Chapter Twenty-five

  Kyrin pressed her hand to her stomach where the butterflies fluttered like crazy. Could this day really be here? After a week of bedrest and another week of taking it easy, her strength had yet to recover completely, but it didn’t matter. Today she would marry Jace, and that gave her all the strength and energy she needed.

  “How are you feeling?” her mother asked as she brushed her fingers through Kyrin’s hair and twisted pieces up in a long, elegant style.

  “Like I can barely sit still.”

  Her mother laughed lightly. Only the two of them occupied the cabin. Kyrin was glad of this quiet time before the ceremony, though she was as jittery as her first day at the palace. Still, the emotions and anticipation were significantly more pleasant.

  “I just can’t believe today is finally here.” She felt like she’d known Jace for half a lifetime already. They’d gone through so much together and, within an hour, she would be his wife. All she wanted was to run to him and marry him right this second, but she forced herself to remain still. She’d waited this long, she could wait a bit longer.

  “There,” her mother announced a minute later. She stepped around the chair to face Kyrin with a bright smile. “Now the dress.”

  The butterflies all fluttered anew. Kyrin stood up and her mother helped her slip on the dress. The fine, soft linen fell comfortably against her skin. Her mother laced up the back and, with the slight alterations she’d made, it fit Kyrin perfectly—the bodice snug, but comfortable, flaring gradually at the waist to a full skirt. Small gold trimming lined the collar, following the lines of the bodice and then around the waist.

  Kyrin’s mother reached around her and fastened a dark cord around her neck. Kyrin lifted her hand and clasped the familiar blue stone hanging from it—the necklace she had given her father. She squeezed it, breathing deeply to keep the tears from falling, and let the stone rest in front of her dress. Now she would have something of both her mother’s and her father’s when she married Jace.

  “Come see.” Her mother guided her toward the long mirror they had borrowed.

  Kyrin smiled widely at her reflection. The dress was beautiful, and her mother had done a wonderful job with her hair, pinning up the sides and accenting the style with small gold combs. Another level of reality settled. She was a bride! In all her years at Tarvin Hall, she never could have imagined this day. Tears filled her eyes, especially when she spotted those just about to splash down her mother’s cheeks.

  “It’s so beautiful,” Kyrin said, choking a little on her words.

  Her mother stepped in front of her, clasping her arms in her hands. “You’re so beautiful.”

  At a gentle knock on the door, her mother turned to answer it.

  “May I come in?” Kaden’s voice drifted from the other side.

  “Yes.” Their mother opened the door wider, and he stepped inside. He stopped when he saw Kyrin and looked her up and down. She turned to face him fully. The cutest smile lit his face, and she could swear there were tears in his eyes, though he’d probably deny it.

  “You look beautiful,” he said.

  “Thank you.” It was certainly a better reaction than when he’d first seen her all made up at Auréa Palace. That seemed like an eternity ago. They’d both grown up so much.

  “Could I talk to Kyrin for a minute before Marcus gets here?” Kaden asked.

  Their mother smiled at him and nodded. Taking her cloak from one of the chairs, she slipped it around her shoulders.

  “I will see you soon.”

  Kyrin grinned, her heart almost leaping from her throat to think of Jace waiting for her not far away. What would he think of her dress? She was sure he’d appreciate the simplicity of it.

  Once their mother left the cabin, Kyrin looked up at her twin. For most of her life, Kaden had been her protector—the one she turned to in both the good and bad. Even here, it was natural for her to look on him like that. But things would change today. That role would now fall squarely on Jace as her husband. In a way, it was sad, but Kaden didn’t look too heartbroken over it. She could see in his eyes how happy he was for her.

  “So,” he said.

  She grinned. “So.”

  “I always knew you and Jace would get married someday.”

  “Did you?”

  Kaden shrugged. “Well, maybe not always, but you two have been pretty much inseparable since you met. I think most people probably figured it would come to this.”

  Kyrin laughed a little. “That’s true.” She looked him in the eyes. “You are happy about it, aren’t you?”

