Hidden Darkness (Hidden Saga Book 4) (16 page)

I turned to give my bouquet to Vancia and then Lad and I faced each other while Nox began speaking—aloud for the benefit of all those present who communicated verbally.

“For millennia, our people have recognized the wedding ceremony as our most sacred rite, unbreakable, eternal, and the foundation of our society. This day our ancient custom joins not only two lives and two families, but a king and his queen, and the Elven people with our human neighbors.” His expression was sober as he continued, looking from Lad’s face to mine then down at the timeworn book in his hands. “And so it is an occasion of deepest significance, as are the words which I will now ask you each to repeat.”

In some ways the traditional Elven vows were similar to those spoken in the few weddings I’d attended. In some ways they were different. For instance, the part where a human bride and groom might say, “for as long as we both shall live,” was replaced with, “until the sun no longer rises and sets.”

I didn’t know how many sunrises and sunsets I’d get with Lad, but at the moment, all that mattered was we’d have the next one. And the one after that. As long as my hybrid human/Elven heart kept beating, it would belong only to him.

At Nox’s prompt, Lad took my hand and slid a ring onto my finger. The large, clear stone was a rose cut oval, set in a silver band engraved with a beautiful leaf pattern.

I looked back up into Lad’s jewel-green eyes.
What a gorgeous crystal. I love it.

It’s not a crystal
, he corrected with a sneaky smile.
There’s a diamond mine just next door in Arkansas, you know. I called in a favor.

That had my gaze flying back to inspect the jewel, which if it was a diamond, was
way
too valuable. I’d have to lie to people at school and tell them it was fake.

My attention was wrenched away from the beautiful ring when Lad’s mother stepped forward and placed something in Lad’s hand and then in mine. It was heavy—a coppery medallion of some kind, emblazoned with the image of a man who looked an awful lot like Lad—clearly one of his ancestors.

Though we hadn’t been able to have a wedding rehearsal, I was told it was traditional for the parents of the groom to offer the bridal couple a symbolic gift like this. I smiled and thanked her, and she pressed her cheek to mine then to Lad’s. She lingered a bit, leaning her forehead against his before stepping back.

Nox invited Grandma Neena to take part in the next custom. He handed her a silver chalice. She held it up to Lad’s mouth, then to mine for us each to take a drink.

Just a small sip. It’s very strong
, she warned as the rim of the cup touched my lips.

The liquid inside was sweet and syrupy and zinged my tongue with instant warmth. It was something like saol water but much more concentrated. A pleasurable heat filled my body, and Grandma was right, I was almost tipsy just from one tiny taste.

As soon as the ritual was completed, Nox’s face broke into a beaming smile. “Good job, guys. You did it. Nobody fainted—not even me,” he said too low for anyone else to hear. Then he turned us to face the assembly below.

Lad raised our joined hands high. A swell of cheers and joyful laughter filled my ears. The music began again, and from above, a shower of white flower petals released, making it appear as though it was snowing huge fragrant flakes inside Altum.

The only thing sweeter than their scent was the expression on my husband’s face as he drew me to him for a kiss.

I love you, Ryann.

And I love you. I want to make you so happy, Lad. I want to give you everything.

He drew back and smiled, his eyes holding a playful spark. “I’ll take it.”

I am the luckiest guy on earth—Elf, human, or whatever else may exist out there.

That’s what kept going through my mind. Finally,
finally
, I had everything I could ever want. Ryann belonged to me, and I could look toward my immortal future with excitement and anticipation instead of dread.

              To the exuberant music and sustained roar of cheering voices, we proceeded from the wedding spire down the path to the palace. Showers of flower petals fluttered about us as we walked hand in hand. They covered the path ahead and got stuck in our hair. Glancing over to see Ryann, her face glowing, her head adorned with a crown of white petals, I was nearly overwhelmed with happiness. My smile was so big it literally hurt my face.

              Just before we reached the palace, Ryann swayed a bit in her heels, clenching my hand harder for balance.

              “You all right?”

              She nodded and laughed. “
What
was in that drink?”

              “Oh no. You didn’t take a big swallow did you?”

              “No, I promise—just a sip—but I’m totally feeling it.”

              We slipped inside the doors, followed by a stream of wedding guests heading for the great hall.

