35. Naming Day

Though she was now two weeks old, Rieka had never been to Abrocaelum, something we were about to rectify. Her grandmother had visited her a handful of times and called daily for updates or just to see her. They were cute together, and it cemented something in my relationship with my mother to see her being so maternal.

With her position and the loss of my father, something we now knew was orchestrated, there had always been a distance. Something I was glad had changed.

We might have missed out on that connection, but I would not deny either of them their own bond now. It was precious and I would protect it.

While Mother had been reluctant to allow me to come to the pack, she now saw the merit in it, if only because it secured my future happiness by giving me my mate and now my daughter.

I could not fathom what I had done in my long life to deserve such blessings. I was just grateful for them every day.

Though, at that moment, trying to wrangle twin brothers, their baby brother with his family, and our own tiny baby into their court appropriate outfits was perhaps my penance for sins committed when I was much younger.

Since I was the only one ready, I was responsible for helping the others dress. We made all the outfits to order, ensuring that each one fit the personalities of the people wearing them.

Kade, for instance, was in a bronze tunic, which made his red-brown curls gleam like fire. His amber eyes were jewel-like. Little Felix was dressed in a manner similar to his papa.

Blake, Elliotte and Greyson were in a range of silver-colored outfits making their eyes glow bright.

All the Sweetwater siblings and the children, my new extended family, were wearing their wolves somewhere on their outfit. We had gone to the extra trouble of spelling the fabric so it would shift with the children and was somewhat stain resistant.

Chase was in a light blue, bringing out the blue of his eyes, a different shade than his brothers’. His hair, a lighter brown than Axel’s, was around the same length as his twin’s, now at their shoulders, and also full of braids.

Each of the Sweetwater brothers had earned braids over their time in the pack. Even Kade had earned one in the defense of his daughter. They all wore them with pride.

Axel was the last to get dressed. Kade wrestled Rieka into her gold and green dress while I went to support my mate. I knew nerves were getting the better of him.

I found him in our bedroom, staring at the cream, gold and green outfit, the exact same as mine, on the hanger.

“Why did you tell me? Couldn’t you have pretended it was just a naming day?” Axel’s face was fixed in a frown. I knew this mood was purely down to nerves. He had every right to be anxious.

“Would you really have dressed so for ‘just a naming day’ or would you have felt overdressed and asked to return home?”

“No. Why do we have to have this big wedding?” He pouted. I knew his heart. He was glad to be marrying me. It was just he did not like the fuss associated with it.

“Unfortunately, The Luna made your mate the prince of the elves of Abrocaelum. Royalty means regalia. However, Mother took your upbringing and dislike of… all the trappings of your new status, and has given us a simpler event by pairing it with a naming day for Rieka.”

Axel sighed. “You’re right. She’s really done a lot to make me feel more comfortable.”

“You are part of her family now. Of course she wants that for you.”

“I’ll get over it in a minute. Just needed a moment.”

“There’s nothing to get over, dear one. Your feelings are valid.”

“You’ve been spending too much time with Jasper.”

“His therapist is very wise.”

“She’s not his therapist anymore.”

“Have you thought—?” I did not wish to upset him, especially on such an important day, but this felt important. I needed to suggest it.

“We all need some therapy. I know Georgia is working on getting licensed so she can work with the omega females who have deep trauma, but maybe we need more.” He finished fixing his outfit.

“Some alphas have been conditioned from a young age to act a particular way. Blake… I don’t even know how he’s so level headed, kind, and so damn fair.”

“He got that from you and Chase. Deke too. Your mother did her best to instill in him all he would need to be the alpha who guided this pack to a better future.”

“If only she could see us now.”

“After seeing Janet at her own funeral, I believe your mother is there with you, guiding you.”

He was thoughtful for a moment, then he picked up the outfit. “I think I’d like to marry you today.”

The procession to the castle was long. So many of the pack were traveling with us to see me and Axel marry and Rieka be formally presented as the heir of Abrocaelum’s elves.

Not only did we have the brothers and their cousin, but Kade’s family, Dakota, Jasper, and Kade’s siblings, as well as his grandparents, Aldrin and James.

Georgia, the omega who ran most of the omega compound until Axel’s transition, also came. Axel explained she was like a surrogate mother to them all, so she was there as family.

Roan with his mate, Tate, Asher, the children and Xavier were there. Larken joined them alongside the elf, Ingall, his replacement in their home. With them sat Dalton and Winter.

Representing the elves, ívarr, Teagan, and Hakeem were following us. Michaella rode with ívarr on her motorcycle again.

Poppy, her wife Zinna, and their daughter, Sage, were there for the witches. They had spent a lot of time in Abrocaelum and called it their second home. Many elves on the way greeted them with familiarity as the procession wound its way into the castle’s keep.

Even the demon, Toth, had been invited with his mate, Cody, to attend. It was a promising turn of events, as a demon had never ventured into Abrocaelum, or one of us to their realm. This could be a signal of a new relationship with demon kind.

