Epilogue

The cobbled streets of Westshear are full of people, yet quiet descends across the early morning air. Garlands of greenery and fresh flowers hang across the street, scenting the air with a fresh floral fragrance. A single violin-like instrument takes up a romantic tune, and the sound of a horse's hooves echoes off the buildings.

I shoot a glance at Lesath, who's grinning from ear to ear, waiting for Ali. Next to me, Lana holds my hand and sniffles occasionally, clutching a bright pink bouquet to her chest. We're clad in matching light gold gowns, and across from us, Hyadum and Ras stand, looking equal parts bewildered and pleased with our over-the-top American style wedding nuptials.

A cheer goes up from the crowd, who haven't quite cottoned on to the fact that this is supposed to be a slightly solemn occasion. It's even more fun like this, though.

When Ali appears, they throw flower petals in the air. Not quite tradition, but I think I like it even better.

She sparkles in a white gown, the fabric shot through with gold thread. It makes a stark appearance against the black of her horse's coat. I can't help the little chuckle that escapes. Ali insisted on riding down our make-shift aisle, and as she approaches, the crowd parts, allowing her access. Molmith, her massive charger, snaps at people as she walks him down the aisle, as bad tempered as ever. Her hair is an elaborate mess of braids, a thin gold circlet resting on top. Despite her pure, angelic appearance, she grins wickedly at Lesath.

She's a fairytale princess with an evil sense of humor. No sooner have I thought it than her charger rears up dramatically, and a flock of white birds takes flight from behind her. The crowd gasps at the display, then applauds.

Lesath grins at her indulgently, the look of a man firmly in love.

The string instrument continues playing, and more instruments join, the music swelling as Lesath helps Ali off the black horse, who nudges her into him, causing everyone to laugh, including me.

I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand, giggling and crying at the same time. Lana's much the same, and we hold hands and laugh and cry alternately as Ali and Lesath agree to have and to hold, for better or for worse.

After they seal their union with a kiss, a chorus of fresh cheers breaks out.

"And now, let the festivities begin!" Lesath roars, and members of his guard trot out huge skewers of meat, platters of vegetables and tiny delicacies from his fiefdom of Ulson. There's wine and beer too, and it's not long before the party atmosphere truly kicks in.

Danielle and Dabin are dancing, and we all join them for a while, until my feet are sore.

I've barely sat down before the tailors appear.

"Come, come, it's time to dress Lana for her ceremony." They usher us into their shop, and Ali and I laugh helplessly, slightly tipsy, as Lana changes from her golden gown to a silky cream confection of a dress.

The tailors help her rearrange her hair, pinning her wild curls half up and letting the rest fall down her shoulders.

"You look beautiful," I tell her, smoothing the skirts of her dress.

"Are you sure?" Her eyes are wide, and I can tell she's nervous.

"Lana, you are stunning," Ali says, rolling her eyes at me.

"Are you worried about marrying Ras?" I ask her. I really like my soon-to-be brother-in-law, but if she's having second thoughts, I will move heaven and earth for her.

"No, oh my god, no, of course not." She fluffs her hair. "I guess I'm just… you know, there's a lot of people out there."

"This is a show of strength. Of power. To both the guests from far away, the other Starbound houses, and to the blood drinkers." Ali shrugs. "Plus, it's good for morale. Our people from Ulson are having so much fun, and there hasn't been much of that at all in the past few decades. You're rebuilding your lands, and Westshear needs it too. Trust me, this is a good move for solidarity between our queendoms."

My lips quirk at the term, and Lana lets out an exasperated sigh. "We're not queens."

"Might as well be," Ali says, running a finger down her circlet.

One of the tailors clears her throat, then places a near-matching circlet on Lana's head. "Ras Elasad asked that you wear this, actually."

Lana's eyes are wide, but she smiles at them, then her reflection.

"Are you ready?" Ali asks.

Lana nods.

"You know, it's not too late if you want me to do a big flock of birds for you, too."

Lana laughs at that, and I elbow Ali. "Stop it."

"Gah, it was just a suggestion. Loosen up, Mina." She rubs her ribcage dramatically.

Ali and I take our places on the makeshift dais again, watching Lana, ethereal and beautiful, walk slowly down the aisle. The crowd is even more exuberant this time, thanks to the barrels of alcohol freely flowing. Ras is radiant, his golden hair practically glowing in the sunlight as he beams at Lana.

He takes her hand as she approaches, helping her up the dais.

The look of love that passes between them is so obvious that nearly the whole audience sighs as one. She's come so far since our camping trip in New Mexico. The woman standing before me now is confident, calm and strong, and I am so, so grateful to see that in her again.

I am so damn proud of her.

The exchange their vows quietly, and the crowd quiets as their simple words ring out over the street.

They turn toward the crowd before the traditional kiss. Lana takes a deep breath, her plunging neckline showing more cleavage as she inhales.

"I vow to be your sword and your shield, your protector and partner," Lesath says.

"I vow to be your sword and your shield, your protector and partner," Lana repeats, and the air around her shimmers, a huge broadsword appearing in her hand, a shield in the other.

The crowd goes completely still, and when they wink out of existence, they cheer wildly.

I grin at Lana, and Ali shoots me a smug look, as if to say, ‘see?'

