Page 52 of Alec in Wonderland (Rainbow Tales #1)
Two weeks after the Battle of Chess, Alec strode down an aisle in the freshly decorated throne room of the Hearts Fortress toward his waiting groom. Baxenvir wore white and Alec wore black, but both had pink hearts embroidered over their tunics. It was the new, softer symbol of the Hearts Kingdom. Pink hearts instead of red.
Bax stood on the royal dais before their matching thrones, the backs topped by only hearts. The crowning would come later, after they were married. Bax insisted on that order. But it was just a formality. The entire kingdom knew who their kings were—the men who had brought joy and peace back to Wonderland.
Alec nodded at the newly crowned kings and queens of Spades, Clubs, and Diamonds. The old monarchs of Spades and Clubs had been in hiding. Their people welcomed them back, happy to have the rightful rulers in charge again. However, the citizens of Diamonds had to choose their new rulers. Elected monarchs—it was a new day in Wonderland.
Alec had met all the monarchs for the first time the day before, when they had arrived for the wedding. They seemed like nice people. As long as they weren't murderous psychopaths hellbent on ruling all of Wonderland, he'd be happy.
Alec's stare met that of his groom and he amended his last thought. As long as Baxenvir loved him, he'd be happy. He was done putting anything before Bax. From that day forward, his husband would come first. Even if it meant all of Wonderland suffered.
It probably wouldn't come to that. Not with Bax in charge. Sure, Alec would be King too, but they both knew it would be Bax giving the commands. Alec would focus on his magical studies. He was done cooking food for people. Now, he wanted to learn a new type of cookery—the delicate art of potion making. He wanted to embrace the magic he never knew he had. Alec was a healer.
Despite the residents being immortal, there was a surprising need for healers in Wonderland. Immortal didn't mean invulnerable. Alec had witnessed that firsthand. For a moment, he saw the beheaded body of Queen Satana. Then he shoved the image away, refusing to allow her to touch his joy in any way.
The Queen was dead. Long live the Kings. The Kingdom of Hearts rejoiced in the new regime. So many residents had come to the fortress for the wedding that tents had to be erected in the freshly planted gardens. Oh, yeah, the roses were gone, even the vines that had coated the keep. All gone. And a good washing revealed that the stone walls beneath those roses weren't gray at all, but a creamy yellow. Alec felt as if he could breathe again. In so many ways.
But the day was bittersweet. His family and friends in the human world were already forgetting him. He would soon be like a dream to them—someone glimpsed when half-awake. But he would remember them forever. Maybe that was enough.
Looking at Bax, Alec knew it was. It was more than enough. He was damn lucky. He got to live forever in a world without war with the man he loved. And they even lived in a palace. Could it get any better? No. No, it couldn't. Alec pushed aside his pain and focused on the pleasure. There would be so much of it that day. And especially that night. He grinned as he strode up the steps to his groom.
Bax grinned back as he took Alec's hand. Then they turned to face the White Chess Queen.
She had become Alec's mentor, teacher, and dear friend. It seemed natural that the White Queen be the one to unite Bax and Alec in marriage. As usual, she looked resplendent in a white gown with hints of silver glinting in the fabric and her coiled hair. Diamonds glittered at her throat, but they were pink diamonds in the shape of hearts—a tribute to her friends.
“Welcome, everyone.” Queen Lucinda of the White Chess Kingdom spread her arms wide. “What a frabjous day this is!”
The assemblage of royals, courtiers, soldiers, and even an ex-spy applauded and cheered.
“I'm delighted and honored to perform this special ceremony,” the Queen went on. “Alec and Baxenvir have become so dear to me. Their happiness is my happiness, and their love is something special to behold.” She clasped her hands to her chest. “They have gone through so much to be together, crossing worlds, kingdoms, and the barriers of betrayal. They have fought each other and fought beside each other. They have been cursed, blessed, and redeemed. They are warriors, heroes, and kings.”
More cheering came.
“But today, they are only two people in love. And they stand here, before the people who matter most to them, to share this love with us and honor it. Please, join me in paying tribute to the greatest power in all of Wonderland—love.”
