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CHAPTER NINETY-THREE

Ryker

The amsirah had established far more of a feast than I expected for the wedding celebration. They’d baked bread, made cheese, and cooked enough meat to feed an army.

They’d also taken some apples and canned pears from storage and created beautiful fruit and cheese platters. The spread covered three of the large tables with benches running alongside them.

While we’d still been at the river, accepting congratulations from everyone, some of the amsirah had rushed back to get everything ready. Back at the encampment, with Ellery on my arm, I took it all in as she beamed at everything they’d done.

They’d draped swaths of cloth from the trees and lit fires so that, as the sun set, the glow of the flames danced off the changing leaves. The fires reflecting off the colorful fabric made the clearing alive with color.

Someone, most likely the children, had captured glow bugs they’d placed in jars and hung from branches. Their beautiful lights twinkled on and off as Mouse broke away to run with the kids who darted in and out of the amsirah, who were already passing around tankards of ale.

Callan started a lively song that had everyone dancing and clapping as laughter filled the encampment. When I spun Ellery into a dance, her laughter filled the night.

Her dress and curls flared around her as her skin glowed in the light of the fires and glow bugs. I’d never seen her more beautiful or radiant, and when I pulled her against me, her laughter touched something deep in my soul.

This beautiful, loving, vivacious woman with a heart of gold and a spine of steel was my wife; no one could ever change that. She’d filled the parts of me that I hadn’t known were empty and brought a joy to my life I never could have imagined.

She was my everything .

I smiled when she rested her head trustingly against my chest. The song was more upbeat than our movements, but I preferred holding her close.

When the music changed, Luna joined in with Callan. I’d never heard her sing before, but she had a strong, striking voice that carried the upbeat melody he played.

Luna was a little caustic when she’d first arrived in the forest, but she’d settled into life here. Now she worked to ensure everyone who came to us stayed safe, learned how to train with weapons, and found their way in the camp.

Everyone was coming together nicely and doing their part to keep things running smoothly. And tonight, they celebrated our marriage and the newfound family and safety they’d discovered in the woods.

Night had descended, the moons were high in the sky, and the party was still in full swing when I tugged on Ellery’s hand, pulling her toward the woods. She laughed as she handed her tankard of ale off to Scarlet before following me into the trees.

“That party is for us,” she said.

“I’m sure they’ll understand if we take some time for ourselves. We’ll return soon enough.”

“Will we?”

I loved her teasing tone and the glint in her eyes. However, while I couldn’t think of anything better than spending the rest of the night in the woods with her, she was enjoying the celebration, and I wouldn’t deny her that. I wanted a few minutes alone with her first.

“We will,” I promised.