“Of course.” I removed my ring, then placed it in his hand. He studied the jewels, and then he looked at me with a curious expression. “Do you know there is pure magic in this ring?”
Pure magic? “Yes, I suppose so, though it’s never been confirmed. I’ve always had my suspicions.”
“Then you should guard this carefully.” He gave the ring back to me and I slipped it on my finger, feeling its weight on my hand, its magic combining with mine. To have the ring’s magic source confirmed shouldn’t have come as a shock—I’d suspected for some time that it was fueled by pure magic—but it still surprised me. Pure magic was extremely rare for anyone to find.
Now that I’d found it, I could cross off another item on the list given to me by Lucretian. If I ever found an anchor, I would have the ability to manipulate time—assuming I could control a force so powerful.
“I suppose these are not the best circumstances for a wedding, with the queen’s war ever approaching and the threat of an asteroid coming dangerously close to our planet, but Eyrin tells me you’ve made up your minds. You want to be married now and you won’t be dissuaded. Is that right?” Wendolun asked.
“That’s right,” Kull answered. He tightened his hand around mine, and those butterflies came back again. I knew this was right, but I also couldn’t deny that I was still scared witless.
Wendolun looked intently at each of us. “Then I will not try to dissuade you, but I will warn you, you are being married in a place that is sacred to our people. The vows you make this night in this sanctum are not to be taken lightly. The gods and goddesses who watch over this temple see you even now. They have felt your magic; they know your hearts. Is this truly where you wish to be married?”
“It is,” I answered, and as I said the words, I knew they were true. It was sudden and extremely unplanned, but honestly, we wouldn’t find a better time or a more perfect place.
“Then you should also know that our marriage ceremonies are simple and without fanfare. If you wish for more pageantry, this is not the right place. However, I sense that neither of you care about such a thing, so, with your permission, we shall begin the ceremony.”
Kull and I agreed, following Wendolun up the raised dais and to the altar—which was tall and rectangular—a seamless slab of marble carved with the images of gods and goddesses on each of its facets.
Three elves—two women and a man—stood at Wendolun’s side across the podium from Kull and me.
Magic emanated as the four elves began chanting. Behind them, a large stained-glass window glowed a brilliant shade of purple. The window disappeared altogether, and streamers of light entered the room. The light encircled us. As the chanting increased, the light took shape. The forms of pixies, fairies, unicorns, and several elves appeared. Last, a golden light in the shape of a dragon stood behind Wendolun. The dragon spirit outstretched its wings, and as it did, I couldn’t help but feel that I was in the presence of my stepfather.
Is it possible?
I looked from the light creatures to Wendolun to Kull, but no one else seemed to notice the giant spirit dragon in the room.
Is it you? I asked the dragon.
The dragon only gave a curt nod. Could it be possible? If so, then Fan’twar had found a way to be here after all, though I wasn’t entirely sure how he’d managed it. However, Fan’twar never failed to surprise me, and traveling the five lands in spirit form may have been entirely possible. Hadn’t he eluded to this while I’d spoken to him in Silvestra’s castle? Now, his mention of a dragon’s spirit made sense. It was a hard thing to confine.
When the elves’ song ended, the four joined hands.
“Kneel and join hands,” Wendolun instructed us.
Still keeping an eye on the dragon, I knelt. Kull bent to one knee with me. The light creatures fluttered around us. Their presences, mingled with the overwhelming magic in the room, made it hard for me to see through the tears blurring my eyes.
“You are strangers from a faraway land,” Wendolun said, “yet your presence here has brought the manifestation of our spirit ancestors, an event which has not occurred in more than one hundred years. You are both rare people indeed. Dare I say, you are the future king and queen of us all—and the entirety of Faythander. You will rule with wisdom, strength, and most of all, integrity. Your marriage will be blessed from this day forward. I pronounce you the highest of all, the one spoken of in prophecy, whose lives will give strength and hope to others. King and queen, man and wife, for this life and those lives yet to come. This is said in the names of our gods and our ancestors. May peace fill your lives, joy be present in your home, and virtue follow your actions. This marriage I proclaim sacred and holy. Amen.”
Wendolun outstretched his hand. “You are now married.” He winked. “I promised it would be simple, didn’t I? You may stand.”
We stood.
Wendolun’s grandfatherly smile returned. “Olive, Kull, as is traditional in many cultures, you may now share your first kiss as husband and wife.”
Kull turned to me, and although I half expected him to grab me in a bear hug and plant a sloppy wet one on me, he only took a step forward, clasped my hands in his, and leaned forward. When his lips met mine, my heart leapt. It was a gentle, controlled kiss with a hint of passion. As he pulled away, his eyes lit up.
“How does it feel to be Mrs. Skullsplitter?” he whispered in my ear.
Yep, I’d have to put up with that mouth for the rest of my life. Good thing I liked the guy. I pressed
