Chapter Sixty-Three

"In all of your long years, I think I can finally say I have seen you make your first mistake," Azphel commented.

Julius stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar and cuffs of his pristine and noble suit. "And what mistake is that?" Julius asked wryly.

"In that it has taken you this long to finally wed Beralin," Azphel stated, sweeping the folds from Julius's shoulders. "You have loved her for nearly four hundred years. Yet it is only now you are finally wedding her. Who would have thought you took longer than me?"

"Circumstances were a bit more complicated than yours and Amana's love," Julius mused. "For starters, Amana did not mysteriously fall out of the sky, nor is Amana an additional Weaver when there were only ever meant to be two. Amana is not part of this prophecy, nor did Amana spend two hundred years in a comatose sleep having her wings healed."

Azphel chuckled. "All reasonable points. But still inexcusable."

Julius rolled his eyes, but smiled nevertheless.

"Why now though, I must ask?" Azphel continued. "Beralin looks far better than how I last saw her. There is life in her eyes again, her aura is bright once more. But, there are still scars through and through. They are healing, but she is by no means fully recovered."

Julius sighed. "You are correct. It will take years, if not decades – I suspect – before she is back to normal. To some extent, it would be better to wait until then."

Azphel tilted his head to the side. "Therefore why now?"

Julius glanced down at his hands, hands which had held Beralin so many times in the last nine months to keep her together, to keep her standing. He would do it until the end of time with joy, because he loved her entirely, no matter her mental or physical state. But it also broke his heart, because in his hands, he felt her fear.

At first, he had thought it was her fear of the Dragon Lords, and the memories of her battles with them. But as time went on, Julius began to realise it was more than that. It had started from the day he brought Beralin back to his manor, when she first asked him to do something for her.

"Please don't leave me."

There was a fear in her eyes back then, and the same even now. And the irony was Julius recognised it remarkably well, because it was the same fear he had come to carry since feeling that the cost to his second ascension, was losing Beralin.

Julius feared he was going to lose her, even though there was absolutely no evidence to say he would.

Beralin, it appeared, had the same fear growing in her mind, but it was the fear of losing him. Ever since her mind woke up and returned, ever since he told her he was Aion's Vessel, there was a fright in her eyes when she looked at him, as if she half expected him to disappear with a puff of smoke, becoming as esoteric as a concept.

Julius lowered his hands and exhaled softly. "She never asks me for anything," he finally said. "To finally wed, has been her first actual request from me."

"Really?" Azphel asked, surprised. "She has never actually asked you for anything at all?"

Julius shook his head. "No, besides to not leave her on the first day I brought her to my manor. In comparison, I am extremely selfish. For I have made demand after demand of her over again, and she has met every single one, both as a soldier, and as a person. Therefore in return, it is only fair I grant her this request, and every other request if she ever asks. She has my heart in its entirety, but through finally bonding officially, I believe gives her the grounding anchor she needs. The world has been changed so much in the last year, and Beralin's world especially, had been a constant maelstrom of confusions and chaos which she can barely grasp, but has had to out of survival. By at least having one thing set in stone, to be married, is her only and most vital request. It is one which I granted in a heartbeat, for it is also something I both want and need just as equally."

Azphel grasped Julius's shoulder. "I understand. Not many of the others will, but I do. Whatever is happening in the world, has something to do with you and Beralin. We would be fools to ignore such coincidences at this point. There is much uncertainty, and with even Marchutan's Sight blocked, we have nothing to go on. Therefore, at least by being able to call Beralin your wife, and you her husband, you both shall have something which is certain in life."

Julius snorted. "As long as there is one thing which is certain, then we can survive."

"Believe me, it will help you both a great deal," Azphel assured him. "Once Amana became my wife, I had never felt so relieved in my entire life. The contract is binding, and just knowing that no matter how far away she is from me, knowing she is my wife, settled my heart. The separations are still unbearable, but they are far easier to endure, because I know she will always come back to me, and I will always go back to her. Nothing changes the fact Amana is my wife. The marriage is as solidifying as words carved into stone and woven into Fate. It will be the same for you."

"I look forward to that relief," Julius said.

Azphel smiled. "Now come, let us go and greet the others before taking our places."

