Today was just for them.
William pulled her back and shook his head reprovingly. “No peeking.”
Aria frowned impatiently but resigned herself to waiting a little longer. Though most of the leaves were still in the trees, they had started to flutter down. The clearing was alive with the swirling oranges, yellows, and reds that floated lazily toward the ground. The air was crisper, but she didn’t feel the cold as acutely as she had when she was human.
She shifted the simple bouquet of pale yellow roses and orange baby’s breath in her grasp. Max approached from where the others waited for her, he was smiling and handsome in the same shirt that William wore. Amusement gleamed in his eyes as his gaze ran over her and he nodded approvingly.
She’d been blessed with eternity, but it had come at a price. She was reminded of this fact as she looked between Max and her brother. One day, she would lose them, but for now she was going to savor in the small moment of perfection she’d found in a life she’d never expected to be blessed with.
“They’re ready if you are,” Max informed her.
She grinned at him as she nodded enthusiastically. She’d never been more ready for anything in her life. “Completely,” she replied as she happily slipped her arms into Max’s and William’s.
Someone, she suspected Melinda, had instructed that the colorful leaves be gathered and spread out to serve as the aisle she would walk down. There were no decorations except for the splendid color of the fall day surrounding them as she stepped onto the makeshift aisle. Gideon, Xavier, Saul, Calista, Adam, Frank, Ashby, Melinda, and Maggie were adorned in simple garb as they stood beside the makeshift aisle, but her eyes were immediately drawn to Braith with Jack at his side.
Pride bloomed in her chest; love swirled and built within her as tears burned her eyes. He was magnificent with his dark hair brushed neatly back and his hard jaw shaved clean. The dark green tunic he wore fit perfectly over his large frame. She had to admit that she enjoyed him in such simple clothing; he appeared more at ease in the attire of the forest people. And that smile, well she’d never get tired of that smile as it lit his face and sparkled in his eyes.
Max and William stepped aside when they arrived at the end of the aisle with her. Braith couldn’t stop himself from smiling as he held his hand out and took hold of hers. She was beautiful, with a glow of happiness and love that radiated from her as she stared up at him with tears of joy shimmering in her eyes.
She hated dresses, he knew that, but the simple gown she’d chosen was ideal for her. The cream color was flattering against her sun kissed skin. Woven across her stomach, through the dress, were subtle strands of gold and orange that accented her slender waist. More strands of color ran throughout the form fitting bodice, and the off the shoulder sleeves. Her hair fell about her shoulders in deep red ringlets that had been interwoven with tiny yellow and gold flowers.
She was a vision of fall and earth, and she was his.
Daniel cleared his throat to draw their attention to him. Her other hand enfolded his as Daniel began to recite the vows that he’d written. Though they weren’t traditional, Braith recognized them as belonging to the people of the woods, as belonging to Aria and her loved ones. Daniel spoke of the trees and the seasons, of growth and loss, of the changes that they all had to endure. Braith found himself enraptured by Daniel’s speech, the emotion that swirled within the words, and the fervor that radiated from his gaze.
“Though you may weather tough times may your love be as durable as the swaying oak, as steadfast as the rising sun, and as evolving as the changing moon.” Daniel stared expectantly at them before clearing his throat and blushing slightly. “You can kiss her now,” he said as he realized he’d forgotten this part.
Dim laughter accompanied his statement, but Braith heard none of it as he pulled her against him and kissed her. Her mouth was pliant against his as her arms wrapped around his neck and she melded against him. Loud cheers and applause resounded around them as he broke the kiss, before he couldn’t.
She grinned up at him, her eyes sparkling and mischievous and her mouth slightly swollen from his kiss. He wasn’t entirely certain if forever would be enough for him. He knew that no matter what, this woman, once his blood slave, then his greatest downfall, and finally his salvation would never fail to amaze him, never fail to bring joy and love to his life, and would hold him captive for eternity.