No applauding came at that. Instead, people sighed and smiled or leaned over to kiss their loved ones. The moment was a quiet one of appreciation and contemplation. Bax and Alec weren't the only ones who had suffered and survived.
“Alec comes from a world that differs from ours in many ways,” the White Queen said. “But it is also very similar. One of those similarities is marriage. In particular, the wedding ceremony. In the human world, people in love do what Alec and Baxenvir are doing now. They stand in a special place, before witnesses, and they make vows to each other. Those vows may be different in Alec's world than they are here, but the sentiment is the same. The goal is the same. It's meant to unite two people forever.”
Alec smiled, thinking that forever in Wonderland was different too. It was truly forever. He looked at Bax and thanked fate for that. One human lifetime wouldn't have been enough for them.
“And so, they will make their vows to each other now. Here. Before you special witnesses. In their revived kingdom. Baxenvir?” The White Queen motioned at Bax. “Claim your beloved.”
Bax took both of Alec's hands and met his gaze. “I thought my first sight of you was from a distance. I saw your arrival at the Hearts Fortress and even from hundreds of feet away, I knew you were special. I knew you'd be special to me. What I didn't realize was that we had met each other long before that day. You crossed worlds twice, and both times brought us together. What greater proof of destiny can there be?” Bax lifted Alec's hands and kissed them both over his knuckles. “Sure, you betrayed me heartlessly.” Bax smirked.
A shocked laughter spread through the room.
“But I know now that it was necessary. The pain was a purging. It removed the poison from my blood and cleared my vision. And then, when I was lost inside a monster, you called me home. To you. You saved me with a kiss. Today, I ask for one more kiss, my love. Another kiss to save my life. Because I cannot live without you by my side.”
“Bax,” Alec whispered.
“I love you, Alec. I vow to love you forever. No matter what happens. As you once vowed to me. I will never toss your love away again. I will never abuse it or dishonor it. I swear to be faithful to you and our love forever. If you will take me as your husband.”
“I will,” Alec said immediately. “I've already taken you, babe. You're mine. It's done.”
Bax chuckled. “This is part of the ceremony, Alec.”
“Yeah, I know. I just wanted to be clear.”
“Alec, perhaps you'd like to make your vows now?” Queen Lucinda suggested, her lips curling up.
Alec smiled from her to his groom. “Baxenvir. My Bax. The last person I should have fallen in love with was you. I was warned against it, my own mind doing most of that warning. But you can't stop a love like ours. It's a force of nature. Like the tide or the breeze.”
“You're more like a storm, my love.” Bax winked.
“ We are like a storm,” Alec corrected. “We came together violently, then parted with as much ferocity. But when the bluster died down, we were left lying in each other’s arms. And there is no better place for me to be. I love you, Bax. Always have. Call it destiny. Call it whatever you will. I don't care what brought us together. All that matters is that we stay this way. So, today, tomorrow, and every day that follows, I vow to do whatever I must to keep us together. I swear that you will be my priority now and forever. No one and nothing will ever come before you. Not friends, family, or entire worlds. You come first. I vow to treasure you, support you, and listen to you, even when you whine.”
“I do not whine!”
“Uh, yeah you do.” Alec stretched up on his toes to kiss Bax's cheek. “But it's adorable.”
“Well, in that case. Go on.”
“I vow to bake you sweets when you crave them and sing you back to sleep if you have a nightmare. I vow to always think about your needs, not only mine. And I swear that wherever you are, that's where my home will be. If you will take me as your husband.”
“I will.” Baxenvir yanked Alec into his arms and, amid deafening cheers, sealed their vows with a kiss.
When the kissing and cheering finally ceased, the Kings of Hearts faced the gathering, hands held and hearts united.
The White Chess Queen stood behind them and spread her arms once more. “I present to you the newly married Baxenvir and Alec of the Hearts Kingdom!”
And then the Kings of Hearts walked down the aisle together, going forth into a future that had surpassed fate. They were now beyond the prophecy, in open waters where anything was possible. And wasn't that even better than destiny?