17. Rissa

17

RISSA

The leather couch creaked beneath me as I turned another page, the musty scent of the old book tickling my nose. Luce sat across from me, his massive frame hunched over his own book, brow furrowed in concentration. We'd found a small stash of novels under the couch in the main cabin, thank goodness. The boredom was getting pretty strong.

Yes, Luce could conjure all kinds of entertainment or books or whatever. But it cost him magic. And he wanted to conserve all he could, just in case we ran into problems retrieving the diamond.

Suddenly, the bedroom door burst open, and Rey and Cathy tumbled out, their faces flushed with excitement.

"We want to have our commitment ceremony," Rey announced, his words tumbling out in a rush.

I blinked in surprise, the book nearly slipping from my fingers. "Of course, we can plan it as soon as we get back home?—"

"No," Rey cut me off, shaking his head emphatically. "We want to do it now. Who knows what's going to happen tomorrow, who knows what's going to happen when we get to your power? We want to confirm our love for each other."

I sat back. Part of me wanted to protest, to insist on waiting until we were back on solid ground. But the determined look on Rey's face, the love and hope shining in Cathy's...how could I refuse?

Luce caught my gaze, one eyebrow raised questioningly. I could see the wheels turning behind those eyes, assessing the situation with his usual keen perception.

I took a deep breath and stood, setting the book aside. "Well, that's fine with me. I think that sounds nice," I said, trying to inject some enthusiasm into my tone. "But what about Cathy? Doesn't she want her sister here?"

Rey waved a hand dismissively. "We've already figured that out. I'll pop into Dream, pop out in Roma and Bran's apartment, grab them, and be back in ten minutes."

I blinked, processing his words. Dream? Of course. I should've asked him to move us from my RV to Dream and then come out right above my powers. But I wasn't a hundred percent sure exactly where they were. I knew the gist, of course, but it would take me feeling my way once we got close.

The thought of dropping out of Dream into the ocean and proceeding from there made me shudder. The boat was a much better idea.

"I'm so happy for you," I murmured, my snark melting away in the face of their obvious bliss. "You deserve this."

Cathy grabbed me and squeezed me tightly, her voice thick with emotion. "You do too."

I stepped back, swiping at a stray tear. Damn, when did I become such a sap?

Cathy stepped closer to Rey again. "What better place to have a commitment ceremony than in the middle of the ocean?"

I snorted, shaking my head. "Only you would think of getting hitched on a boat in the middle of nowhere." I shuddered. "On all this water ."

She shrugged, her smile turning sly. "Hey, when you're marrying a shapeshifter king, you gotta embrace the unexpected. And this allows us some privacy."

I couldn't argue with that. Rey was about as far from traditional as one could get.

As if summoned by our conversation, a shimmering portal appeared in the center of the cabin. Rey stepped through, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. He held out his hand, palm flat, and the portal expanded, revealing a lush, verdant landscape beyond.

Dream unfurled before us, a realm of wild forests and ethereal beauty.

Rey's grin widened, his hazel eyes glinting with pride. "Pretty cool, right? Dream's outdone itself this time."

As if in response, the portal shimmered and rippled, the colors shifting and blending in a mesmerizing display. I got the distinct impression that Dream was preening under the praise.

Good. Dream in a happy mood meant easy travel.

Rey and Cathy linked hands and stepped through the portal, their forms shimmering and blurring as they passed into Dream. Minutes ticked by as I waited, looking around the realm. The trees seemed to sway and dance, their leaves glittering in an unseen breeze. Flowers of every color dotted the undergrowth, their petals luminescent and pulsing with energy.

It was as if nature itself had come alive, imbued with a consciousness and will of its own. The very air thrummed with power, making the hairs on my arms stand on end. After a little while, movement in the distance caught my attention. I squinted, trying to make out the approaching figures.

Gradually, they came into focus: Rey and Cathy, now dressed in flowing, pastel-colored garments that fluttered in the breeze. I'd never seen Rey in anything like it, actually.

Bran and Roma trailed behind them, their own attire equally airy and beach inspired. The contrast between their casual, carefree appearance and the regal bearing of the goblin king and his wife was almost comical.

As they drew nearer, I could see the joy and excitement radiating from Rey and Cathy. They practically skipped through the portal, their laughter ringing out like bells. Bran and Roma followed more sedately, but even they couldn't hide the sparkle of amusement in their gazes.

"Well, don't you all look ready for a ball on the beach," I said as they emerged back into the cabin. "Did Dream decide to play dress-up?"

Cathy glanced down at her sundress, a soft blush coloring her freckled cheeks. "Apparently, it has a flair for the dramatic. One minute we were in our regular clothes, the next..." She gestured to her outfit, shrugging helplessly.