  “Of course.” Kaden shook his head. “I could never see you with anyone else. And I trust Jace. When it comes to you, I don’t give that trust out easily. Besides, he’s a lot better than Collin.”

  Kyrin laughed again at the memory of the flirtatious young man at Tarvin Hall who Kaden had disliked so much. “That is true. Thank you for taking such good care of me. I’m glad you feel Jace is worthy of your trust.”

  Kaden’s expression grew more serious. “Father liked him too.”

  The breath hitched in Kyrin’s lungs. One of her biggest regrets was that her father hadn’t had more time to get to know Jace. “Did he?”

  “Yes. The day he, uh . . .” Kaden cleared his throat. “The day he left for Valcré, I overheard him talking to Jace. He told him that he saw in him a man of strong character and not to believe any lies to the contrary. I think he’d be happy to have Jace as a son-in-law.”

  Kyrin put her hand to her chest, which suddenly ached fiercely. She’d done well with her tears all morning, but now they spilled over. “I wish… he was here.” She hiccupped, trying not to fall apart completely. “Both him and Michael.”

  Kaden’s eyes were definitely full of tears now. “Me too.” He reached for her, and she hugged him tightly.

  After a moment, she stepped back and reached for the handkerchief her mother had left on the table. Dabbing her eyes, she worked to control her emotions. Today was a day for happy tears, not sorrowful ones. Both her father and younger brother would agree. She smiled, still a bit tearful, at Kaden. “Thank you for telling me. It means everything to me to know Father would have approved of Jace as my husband.”

  Kaden smiled in return. “I know he would.” He cleared his throat again, appearing to gather his own composure. “Why don’t I go get Marcus?”

  Kaden let himself out, and Kyrin waited. For a long time she’d imagined Kaden walking her down the aisle, but when they’d discussed it, he’d insisted it should be Marcus, as the oldest and now head of their family. Kyrin thought it was one of the sweetest things he’d ever done, giving up such an important role to their brother. Kyrin had seen the surprise and gratitude on Marcus’s face when Kaden told him. She loved her brothers so much. They’d come so far.

  A moment later, the door opened, and Marcus stepped inside. He looked very handsome in his militia uniform—very much like their father, and it warmed Kyrin to see that in him. She squeezed the stone necklace again and smiled. Like Kaden, he took in her appearance with a bit of awe.

  “You like it?” she asked.

  He grinned. “It’s beautiful. I think Jace will be speechless.”

  Kyrin laughed, something that came as easily as tears today. “Hopefully not so much that he can’t say his vows.”

  Marcus chuckled in agreement. “Are you ready?”

  Kyrin glanced around the cabin to make sure she wasn’t forgetting anything and then nodded. “Yes, I think so.”

  She reached for the white cloak Anne had somehow found for her, and Marcus draped it around her shoulders. He then offered his arm to her.

  “Let’s get you to your anxiously waiting husband-to-be.”

  * * *

  Jace took a deep breath in and let it out slowly. He’d imagined this day countless times in the past. Almost always, he’d imagined himself nearly sick with nerves, similar to what he’d experienced during Warin and Lenae’s wedding. But he wasn’t. Oh, the nerves were there, making him fidget and shift around so much it was a miracle both Rayad and Holden hadn’t grabbed him to hold him still. Yet, it wasn’t fearful nerves. It was the sort of anxious anticipation that tempted him to dash over to the Altair cabin, grab Kyrin up, sweep her over here, and get their vows said so they wouldn’t have to be apart for another minute longer.

  He nearly laughed at himself. What had happened to him? A year ago, those feelings would have been replaced with the urge to run out into the forest and hide for a while. Now he wanted this so badly he had to wrestle with impatience. Of all the men in the world, he would have considered himself the very last to ever find a woman he loved with the intensity he loved Kyrin. What a special and incredible person Elôm had created and brought into his life. He sure didn’t deserve it, even now. Thank Elôm for His grace and infinitely patient love. Jace prayed he could shower Kyrin with even a fraction of that great love for the rest of their lives.