Julius smirked. "I say we take our places now. Greetings can come afterwards. You may not know, but Beralin does not take long to prepare, unlike other women."

"Ah, but Beralin is being prepared by Amana and Thalia. Even if she wanted to get started now, she would not be able to, not until those two decide she is ready," Azphel mused.

Azphel had a good point, and so the two men left the dressing room together and made their way to the rear of Azphel's palace, where the few guests and lovely arrangements were all prepared in the garden.

xxx

I sat at the vanity table, while Thalia tended to my hair, and Amana applied a light dusting of make-up to my face.

"You will need to cast a spell over it," I told Amana. "Because I will be crying a lot, and I don't want the tears to ruin your hard work."

Amana grinned. "Hence why I am applying just a light dusting. But yes, I will be protecting it with a spell, the same one I have on my own face, because I will be crying too. At last, I finally see my two favourite people getting married."

"It has been a long time in the waiting," Thalia commented from behind me. "Ever since your second year with us, I knew this would be inevitable." She tied my hair up into an elegant up-do, so the veil could be hung upon the bun.

"I knew about this first," Amana butted in. "You should have seen Julius's face the day Bera came to Azphel's dinner. I had never seen Julius so speechless and stunned. And who could blame him! None of us knew just how beautiful Bera was until then. She caught his heart then and there, without even realising. It has been so funny and lovely, because Bera, you were the only one to address him so formally, to be so distant. Hell, you spent more time trying to avoid him than anything else."

Thalia chuckled. "It is no wonder Julius made the first move, and it was a good thing it was him and not someone else."

Amana giggled. "Exactly, otherwise Bera would still be flitting between the shadows and out of reach. If anyone was going to catch her, it would only be him."

I sighed. "I am right here."

"We know," Thalia chimed. "It is just fun to reflect back on the past like this. It makes you blush."

Amana giggled. "Oh Bera, your history with Julius is as sweet as honey. You are both a match made in the Aether."*

I looked down at my hands in my lap, smiling softly to myself. "Thank you," I said.

Thalia paused what she was doing with my hair, and I glanced up to see her turn away briefly, wiping her eyes.

"I think you need to have your make-up fixed in place as well, Thalia," Amana noted.

Thalia laughed. Her voice thick with threatening tears. "I think I will," she admitted, dabbing under her eyes with a handkerchief. "It is just ever so overwhelming, gloriously overwhelming, to see you smile and show joy again, Bera."

"I still have a long way to go, I know that. But I would not be here if not for you and Julius," I said gently, looking at Thalia from the mirror. "Thank –"

Thalia held up her hand and she turned back to me, and her eyes met mine. "Don't say anything, otherwise we will all be a sobbing mess," she said, but she sighed a content sigh and smiled as she returned to my hair and pushed silver pins into place.

Amana had to lean back now, waving her hand against her face as she blinked hard. "I have not seen you since you went on your annual leave before Kurngalfberg. All I heard were the reports and stories. But I am just so glad you survived. You are here, in one piece."

As soon as I had arrived at Azphel's palace in Norsvold, the first thing Amana did was throw her arms around me and burst into tears. I had never comprehended anyone worrying about me, besides Julius, and Thalia. So to see Amana's concern, had been both a shock, and a startlingly warm surprise, so much so that I had also burst into tears to realise I had missed her company. I had missed everyone's company.

As a result, it was why I chose Norsvold.

"Norsvold?" Julius repeated, surprised. "Why Norsvold? I would have thought Azphel's presence there might be intimidating for you."

"It is," I admitted. "But it also holds the most significance, I think, for both of us. Norsvold still has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world, besides the mountainside which is your manor. Norsvold was the place where I first saw you as a regal entity and truly appreciated who and what you are. It is also Lord Azphel's home. And I want to thank him for saving my life from the ice. In a sense, I want to repay him, to return the thanks he gave to me upon our first meeting."

Julius listened, and smiled. "I cannotthink of a better place," he agreed. "Likewise, Norsvold holds a special place in my own heart for similar reasons. It is the realm of the only other entity on this planet I trust as much as I trust myself and you. And it is the place wherein I first realised I loved you."

And it was true. Likewise, within Azphel's home, the wedding could be more private. Only a small party had been invited for the modest ceremony and reception. Perhaps one day, once my confidence had fully returned, the regiment would be allowed a celebration of our own, with bonfires, barbecues and plenty of ale and mead.

