"Some unions are written in fate, others are forged by fire. Ours is both."
The air in the village buzzed with life. The once-abandoned settlement, now brimming with creatures of all shapes and sizes, felt alive with purpose. Evanna stood near the center of the village, her heart racing as Kael paced before her.
"I've made my decision," Kael said, stopping to look at her. "We will marry here, in the Wildlands. This village will witness our bond. The beasts who follow you, and those who follow me, will be our guests."
Evanna blinked, stunned by his sudden proclamation. "Here? Now?"
"Yes," Kael said firmly, stepping closer. "Why wait? This is where you've proven yourself, where you've found your place. It's only fitting that our union happens here."
Evanna's breath hitched. She wanted to argue, but deep down, she knew he was right. The Wildlands had claimed her, and she, in turn, had claimed it.
Glow nuzzled her leg, as if offering reassurance. Around them, the creatures of the Wildlands began to gather—wolves, deer, foxes, birds, even the massive, fearsome beasts Kael commanded. They moved with an eerie calm, their golden eyes reflecting trust and respect.
Kael's gaze softened as he extended a hand toward her. "Evanna, will you stand with me as my queen?"
For a moment, she hesitated. Then, with a deep breath, she placed her hand in his. "Yes."
---
The village transformed under the animals' watchful eyes. The deer carried strands of glowing vines, draping them around the makeshift altar Kael had constructed. Birds fluttered overhead, singing songs that filled the air with a strange, otherworldly harmony.
Evanna couldn't help but smile as she watched a group of small foxes scamper around Glow, dragging a cluster of wildflowers to place at her feet.
"This feels... surreal," she murmured, glancing at Kael.
He smirked. "It's the Wildlands' way of showing approval. Even they know you're special."
Evanna rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the blush creeping up her cheeks.
Kael stepped forward, his voice carrying authority as he addressed the gathered beasts. "Today, the Wildlands gains its queen. Evanna has proven her strength, her wisdom, and her connection to this land. She is no ordinary bride—she is one of us."
The animals responded with a harmonious howl, roar, and chirp, their voices blending into a symphony that sent shivers down Evanna's spine.
Kael turned to her, his golden eyes locking onto hers. "Evanna, do you promise to stand by me, to lead these lands with me, and to protect the balance of the Wildlands?"
Evanna nodded, her voice steady. "I do."
Kael smiled—a rare, genuine smile that made her heart skip a beat. "Then by the will of the Wildlands, and with these creatures as witnesses, I claim you as my queen."
---
Kael leaned in, his hand resting gently on her cheek. Evanna felt her breath hitch as their lips met, a kiss that seemed to ignite the very air around them. It wasn't just a kiss—it was a promise, a bond forged in fire and fate.
The animals erupted in joyous sounds. Glow yipped excitedly, and Hoppe, her little rabbit companion, leaped higher than ever before, spinning in the air before landing gracefully.
Evanna pulled back, her face flushed, her heart pounding. Kael's gaze lingered on her, filled with a warmth she hadn't seen before.
"For someone so stubborn," he teased, "you're surprisingly agreeable when it counts."
She laughed, shaking her head. "And for someone so arrogant, you're surprisingly tolerable."
---
As the ceremony continued, Evanna suddenly felt a strange sensation. A warmth spread through her chest, radiating outward like the glow of a sun. Her hand instinctively went to the pendant she wore—the one she had taken from Kael's practice field.
The pendant pulsed softly, and for a brief moment, the world around her seemed to shift.
She gasped, her knees weakening. Kael was by her side in an instant, steadying her. "What's wrong?"
"I... I don't know," she whispered, her voice trembling. "It's like... something's watching me."
Kael's eyes darkened. "What do you mean?"
Before she could respond, a voice—soft and distant, like a breeze—whispered in her mind. You've done well, my child.
Evanna froze, her eyes wide. The pendant around her neck glowed faintly, a tiny star shimmering at its center.
Kael's gaze dropped to the pendant, and his breath caught. "That pendant..."
Evanna's heart raced. "I guess it's my pendant?"
"Yes," Kael said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It was hers. And now it's chosen you."
The warmth in her chest grew stronger, and for a moment, Evanna felt as though another presence was with her—a queen's presence, watching over her, guiding her.
The ceremony ended with the beasts dispersing, their sounds of approval fading into the forest. But Evanna couldn't shake the feeling that something profound had changed.
---
As the stars began to dot the night sky, Kael took her hand, his golden eyes searching hers. "Come, Evanna. It's time to return to the castle."
Evanna hesitated, her fingers brushing against the glowing pendant. Her heart ached with uncertainty, her connection to the Wildlands stronger than ever.
She shook her head, her voice steady but firm. "No. This place... it's my home now."
Kael's jaw tightened, his expression a mix of frustration and something else—something softer. "Evanna..."
But she turned away, her gaze falling on the beasts around her. "I'm staying here, Kael. If you want to rule the Wildlands, you'll have to accept that I belong here too."
Kael clenched his fists, his power radiating faintly as he struggled to contain his emotions. "You don't know what you're asking for, Evanna. The Wildlands aren't just forests and beasts. There's danger—chaos—things even I can't control."
She looked back at him, her resolve unshaken. "Then teach me, Kael. Teach me to control it."
The silence between them crackled with unspoken tension, and in the distance, the Wildlands seemed to hum with anticipation.
To be continued…