22. Siderus

Inever would have thought that I would be here, getting married. To a human woman, at that. When my uncle trapped me in that mountain when I was young, with beasts beyond measure crawling at my skin, berating me with fury, the last thing on my mind was deep, true emotion. I used to think that was only for humans.

Now, love, above all others, is the most noble pursuit.

It took a human pet and the desire of her flesh to bring me to my senses. Now with her father and brother returned, she is content in my arms. I could never ask for more.

All of the guests start to move to their seats. The guest list is a who's who of the noble people of Orthani, most of whom stood beside Marquis Liaric in secret when he was accused of rebellion and came back to me when I killed my uncle.

If it weren't so tragic, the irony of this moment would make me smile. I first had to accuse the Marquis before I saved his life. My uncle needed to be stopped.

That old elf was never highly regarded, anyway.

I can't help but wonder where my grandmother ended up. Hopefully, she's tied up somewhere by some ruthless human. She deserves no mercy.

I carry the Slayer flame. The true flame, the brightest. I symbolize this here on my wedding day by taking the large scythe of longing, a giant tool that has decorated the Slayer estate for as long as anybody can remember. I put a small, harmless aura enchantment on it in front of the crowd, and it lights up to their excitement.

I look up at the tall gable ceiling. I've never seen so much gold. Gold flowing from the very top down to the scarlet carpet below. Gold sparkling from the sun coming in through the windows lining the walls.

Do I deserve all of this? I know Amaya does.

Her father, the Marquis, stands to my right. I insisted that he deliver our vows in an effort to solidify his trust. It didn't take much convincing.

He wears a long, purple robe with a tall, cylindrical hat. The priests of Orthani, although fashion-forward, never like to mix style with religion too much.

Rafthin should be walking down the aisle at any moment with Amaya, my eternal love. My pet, my desire.

The trumpets sound, and the guests rise in unison. It looks like a bright ocean rippling with the first waves of spring. A hush comes over everyone in the long room.

There she is. Her dress, long and flowing with a train five times the length, sparkles under the golden light.

Her brother Rafthin beams with a smile that reveals huge, white teeth, perfect in their radiance. His right arm is out at an angle as Amaya's gloved left hand crosses it. She smiles without straining her face. It is a genuine smile, one reserved for the innocent and virtuous.

I never knew happiness until this moment.

I can't help but return that lovely smile. She bats her eyes, shy almost, perhaps at the sight of how much I have changed because of her. How much I have given up for her.

She turns to face the crowd.

"Now, under the light of the gods," she announces to the crowd in her loudest voice. "I shall don the shawl of the mother, for in matrimony I shall be forever the caring servant."

The crowd claps as her father drapes the gilded blanket with feather shoulders over her back.

She turns to me. We lock eyes for the first time that day. My stomach leaps up into my chest.

I step forward. Now we stand on each side of the altar, adorned with three big mirrors to stand in for the Deceiver. Behind me, a thousand faces just like mine tell me my blessed fate.

The Marquis steps forward to address the crowd. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of two souls, brought together by fate and bound by the strongest of bonds. Let it be known that today, in the presence of nature"s magic, we celebrate the love between Marchioness Amaya Liaric and Duke Siderus Slayer."

Her father then turns to us. "Do you, Amaya Liaric, take this man to be your husband, to love, cherish, and honor him, to care for him, to cast him in highest regard, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," my bride replies, her voice filled with emotion.

The Marquis then turns to me. "And do you, Duke Siderus Slayer, take this woman to be your wife, to love, cherish and honor her, to care for her, to cast her in highest regard, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," I reply. I try my best to be strong and confident.

Marquis Liaric then raises his hands and begins to chant in a language that only the khuzuth can understand. The air around us begins to shimmer with a soft golden light, as the magic of arcana envelops everything.

"You may now exchange your vows," the Marquis says, stepping back to allow us to speak.

We turn to each other, our eyes filled with tears of joy.

"From the moment you saved me, I knew that we were meant to be together," Amaya says, her voice trembling with emotion. "You are my heart and soul, my everything. I promise to love you with all of my heart, to stand by your side through thick and thin, and to always be there for you."