Vengar would have been the other most fitting location, purely because it was the region wherein I found my place in this ancient world. It was the place I first met Julius. It was where I first saw the Tower of Eternity as it originally was. It was where I learnt about the Weave.

So much happened in Vengar, both good and bad.

But so much also happened in Norsvold, even if it was just that one, fateful evening – a simple dinner beneath the roof of the Lord of Shadow.

I remembered it so clearly still. The terror. The amazement. The instant leaping of my heart to be stunned by how shockingly handsome Julius actually was and to realise truly how far beyond my station he was.

It was ironic, because I never would have suspected at the time that that had been the moment he fell in love with me. I saw his stunned surprise, but I had believed it was due to my ability to present myself as a noble, when all of them had been so used to seeing me work as a grunt instead. To an extent, it was true too. But I did not realise there had been the addition of love as well.

"So will you take his last name?" Amana asked, drawing my attention back to the dressing room. "You dropped your original one, didn't you? I cannot even remember it. Do you remember, Thalia?"

Thalia shook her head. "I do not, now that you mention it. It was such a long time ago."

"It is not important anymore," I said simply. For this time, indeed it was not. In my original time, it was incredibly important. But it was not needed right now, here, in Ancient Atreia. Because there would be an Atherton out there somewhere, my ancestor, and I did not want to meet them, lest it bring complications I knew I could not fathom.

"You will take his name then?" Amana asked excitedly.

I looked down, unsure whether I could meet Thalia's eyes. After all, the Haelsen name was hers. But I had to remember I was the one getting married. And I was marrying Julius Haelsen. In this day and age, it appeared that I would also become a Haelsen, because in my original time, I was an Atherton, and Julius had likewise changed his name to match my family background of my time.

It was fair.

"I will take his name," I finally said, half cringing as I waited to hear what Thalia would say to it, preparing for the worst and my shoulders hunched up around my ears.

Thalia patted my shoulders back down. "Good," she said. "I would have been quite miffed if you did not."

I did not realise I was holding my breath, and I released it with relief, and almost started to cry again. It meant so much to me to be accepted by Julius's incredible mother.

Thalia squeezed my arms from where she stood behind me. "Now, now, no tears. Save them until afterwards. We don't want you going out with red eyes and a red nose, do we?"

I swallowed my tears back down, sniffed, and blinked hard with a shake of my head. Both Amana and Thalia smiled encouragingly at me.

"I know it has been a negative thing for the last year, but Bera, your wobbly confidence right now is quite a blessing," Amana beamed. "Because for once, you can show us what you really feel in your heart. You have worn masks so well for centuries. It's about time you 'let your hair down' so to speak."

I laughed briefly, carefully dabbing my eyes and nose with a handkerchief. "I like that."

Amana grinned, and then finally stood back, looking satisfied.

"Alright, stand up, Bera," Thalia said after attaching the veil to my hair.

I stood, and turned to look at my reflection in the wall-sized mirror to our side. The dress I wore was extremely similar to the first noble dress I bought and wore to my dinner to Azphel's palace. Long, slender and elegant, with deep sleeves which concealed my hands. The collar of my dress was high, accentuating the length of my bare neck. The only difference between this dress and the first, was this one was white, embroidered delicately with silver.

Little of my skin shone, capturing that same conservative nature. Likewise it helped me feel safe. I did not feel as confident as I used to to show my skin, for it felt as if I was missing my armour, and bare skin was open to be exploited by an enemy who could cut and hurt me on the battlefield.

It was a silly notion. Especially given I was at my own wedding. But nevertheless, to be clothed like this, allowed me feel safe. It hid the cracks in my soul, and helped project at least some of my old presence before my devastatiing defeat at Kurngalfberg. I may not have felt strong on the inside anymore, but ironically, Amana's suggestion to choose this style of dress again, was remarkably wise, because clothes did indeed sometimes help an individual feel like they used to, or wanted to.

The only colour to my form, was the slightest pink dusting to my cheeks, a touch of lipstick, my green eyes and black hair. My emerald necklace was hidden beneath my dress. From my own earlobes, hung long and delicate silver chains, upon which glowing moonstone gems dangled at the ends.

