Chapter 24

TWENTY-FOUR

T iffany stood before the ornate mirror, her heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and nerves. The golden dress she wore shimmered in the soft light, its intricate patterns reminiscent of the lush Nova Auroran forests. She smoothed her hands over the fabric, still marveling at how perfectly it fit her curves.

A soft purr drew her attention. Nyx padded into the room, his emerald eyes fixed on Tiffany with an almost reverent gaze.

"Hey, there, big guy," Tiffany said softly, kneeling to scratch behind Nyx's ears. The panther leaned into her touch, rumbling contentedly.

"You know," she continued, "I never thought I'd be thanking a panther on my wedding day, but here we are." She chuckled softly. "Thank you, Nyx. For protecting me, for being there when I needed you most."

Nyx blinked up at her, his intelligent eyes seeming to understand every word. Tiffany's hand drifted to her stomach where the tiniest bump was just beginning to show.

"And I have one more favor to ask," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "Will you watch over this little one too? I have a feeling they're going to need all the protection they can get, being half-human, half-panther shifter and all."

Nyx pressed his head against her hand, a gesture that felt like a solemn vow. Tiffany smiled, wiping away a stray tear.

A soft knock at the door interrupted the moment. "It's time," Sia's voice called out.

Tiffany took a deep breath, giving Nyx one final pat before rising to her feet. "Okay," she called back, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach. "I'm ready."

The grand hall of the palace was transformed into a breathtaking wonderland. Flowers from both Earth and Nova Aurora intertwined in elaborate arrangements, their perfume filling the air. Tiffany's breath caught as she took in the sea of familiar and not-so-familiar faces, friends and family.

King Alyx and Queen Bella sat in the front row, their daughter Avery bouncing excitedly in her seat. The young girl's eyes lit up as she spotted Tiffany, waving enthusiastically.

And then, there he was. Zak stood at the end of the aisle, resplendent in his royal attire. But it was the look in his golden eyes that took Tiffany's breath away - a mix of awe, adoration, and unshakeable love.

As Tiffany reached him, taking his outstretched hand, the rest of the world seemed to fade away. It was just the two of them, standing on the precipice of their new life together.

When it came time for the vows, Tiffany's hands trembled slightly as she unfolded her paper. She looked up at Zak, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"Zakhar," she began, her voice clear and strong despite her nerves. "When I first came to Nova Aurora, I thought I was just looking for an adventure. What I found was so much more. I found a home. I found a purpose. And most importantly, I found you."

She paused, taking a shaky breath. "I've never been good at opening up, at letting people in. My whole life, I kept everyone at arm's length, afraid of getting hurt. But you... you changed everything. You showed me what real love looks like. You've stood by me, protected me, and believed in me even when I didn't believe in my own emotions"

Tiffany's voice cracked slightly, but she pressed on. "I can't thank you enough for taking that leap with me. For seeing past my walls and loving me anyway. For giving me the courage to love you back, fully and without reservation."

She squeezed his hands, a soft smile playing on her lips. "I promise to stand by you, in good times and bad. To be your partner, your confidante, and your biggest supporter. To love you fiercely and without condition. And to always, always believe in the magic of us."

As she finished, Tiffany saw tears glistening in Zak's eyes. He brought her hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles.

Zak gazed into Tiffany's eyes, his heart swelling with an emotion so profound it threatened to overwhelm him. The golden light of Nova Aurora's twin suns filtered through the stained glass windows, casting a warm glow over Tiffany's face, making her look even more radiant than usual.

He took a deep breath, his deep voice resonating through the hall as he began his vows.

"My Tiffany," he started, his golden eyes never leaving hers, "my brave, beautiful, extraordinary Tiffany. You have given me more than I ever dreamed possible. For years, I wondered if I would ever find my true mate. The weight of the crown and the responsibility to my people - it all seemed to overshadow any chance of finding the kind of love I saw between my parents."

Zak's voice softened, filled with gratitude. "It was my mother's wisdom that led me to you. Her advice to look beyond our world, to be open to new possibilities - it brought you into my life. And now, I cannot imagine a single day without you by my side."

He squeezed her hands gently, his thumbs tracing small circles on her skin. "All my life, I've watched my parents' love, their unwavering support for each other, their ability to face any challenge together. I yearned for that kind of connection, never truly believing I would find it. But then you came crashing into my world, with your quick wit, your boundless compassion, and your incredible strength."

Zak's voice cracked slightly with emotion. "You challenge me, support me, make me laugh. You see me not just as a king, but as a man. With you, I've found that deep, unshakeable bond I've always dreamed of. You are my partner, my confidante, my heart."

He brought one hand up to cup Tiffany's cheek, his touch infinitely gentle. "I vow to love you with every fiber of my being and to support your dreams as fiercely as you support mine. I promise to be your safe harbor in any storm, to face every challenge by your side. To cherish every moment of laughter, every quiet night, every adventure that lies ahead of us."

Zak's eyes flickered briefly to Tiffany's stomach where their child grew before meeting her gaze again. "You've given me a love beyond my wildest dreams, and now a family of my own. I promise to be the best mate, the best father, the best man I can be for you, for our child, and for our future together."

His voice dropped to a tender whisper, meant only for Tiffany's ears. "My love for you spans galaxies and transcends worlds. It is as eternal as the stars themselves. Thank you for choosing me, for loving me, for being my perfect match in every way. I love you, Tiffany, now and always."

As Zak finished his vows, a collective sigh rippled through the audience. Queen Astra dabbed at her eyes, a proud smile on her face. Even the usually stoic Draven looked misty-eyed.

Tiffany's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her smile radiant as she gazed up at Zak.