirations. May you have the wisdom to navigate the journey of life together, hand in hand and heart in heart."
She took a deep breath, her final words imbued with a profound sense of hope and joy. "And may the Fates smile upon you, guiding you through the journey of life, filled with love and fulfillment. May you always find strength in your unity, and may your love be a guiding light for all who witness it."
Annani lowered her hands, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears of joy. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you joined in the bonds of fate and marriage. May your journey together be as boundless as the sky and as luminous as the stars."
As the room erupted in applause and cheers, Annani watched as Wonder and Anandur turned to look at their friends and family with happiness and love shining in their eyes.
Officiating over Wonder and Anandur's wedding provided Annani with a deep sense of fulfillment. The coming together of two souls that were meant for each other was a reminder of thebeauty and power of love, a force that transcended time, space, and the trials of fate.
Anandur
As Annani concluded her blessing, a new surge of emotion swept through Anandur, and he teared up a little, but that was okay. Everyone would just think that he was goofing around, but Wonder would know better.
He turned to his bride, wrapped his arms around her, and poured all his love and passion into the kiss to outshine all kisses.
In the background, the room erupted into a cacophony of hoots and applause, but as absorbed as he was in holding and kissing his mate, Anandur heard it as if it was coming from a great distance. Still, he could feel a wave of warmth and joy emanating from their guests and enveloping Wonder and him.
As he pulled back from the kiss, he caught sight of his brother smiling—a genuine, heartfelt smile that was such a rare sight to behold that it imprinted itself in Anandur's memory.
Two down and plenty more to go, he promised himself.
Who would have known that the stoic Brundar was a romantic at heart?
Now that Anandur knew the secret to unlocking his brother's smiles, he was going to get many more out of him.
Up on the dais, Annani laughed, the magical sound pulling Anandur from his musing. "That was a kiss to remember," the goddess said, her tone full of mirth. "To loosely quote a movie that has become a favorite of mine,The Princess Bride—since the invention of the kiss, there have been a handful of kisses that were rated the most passionate, the most pure of all, and this one left them all behind."
As the crowd erupted in a new volley of hoots, cheers, and applause, Wonder blushed and offered Anandur a shy smile.
The Clan Mother lifted her hand to shush the guests. "Wonder and Anandur, as you stand here before your family, friends, and the Fates themselves, ready to embark on life's most beautiful journey, it is time to pledge your vows to each other."
Anandur hoped he could remember the vows he had so carefully worded and memorized. Taking a deep breath, he waited for the applause to subside, and as the room settled into an expectant hush, he looked into Wonder's eyes and took her hands in his.
"Wonder, my love. From the moment you knocked me out with your taser, threw me over your shoulder, and put me in a cage, I knew you were special. In fact, that was probably when I fell head over heels in love with you."
As a burst of laughter echoed through the crowd, Wonder's blush deepened, but she smiled, encouraging him to go on.
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Never before had I met a woman who could quite literally kick my butt, and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed. You've intrigued me, challenged me,and brought a whirlwind of joy and excitement into my life. You are my rock, my anchor, my everything."
A few chuckles sounded in the background, and someone whistled.