The veil itself was like a sheet of translucent mist, glowing faintly with delicate Aether. Thalia pulled it over my face, while the rest of it draped out behind me.

"Beautiful," they breathed, stunned by what they saw.

"I knew this dress would work," Amana said. "It held the greatest impact to Julius and I, and therefore still holds the same power."

I felt my heart bubble with warmth, and turned to both of them. They were such beautiful women as well. Dressed in elegant gowns for the ceremony. None of us had dressed the same way as we had for Israphel's ball. That had been an occasion for flamboyance and teasing.

This event, was far more mellow and subdued. There was no need for anything so extravagant. Instead, it had been elegantly simple, like me. And somehow, they were more beautiful like this than at the finest of balls.

Because like this, their true inner beauty shone forth, coupled with their actual physical beauty, and melded together through the grace of their attire.

"It is time."

The three of us turned to the doors, where Sudryl stood, dressed in a similarly simple suit which seemed to accentuate his regal and lordly bearing, yet somehow in a softer way. He wore an open expression, one which suddenly reminded me of Julius.

They were father and son, through and through. I was not sure what their relationship was like now, after their argument which had hauled me from the brink of despair. But at least it looked like they had put aside their differences, differences which I did not want to know, because right now, I knew I was not strong enough to handle it.

Amana and I curtsied, while Thalia went to him and touched his arm, kissing him gently against his cheek. His eyes softened as he gazed at Thalia.

"Well, Amana, let us go and take our places," Thalia said, motioning for Amana to join her.

Amana hugged me. "We'll see you out there."

Thalia hugged me next. "Welcome, my daughter," she whispered, and I felt tears prick my eyes again and I had to blink quickly and sniff to hold it back.

Thalia chuckled, before Amana and her looped arms and left the room. Sudryl and I stood alone. He was the one who would walk me down the aisle.

"Lord Sudryl, are you certain about walking me down?" I asked tentatively. "I . . . I am ashamed to say I have had little focus on the preparations and proceedings leading up to this wedding. I had not been aware General Thalia asked you to –"

He held up his hand and smiled. "If anything, it is I who am ashamed, for my only interaction with you had been the day you fell from the sky. Despite the unusual bond I feel to you, I have not been able to take the time to actually speak with you, nor have I even been able to thank you for saving my wife, twice. Consider this as the beginnings of returning my debt to you."

My eyes widened. "My Lord," I gasped. "You owe me nothing!"

"On the contrary, I owe you a great deal. More than anyone in this entire world. Therefore I hope that with today, we can finally begin to build a rapport, as there has been much I have neglected in these recent centuries." He held his arm out to me. "Today, you join my family, which therefore makes me your father now. And a daughter requires a father to walk her down the aisle."

His expression was kind. It was welcoming, and genuine. More tears pricked my eyes. Even though he did not know me, even though he may never really know me, his eyes contained far greater kindness than Yohan's ever did.

And perhaps that was because Sudryl was in fact my biological father. I still did not know how or why exactly. But the eyes did not lie.

Yet it then made me wonder with a pained heart. What had happened to Thalia? What had happened to Amana? For neither of them were in recorded history. Neither of them I had ever been seen in my original time.

These were thoughts I swallowed away, burying them deep into my mind. There was still another five hundred years to go before the Cataclysm. I still had time to understand what happened, and to maybe save those who had to be saved.

I could not dwell on what happened to Thalia and Amana. They were alive right now, and here. And I loved them. I wanted to love Sudryl as well. I wanted to understand why his eyes were so sad in my childhood.

Therefore, I steadied my heart and nodded to myself. I picked up my bouquet of flowers and blossoms, and took Sudryl's arm. It surprised me just how natural it felt. How much he felt like . . . family. Although I had never truly spoken to the First Empyrean Lord before, I somehow felt that I knew him, in the same way I instinctively knew Julius.

There was a connection, besides our eyes. It was something far deeper, something deep within the blood and the Weave between the three of us.

Sudryl led me out of the dressing room and into the corridor. I felt my chest tighten with nervousness, and likewise my breathing increased.

I was getting married. By the end of the day, I would have a husband, and I would be a wife. Even though this was what I wanted, in no way had it lessened the galloping nervousness of my increasingly pounding heart.

