Gripping my arm whilst walking down the aisle, Leanna only had eyes for one person. Even from across the room, you could literally feel the pull of two opposite ends of a magnet attracting each other.
I searched around and found Javier sitting in the front. I winked at him and focused my attention on walking - afterall you don't want to make a fool of yourself if you trip.
Descending down the aisle, I kissed Leanna's cheek and whispered in her ear. She smiled as tears threatened to slide down her face. I gave her away and made my way to stand behind her.
Vows were exchanged.
And now, the fun part.
The minister's voice boomed, "it is time to fire off the arrow."
Yes yes. The arrow.
The Veritas.
The Arrow of Truth.
After the battle which almost wiped out human existence, it was customary for the people of New Earth to fire off the God's Blessed Arrow to protect themselves against future deaths.
Decades ago, a great battle took place. No one knows who won the battle. Or how it ended. One day, the smoke just cleared and everything seemed to be rebuilt. There were no fallen bodies, or the imagined wings and horns anywhere. People believed the war didn't even happen in the first place. They somehow believed they all happened to be in a coma. Thus, the Awakening. People went on to continue their lives but not before renaming their new world, Morpax to signify a new era of peace and to honour the supposed fallen.
Nevertheless, there was no explanation for the building that erected itself months later. A pillar of tempest. A pillar of strength. The Church of Blood and Light it was called. And inside lay the infamous God's damned Bow and the God's blessed Arrow.
The Veritas and the Mor.
Tracing a rune in the sky as practiced, the Veritas appeared. Clutching it, I handed Leanna the arrow. Its tip a fiery red and the shaft, a golden yellow. Yes, this will do nicely.
But Leanna nodded her head and did not make a move to grab it.
Before I could protest, her voice thundered, "I know it's tradition for the bride to fire off the arrow. But I wouldn't be here if it weren't for my best friend. So, Daphne Adelaine Rivera will be shooting my arrow today. It's been decided," Leanna's voice boomed, determined and unwavering.
I expected jeers and protest to break through the crowds. But no. No one dared contradict her point. I couldn't believe it.
"Oh Leans. I can't."
"You can Daph. You earned this," she told me resolutely.
Hesitantly but not weakly, I strode to the front of the dias and picked up the bow. The intricately constructed Bow seemed to swallow the light. Mor. Death.
God's damned. God's blessed.
Paired together, the Veritas and the Mor worked in unison to bring death to the person destined to harm you. But no, it only works if you're a hair's breadth away from being killed.
And Leanna - no, I wouldn't think of that.
Knocking the arrow with ease, I pulled the bonewhite bowstring and aimed for the opened doors. I looked towards Leanna for affirmation.
She was no more smiling and in tears. Her raging strength shone as her eyes locked with mine. With a slight nod of her head I knew she wanted this for a long time. Yes, this was what she wanted. I would not let her down.
I let my arrow fly.
Hurtling through the rows of guests, my arrow dashed forward with staggering ferocity. And I swear I could see a snake of flame surround it.
And then it was gone.
I felt a tremor race through me.
Exhaling a shaky breath, I faced the dias and dropped to my knees.
"Say it," the minister uttered.
Leanna stepped forward and placed her hand on my forehead. Together we looked up to the sky and uttered the story of the Veritas and the Mor in the Old Language. And then again, in common:
An angel, who fell from heaven
Cursed for having a devilish mind
Thrown out of hell for having a heavenly heart
And damned to walk the earth, for all eternity
Her broken halo, she fantomed into horns
Her wings, she painted black
Her trident, she forged the Mor
Her sword, she formed the Veritas
The Umbra Mortis she was
The bringer of death and God's blessed
May she lay waste for those who deceive her
And bring eternal balance to the lands
I bowed over. A sliver of what seemed to look like thread escaped me, and disappeared within the blink of an eye. The Yielding, it was called. A piece of your core, the only asking price of the Gods above and below.
Resolving myself, I stood and took my place behind Leanna but not before bowing to those in attendance. The minister spoke once again.
"By the power vested in me by the Church of Blood and Light, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
They didn't wait for him to finish his sentence before locking lips. A tremor raced through the crowd by the union. It could only mean one thing.
Pulling away, Leanna and her husband, Eric Stormborn leaned forward; foreheads touching. A silent conversation seemed to play out in their heads.
Not just husband and wife. A bond that ran deeper than lovers and parents and siblings. A bond so rare it was treasured above all. The mating bond.
Cheers broke out through the attendees as the newly wedded couple faced the crowd.
I would ask her about it later. The vision that she saw. A common gift to the newly mated by whatever force and secrets the universe holds. But that'll come later. Now it was time for celebration.
I looked up to see Hun't eyes bore into me. He winked.
Responding with an eye roll, he smirked.
And despite myself, I smiled back.