"Just get up." She said to both of us. She was so commanding that Jamie stood up. He was still in shock after reading her prophecy. He looked at her in admiration but also fear. I stood up too. But with pride. She walked over to me. She flashed me a quick smile and fluttered her eyelashes. The ones that could take down mountains could also melt my stone heart. I could tell she wanted to say something. But she hesitantly looked around the room whilst leaning in close. "I'm sorry." She whispered. "I trust you. With my life. You can tell me whatever it is..when YOU are ready. Just know that, I am ready, OK? I love you." I was actually at a loss of words. My angel. My love. So strong so fierce. But to me, she was sweet and beautiful, inside and out. Her soul shines through her eyes, it was what made her gorgeous. I could not believe that this woman would rid the world of light. Would be so feared that Mother Nature would bow to her. She is kind and great. She will be a great ruler. Could the prophecy be wrong? I kissed her head and wrapped my arms around her. Just holding her, a simple act of affection, meant so much in that fleeting moment. I was Gleaming with a new found appreciation for her. I love her yes. But now. I can't do without her.
"Ok are you done?" Drake said. He seemed pissed about something but he had a bow in his hand so I decided not to push his buttons. I nodded. There was a knock at the door and Ashley walked in. She was stunned to see us all in the same room. Gasping at each of us. She found herself to be standing in between Jamie and Drake. She rubbed her arms and cleared her throat.
"The wedding preparations are done.. we are ready." She smiled. She looked uncomfortable between Drake and Jamie. Her eyes landed on drake and Drake scowled at her and walked to the other side. Cursing under his breath as he looks down at the ring. He wanted to be far Away from her. She noticed and looked a little hurt and looked down to the massive ring on her finger. She played with the ring, twisting and pulling at it contemplation it's residence.
"The book Damien. It's belongs to us." Drake said aggressively. I gripped it tighter hiding it behind my back. This book had been here for years. I couldn't just hand it over. It was Just a precaution.
"Damien" Karina looked up at me. "Trust me. It's ours. It went missing many years ago and we have been looking for it. It's ours. The seal in the front is the Darvos seal. It belongs to the Nightslayers." I did trust her. I looked at the crest and it matched Karina's Cloak. I gave it to her. She placed it in her cloak and grabbed my hand. She was surprised that I gave it to her so easily. Pleasantly surprised.
"It's you isn't it? You are Rovara?" Jamie asked . He slowly took out his sword at Karina, but his hands were slightly shaking. He steadied them with a heavy sigh. I stepped infront of Karina.
"Back off Jamie" I say whilst the room fills with the sounds of people drawing swords.
"What do you MEAN?! You read it yourself-she is going to wipe out ALL the power of light- YOUR PEOPLE! And you just want to let her LIVE?! We can't let that happen. We have to kill her." Drake now stood infront of me so he was squaring off with Jamie.
"You were going to Marry this woman!? You knew she was Rovara and you didn't think to tell me!?" He spat again more disgusted. "I had more respect for you than that! What happened? Did you sleep with the fucking whore and get attached?!"
"You might wanna watch watch you say." I say now getting dangerously pissed off.
"No wonder your parents are ashamed of you. We need to kill her!"
"You're gonna have to kill me first" Drake said with a twisted smile like he was begging for a fight. Drake is a talented fighter, if I'm honest, Jamie hasn't got a chance. He may have strength but Drake has better technique.
"Stop all of you !" Karina said and Drake dropped his weapon. "I am Rovara, everything you heard is true. But I would never do that to innocent people." She said to him. His cheeked flushed red. He swallowed to clear his throat. "I've heard the stories your majesty since I was little. Rovara was a nightmare, I don't wanna take any chances especially from the mouth of a nightslayer whrore." He said. I put my hand behind me and grabbed her wrist before she boiled him alive. Drake growled and I drew my sword.
"Don't do this Jamie." I say.
"Don't you see what you have become! You have become one of THEM!" He spits on the floor. "You will marry a Nightslayers whore who will destroy everything that you have known-EVERYTHING!" He is shouting now. "Are you so blind to not see that she has pulled the drapes over your eyes. She will be the DEATH OF US!"
"If you don't stop talking, you will be the death of you." I motioned to Ashley to get him to move. She placed an hand on his arm and he thrust her into the wall.
"Don't touch me!" He shouted. My switch flipped. He lunged in towards Drake and bulldozed right passed him. He sliced for Karina and I let go of Karinas hand and my sword cut through air. Slicing and dashing in all directions, The clanging of metal colliding echoed through the room. I managed to find an opening and planted a heavy boot to his chest causing him to fall back and hit the wall. Still he didn't falter. He was reckless and random with his movements but still deadly. The tip of his sword crazed the top of my cheek missing my eye. I felt the blood well up and roll down as if it were tears. Tears if blood. He threw an long swipe to the Centre of my body just missing as I counteracted. The Darkness has improved my senses, I could feel the sword moments before it hit me. And I could see openings moments before they were open. I kicked him to the floor. Throwing my sword to the side, I placed heavy punches to his face, hearing multiple cracks mixed with anguish and he yelled at each blow. Once I saw red, I stopped. He was motionless but not dead. He lay there broken nose running with red and cuts painted on his cheeks. Ashley places her hand on my shoulder. She threw the ring next to his unconscious face and smiled down to me in gratitude but also worry for me. Karina walked over and helped me up. Suddenly I remembered.
"Karina we have to go. I think father wants to take down Tree Iqra."