"Breathe," Sudryl said soothingly. "In, and out. In, and out."

I obeyed him, following his slow and steady breathing.

"It is normal to feel nervous on your wedding day. Not a single person alive can claim to have entered it with confidence."

I glanced up at him as we walked. "Even you?" I asked nervously.

"Even me," he confirmed. "Even Azphel. And even Julius."

"Is . . . is the nervousness because it is wrong?" I asked, my voice wavering as doubt crept into my tone. Was I making a mistake by rushing? It felt like none of my thoughts were clear and straightforward since Kurngalfberg.

"No, it is not because it is wrong," Sudryl said with comforting ease. "It is simply the disbelief, of realising you can finally be with the person you love, to finally hold your other half in your arms with divine right. It is the nervousness of trying to understand whether this is truly reality, or if it is just a taunting dream, because how could something so wonderful, possibly be happening?"

I stared at him. So much he had seemed like Aion Himself. He was the First Empyrean Lord, the first Daeva ever created by Aion. He had not started off as a human. Sudryl was created from the Aether itself at Aion's will.

Yet here, I was walking with a man, a man who was as grounded as a mountain, as understanding as any individual who was in love, and had been in love for centuries. He felt emotions; joy, fear, trepidation, disbelief, and so much more.

Just by showing me his empathy, Sudryl had suddenly become so relatable, so real – normal.

It was something Julius had said on the night he found me by the pond after I ran. The Empyrean Lords were just as normal as everyone else, no matter how mighty they appeared to the rest of the world.

An epiphany occurred to me, as I truly realised and comprehended just how strong the Empyrean Lords were. Because they carried the weight of the world upon their shoulders, yet had to balance their duty, with natural emotions. Only the strongest, could balance two such opposing forces together and still retain their sanity.

Aion was cruel. Because with emotions, came so many complications. Everything would be so much easier without emotions, if one was in such a overwhelming position of power, authority and responsibility. Emotions made the decisions so much harder, because one had to contend with the consequences of each decision, and learn to live with the pain.

I knew that now, after losing Kurngalfberg. And now, I possessed a far greater respect, as well as pity, for these divine beings who ruled and led our world. They were the most blessed.

But also the most cursed.

I was reminded of one of the passages from Julius's journal, the one I found in the Abyss, where he wrote about Azphel's and Amana's wedding. It had been a rare occasion for them all to take down their titles, to laugh and drink, and sit around and generally be normal. It was a rare moment of respite, a chance to relax, even if it was for a moment, so they did not have to think about the war and the bloodshed.

As a result, I felt my heart harden with resolve, and I found myself smiling. This day was not just about Julius and I. It was for all of us, to celebrate a good and happy thing, to allow everyone to step down from their high perches, and be normal men and women.

As we approached the gardens, Thalia's piano melody drifted through the air with the gentle hum and buzz of voices. The air was fresh and sweet, and the garden a vibrant array of natural colours from the flowers and trees which bloomed.

I paused to take in the beauty of its simplicity. Azphel's gardens were a sight to behold alone, but what was lovely was how easily the array of seats blended down into the garden's landscape, shielded by natural roofs of leaves and blossoms which bowed up and over our heads, like the great pillars and ceiling of a cathedral.

Four Shugo's in suits stood along the edges as waiting butlers and waitresses. As for the guests themselves, it was a small handful of the closest, and a few others. Besides Sudryl, Julius, Azphel, Thalia and Amana, there was also Marchutan, Siel, Yustiel, Skell, and a few close comrades from Julius's regiment. Celledon and Yvannia should have also been here, but I wanted to believe and imagine they were with me in spirit and heart.

I was surprised to see Siel, for I had never met her before, and my eyes lingered on her for a moment with breathless awe. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Her skin was as bright as sunlight, eyes as blue as the deepest ocean. Her blond hair was long and flowing, turning to strands of light the further down her back it went. And her clothes and hair alike, seemed to float around her as if she were somehow separate from time, as if she walked through water.

Her smile was as kind as her eyes. They were wise eyes, eyes which did not waver, did not judge. They were strong beyond compare. She was unlike any other Empyrean Lord I had ever encountered.

Like Israphel, Siel felt different to the other Empyrean Lords. Worthy, truly, of being a Tower Guardian.