Cody’s father had offered us a few days in one of his luxury hotels as a honeymoon when we felt ready to have that time to ourselves. It was unlikely to be soon since Axel was still feeding Rieka himself. Perhaps once she was fully weaned.

The weather was mild enough to hold the event outside. Pale afternoon sun lit up the decorations and finery on the assembled court. Everything was perfect for a wedding.

Parliament showed restraint in their greeting. Ellgar was still imprisoned, awaiting trial, which would take many months, if not years, to come to its conclusion. There was too much to investigate, the charges having taken place over centuries.

It took some time to get everyone to their seats and for the ceremony to begin. Rieka needed to be fed. Axel’s cheeks heated as he found the fastening which would allow him to feed discreetly. I aided him with a spell, hiding what he was doing to the casual observer.

“Thanks,” he whispered as Mother took to the small stage.

“People of Abrocaelum, the Northarbor coven and our allies in the Sweetwater pack, thank you for being with us on this most auspicious day. This wedding marks a new era for elves and shifters alike, since we finally know the truth. We are you. You are us. One day, the elves here may have their animal soul. As I have.”

With those words, Mother let her pale green robe fall, showing a cream slip underneath for just a second as she shifted into a snowy owl before our eyes.

“Holy fuck!” Chase exclaimed.

“Fuck!” Felix repeated.

Kade glared at his brother-in-law for teaching his omega son foul language as Greyson, Elliotte and his Kade’s brother, Hayden, all repeated, “fuck!”

“Indeed,” I said, hiding my laugh.

It took some time to get the crowd to calm down after my mother’s shift. She looked glorious as she flew above me.

Flying is so freeing!

Isn’t it?

Oh, you can hear me? Mother’s voice was slightly breathless. She was not used to the exertion of flying.

We will have a family link. If you think a thought to Axel, he should be able to hear it as my mate.

Dear Axel, I hope you do not mind me shifting on your special day. I just knew I could finally do it after wanting it since Teárlach gained his owl.

Hopefully Mother had not suffered for long with the changing sickness, as some had come to refer to my brief illness. Changing form for the first time came with a cost as our bodies adjusted to the weight of an animal soul.

I don’t mind at all. Everyone is going to talk about this for years. They might even forget there is a wedding and leave so we can get married in peace.

Axel’s wish would not make it so.

Unlikely,I remarked dryly.

Unfortunately, Teárlach is correct. I shall shift back and join you on the stage.

I got to my feet, holding out a hand for my mate. He had finished seeing to Rieka, who was now dozing in her uncle Chase’s arms. He followed us up onto the dais.

Once the crowd was quiet, Mother began the ceremony.

“As Queen of the elves of Abrocaelum, I am blessed with the powers to tie these two souls in matrimony. As they have a shifter mate bond, we will forgo the formal vows. My sons, please state your pledges before these witnesses.”

I gestured for Axel to go first, earning myself a grimace.

“Teárlach, you came into my life when my hope was at an all-time low. You returned my faith to me and taught me that love is its own reward. I was ready to give up on my dream to keep you by my side, but you told me, proved to me, I could have everything I ever wanted with my true love by my side. I promise to always travel the path alongside you. To love you until the last of my days and honor you as the alpha of my heart.”

My eyes had filled with tears. I hastily brushed them away before I spoke. I clasped Axel’s hands in mine.

“Dear one, I came to Sweetwater to find hope for my people and found you, the person who makes me feel complete. You have taught me to fight for love, for our dreams, because they are worth it. You have made me more patient, hopefully wiser,” someone chuckled. “With you, I have learned to truly love. I promise to always guide you on the path, to be your safe space and to love you until the stars all burn out.”

Axel was openly crying while Chase hid his tears in Rieka’s hair.

Mother wrapped our hands in red ribbon. “As your queen and the representative of The Luna, it is my honor to bless this union. You are now husbands in Abrocaelum. Elves of this land, raise your voices for Prince Teárlach and Prince Consort Axel.”

The cheering was surprisingly loud and unrestrained, helped along by our friends and family.

We kissed as they made more noise for us until Mother cleared her throat.

“My last act for today is to announce the birth of Princess Rieka, Heir of Abrocaelum, to all gathered here today. Rieka is a powerful name for our new princess. It means the power of the wolf, fitting as she is a wolf shifter.”

Many of the elves gathered would not have known this, as we had asked Rieka not to shift yet. She was much too comfortable with her uncle to let her pup out.

“My granddaughter is healthy and strong thanks to the will of the goddess. We would like to thank you for your generous gifts and well wishes. Please, come celebrate with us!”

Fireworks blasted into the sky, startling our daughter awake and into wolf form. The elves gasped and cooed over her.

Parliament may not have been happy about a wolf prince consort and now a wolf princess, but our people were the heart of Abrocaelum, and they were ready to accept the fresh start Rieka represented.