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We sprint out of the castle grounds and I see Lavria and Ryan waiting in the clearing with 6 horses at the ready. I see Karina jump on hers so I jump on mine. Drake helps Ashley up on her horse before getting on his. Everyone started to run. So fast that the sounds of the hooves on the ground synced up. One loud March. We flew through the woods almost running on the wind. Birds would fly by Karina as I took my place next to her. We were headed for the dock. We needed to get back. The waft of salt accumulates as Wr reach the ship in a matter of minutes and set the horses free. And we are off.
"The journey is going to take a couple of hours everyone. You may aswell rest." I say.
"Or..you two can get married." Ashley says.
"I don't think that's a good idea ash."
"I can do it now. Because I think with you two there is never going to be a good time. Give me five minutes on the deck and come up ok!" She squealed and hustled is off the deck. Karina blushed and pushed her way past me keeping her head down. "See you in five" She said winking slightly jogging away. I walk the other way and see Ryan.
"Ryan!" He stops and balls his hands into fists. "I just wanted to apologise for my behaviour earlier. That was totally out of line I had no right to do so. Please accept my Apology. I think It's the force, I can't seem to, hold it right. It sometimes comes full power and other times it just drips into my power." He looks at me for a second then relaxed his fists. Let's not forget, Ryan is a big man. He is defiantely stronger than me, but magic scares him. He can't use it properly. So it frightens him.
"If you were struggling, why didn't you say so?" Ryan asked placing a hand on my shoulder. I just shrugged my shoulders. He contemplated for a moment wondering how to handle my situation. "I'm not very good at magic but I can speak to Drake maybe he can tutor you." He said with a smile. A true king. "Also you should wear this." He says with a smile on his face.
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Walking on to the top deck, was real. The moon was heavily present accompanied by the shine of a thousand stars. Ashley has found old candles and Laterns and lit then around the deck. All vibrantly different swishing with the direction of wind. Fireflies lit up the surrounding areas buzzing a light green and pinkish red. The sea was calm and breezy. Perfect for tonight. I walked out in complete black. Ryan has told me it was an outfit for celebrated CREE members. He had said 'if I was going to be a prince of Valtor, I may as well look like one.' I didn't see him. He must be with Karian. Drake stood next to Ashley smiling when I walked out, laughing to himself. I walked up to Ashley and she had a tear In her eye but her smile was large as it can be. I blushed slightly.
"I can't believe you are getting married!" Her voice was croaky and really high. I placed a kiss on her cheek. Drake patted me on the shoulder.
"Your an alright guy I suppose. Be good to her." He said sternly.
"Always." I return the smile. I turn my head slightly and I see Karina. But I'm in awe. There she stands with a white dress, I recognize it, because it's Ashley's. Right at her waist and flows down to her legs, like a angel in flesh. Her hair floated on the wind as she walked towards me with Ryan. I could see her beauty was radiant in moon light, the way her eyes lit up and her soul shone through. No one could match. Not even the gods themselves. Unknowingly, She had become the Centre of my world. My love for her was past our mortal bones and dug much deeper into her soul. I truly felt nothing like this. She faced me smiling. Her eyes shifting to my clothes. It seems that she had dressed for me in white and I had dressed for her in black. We giggled at that fact and steadied ourselves with each other.
"Let's begin" Ashley says. I grab her arm and she grabs mine so we have made a circle. And endless route. Ryan, Lavria, and Drake all stood around us.
"Marriage isn't a ring worn. It is not somethings to be endured, it is to be something that is savored. It's the union of two lives becoming one. Each one would sacrifice for the others wellbeing. Marriage in the natural world would be an rose. Always with Radiant petals to be unearthed by the warm sun. And to be remembered in the times of Darkness. Marriage is the blessing we give to one another an eternal bond of souls." Ashley said. The forces glided around me and Karina. A dark mist formed around her and a white one around me, weaving around us, but never trespassing to the other. We would have to see if the forces accepted us, and all seemed to be going well.
"Karina, You were made in the Darkeness..And I in the light. We were made in two different worlds. Two different walks of life. But when I'm with you, light and dark become one. Forever forged together in fate. I fell in love with you, I continue to fall deeper and deeper each day. I don't know how I fell for you and I don't know why. All I know is how I feel when I'm with you, I feel alive. You make me feel alive. You give me a purpose like the sun does the moon, you light my heart... For eternity I vow to love you. I vow it here before nature itself." That was all I could express in words. She watches me, tears filling with her eyes as she clears her throat.
"Damien when I lost you, it broke me. And when I found you it healed me. I love you, and I can't lose you. Not again. Never, again. Damien I give you my heart. do with it what you will. Just know it will always be yours. It belongs to noone else. I will love you until the end of this life. And the dawn of another. We will forever be fated for eachother. you are mine and I am yours. Forever. I am yours." The mist was getting thicker but nothing was happening. Karina held onto me tighter. The mist had engulfed us now swarming around escorted entwining but still not disappearing. If we were accepted the mist would of disappeared. The mist got so thick, that we could no longer see everyone. We were isolated, but we couldn't break the circle. I put my forehead on hers and we waited. Just waited. As it swallowed us alive. The mist turned black and squeezed the light out of the air. I could only feel Karina, I could not see her. We couldn't let go. The ceremony wouldn't be complete.
"Karina, it's ok!" I say
"Don't let go!" She says as she grips on tighter. It seemed the mists has mixed together, creating a black mist swirling around us. Even though I already had Darkmagic in me. I was still a lightning. The light was definitely the dominant force in me. Suddenly The mist vanishes and we are left standing opening our eyes to everyone. It vanished. We are accepted. together. We are accepted, together.