A lump rose to my throat unexpectedly, to have the knowledge of knowing when these two magnificent Daevas were going to perish.

I pulled my gaze away from her before I felt the tears, thankful I had a veil. Today was not about my past, nor their future. Today was about the present, of focusing on something good, of having at least one victory, amongst so many defeats.

My gaze landed at the end of the petal covered aisle, where Marchutan stood at the head, with a tome in his hand, and his approving, grandfatherly smile, passed over me with a gentle, beckoning nod.

To the side, two men stood, one like sunlight, and the other like shadow. Two brothers in spirit.

My eyes landed on Azphel, and the faintest smiles, or a smirk, touched the corners of his lips, as recognition flickered through his dark sapphire eyes upon spying my dress. He whispered something into Julius's ear, and Julius's previously stunned expression, brightened into the most handsome of smiles.

His stunned expression, I now realised, was the same one he wore when I first appeared before him as a noble in Azphel's home. And I understood what Azphel must have whispered to him, because both of them, and Amana and I, had a shared memory of the past, of which only the four of us held, and therefore understood its significance in the dress I wore today.

To see Julius at the end, distinguished in his robed suit, took my breath away. There were many handsome men in this world. Just as there were many beautiful women in this world. But Julius was by far the most regal, by divine right. He stood tall, like an emperor of golden light, yet his emerald eyes were the clear and defining trait of his divinity to mark him above all others.

His body was strong, his presence as unyielding as a mountain, eyes as clear as space, and a smile as glorious as the brilliance of the sun.

And mingled within such a magnificent figure, was still the humble and gentlemanly scholar which I knew, the man who spoke softly, who stroked my hair was the gentlest of touches, and whispered to me in the quietest and soothing of voices.

This was the man I had loved for centuries. This was the man who loved me in return, me, of all people. Today, I would marry him. I had no eyes for anyone else, and as Sudryl led me up the aisle, Julius's eyes never left my face. They were soft, they were filled with love, and a relieved triumph. One which I felt as equally.

I had born so many defeats. But today, at last, I could have one victory.

At the end, Sudryl stopped and turned to me, where he gently took my head, and kissed my forehead through the veil, as a father would do to his daughter, and I felt the lump of emotion clog my throat once again upon such a small, but meaningful gesture.

"Thank you," I whispered to him, and Sudryl smiled. It reached his eyes.

He stepped back, allowing Julius to step forward and he held out his hand to me. My heart leapt into my throat to be close to him again, and I took his hand. He lifted it to his lips, kissing the back, before he leaned close.

"You have taken my breath away and stolen my heart again, as you did so all those centuries ago. You are beautiful, Bera," he whispered.

I felt the tears threaten again, but this time I could barely stop them. I could not even speak, from the joy I felt surge through my heart. All I could do was squeeze his hand, to convey across just how much I loved him without risking suddenly bursting into tears.

Julius understood my squeeze, and he squeezed my hand back with an understanding chuckle.

Thalia brought her melody to a close, and the guests were seated. Julius and I turned to Marchutan.

"Today is a special day, for today, we bring together not just man and woman in holy matrimony, but also two Weavers, our rarest and most precious emeralds to the world of Atreia," Marchutan began in his deep and rumbling voice. "Today, we wed an Empyrean Lord, to a Daeva who has proven herself as valiant and as honourable as those of our own amongst the ranks of the Empyrean."

They were hard words for me to accept, for I could not see myself as one of them, even if it was just in heart, as Marchutan said.

Julius squeezed my hand gently again, and I glanced up at him. He gazed down at me with steady eyes, and the subtlest of nods, to remind me of his own words to me.

"You are not weak, Bera."

His words, his voice, had been strong, Woven with Truth. Though I struggled to believe in myself right now, I did believe in him, in Julius.

If I could not believe in anything else, at least I knew I would always believe in him. If he believed I was not weak, then I believed him. Julius was my entire source of strength and faith now.

Marchutan continued. "However, we are not here today to focus on the powers which shape this world through the might of two powerful Daevas. Today, we celebrate the humble joining of a man and woman, to be bound eternally in equality, friendship, and love. For no matter our titles, our ranks, our origins or our blood, love is universal in all things. And so I read to you;

"Love is a mighty power,

a great and complete good.