              “Good.” I grinned at her. “Because any more than that would lay you out for the rest of the night—and I don’t want you to miss anything.” Shooting her a suggestive look, I added, “I have plans for you later. You did say you wanted to give me
everything,
right?”

              For a moment we shared searing eye contact. Then the ballroom doors opened, and she turned her head, gasping audibly at what she saw inside.

              Happiness swelled in my chest like a sunrise. There was nothing better than pleasing her. “Do you like it?”

              Ryann’s fingers came up to cover her mouth lightly as she nodded. “It’s… incredible. It doesn’t even seem like the same place.” She stepped into the room, her head on a swivel as she took in the elaborate decorations.

I followed her through the room while she admired the miles of fine white fabric draping the long banquet tables, the candle-lit crystal chandeliers, the flowers and greenery and candle lights that adorned every flat surface.

              “It’s like a fairy tale,” she breathed. “Thank you.”

              I leaned down and kissed her cheek, feeling more than a little proud of myself for pulling it off. “You deserve it. You deserve everything I can give you and more. Would you like a drink?”

              “Maybe just some saol water. I don’t think I could handle any wine until I’ve eaten. I really am feeling that—what was it called?”

              “We just call it Saol. It’s made from the residue of the saol water making process, aged and fermented for a
long
time. It’s very intoxicating—and addictive. That’s why we use it only for ceremonial rituals and only in the smallest quantities.” I led her to a table where hundreds of glasses sparkled in the warm candle glow of the room. Lifting two glasses, I handed her one. “Here you are. To our future.”

              She clinked her glass delicately against mine. “To forever.”

              That was our last private moment for a while as a flood of well-wishers surrounded us, and we were obliged to speak a few words to each one. After a short time, the musicians who’d been staggered along the processional path finished setting up as a single group on one side of the room and began playing together as a full orchestra. The music was lively but not too loud. The wedding feast would begin soon. After that the tables would be cleared away for dancing.

              The peal of a single bell signaled the beginning of the meal. Ryann and I took our seats at the center of one of the long tables, our families on either side with Nox and Vancia across from us. At my insistence, Ava had stayed for the festivities, but she looked uncomfortable, sitting quietly next to Nox and picking at her food.

              Perhaps she was thinking about her next step. After the way she’d helped me and confessed her wrongdoing, it was doubtful she’d be welcome in the Dark Court any longer. I supposed that meant her betrothal to Culley was over as well, if it had even been real in the first place. She had defied his father, making an enemy of him. She’d given up a lot to do the right thing.

             
You’re welcome to remain here in Altum for as long as you like
, I assured her.

              She glanced up from her plate and gave me a grateful smile.
Thank you, Your Highness, but I’ll probably leave in the morning. Congratulations on your marriage. I know you’ll be happy together.

              “So Ryann,” Nox said, drawing my attention his way. “What did you think of your song?”

              She gave him a quizzical look.

              “The one they played while you were walking in. I call it ‘Ryann’s Theme.’”

              “Very original honey,” Vancia teased, patting Nox’s hand.

              Ryann’s eyes went wide as she realized what he had done for her, for us. “Oh, Nox, I loved it. Truly. It’s the perfect wedding gift.”

              “Well, that wasn’t your actual gift.” He grinned over at Vancia.

              She pulled a set of keys from her evening bag and set them on the table in front of Ryann’s plate. Ryann picked them up, her pretty face contracting in puzzlement.

“What is this? This is a Mercedes emblem.” 

              “Well, I know how attached you are to the old Caddy,” Nox said. “But
stylish
as it is, it’s not going to last forever. We thought you needed something a little more reliable.”

              “And a little less hideous,” Vancia added with a laugh. 

              Ryann glanced over at me, open-mouthed and wide-eyed before standing up and leaning over the table to hug Vancia, then Nox.

              “This is too much. It’s too much,” she said. 

              Nox waved a dismissive hand. “Nah. Actually, it was entirely self-serving. Now that you have a decent car, you can drive us to the airport.”

              Watching the two of them laughing and talking together, I was happy to note a complete lack of jealousy on my part. Maybe spending the past few days eaten alive with a jealous rage had burned it all out of me. Maybe it was just knowing she was inextricably bound to me now by Elven and human tradition.

