Chapter Sixty-Four
The papers were signed to seal the marriage contract, and the celebrations wound through the afternoon and into the evening. Music flitted through the air, food was passed around, fine wine was drunk, chatter was shared.
All the while, Julius could barely keep his eyes from Beralin. She was the most beautiful woman and entity in the entire world. His mother and Amana had truly outdone themselves, playing to Beralin's strengths which stood her out like a quiet queen. For that was how Beralin truly looked and felt. He had no idea what wedding dress she would wear. She had kept it secret, and he could understand why.
"Amana's surprise for you," Azphel had whispered to Julius as Beralin came out with Sudryl. "Consider it our wedding gift."
It was the same style of dress she had first worn to Azphel's dinner, only here it was pristine white. It was the dress which had stolen Julius's breath. It was the dress that made him realise Beralin was shockingly beautiful and was by far more than what met the eye. It was the dress which demanded his attention, to realise Beralin was more than just an unusual Daeva, but one of incredible depth, of so much more character than he initially anticipated, that she was in fact such a regal entity, as well as such a normal, and lovely woman.
Beralin wearing the same style of dress to be her wedding dress, had Julius reflect back on that fateful evening from beginning to end. Because not only was it a matter of realising how beautiful Bera actually was, back then. But it was also understanding why Beralin had been in his thoughts so much during the first year, why her encounter with Beritra had bothered him so much, why Vaizel's stalking of her irritated him so.
It was because Julius had already loved her. Only it had never been made so clear to him until the dinner, until she walked in through the door with Amana.
"Like the dress?" Amana asked him with a cheeky raise of her eyebrow.
Julius sipped on his wine as he stood with Amana and Azphel. He kept a constant eye on Beralin, and if not, he was always aware of her. Right now, she stood with Siel and Yustiel, where Julius heard Beralin thank the Lady of Life for helping save her life after she had been found beneath Kurngalfberg's ice.
Yustiel's expression was soft and understanding, as well as pleased to see how much Beralin had recovered from the last time she saw her.
Siel also spoke softly, intrigued to finally meet Beralin in person, and likewise the other way around. Siel had been a reasonable individual, taking Beralin's Weaving identity in stride after Kurngalfberg, while many others had not.
"I do indeed," Julius answered Amana. "It was both a cruel thing you did, as well as the greatest gift and blessing."
Amana patted his arm. "I knew it would be the best one. I hope it brought back good memories, as it did for me."
Julius snorted softly. "It did bring good memories. It feels like that evening had only been yesterday. And yet, it also felt like it was over a thousand years ago."
"And that is the beauty of good memories!" Amana exclaimed. "They last forever at all times."
Julius glanced to Azphel. "Did you know this was Amana's plan?"
Azphel brought his gaze to his wife and smiled slightly. "I knew she had something clever intended. But no, I did not know either until a few hours before. Her judgement was wise though."
"Of course it was," Amana agreed. "It was a moment for the four of us to relive once again, given it was between the four of us originally in the beginning. What better way to mark the beginning of something wonderful, than to reflect on the actual beginning of how it came to be?"
Julius laughed softly. "Excellent judgement. I thank you, Amana, for helping make this day possible. I thank both of you, actually."
"You're welcome. This was a long time in the waiting. I am just glad I can finally witness what is meant to be," Amana said kindly. "You truly are a pair made in the Aether. I cannot think of a more perfect couple – besides Azphel and myself of course."
Azphel chuckled. "Well saved, my darling." He kissed the top of her head, and she smiled up at him lovingly.
"Amana," Thalia called from another group. "Come here, I need your opinion on something. Skell is being very stubborn."
The thrill of challenge flashed in Amana's brown eyes, before she dipped her head to the two Lords, and gracefully glided away.
"Yes?" She chimed as she joined the new group.
Julius watched her, before his eyes flickered to his own mother and father, who stood as a strong and wise old couple, so sturdy that nothing could faze them in the slightest.
He had never realised how much he had craved the same bonds which his parents, and Azphel and Amana possessed, not until he had it himself. Which brought his gaze back to Beralin. She was still wobbly internally. The scars of her soul were still clear to see.
But her gown had helped disguise the pains and hurts beneath the quiet reassurance of conservativism. Indeed, like a quiet queen she could still hold herself, and Julius watched her carefully, stepping back but hovering nervously on the outside to see if she could stand again.
And she could. Indeed her metaphorical legs may have shook, but she was standing. She stood again the moment her mind returned. Every now and then, she may have ducked and cowed over in fear. But not today. Today, was a happy day, and her joy was as bright and as obvious on her face as if she had shouted her joy out-loud.
There were plenty of tears as well, primarily from Beralin, Thalia and Amana. The three had become remarkably close over the centuries. Celledon and Yvannia should have also been here as well.