I takeher hands in mine and look deep into her eyes. "You are the light in my life, the reason I wake up every morning with a smile on my face. I promise to love you with all of my being, to protect you, cherish you, and honor you, for as long as I live."

Marquis Liaric then places his hands on our heads, and with a final chant, pronounces us husband and wife.

"You may now kiss the bride," he says, as we lean in to seal their love with a gentle kiss.

The long, golden hall erupts in cheers and applause. As we turn to face our loved ones, our eyes fill with happiness and the promise of a future filled with magic and love.

* * *

At the reception hall,music plays boisterously. Khuzuth both young and old dance around the fire pit, smiles on their faces and great ribbons flowing down from their heads.

A batlaz nips at the heels of one young elf. He picks him up and continues dancing. Some young ladies bat their eyes at young men on the floor, begging for a dance. A couple of older elves dance slowly against the firelight.

Finlander Yggdrasil stands before me, holding a large goblet. His green eyes pierce me to the core. Under any other circumstances, the elf's stature could intimidate me, but I am much too elated to give it any thought.

"The King must have been taken with you," says Finlander, brushing away a thin stream of dark hair from his mouth. "You must have done something spectacular for such a favor. I mean, an elf and a human –"

I want to smile but resist the urge. "Let's just say that I was in the right place at the right time." I place a gloved hand in front of Finlander's gaze. "I won't hear any more of it."

Truth is, I am particularly excited about the King's generous nature toward me. Think of what it could bring in the future. More titles. More opportunity for me to serve the realm honorably.

My bride, the lovely Amaya, my light and fire, sits on her Duchess throne in front of the fire, clapping her hands in time with the music. Warmth spreads across my chest.

I think about her body under those robes, the subtle ridges across her skin erupting with goosebumps every time I touch her. She loves me, and that's all that matters. Being in control, I am overjoyed that she gives herself up to me every day.

I spot my cousin from across the room. My heart sinks down to my heels. I wonder if he's here to crash it all. To seek vengeance for our uncle. But when he grins at me, all wide and bright, I can tell that he doesn't hold a grudge.

"Cousin!" he declares, taking my hands in his. "What a wonderful time!"

I look down my nose at him, wrinkling my brow, still unsure.

He stops. His smile, turning to a frown, inflates back up again as if he just remembers what has transpired in the family. "Siderus, I can explain –"

I take his arm and kiss him on the cheek. "No need to, /orm. I know whose side you're on."

His hands tense around mine. "That means so much –"

I hold him at length. "Where are your pets?"

He looks confused but then brightens. "Oh, yes, the couple. They're back at the castle. They've been antsy." He frowns, searching for something.

"Wisleath?" I ask.

"Oh, yes?" He looks down at the floor, then up again. When he meets my gaze, his eyes widen. "Sorry, my mind's been flying away from me, I'm afraid."

He was always absent-minded around me. "I hope you've had a good time, my friend."

He hugs me. "Your slave g – erm, I mean, your wife," he stammers on. "She was beautiful and excited us quite a bit. You're lucky."

"Thank you," I say, reassuring him. "I will see you soon."

I leave him, walking toward my bride. In the haze of the fire, everything seems flecked with magic and energy.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see a flicker. Some movement that is different from the rest of the activity filling the room.

Over in the far corner, Josen Night stands, fondling a piece of bread. He has been looking at me, it is quite obvious. But why the secrecy? Obviously, he is sent here in the name of the King.

We meet eyes. He raises a glass to me. I do a slight bow from across the room.

I walk away from that chance encounter feeling somewhat hollow inside. What is wrong here? There's nothing to suggest anything nefarious, but why did Josen's behavior strike me as odd?

I advance to the opposite side of the room, holding out my arms for more guests. Now, the party is lively. People will remember this for ages. They will compose songs about the great Duke Siderus Slayer and his lovely girl.

I pick up another drink and sit on my Duke throne next to my lovely wife. The sea of people quite undersells the image I had of it in my mind. The air is alight with purpose and merriment.

I stand and raise my glass to all those here.

The night is young, and there is nowhere else to go.