38. Claire

38

CLAIRE

T he morning of our mating ceremony dawns bright and crisp, the sky a clear canvas of pale blue overhead. Our settlement, once a place of ruin and despair, now thrives with life and hope, its transformation as remarkable as the journey Thrag and I have embarked upon together.

I stand before a polished piece of metal that serves as a makeshift mirror, my hands smoothing the fabric of my dress, a patchwork of garments stitched together by the women of our village. The red and gold threads catch the light, making the material shimmer. My hair, usually a wild tangle of auburn waves, is tamed into a braid, adorned with sprigs of wintergreen and tiny white flowers that managed to defy the harsh winter.

Thrag waits for me at the heart of the settlement, his towering figure draped in a new cloak, the colors of which match my dress. His golden eyes meet mine, and even from a distance, I can see the warmth and pride reflected in them. It's a stark contrast to the savage warrior I first encountered in the wilderness, his transformation no less profound than our surroundings.

Alfonso stands between us, his voice steady and resonant as he officiates the ceremony. The words he speaks weave a tapestry of commitment and unity, each vow a thread binding Thrag and me together.

"Do you, Claire, take Thrag as your mate, to face battles and joys alike?" Alfonso asks, his gaze unwavering.

A smile tugs at my lips, my heart thrumming with an irrepressible joy. "I do," I reply.

Alfonso turns to Thrag, who stands with a quiet strength beside me. "And do you, Thrag, take Claire, to protect and cherish until your last breath?" he asks.

Thrag's deep voice rumbles through the air, each word a solemn vow. "I do." he says.

A cheer erupts from the villagers surrounding us, their voices a symphony of celebration. Thrag's hand envelops mine, his touch a comforting presence. Our lips meet in a kiss that seals our union, the world around us fading into a blur of warmth and color.

As the ceremony concludes, the villagers crowd around us, their faces alight with smiles and tears. Thrag's hand is firm and reassuring in mine as we weave through the crowd of revelers. His wounds have healed remarkably well under Alfonso's attentive care, and the strength with which he moves is a testament to his orcish resilience.

"You look like you've just been handed the keys to the kingdom," I tease, my eyes sparkling.

He grins down at me, his golden eyes alight with a joy that is both infectious and humbling. "With you by my side, I already hold the greatest treasure," he replies, his voice a deep rumble that sends a pleasant shiver down my spine.

The rhythmic pounding of the drums soon reverberates through the earth. Banners of red and gold flutter in the wind, casting a vibrant glow over the settlement. The scent of roasted meat and spiced cider fills the air.

The villagers have embraced the orcish tradition of dance with a fervor that speaks volumes of their newfound acceptance. The ground trembles beneath the weight of their stomping feet as they move in a rhythm that is as ancient as the mountains that cradle our valley.

Thrag leads me into the throng, his hand guiding me with a gentle firmness. We spin and twist, our bodies moving in harmony with the music. Laughter bubbles up from my chest, pure and uninhibited, as he lifts me effortlessly, his strength undiminished by the injuries he so recently sustained.

"Again!" someone shouts from the crowd, and a chorus of cheers follows. Thrag's eyes meet mine, a playful challenge gleaming within their depths.

"As you wish," he says, and with a swift motion, he spins me around, my laughter mingling with the music and the shouts of joy from our people.

We come to a stop, breathless and beaming, our hands still clasped tightly together. The world around us seems to hold its breath for a moment, the noise of the celebration fading into a hushed silence. Thrag cups my face with his free hand, his touch tender.

"I never thought I'd find happiness like this," he confesses. "Claire, you've given me a new purpose, a new family."

My heart swells with emotion, my eyes glistening with unshed tears. "And you, Thrag, have given me hope and love when I thought all was lost. Together, we've built something incredible here."

Our lips meet in a kiss that is both a promise and a celebration, a seal upon the vows we exchanged earlier in the day. The villagers erupt into cheers once more, their happiness for us palpable in the air.

As the night wears on, we find ourselves drawn to the modest home that I once thought I might lose. It stands as a testament to our endurance, a symbol of the life we have chosen to build together.

Inside, the warmth envelops us like a comforting embrace. The walls, once bare and uninviting, are now adorned with handcrafted decorations—a fusion of human and orcish traditions that reflects the unique bond between Thrag and me.

I catch him admiring the small figurine of me that I had managed to salvage from the chaos of the battle with the Icefang clan. It sits atop a makeshift shelf.

"I thought I'd lost it," he says, his voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability. "But you... you saved it. Just as you saved me."

I move to stand beside him, my gaze following his to the figurine. "We've saved each other in more ways than one," I reply softly. "This is just a small reminder of the journey we've embarked upon together."

Thrag wraps an arm around me, pulling me close. His chin rests atop my head, and together, we stand in silence, the quietude a welcome respite from the raucous celebration outside.

In this moment, with the soft glow of the fire casting dancing shadows upon the walls of our home, I realize that my true Christmas wish has finally come true.