  Rocking from his toes to his heels and back, Jace looked over at Rayad, who barely hid a grin. Jace attempted to settle himself, but it was starting to feel as though he’d been standing here all day. He looked around the meeting hall. The General and the three other soldiers who had survived the fever had been relocated, thank Elôm. Jace didn’t want the sight of Kyrin’s grandfather to ruin the day for her. The men had set up benches and chairs to accommodate all of their closest friends. Almost everyone was here now. Everyone but Kyrin and Marcus. Surely they’d be here any minute.

  Distracting himself from the torturously slow passing of time, Jace glanced over at Timothy. Leetra sat tucked in close to Timothy’s side, their hands clasped together. Would today set their minds toward marriage? Their relationship seemed to be moving in that—

  The door opened, and Jace straightened, all thoughts vanishing. He locked his gaze on that open door. With a swish of white, Kyrin entered the hall with Marcus. They paused where Kaden waited and took the white cloak from Kyrin’s shoulders to reveal the full splendor of her dress. Jace couldn’t breathe. When their eyes met as she and Marcus started down the aisle, Jace’s heart didn’t even beat. She was here, and she was gorgeous, and in moments, she would be his. Elôm’s grace and love were magnificent indeed.

  Shortly, she stood in front of him, the picture of perfection in his eyes. She gave her older brother a smile and a quick hug before he handed her over to Jace. Jace took her hands in his, gazing down at her. Only when Daniel spoke did Jace shift his attention away from her, but only momentarily.

  Daniel shared a bit of their story, and Kyrin’s eyes glittered, her smiling lips twitching mirthfully in memory of their early days. He still didn’t know how she had stuck with him and endured his misery. She’d been right there with him on some of the darkest paths he’d ever traveled.

  At last came the vows—words Jace meant with his whole heart and couldn’t wait to give in pledge to Kyrin.

  “I, Jace Ilvaran, take you, Kyrin, to be my wife, to share in Elôm’s plans for our lives together, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, in joys and sorrows, until death do us part. I give you all that I have of myself and my love, with Elôm’s help, to be your supportive and strong husband. All these things I pledge before our eternal King Elôm and those gathered here as witness.”

  Tears gathered in Kyrin’s eyes as she smiled the biggest smile Jace had ever seen. She gazed up at him with a love he would happily drown in, her earnest voice touching his heart.

  “I, Kyrin Altair, take you, Jace, to be my husband, to share in Elôm’s plans for our lives together, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, in joys and sorrows, until death do us part. I give you all that I have of myself and my love, with Elôm’s help, to be your supportive helper and wife. All these things I pledge before our eternal King Elôm and those gathered here as witness.”

  Aside from Elon, Jace had never heard sweeter words.

  With joy in his voice, Daniel said, “By the power vested in me by Elôm and as the crown prince of Arcacia, I pronounce you husband and wife . . .”

  Jace held his breath, waiting for the last part, and caught Daniel grinning out of the corner of his eye. Had he not been so intent on Kyrin, he would have cuffed him on the shoulder for delaying, prince or not.

  “You may now kiss your bride.”

  Jace barely waited for him to finish. He scooped Kyrin into his arms and kissed her deeply as he’d wanted to so many times before. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and she returned the kiss with just as much enthusiasm. All around them, their friends erupted in cheers, whoops, and applause, but Jace’s sole focus was his bride. They may have a month together, a year, ten years, or a hundred. However long Elôm gave them, this moment would live in his memory as one of the happiest times of his entire life.

  * * *

  As they swayed gently to the lovely melody Talas and some of their other crete friends played on their flutes, Kyrin rested her head against Jace’s chest, savoring the warmth of his arm wrapped around her. Today had been everything she’d dreamed of and more. Perfect in every way except for those who could not be here with them. She let a long contented sigh escape. Jace’s lips pressed against the top of her head, and she looked up into his smile that sent warmth cascading all the way down to her toes. He bent his head farther and kissed her lips, sending tingles after the warmth.

  “Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked in a low murmur.

  “Very much.”

  He glanced around before his attention focused again on her. “Would you be very disappointed if we left?”

