26. Annani

26

ANNANI

A nnani smoothed the fabric of her flowing silver gown, one of the three she used when presiding over weddings. Unlike her day gowns, which were sleeveless, her ceremonial gowns had long sleeves that added drama to the ceremony when she lifted her arms.

Presentation was no less important than the emotions and words spoken to unite a couple forever. It all had to come together in one beautiful package to leave a lasting and cherished memory.

Today would be a first for her, though, officiating at a marriage between an immortal and a human who was not a Dormant and whose hope of ever becoming immortal did not lie in her genetics but rather in the hands of science. Hopefully, Kaia would come up with a solution for Marina before her time on this plane of existence came to an end .

Closing her eyes, Annani lifted her face toward the ceiling. "Merciful Fates," she whispered, "Peter deserves a miracle. He has served the clan faithfully, endured humiliation and pain, yet emerged stronger and more dedicated than ever. Please grant him this boon—a way for his chosen mate, the one who his heart beats for, to share his immortal life."

The prayer felt inadequate, but she hoped the Fates would understand the depth of feeling behind it. They had been generous lately, bringing her siblings to her and blessing the clan with new additions. Perhaps they would extend their generosity to Peter and Marina as well.

As the sound of wheels on gravel drew her attention, she glanced out the window. As promised, Kian pulled up in a golf cart, Syssi beside him with Allegra on her lap and Brundar at the wheel.

Ogidu bowed. "Your transport is here, Clan Mother." He walked over to the front door and opened it for her.

"Thank you, Ogidu." She put on her sunglasses before stepping outside.

Kian jumped down and offered her a hand up. "The stage is shaded, so you might be able to perform the ceremony without the sunglasses."

"I will manage." She took his hand.

"Nana!" Allegra bounced happily on Syssi's knees .

"Nana is coming." She sat next to Syssi and transferred her granddaughter to her lap. "You look so pretty. Is that a new dress?"

Allegra nodded and lifted her foot to show Annani her new shoes. "Pink."

"Of course." Annani laughed. "To match your new dress."

As Kian joined Brundar at the front, the cart lurched forward.

"What about Ell-rom and Morelle and their mates?" Annani asked.

"Already there," Syssi said. "Everyone is already gathered at the village square, or most of them are. It looks beautiful. Amanda's outdone herself with the decorations for this one."

Annani smiled. "I am sure she has. This wedding was important to her."

"I know." Syssi sighed. "It's the first of its kind. We are all praying for a happy ending to this story."

Annani patted her knee. "Good. The more of us who pray for Marina and Peter, the more chance there is that the Fates will listen."

"Why would they do this to him?" Syssi asked quietly. "Why match him to a wonderful girl who cannot be his lifelong partner?"

Annani had pondered the same question. "I do not have all the answers, child. Sometimes, the Fates sacrifice the happiness of one individual to teach the rest of us to be grateful for what we have. I hope that is not what they are doing with Peter and Marina. I hope for a miracle."

As Brundar navigated through the village paths, Annani felt the familiar surge of pride and joy at seeing her thriving community. Immortals and gods, Kra-ell and hybrids, all living together in harmony. Even if Marina never transitioned, she would still be part of this tapestry for as long as she lived.

The crowd parted as their cart approached the village green, and Annani admired the decorations. Amanda had indeed outdone herself. Flowers cascaded from archways and twined around pillars that had not been there the day before. Where had she gotten them?

Rows of white chairs fanned out before an elevated stage, and small lights twinkled in the trees despite the early afternoon hour.

"Beautiful," she murmured as Brundar brought the cart to a stop right in front of the stage.

The gathered crowd watched expectantly as she climbed the steps all the way to the dais that had been decorated with more flowers—white roses and blue delphiniums that matched the wedding party's theme.

As Annani took her place at the top of the dais, a cheer went up from the assembled guests. She lifted her arms and dipped her head in greeting but refrained from addressing the crowd. Today, there would be a slight deviation from the tradition they had been crafting since the first wedding of Kian and Syssi.

Jackson and Vlad walked up to the foot of the stage with guitars in hand and plugged them into big amplifiers that had been placed there ahead of time. Jasmine stood between them, radiant in a flowing yellow dress, her smile bright as she looked up at Annani and nodded.

Then, with another slight nod to her accompanists, she lifted a microphone to her mouth and began to sing. Her voice soared pure and strong over the gathering, filling the air with promise and joy.

Under the music's cover, Peter and his groomsmen approached from the side.

Annani's heart warmed at the sight of him. He looked so handsome in his tuxedo, but more than that, he seemed to glow with happiness, and as he climbed the steps to stand before her, she saw no trace of doubt in his eyes.

The groomsmen arranged themselves at the foot of the stage and then came Marina's bridesmaids, a parade of blue dresses and bright smiles.

Finally, Marina herself appeared, and a collective gasp rose from the crowd.

She was stunning. The mermaid-shaped dress seemed to float around her as she moved, and the blue gems sewn into the white fabric reflected the afternoon light. But it was her face that truly captured attention—the pure joy and love radiating from her expression as she looked at Peter.

As Marina climbed the steps to join them, Annani felt her earlier prayer echo in her heart. Surely, the Fates could see what she saw—two souls perfectly matched despite the barriers between them.

Surely, they would find a way to keep them together.

Marina reached Peter's side, and as he took her hand, their fingers instantly intertwined. The love between them was almost tangible, a golden thread binding their hearts together.

Annani looked out over the assembled crowd—her family, her clan, each face holding the same hope she felt, the same wish for this couple's happiness.

Jasmine's song drew to a close, the final notes hanging in the air like crystals, and in the silence that followed, Annani drew herself up, ready to begin the ceremony that would bind these two lives together for however long the Fates allowed.