Page 76 of A Simple Truth (the Freckled Fate #2)

75

FINNLEAH

T he late afternoon breeze rustled the skirts of my flowy dress, as I waltzed down the path covered with rose petals. I should’ve been exhausted, considering I spent last night mostly awake, wrestling with whatever demons decided to haunt my sleep that night, and yet, I wasn’t. Even the sun was celebrating today, lighting up the sky with all colors of orange, azure and mauve, slowly descending past the horizon. Calm ocean waters glimmered in the last glimpse of daylight as if liquid gold, adding final touches to the scenic, small ceremony.

My eyes trailed the Ten ahead; all of them dressed in a way I had never seen before—a sea of long skirts, of soft shades of pinks and purples. All breathtaking as they made their way down the line towards a tall arch that Xentar masterfully decorated with all matter of lively greenery. The regular leathers, armor, and swords were replaced with dresses, make-up, and gorgeously styled hair. Even Zora, who I thought didn’t own a single piece of clothing that wasn’t black, lead us in her beautiful lilac dress with a knee-high slit. Her hair was down, hiding her harsh under-shave, somehow making her look so domesticated and cute that I had to hide my grin each time I peeked at her from behind Ashe’s wide shoulders. All of us transformed into femininity, beauty, and grace tonight, and it made my heart squeeze even tighter knowing that each one of us could kill anyone out of line, even in our long skirts and with our dolled-up hair.

But it wasn’t the lovely clothes, nor the music, nor the flowers, not even the beautiful sunset that made my heart stop.

It was him.

I swallowed hard, even as my mouth went dry. I hadn’t seen Gideon since that day in the tent, and now, he stood near the arch in all of his glory and might.

A dream. A beautiful nightmare.

The Lord of Death.

He was dressed in his large, dark armor, his pitch-black cape wavering in the occasional gusts of wind. His handsome face solemn and reserved. Those ancient eyes pierced straight to my trembling core, and I almost stumbled as my eyes darted away from him.

There, next to the General, stood Broderick, twisting on his feet as he anxiously glanced over us. Beside him, Orest and the rest of the battalion commanders, all lined up, fully dressed in their armor too, their hands on the hilts of their large swords by their side, each one of them lost in a daze at the beauty of their wives. But none of us were even remotely as mesmerizing and spectacular as Gia. Her tall and muscled figure was dressed in a simple, but elegant, white dress, a crown of exquisite flowers atop her lightly curled, strawberry blonde hair. She held on tight to a large bouquet of lovely blooms, their garlands dropping down below her arms. Gia was magnificent. Even the sun, mingled between the first stars, lingered longer to see her. Her hair, her makeup, and her dress were stunning and immaculate, but nothing— nothing —matched the beauty of her bright eyes and her beaming smile.

We had all promised her not to cry and yet, as we now stood watching her walk down the aisle, tears of joy traitorously slithered down our cheeks. Even Zora, who was rumored to have never cried, even as a baby, tried hard to hide that one small, silver drop.

The music quieted and Gia took her spot on the golden sand by her soon-to-be husband. Broderick just gaped at her. I was sure that the man had lost his sense of speech as he stared at her, unable to say a word. And I understood him wholly. Gia was the purest soul I had ever met and to spend an eternity with her? A true gift of Fate.

“I hope you all laugh at my funeral if that’s how much you are crying at my wedding,” Gia teased, making us chuckle, while Motra pulled out a handkerchief, dabbing her cheeks.

Gideon cleared his throat, quieting the tiny crowd gathered on the small strip of sand. Even he seemed a bit nervous, his jaw tensed, his shoulders squared, but his voice didn’t shake or waver as he started his brief speech. Soon after, Gia and Broderick, exchanged their own vows to love, to care, to be loyal, and to forever look for each other on the other side of the veil. The moon had lit up the sky as day turned to night at last. Gideon pulled out his extravagant dagger, slicing both of their palms as they clasped their hands together. He then motioned with his hand, and small silver ribbons appeared out of thin air, gently wrapping around their wrists.

“By the powers given to me by the gods, I have therefore forged this marriage by blood and by spirit, that even Death won’t keep you apart; for the love that has created this union is eternal, from now until forever may you never be apart.” Gideon’s voice settled deep within my bones as my throat bobbed at his words. “You may now seal the marriage by true love’s kiss.” He smiled tenderly at them, his harsh features softening as he stepped away and Gia together with Broderick united in a heartfelt kiss.

I joined the cheering crowd of the Destroyers loudly whistling, as Broderick lifted his-now wife, spinning her around and landing another kiss while fiery sparks shot up far in the dark purple sky, igniting the world with hope.