A large cheer erupted from the crowd as the last symbols of oppression from the old regime turned to ashes. Food and alcohol were brought forth, music began to hauntingly twirl through the air as the crowd of vampires and humans laughed and danced in celebration.
There was still a lot of work to be done, still a long way to go before trust was fully established, but as the heat of the flames beat against her skin, and Braith twirled her into the merriment, she knew they could do it. That together they could conquer anything, that they could make a world that neither of them had envisioned, but that both of them were willing to sacrifice anything for.
She thought of the darkness that had threatened to drag her under earlier, but instead of being afraid of it, she found strength in the power she knew coursed within her now. A strength that would help her get through the days and years ahead. Days and years she couldn’t wait to experience with him.
***
The next day, Aria agreed to give Melinda her undivided attention until the wedding and coronation ceremony was over. Melinda bombarded her with endless details, and Aria was reaching her breaking point when Maggie strolled into the apartment with an armload of dresses. “I asked her to come,” Melinda whispered in Aria’s ear.
It took Aria a moment to get over her surprise at seeing Maggie again. “You don’t have to wait on me.”
Maggie grinned at her as she placed the dresses on the arm of the sofa. “I’m not here as a servant. I came willingly.”
“Every queen requires a lady in waiting,” Melinda said flippantly. Aria was even more uncomfortable with that prospect. Melinda started pawing through the dresses that Aria now realized were actually wedding dresses. “I’ve ordered the tailor to come up also.”
Aria winced at the prospect. She knew she had to start adjusting to these things if she was going to spend an eternity within these walls, but even so, she couldn’t help but dream about escaping with Braith to their tree house again soon. Maggie watched in amusement as Melinda held dresses up to Aria, shook her head and tossed them aside with rapid precision.
They were almost to the end of the pile when Melinda seized hold of one that caused Aria to lurch forward. She pulled it closer to her as she gazed at the beautiful dress in awe. “This one. This is the one.”
Melinda’s grey eyes twinkled as she grinned at her. “I knew you’d like it. Didn’t I tell you this would be the one she chose?” she demanded of Maggie.
“You did,” Maggie agreed.
“Let’s get it on you before my brother decides to snoop.”
Aria helped them to maneuver her into the striking dress. Standing before the mirror, she was unable to believe it was actually her as she gazed at herself in amazement. It was the only dress she’d actually loved, and not only could she not wait to wear it, but she didn’t want to take it off.
Melinda fluffed out the bottom of it and took a step back to examine it carefully. A radiant smile lit her beautiful face as she nodded approvingly. “You’re not the most conventional queen, but you can pull off a dress when it’s necessary.”
Aria laughed as she twirled in front of the large mirror. Feeding on Braith had added curves to her that hadn’t been there since her first captivity within the palace. His blood had given her a glow of health that brought a rosy blush to her skin. She was amazed by the drastic change her life had taken. As a motherless, wild child, she never would have dreamed that she would one day be standing here, a fatherless vampire, surrounded by more loved ones than she had ever dreamed of having, and marrying a king.
Though it took all her self control, she managed to stay still, and not fidget, as the tailor made a few adjustments before nodding his approval.
Melinda clapped her hands enthusiastically together as she eyed Aria with approval.
“Are you ready to get married?”
“More than ready.”
“Good. The wedding is tomorrow.” Aria gaped at her as Melinda smiled mischievously and shared a pointed look with Maggie. “I’ve told Braith to stay away for the night, as we have a lot of plans to make, and also because I just like to torment him.”
“It’s too soon for such a big wedding,” Aria protested.
“Not the big one Aria, tomorrow will be your wedding. The one that you dreamed of. That other one can wait till the end of the month.”
Tears burned her throat and eyes as she threw her arms around Melinda. Her future sister was nearly her exact opposite, but in that moment Aria couldn’t have asked for a better friend. She hugged Maggie afterward; grateful to see the young girl that had been the closest thing to a friend she’d had while a blood slave. She’d never been so nervous and excited in her life but she couldn’t wait to be a queen.
EPILOGUE
William grinned at her as he grasped hold of her hands and held her arms out before her. “Might not be wearing heels, but the dress alone is worth it.”
Aria rolled her eyes as she slid her arm through his and smiled. “Don’t get used to it.”
“I don’t plan on it,” he assured her. “You look beautiful by the way.”
“Did you just offer me a compliment?”
His eyes sparkled as he squeezed her hand. “Don’t get used to it.”
“I don’t plan on it,” she told him laughingly.
“Are you ready for this?”
“I’m pretty sure this is the smallest step I’ve taken recently.”
“Yeah but you’ll be a queen after this one, that seems a little more intimidating than dying.”
Aria burst into laughter as she leaned against his side. “I think you might actually be right about that.”
His expression became sober as he studied her. “You’ll be good at it though.”
“I hope so. You’ll do well also, with Jack.”
He shrugged as he anxiously pulled at the edges of the light green tunic he wore. Though it was of finer quality than the clothes they’d worn in the forest, it was the same style. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“I’m going to miss you,” she could barely get the words out through the sudden constriction in her throat.
“I’m not so sure your future husband will.”
Aria laughed again as she shook her head. “He’ll miss you too; I’ll annoy him enough for the both of us though.”
“Of that I have no doubt.”
She leaned forward as she tried to peer out to where Braith waited with the others by the banquet tree. She was nervous about the larger ceremony at the end of the month but pure excitement filled her over this one.