Ras grabs Ali, dipping her in a dramatic kiss, and the crowd roars their approval. The music strikes back up, and more food appears, this time varieties from Ras's lands. It smells amazing, and Hyadum takes me by the hand, leading me to a collection of small tables we had set up. Most revelers are still out in the streets, eating and dancing, so we have most of the back alley to ourselves.

"Are you having fun?" I ask him, stuffing some kind of pastry in my mouth.

"I have not seen you most of the day, coruscant," he says stiffly, running a finger around the collar of his shirt.

I grin around my mouthful of flakey, buttery deliciousness, loving how irritable he is at missing me, and not feeling bad about it in the least.

"You should not look so happy about it," he grumps.

I slide from my seat and settle myself on his lap. "Is this better?" I ask, kissing up the side of his neck.

"Much," he rasps, sliding one hand to my breast. When he brushes across my nipple, I squirm against his hard cock.

"Only a few more hours, and then it will be our turn. And I have a little surprise for you tonight, once it's over."

"Is that right?" He tugs me closer, a wild light in his eyes.

"Mmhmm," I say, leaning in close to brush my lips against his. "Remember that little spangled bodysuit I wore the first time we had a street festival?"

His cock prods against the curve of my ass, and I laugh, knowing I'm playing with fire. He pinches my nipple through the fabric. "You are an incorrigible tease, coruscant."

"You love it," I tell him, and he nods once.

"You are a cruel mate."

"I love it when you sweet talk me." I brush my hand against where his cock strains at his trousers, and he groans, scraping his teeth across my neck.

A family wanders into the side street and sits around a table, too busy feeding their cute kids and chatting to pay too much attention to us.

"How do you think it's going?" I say, scooching back a little from the edge of temptation.

"I think your sister was clever to use this to send a signal of strength to the others. And if I get a surprise from you tonight because of it, then all the better." He winks at me, and it's so unexpected I laugh loudly. He returns the grin, and his happiness melts my heart.

"Will you dance with me again, Hyadum?"

"If I could spend all my days dancing beside you, my Mina, I would live the greatest life."

He scoops me up, and I can't help laughing more as he carries me onto the street, only placing my slippered feet down when we reach the wooden dance floor, where Lana and Ali are doing a ridiculous approximation of the electric slide as Lesath shakes his head and Ras laughs uproariously.

Lana places the circlet on my head, more ornate than theirs, and her eyes fill with tears. Ali even looks like she's going to cry.

"Don't start that," I tell them both.

"You cried at ours," Ali says. "Look in the mirror and tell me you wouldn't cry at your sister like this!"

I stand slowly, brushing my hands down the gauzy material of the dress. If Ali was the morning sun and Lana the afternoon, I am a star at dusk. The fabric clings to my curves, the entire tulle-like creation somehow form-fitting and floating away from my body all at once. The beadwork is incredible.

"You outdid yourselves," I tell the tailors, who are likewise sniffling.

The constellations speckle the fabric, Leo and Scorpio, Taurus and Orion, and all the others glimmering in the fabric. My dark blonde hair spills over one shoulder, braided intricately on the other, and I've never felt as beautiful as I do in this dress.

I feel powerful, too, like I am finally who I am meant to be. I have a man I adore, horns and all, my sisters are safe and happy and loved, and my life has a renewed sense of purpose. I can heal not only the people who seek me out, but I can help heal this land, ravaged by blood drinkers and infighting alike. The blood curse damaged so many, but with my powers, I can help pull it back, help heal the wounded spirits and minds Eldgrim's magic corrupted.

"You look like magic," Lana says, her voice soft.

"Having you here with me is magic," I say, turning from the mirror and stretching out my arms to them. They fold into me, their hot tears splashing across my bare arms, and we hold each other like that for a minute, until music seeps in from the streets.

"That's the signal," Lana laughs, wiping her eyes.

"You're perfect, big sis," Ali says, stretching her arm out to get another look at me. "That is a really sexy wedding dress, by the way."

"Don't listen to her." Lana swats Ali's hand away. "It is sexy, but it's not too much. It's just right."

"I never said it was too much." Ali sighs. "All right, let's get this show on the road."

My sisters each take an elbow, leading me out of the shop as the tailors trail behind. Overhead, the moons shine milky light onto the streets. Blazing torches lend a flickering light, and small Starlight lanterns hang from cords strung overhead.

The effect is pure magic. A lilting strain begins, and the third group of musicians, these from Westshear, send the crowd into a frenzy, dancing and stomping as I walk towards the same dais Ali and Lana wed on, with either sister on my side. Sulen's there too, grinning hugely and clapping her hands. I smile at her, so grateful for her kindness and friendship.

Hyadum stands under an arch of white flowers, luminous against the dark press of nascent night.

He's so handsome my breath catches. I send a tentative tug on the bond, and the depth of his emotion for me is overwhelming. So much love, so much tenderness and protectiveness.

I must be the luckiest woman in all the worlds.

By the time I make it into his arms, happy tears are streaming down my face, and he wipes them away with a look of wonder.

"Fate has blessed me beyond measure, coruscant. I will work every day, every breath, to be worthy of you."

I laugh through my tears, cupping his hand in my face.

Time stills, and the whole world narrows and condenses to the distance between our bodies, the slant of his smile, his warm, strong hands on mine.

We finish reciting our vows. His eyes darken, and he pulls me in close, his breath rushing over my forehead, my nose.

When he kisses me?

I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that every moment has led up to this, up to him.

And the rest of our lives are entirely up to us.