Love alone lightens every burden, and makes rough places smooth.

It bears every hardship as though it were nothing, and renders

all bitterness sweet and acceptable.

"Nothing is sweeter than love,

nothing stronger,

nothing higher,

nothing wider,

nothing more pleasant,

nothing fuller or better in Aion's House or Atreia; for love is born of God.

"Love flies, runs and leaps for joy.

It is free and unrestrained.

Love knows no limits, but ardently transcends all bounds.

Love feels no burden, takes no account of toil,

attempts things beyond its strength.

"Love sees nothing as impossible,

for it feels able to achieve all things.

It is strange and effective,

while those who lack love faint and fail.

"Love is not fickle and sentimental,

nor is it intent on vanities.

Like a living flame and a burning torch,

it surges upwards and surely surmounts every obstacle1."

I was ever so glad Amana had spelled my make-up in place, because as I listened to Marchutan's words, I found the tears spilling over my eyes and down my cheeks. My sobs were gulped back down. But I did have to sniffle quietly at least once.

Julius's arm had come around my back at the beginning, and pulled me gently to him as we listened.

Marchutan then brought his white eyes to Julius and I directly. "Now, it is time for your vows."

Julius let go, and brought his hands to take mine as we turned to face each other. I did not know if I could speak, for my throat was so clogged with emotion, that I feared if I opened my mouth, just a sob would escape.

"I will go first," Julius said, and I knew he would to give me the time to recover my composure. He held my hand, and gazed at it for a moment, before he brought his eyes up to my face, where his eyes and expression softened, yet also strengthened with unwavering love and resolve.

He smiled his open-hearted smile. "I, Julius, take you, Beralin to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to Aion's holy law. In the presence of Aion I make this vow2."

He Wove the Truth into his words. His vow, became a binding oath, to which he already held to, and would continue to hold to until the end of time, beyond even death.

Marchutan nodded in acceptance, and turned his calm gaze to me. I took a deep breath, and brought my gaze up to Julius, meeting his eyes with my own. Because even though I knew my voice would waver with emotion, my words would be infused with the same strength and Truth as his.

"I, Beralin, take you, Julius to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to Aion's holy law. In the presence of Aion I make this vow."

I Wove my words. I bound my words to an oath I knew in my heart I would never break, for breaking such an oath, would break me, and break Julius. It was an oath I would fulfil until the end of time.

Even if the world disappeared. Even if the Aether faded out into the emptiness of space, my oath would still hold. I was eternally bound to him, until the universe itself came to its end.

"These words are accepted," Marchutan said. He shut his tome and stepped back with a smile and turned to Julius. "You may kiss your bride, Julius. I now pronounce you husband and wife."

Julius lifted my veil back. My heart raced in my chest, so hard that I feared I may faint. I could not believe it.

Is this a dream? Am I dreaming? Or is this truly real?

Julius cupped my face. "It is not a dream, Bera," he whispered against my lips with a magnificent smile, reading my expression as clear as day. "It is real, as real as the air we breathe."

He pressed his lips to mine, parting them, to deepen the kiss as our tongues touched. Despite the gentleness of his kiss, there was a strength and power hidden within, and his promise, his vow, his oath.

Tears ran down my cheeks as cheers whooped through the chairs with applaud. This was really real.

I had Julius's love, as he had mine.

"At last, you are mine," Julius sighed as he pulled away, and embraced me tightly and abruptly, lifting my feet from the ground as he twirled us around with ease. I both sobbed and laughed with pure joy, hugging him to me.

"I love you," I cried. "I love you."

"I love you too, my wife. My Bera," he breathed. "I love only you."

Author's Note:

* I took this quote from Karano in one of your previous reviews. Thanks! It was perfect for this scene!

1.Poem called 'On Love' by Thomas à Kempis. I just changed 'Heaven' to 'Aion's House' and changed 'earth' to 'Atreia'. I can write short poems, but not long ones, so I discovered this one and found it most fitting. Unfortunately I can't put the link for a proper reference because always has this thing about links! Grr!

2. Wedding vows from The Church of England. 'God' has been changed to 'Aion'. I know there are plenty of people like to write their own vows, but I personally think the original vows are the most fitting.