Page 46 of Dark Desire (Dark Souls Spin-off Short Story)

He smiled, kissed one of my hands again and then we walked through the portal together.

I gasped when I saw what they’d all done.

Fairy lights and magical glowing jars were hung from the beaten structure of the charred cottage, and the rubble had been cleared.

Vases of flowers and a huge flowered arch had been erected in the garden, with chairs on either side of the aisle for the guests.

Floating candles magically lit the night’s sky like stars above the ceremony. It was simple, romantic and stunning.

“You did all this?”

“I had a little help,” he answered. As all the twenty or so guests filtered through the portal that Leif was keeping open, I watched with fascination as Hana and Ilaria decorated each guest’s outfit with flowers and rosemary.

Zoran took me to the side. Luka, who I had briefly met earlier in the night, joined us.

“Darcie, Luka would like to walk you down the aisle, if you’re okay with that? ”

I pressed my lips into a thin line to stop the tears from starting again as I looked from Zoran to his brother. They knew I didn’t have anyone to walk me down the aisle, so the gesture was so sweet. “I’d love it. But he’s your best man. Shouldn’t he be next to you?”

“I’m his kum , yes. Which means I take all sorts of responsibilities to make this wedding perfect for both of you. It would be my honour to walk you down the aisle to my brother, Darcie.”

I nodded my head, too emotional to say anything and Luka smiled. I could see in his eyes, which were so similar to Zoran’s, that he had such a kind heart. He may look terrifying and edgy with all his tattoos, muscles and piercings but it was armour for the delicate soul inside.

Luka held out his arm to me and I took his elbow as he led me around the back of the cottage while Zoran, Leif and all the guests headed to the ceremony.

“You look beautiful, Darcie,” Luka said as we stood waiting for the music to start.

“Thank you.”

“It’s me who should be thanking you,” he said with genuine emotion in his tone.

I peered up at him as he kept his gaze forward, watching Zoran positioning himself under the flower arch with Leif.

“I’ve nearly lost my brother twice. First, that night.

Second, when I could see how consumed with revenge he was.

You were the only one who could have saved him both times.

Thank you for choosing his life over yours that night.

And thank you for accepting him for who he is.

I know he isn’t perfect. None of us are.

But he will love you right. That is something I know for certain.

Zoran doesn’t give his love out generously but when he does, he loves fiercely. ”

I closed my eyes, inhaling a deep breath to keep myself controlled before I replied, “I may not have much in this life, or have much experience with love, but I know I have him and I will love him fiercely too.”

“You also have us.” His head turned to the side to glance down at me with a smile. “You have family. It may be small and slightly unconventional but it’s still family. And you are now a part of it. That means something.”

I smiled up at him. “Yes. It means everything.”

The sound of a live orchestra played from the forest, and I glanced towards them in confusion.

“Having connections to the Royal family comes in handy when you need insane demands met at the drop of a hat. Believe it or not, they are a group of werewolves who play together as a hobby in their pack.”

“No way,” I gasped as we headed for the aisle.

“They call themselves The Growlchestra.”

“No?” I giggled.

He shook his head. “Nah. I made that up. But good, no?”

“Haha, brilliant.”

Luka chuckled deeply as we reached the back row of chairs filled with guests. “This is it. Ready to become a Nezera?”

I smiled when I locked eyes with Zoran. “Yes. More than ready.”

The moment I lifted her veil and looked into her exquisite honey eyes, I forgot everything else.

It was just us. The guests, who were made up of my siblings, the royals and their close family and friends, faded away.

Even Leif’s fumbling over what he had to say or do next, muttering curses under his breath, no longer bothered me. It was just her.

“ Volim te,” I whispered, the Serbian phrase leaving my lips without thought, just feeling. She tilted her head slightly, not understanding. “I love you.”

Her eyes shone. “I love you.”

“Oh, candles first! Right, got it,” Leif mumbled next to us as he picked up the long candles with flowers around them and lit them with his magic, handing them to each of us. He picked up the towel and then dabbed the sweat from his forehead.

“You need to tie our hands together with that towel,” I growled, causing him to pause mid-dab and his colourful eyes to widen.