  Kyrin’s heart fluttered. Though she’d enjoyed their wedding celebration, she was growing a bit weary and was more than ready for some time alone with her new husband.

  “Not at all.”

  Jace grinned and captured her hand to lead her toward the door. He pulled on his coat and then retrieved her cloak, wrapping it around her shoulders and planting a soft kiss at the base of her neck in the process. She grinned to herself. She already loved being a wife.

  With a most handsome smile, he offered her his arm and led her outside, holding her close as the icy breeze swept past them.

  “So, where are we going?” Kyrin asked as they walked through camp.

  She’d wondered where the two of them would stay as newlyweds, but her mother had told her that Trask and the others would figure something out. She hadn’t thought about it much again, too focused on the wedding.

  Jace didn’t look at her, but she could still see his smile, even in the dark.

  “You’ll see.”

  She hugged his arm, trusting him completely.

  After another little ways, they came around the corner of one of the cabins. A pathway of flickering lanterns greeted them, leading to one of the farthest cabins whose windows glowed invitingly. They stopped, and Jace looked down at her.

  “This is our cabin.”

  “Our cabin?”

  He nodded, his blue eyes shining with excitement. “Trask gave it to us. I started cleaning it up just before… everything happened, and I finished it in the last two weeks. It’s all ours, at least for the time being.”

  Kyrin sucked in her breath and gazed once more at the cabin. Their cabin. Their home. Tears burned her eyes.

  Jace slipped his hand into hers. “Let me show you.”

  He led her along the lantern-lit path and up to the cabin. Casting a dazzling grin back at her, he opened the door and tugged her inside. Kyrin stared around, overwhelmed. A gorgeous blue quilt covered the bed in the corner and blue curtains were drawn across the windows. A table sat near the fireplace, along with cabinets, chairs, and even some dishes.

  “Your mother, Lenae, and Anne helped me gather things for it.”

  “Oh, Jace,” Kyrin breathed. “It’s so beautiful.”

  She turned to him, so full of love she thought she would melt into a puddle. He almost seemed to know this, because his arms were around her in a moment, and she gazed up into his eyes.

  “I love you so much.”

  “And I love you even more.”

  He pressed his lips against hers, and Kyrin blissfully lost herself in their shared love.

  # # #

  Characters and Information

  Returning Characters

  Aaron—A half-crete and former miner from Dunlow. Timothy’s older brother.

  Alex Avery—An old friend of Daniel’s who assassinated Emporer Daican.

  Altair (AL - tayr)—Kyrin’s family name.

  Anne—Trask’s wife.

  Aric (AHR - ick)—Emperor Daican’s former head of security.

  Ben—Wealthy merchant and leader of the believers in Valcré.

  Carl—The Altair’s groundskeeper. Ethel’s husband.

  Dagren (DAY - gren)—Arcacian captain with a vendetta against Rayad and Warin.

  Daniel—Rightful king of Arcacia.

  Davira (Duh - VEER - uh)—Queen of Arcacia.

  Elanor—Jace’s sister.

  Elian (EL - ee - an)—Elanor’s bodyguard.

  Elôm (EE - lohm)—The one true God of Ilyon.

  Ethel—The Altair’s housekeeper. Carl’s wife.

  Glynn (GLIN)—A crete from Dorland. Captain Darq’s lieutenant.

  Holden (HOHL - den)—A former informant for Daican but now part of the Resistance.

  Jace—A half-ryrik former slave and gladiator.

  Josef—A physician from Samara and close friend of Balen.

  Kaden (KAY - den)—Kyrin’s twin brother.

  King Balen (BAY - len)—Exiled king of Samara.

  Kyrin (KYE - rin)—A young Arcacian woman with the ability to remember everything.

  Leetra Almere (LEE - truh AL - meer)—A female crete from Dorland. Talas’s cousin.

  Lenae (LEH - nay)—Warin’s wife and adoptive mother of Meredith.

  Liam—Kyrin’s older brother and training physician.

  Lydia—Kyrin’s mother.

  Marcus Altair—Kyrin’s eldest brother and captain of the Landale militia.