Rey draped an arm around her shoulders, his grin never faltering. "Hey, I'm not complaining. It's not every day I get to see my lady dressed like a tropical goddess."

I rolled my eyes, but a smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. Despite my reservations, I couldn't deny the infectious joy that filled the room. For a moment, the weight of our responsibilities, the looming threat of the Council who hunted us, seemed to fade away.

As everyone settled onto the yacht's deck, the salty breeze tousling our hair, Luce cleared his throat. "Hey, Jeanette and I will go play cards in the bedroom, give you guys some privacy. I understand wanting your most precious moments to be very private, since being a king means you don't get much."

Rey's smile softened as he reached out to shake Luce's hand. "Thank you, man. I appreciate that."

I watched the exchange, warmth blooming in my chest. For all his arrogance and bravado, Luce had a way of surprising me with his thoughtfulness. It was moments like these that reminded me why, despite everything, I couldn't help but be drawn to him.

As Luce and Jeanette disappeared into the cabin, Rey turned to Cathy, taking her hands in his. "I know this isn't what we might have planned, but it feels right. Just us, surrounded by the people who matter most."

Cathy nodded, her green eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "It's perfect. I don't need anything else but you."

Roma stepped forward, a small velvet pouch in her hands. "In the shifter world, amber is a symbol of commitment, of a bond that cannot be broken." She opened the pouch, revealing two simple yet stunning amber pendants, each carved with intricate swirls. "I might have commissioned these when Foxman the hero and his assistant made their debut. Pure coincidence, of course."

As Roma placed the pendants around their necks, Rey and Cathy clasped hands, their gazes locked. The world seemed to fall away, leaving only the two of them, lost in a love so pure and profound it stole my breath.

"Cathy, I promise to stay by your side, to lend you strength when you falter, give you laughter when life grows dark. I will cherish every moment, every challenge, every triumph, as long as I have you." Rey's words rang out across the water, carried by the wind.

Cathy squeezed his hands, her voice trembling with emotion. "Rey, you are my home, my haven, my heart. I vow to love you fiercely, to be your partner in every sense of the word. Whatever the future holds, we'll face it together."

As they sealed their commitment with a kiss, tears pricked at my eyes. How odd and unlike me for my eyes to sweat.

I slipped away from the ceremony, my heart full to bursting, and made my way to the bedroom where Luce and Jeanette had sequestered themselves. Knocking softly on the door, I called out, "Hey, you two. The ceremony's over. Come join us for some champagne to celebrate."

The door swung open, revealing Luce's imposing frame. He quirked an eyebrow at me, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Champagne, huh? Didn't take you for the bubbly type."

I rolled my eyes, shoving past him into the room. "Yeah, well, it's not every day my best friend gets hitched. I think I can make an exception. And Roma and Bran brought it."

We made our way back to the main cabin, where Rey and Cathy were wrapped in each other's arms, their faces alight with joy. Roma had already popped the cork on a bottle of champagne, the pale golden liquid fizzing gently in the flutes she'd lined up on the table.

As Roma handed out the glasses, I cleared my throat, searching for the right words. Public speaking had never been my strong suit, but I wanted to say something . "To Rey and Cathy," I began, my voice wavering slightly. "You two are the embodiment of what love should be. Patient, funny, and unwavering. May your lives together be filled with laughter, adventure, and endless happiness."

"Hear, hear!" Roma chimed in. "And may you always keep each other on your toes. Goodness knows Rey needs someone to keep him in line."

Rey let out an indignant snort, but he was grinning from ear to ear. "I'll drink to that," he said, raising his glass. "To my beautiful wife, and to the family that surrounds us. I couldn't ask for anything more."

As we clinked our glasses together, the bubbles dancing on my tongue, I hoped for that future for them.

Luce cleared his throat, his deep baritone cutting through the chatter. "Bran, Roma, you're welcome to stay on the boat with us if you'd like. I know it's not much room, but we can make it work."

Bran smiled. "Thank you, Luce. That's very kind of you. But I think we'll wait this one out at home." He glanced at Roma, who nodded in agreement.

"Besides," Roma added with a wink, "I think the newlyweds could use some alone time."

We spent the next hour or so chatting and laughing, the champagne flowing freely. As the sun began its final descent Bran and Roma announced that it was time for them to head home.

Bran stood up, his tall frame unfolding gracefully as he stretched out his arms. With a flick of his wrist, a shimmering portal appeared in the center of the cabin, the edges pulsing with an otherworldly glow.

Roma hugged each of us in turn, her embrace warm. "Take care," she whispered in my ear.

With a final wave, Bran and Roma stepped through the portal, their forms shimmering and dissolving into the ether. The portal snapped shut behind them, leaving nothing but empty air in its wake.