“Ah. Right. That makes sense,” he muttered, binding our wrists together. “My bad.”

I rolled my eyes, but the sound of Darcie’s infectious giggling next to me made me break into a smile. He’s lucky he makes her laugh.

The ceremony went by fairly smoothly after that.

Leif had actually done his research and had taken the important part seriously, which I was grateful for.

He’d refrained from making any ludicrous sexual innuendos or flirting with either of us.

But by the time he led us for the Dance of Isaiah, taking our first steps together around the flower arch three times while we wore the krunas connected by ribbon, he couldn’t hold back anymore.

He sang, “If you’re married and you know it, take a lap” to the tune of ‘if you’re happy and you know it’.

I nearly ripped his vocal chords out, but Darcie and everyone else seemed to think it was comedy gold.

With our vows exchanged, the rings on our fingers and crowns removed, all that was left was for our priest’s blessing. Gods help us.

“With almighty power invested in me as the God’s favourite, I bless this marriage for all eternity.

Zoran’s been waiting for this moment for over five centuries, so I shan’t make him wait a minute longer.

I am beyond fucking delighted to pronounce Z-dog and D-dog husband and wife, soulmates, fuck buddies for all of time, you know the score. Kiss your woman, demon!”

I scoffed, shaking my head as Darcie wiped the tears of laughter away. I grabbed her around the waist and yanked her into me, kissing her so deeply her back arched and I held her up with my strength. Everyone clapped and cheered, but we didn’t stop kissing.

“Okay, I think they’ll be here a while. So let’s go party! And raise a glass to our newlyweds and me not shitting myself. Ziveli !” Leif shouted, walking around us. He leaned into my ear as he walked past. “Yes, I did learn Serbian for you. That’s how much I love your grumpy ass.”

I laughed into our kiss, unable to help myself.

The next hour was spent properly introducing Darcie to everyone, toasting to our marriage with rakija, and dancing the kolo, which was surprisingly enjoyable.

It had been the happiest I had been. And I could feel them.

My parents. In the breeze. In the trees.

In the soil beneath my feet. They were here with us.

They were at peace, knowing their children were finally free and happy. Loved.

When the sun started to rise, everyone left, and I led Darcie into the ruins of the cottage where I had set up a floor bed with more rakija, bread, cheese and sarma.

We made love with a gorgeous sunrise backdrop and as she lay on my chest, staring at her gold ring and giggling, I had never felt more content.

“This place is so special,” she whispered, glancing around at our surroundings. “I can feel how much love it once held. I hate that it was destroyed.”

“It still holds a lot of love,” I replied. She turned to face me, leaning her chin on my chest. “And it could continue to. If we rebuild it.”

Her beautiful eyes widened. “You mean for us? As our home?”

“If you would like it to be,” I answered, hoping she would be on board. I’d always planned on rebuilding it, but I was never sure if I’d live here again. It would have been too lonely by myself, but with her, it felt perfect. But I would understand if she didn’t want to. I’d let it go if I must.

“Oh my gods! Zoran. Yes,” she squealed. “We should!”

I beamed at her. “Are you sure?”

“This place is us,” she answered with tears in her eyes. “It’s you. It’s your parents. It’s home. I’ve never felt like I had a home. But this place…it already feels like home.”

I kissed her, pulling her onto me. She straddled my waist and sat up, her beautiful naked body glistening in the sun.

“That was the best night of my life,” she breathed, staring up at the brightening sky through the barren structure of timbers that used to hold up the cottage roof.

“And mine.”

She lowered her head and placed her hand over my heart, feeling its steady, calm beat. “But I think I can still make it even better.”

I brushed her thick curls away from her face and smiled at her as I let Ambroz share control with me like I had during our wedding ceremony.

“I, Darcelle Nezera,” she beamed like a flower blossoming as she said her name. “Give my soul to you, Zoran Ambroz Nezera. Forever yours, forever more, in life and death.”

A warm glow travelled through my veins, filling my soul with light and love. The darkness withdrew, and my world became brighter.

I’d found my place. It was always with her. She was my new home.