29. Karul

"Liza, I need your discretion on a most confidential matter."

I want this wedding to be everything our first hasty one was not. Jasmine deserves a true ceremony where we pledge ourselves before man and the Mother. For weeks I work in secret for weeks planning a lavish affair in the annoying human custom, hoping to surprise my beloved.

The handmaiden nods, eyes glinting knowingly as we speak in hushed tones in the east gallery. She is privy to all of her mistress"s likes and habits. In the orangery, I review options for floral arrangements with the gardener. "Moonlace," I confirm decisively. "Fill the gardens with it." The head chef catches my eye across the bustling kitchen. She makes a twirling motion with one finger. I grin and nod - Jasmine"s favorite sweet cream cake.

In my study, I pore over sketches of gown designs discretely sent by the royal tailor. I tap one decisively - elegantly simple, to complement Jasmine"s graceful beauty.

I handpick the music for the quartet and the menu for the wedding feast. In the market, I choose delicate hair, combs and jewelry to compliment her dress. Each detail is meticulously planned.

Finally, the day arrives.

I blindfold Jasmine and lead her out to the flower-bedecked arbor. "What are you doing," she squeaks,

"Under contractual obligation, you are to trust me, are you not?"

"Of course I trust you!"

"Then we must be off. Move that sweet rear, little lady." I lead her out of the foyer to the garden, where the sound of cheering and the sweet harmony of human music played on authentic human instruments.

I kiss over each of her eyelids, then remove the blindfold.

Her wondering expression shifts to joyful shock as she takes it all in.

My gift to her.

The first of many.

My heart swells seeing her twirl delightedly amidst the gently drifting petals. Today I make everything right in our world. Today, we begin again.

We walk hand in hand down the flower-strewn aisle, tears shining in her eyes. "No tears now, my love," I whisper with a smile. "This is a joyous day." I can"t resist giving her a grin and pinching her bottom playfully.

She yelps softly, swatting my shoulder with her bouquet while struggling to contain her smile. "Karul! Behave yourself," she scolds through a pretty blush.

I relish the blush that spreads across her cheeks and she shakes her head, eyes promising vengeance. The only sort of vengeance I would like to deal with, moving forward.

She presses closer to me as we walk, and when we reach the flower-wreathed altar and face each other, I tenderly brush a happy tear from her cheek. "You"ve made me the happiest man alive today," I tell her earnestly. "I don"t deserve you, darling. But I intend to spend forever proving my love to you."

Jasmine"s eyes shimmer with emotion. "Just having your heart is all I"ll ever need," she replies softly.

"My radiant bride, my moon and stars, my princess, and love of my life… What can I say? From the moment I first saw you, my world was irrevocably changed." I confess.

Tears well up in her bottom lids, threatening to dampen her beautifully long lashes.

"Before you I was simply going through the motions, living only a half-life, my heart closed off and shrouded. But then you appeared, like the rising sun burning away the fog to reveal vivid color and light, all these dimensions I was vaguely aware of but never had experienced…" I say solemnly.

I continue, "Until you shone into my dark world like the rising sun. Your warmth and light gave me a reason to lift my eyes from the ashes of the past. With gentle patience, you taught me how to feel hope and joy again when I was convinced those gifts were forfeit."

"No worldly delicacy ever tasted as sweet to me as the first brush of your lips. No jewel could match the radiance of your eyes peering into my hidden darkness and reflecting back dazzling possibilities." Taking a ragged breath, I finish by vowing, "You are my dream made real, my guiding star - everything dull and monotone is now illuminated by your presence. My pulse beats to the rhythm of your name. My every breath sings with love for you."

I finish my heartfelt vows, my voice cracking with emotion as I pour out my love for this remarkable woman.

Jasmine has tears shining in her eyes, and she brings my hands up to gently kiss my knuckles. The tender gesture undoes me completely.

I feel my own eyes grow damp. How could I have been so blessed to have this compassionate soul choose to share her life with mine? She could have rejected me after learning the truth about our arrangement but instead embraced me with open arms. I do not deserve this gift, but I will spend forever striving to.

After a moment composing myself, I nod to Jasmine to indicate she can begin her own vows. She takes a steadying breath, squeezing my hands one more time. As she begins speaking, the love shining from her face leaves me breathless.

"Before you, I was lost..."

No matter what she says, I know it could never encompass how deeply she has healed my battered heart. But I listen raptly, focused only on her voice and her hands anchoring mine.

"I saw myself as nothing, just someone to be used and discarded. I had hardened my heart, resigning myself to a joyless existence." She continues haltingly, growing emboldened by the word. "But your kindness and warmth unlocked something in me. You saw me as a person worthy of laughter and love when I did not think that possible."

Jasmine"s smile trembles through her tears. "With you, I learned I could hope and dream again. My life has meaning now beyond what I could have imagined."

Her hands tighten around mine. "You gave me back my spirit when I was convinced it was long dead. For that, I vow here today to stand by your side, as your true partner, all our days." As she finishes, emotion clogs my throat.

That this woman can still see such light in me after all she has endured is humbling. I kiss her hands, promising silently to spend my life proving worthy of her love and trust.

I cradle Jasmine"s face in my palms, smiling so widely that my cheeks ache. "We did it," I whisper. "You"re really mine now."

Jasmine covers my hands with hers. "And you"re mine," she returns softly.

Overwhelmed with love, I pull her into a passionate kiss as our friends and family cheer raucously. This kiss marks the sealing of promises, spoken and unspoken.

When we finally pull back, Jasmine rests her forehead against mine, nose nuzzling my cheek. No more need be said - our souls understand one another perfectly at this moment.

Our shining eyes speak volumes beyond the power of speech. This sacred ceremony binds our hearts and sets our lives on an incredible new journey together from this day onward. The crowd shouts their congratulations, and flower petals drift down around us. I sweep Jasmine up into my arms without warning. "Allow me to steal you away, my wife," I murmur, unable to keep the joyful lightness out of my voice.

Jasmine drapes her arms around my neck contentedly as our friends and families wave us off amidst merry fanfare. She lets out a laugh as I carry her bridal style back down the silk banner-lined path toward the manor.

I bring her inside, up the sweeping staircase, toward the east wing where my bed chamber is located. I know she has wondered about my private rooms since first arriving here.

Now, here I stand, carrying her over the threshold. It feels like a dream to have this remarkable woman as my wife. Never did I imagine such happiness could be mine after the darkness I have known.

Yet Jasmine has made my most fanciful hopes reality. As I lay her gently onto the plush bed and gaze into her loving eyes, I think - she is worth every trial that brought us here. Hand in hand, we turn the page to a future filled with joyful promise.

"I love you," she whispers, pulling me into a kiss. Tonight marks the first step of our lives joined as one, together at last.