Epilogue II-1
Kane
I stood nervously at the end of the dais, adjusting my cuffs for the tenth time in as many minutes
as I waited for the love of my life to walk toward me.
My hands wouldn’t stop shaking, which was ridiculous considering I was a seasoned warrior and a fucking king. But apparently getting married was more terrifying than any battle I’d ever fought.
No one had known this was our wedding and mating ceremony until an hour ago, and I’d enjoyed watching their expressions shift from confusion to shock to pure awe. The announcement had caused quite the uproar, but in the best possible way.
My people had done a wonderful job decorating the ballroom for this occasion. White flowers covered every surface, candles flickered from elaborate candelabras, and silk ribbons in gold and blue, Aerith’s colors, draped from the ceiling. The space had been transformed from a formal meeting place into a venue worthy of this kind of celebration.
They’d needed a reason to celebrate after everything they’ve gone through, and I was more than eager to give them one. Everyone already loved Simone for breaking them from Kellan’s mind control, so they’d practically been bouncing off the walls when they’d discovered we were getting married today.
Kiana was tearing up in the front row, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief while Janelle rubbed her back comfortingly. Everyone from Shadowed Moon was wearing the same vulnerable expression, pride mixed with the bittersweet knowledge that they were watching their princess become someone else’s queen.
Dash was trying to look stoic, but I could see him blinking rapidly. A teary Amelia and Finn sat next to him and Finn kept nudging Dash and whispering what were probably jokes, trying to lighten the mood. Kenzi was openly crying, which was shocking since I’d never seen her display that much emotion in the short time I’ve known her. Even Irene had managed to sit up in her wheelchair, Jensen hovering protectively behind her.
My own council members were beaming from their seats, relief and joy written across their faces. They’d been so worried about the future of the kingdom, about what would happen after Kellan’s betrayal. Having a queen, having hope for an heir, having a reason to believe in tomorrow again, it meant everything to them.
The music started, a hauntingly beautiful melody that filled the ballroom and made my chest tight with emotion. The double doors at the far end opened slowly, and then she appeared.
1/2
Epoque i1-1
She. Was. Breathtaking.
Cham
Simone walked toward me in a dress that managed to be both elegant and practical,
cream-colored silk that flowed around her feet, with sleeves that covered her arms but left her collarbones bare, my mark proudly on display. Her hair was arranged in an intricate braid woven with small white flowers, and she carried a bouquet of the same blooms mixed with greenery from
the mountain she called home.
But it was her eyes that nearly brought me to my knees. Those green depths were locked on mine with such love and happiness that I had to swallow down my own tears. She wasn’t nervous or hesitant, she was walking toward her future with the same fearless determination she brought to everything else.
Troy walked beside her, his arm linked through hers, and I could see the pride in his face even as he struggled with giving his daughter away to a man from another kingdom. When they reached the dais, he stopped and turned to face her.
“Take care of our girl,” he said quietly, his voice rough with emotion.
“With my life,” I promised, meaning every word.
He nodded and placed Simone’s hand in mine, then stepped back to join his sobbing wife in the
front row.
“Hi,” Simone said softly, her fingers squeezing mine.
“Hi Love,” I replied, drinking in the sight of her. “You look…incredible.”
“So do you,” she said, her eyes traveling over the formal royal attire I’d put on for the occasion.
Very kingly.”
“Good thing, since I’m about to marry a queen.”
The ceremony itself passed in a blur of traditional vows and promises. We exchanged rings, simple gold bands that would sit alongside her mother’s amethyst, and spoke words of devotion that had been used by countless couples before us but felt entirely unique when they came from
our lips.
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