Zvezdana wanted to talk with Elyna some more. She felt a bond with the young woman during this day of celebration. It connected them. Having Elyna beside her made her more comfortable and more sure of her decision to wed into the Burhan family. She didn’t need her family’s approval. She was marrying because it was her decision. She was in love, and that was all that mattered. No one could take her happiness away today. Zvezdana could tell that Elyna was sincere in her wishes. The future could only hold joy for her. She and Veljorn would live a long and happy life. It would be difficult with the civil war looming, but every happy ended had a few tumultuous issues along the way. It wouldn’t be a thrilling romance story without troubles and a happy ending, right?
Nothing could possibly go wrong today. Zvezdana squeezed Elyna’s hands happily, her smile widening. “We shall. I’m glad to have you with me, Lady Elyna. You may be a tough Skyrider, but I am glad to have a friend in you.”
Nervously, she touched the necklace with the green crystal as she headed for the door. She simply assumed that Elyna would follow her. With a subtle grace, she pulled the door open. The hem of her dress skirted the ground as her heels clicked lightly against the creaking wood of the inn. Marcus was waiting at the top of the stairs, and he gave a deep bow to the two ladies. It may have been directed at Zvezdana, but she also took it as honoring his future wife. Especially since that is what a good man would do. She allowed Elyna to pass her, Marcus offering his arm to her. Zvezdana did not pay attention to whatever happened next, to enveloped in herself to see if Elyna took Marcus’ arm or not. The two would go down ahead of her leaving the bride to stand alone for a single moment. If there was any moment to turn away, now was the time. A heart beat came and went. Zvezdana moved towards the top of the stairs and began to descend into her future.
The inn had been purposefully cleared out of the normal ruffians that came to drink and carry on. Instead, a long table with a tablecloth in Burhan blue was centered before the fireplace. The other tables had been arranged in a way to create an aisle for the witnesses and the bride-to-be to travel down. Burhan blue decorated the aisle and Venoran roses were set delicately in small vases along the carpet. The reds, pinks, and brilliant yellows reminded her of her home, giving her some comfort. Although her family could not physically be here, their spirits would be present in the perfume from the flowers. Candles were set in between the vases to light the room with additional candelabras along the wall to ensure that the room was well lit. Three candlesticks sat on the long table, one Burhan blue and one Venoran pink standing beside a mixed candle of pink and blue wax. The blue and pink candles burned brightly while the mixed candle remained unlit.
Veljorn stood before the table, off to the side that carried the blue candle. Marcus traveled down the aisle first, bowing before his king before moving to stand beside him. Elyna was next to move down the aisle, taking her place across from Marcus on the bride’s side. Although they were not family, it was presumed that Elyna would represent Zvezdana’s witness. Finally, a third party joined them, one whom Zvezdana did not know. Not that she particularly cared, the witness would end up being . They were sticking to the original idea of Rynmere marriage. Three witnesses would be present at the wedding that would make it their responsibility that the entirety of the kingdom knew of the marriage. One was considered the thinker, head of the bonding ceremony. The second was considered a fighter with the third being a maker. Zvezdana was not personally sure which person was which. She could believe Elyna to be either three, but since she stood off to the side, that prevented her from being the thinker. Of course, she very well could have. She could have been the fighter, being a Skyrider. Everything that could be traditional about this Rynmere wedding was. Most of the flaws were minor, mainly dealing with poor location. The largest flaw was that their marriage was taking place in Ymiden, immediately putting an ill omen on their bond. No one mentioned a word about it, hoping that if it was not talked about, that it would simply go away.
Zvezdana began to make her way down the aisle, her hands clasped between her hips. She kept her head held high as she made her way slowly down the aisle. With each step, her nervousness ebbed away. He made her confidence stronger. He made her believe that she was true Queen of Rynmere material. Everything about him seemed to make her a better person. Or so she believed. Soon the distance was closed and she stood next to Elyna, across from her future husband. Lord Edmund began at that time.
“Lord Krome, Lady Burhan. Thank you for joining us for the union of Lord Veljorn Burhan and Lady Zvezdana Venora. As witnesses, it will be up to the three of us to spread the word of their union throughout the kingdom. Lord Veljorn, as future King and current leader of the Qe’Dreki, would you please start our ceremony.”
Lord Veljorn reached forward, taking Zvezdana’s hands in his own. His thumbs ran over her knuckles, stirring the butterflies in her stomach. He smiled, his freshly shaven face youthful and kind. His eyes were hinting at the love that he now felt, that they had committed to days ago at their second meeting. Her seduction of him had been easy, and Lazuli’s engagement had been called off in a few heated breaths. Zvezdana smiled shyly at him, preparing for the words to follow.
“Zvezdana,” Veljorn did not address her as Lady. They were equals now. “In the short time that we have known each other, you have changed me. I am more with you beside me and I could not imagine a future without you. You are an enchanting, smart, and kind woman from a widely respected family. These are all qualities that the Qe’Dreki wish to see in their Queen. What I ask of you is for your unending commitment to the Qe’Dreki cause. That one day you will help me see Cassander removed from the throne of Rynmere. I ask that you respect and love me until the bitter end, through happiness and illness, the wins and the losses. Together, we will overcome all. I promise to honor and love you for eternity, to provide you a home with a family, and a kingdom with a brighter future.”
Zvezdana’s heart overflowed with emotion at these words, the brims of her eyes filling with happy tears. One eye became overwhelmed with the liquid, a single tear sliding down the curve of her cheek. Veljorn reached up, wiping it away. ““Veljorn. I knew from the moment I met you that there was no future worth having without you in it. I do not know how many people I have upset with my decision to marry you, but it is one I would make over again. What I ask of you is for your undying love and protection. I ask that you care for me in a way that no one else ever could. I ask that our children have a strong father with a safe home to grow up in. In return, I promise that I will see you on the throne of Rynmere. I pledge my loyalty to you, your commanders, and the Qe’Dreki cause not only because it is best for Rynmere, but because I love you.”
Edmund allowed the moment to last a few trills before once again taking over and pushing the ceremony forward. “With your vows exchanged, I ask that you light your unity candle.” Zvezdana reached forward to pick up the pink candle while Veljorn picked up the blue candle. “This candle has been specially made for your wedding day. We ask that every year you light this candle for a short time to remember the vows that you made here and to one another. Now, together, light this candle to seal your lives together as one.”
The tips of the candles were tilted towards the mixed blue and white candle. There was a flicker as the fires met and stimulated a baby flame over the untested wick. When the candles were removed, a small flame began to blossom until the candle was burning brightly. Zvezdana blew out her candle at the same time Veljorn blew out his. Their single lives were now over.