              After dinner, the music turned spirited and celebratory, perfect for dancing. Servants whisked away the tables and chairs, and Ryann and I took the center of the dance floor directly under the great hall’s colorful, glowing mosaic.

              “I have no idea what I’m doing,” she muttered through a clenched smile.

              “Don’t worry,” I whispered. “I do.”

              I led her through the steps of one of our traditional dances, and in spite of her warning, she followed me easily. After that she danced a turn with her father and then with Nox while I danced with my mother then hers. Noticing Vancia standing alone, I looked around for Ava but didn’t spot her anywhere in the crowd.

              I was grateful when the formalities were finished and I was able to dance with Ryann again. The orchestra must have read my mind because they slowed the tempo and played a romantic waltz-like tune. Other couples surrounded us, but I felt like we were encased in our own private bubble of happiness, moving slowly together, my arms around her, hands stroking the silken skin of her back.

              “This is nice,” Ryann murmured, laying her head on my shoulder.

She smelled amazing and felt like heaven pressed close to me. I glanced around, wondering how much longer we’d be obligated to stay at the party. I shaped her waist with my hands, loving her curves, anticipating exploring them at leisure and very, very thoroughly.  

She must have been feeling a similar anticipation because she raised up on her tiptoes to kiss me—a delicious appetizer before our wedding night. It took everything in me not to groan loud enough for our neighbors on the dance floor to hear. She drew back and stared into my eyes. She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.

“Are you happy? Did you enjoy your wedding day?” I asked.

“It was perfect,” she said. “The best day of my entire life.”

I agreed—almost. “There’s only
one more thing
I need to make this day the best of
my
life.”

Her face flooded with pink color. Obviously she’d read my meaning or maybe my emotions, which had to be fully charged and obvious to her glamour right now.

“I know I’ll be relieved when it’s over,” she said, making me bark out a sudden loud laugh.

And the pink deepened to red. “No, I mean the reception—you know, I’ll be relieved when we’re finally alone. I didn’t mean…”

I dipped my head and laughed against her neck, pressing a kiss into it then murmuring against her ear. “Good. Because there’s no way I’m rushing through what comes
after
this.” I smiled as I felt chill bumps spring up on her arms and heard her breath quicken. “It may be the shortest reception in history, though.”

Her body surged against mine. She kissed me then pressed a feverish whisper into my ear, her fingertips digging into the muscles of my back. “I want you Lad.”

Aaand we’re leaving.

I grabbed Ryann’s hand and started across the dance floor toward the exit, nearly dragging her in my haste to get her alone. I’d been primed and ready for days, for
months
, but those four words had made it impossible to stay here another minute. Every muscle in my body was strung tight. My blood was raging, my desire for her at the boiling point. 

“We can go now?” she asked, practically running to keep up with my pace and obviously confused by my abrupt actions.

I nodded. “We
have to
go. The bridal suite is ready. And so am I.”

“We’re not going to your room? Wait—where are we going Lad… what have you done?”

“You’ll see.” I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Come on—before anyone tries to stop us—though I doubt
anyone’s
that stupid.”

Nox was walking into the ballroom as we were sneaking out. He gripped my shoulder firmly, wearing a big smile.

“No one is that stupid,” I repeated.

“You sure when Ava put your brain back together, she didn’t forget a piece or two, brother? I
know
you’re not bailing on your own wedding reception and leaving me here to hold the bag.”

Out of my way, brother, if you value those straight white teeth—it might be kind of hard to sing without them.

Nox looked from me to Ryann to our clasped hands then laughed and slapped me on the back, sprouting a knowing grin.

“Good point. Okay then, you two enjoy your night—don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

I didn’t care
what
he would or wouldn’t do. I only knew what I was going to do—as soon as possible. I wished him a good night and led my new bride to her room. I stopped at the door.

“Change as quickly as you can—we’re leaving Altum.”

“Okay. Do you want to come in and wait?”

Staring down at her wide eyes and beautiful mouth and the hint of cleavage at the neckline of her dress I considered it.

I released a tense breath. “No. I’d better wait out here. If I come in with you—we may never leave, and you’ll never see all the surprises I have planned.” I leaned in for a brief kiss—that was about all I could take at the moment. “Hurry.”