"Amana looks far more relieved now," Azphel said, bringing Julius's attention back to his friend.
"Relieved?"
"After she heard what happened at Kurngalfberg, she had fretted over Beralin's well-being almost to a painful extent."
Julius exhaled gently. "She did not need to. Beralin was in the safest place she could possibly be for her recovery."
"She knew that. But Amana had been there when Beralin fought Beritra. It hit her hard. And so to hear of a similar event against Ereshkigal, made her extremely worried."
"Did you tell her? About how you found Bera?"
Azphel shook his head. "No. In the same way Marchutan refuses to show you, I refuse to describe it to Amana. All she needed to know, was that Beralin was found. And now, to see your wife standing again, with light in her eyes and a smile upon her face, is a relief to both Amana and I."
Julius brought his gaze to the darkening sky. The truth was, that Julius did know. Beralin's nightmares were now his. They were a curse, but also a blessing. Because through knowing, Julius understood far better just where Beralin had to climb back up from. He could put the stepping blocks in place for her to find a grip against the slippery slope of recovery.
Julius smiled faintly. "My wife," he breathed. How wonderful it was to finally say it. He never thought he could feel such joy and happiness.
But he did. Because he finally had the one thing in the world he wanted.
Azphel laughed. "How does it feel to finally be a married man?"
Julius grinned. "At the moment, it's one of the best feelings I could ever experience."
"One of?" Azphel raised an eyebrow.
Julius smirked. "It will have to be tied for first position with the first night I took her."
Azphel chuckled. "A most accurate answer, but I will not ask you for the details."
"I had no intention of sharing them."
Beralin managed to pull herself away from Siel and Yustiel, and approached the two men, with a most lovely, open expression. When her eyes landed on Julius, the joy was almost blinding. When her eyes landed on Azphel, her expression softened, and hardened with resolve as she took a silent breath.
Julius almost swept her up into his arms then and there, so delighted and happy to know that at long last, she was his wife. Her thoughts were written all across her face, which made her more lovely than Julius ever thought possible. He had always been able to read her easily. But in some ways, her fragile self-esteem was yet another blessing, for her joy was visible to all, and as infectious as the heartiest laughter, or the most tired of yawns.
Whoever looked upon Beralin, found themselves beaming with equal elation.
"She really is lovely," Azphel commented. "I honestly congratulate you from the bottom of my heart."
"Thank you."
Through force of habit, Beralin bowed her head to Julius and Azphel with military and noble respect. "Lord Haelsen, Lord Azphel."
Julius felt his heart flutter with warmth to hear the title which only she addressed him by. It was ironic, how something he had hated before, came to be something he craved as much as she called him by his first name. Because both name and title came only from Beralin's lips.
Azphel bowed his head to her as a fellow noble. "Beralin. You do not need to use my title today. Julius is a brother to me, which likewise makes you my sister."
She smiled meekly. "Forgive me, but it is an impossible request."
"Yet you are able to address Julius by name," Azphel pointed out coyly.
"I was commanded, My Lord, multiple times," she said, her eyes turning to Julius with fond remembrance.
"Indeed, she was," Julius agreed with amusement.
"Then I shall have to command you as well," Azphel mused.
Beralin's eyes widened with dismay, as well as a familiar pain and discomfort as respect and propriety warred against the more casual bonds of friendship.
Before Julius could chide his friend for teasing, or step forward to ease Beralin's worry, she quickly swallowed, and curtsied a formal bow.
"Lord Azphel. Please allow me to say this," she began. "I never had the chance to thank you, for saving my life back then. If you had not found me, then –"
Azphel held up his hand. "Beralin," he said. "You do not need to thank me."
Her head snapped up to him. "But –"
He shook his head kindly. "Consider this as my debt to you finally repaid. You saved Amana's life. Now, I have saved yours. In the same way you could not accept my thanks back then, likewise now, I cannot accept your thanks. Nothing speaks louder than the effects of actions. Therefore please, do not bow to me nor even salute. But raise your head and look me in the eye, and call me your friend and equal."
Beralin's lips parted in astonishment, almost gaping. Julius looked to Azphel with a smile, feeling such pride, and gratitude, to once again know and witness how noble Azphel was to his very core.
Something flickered through Beralin's eyes, something so deep that it was fathomless, and for once, Julius could not entirely read it, but it was similar to the deepness in her eyes when she reflected on her original time. Something else came back from her emerald depths, a realisation, an overpowering understanding, and unexpected tears.
They had come so suddenly, that Azphel was startled with alarm. However, Julius did not waver, wrapping his arm around her back with a silent, but understanding squeeze.
Beralin quickly wiped her tears away and amazingly, she raised her head to meet Azphel's sapphire eyes with her emerald ones and smiled at him.
"Azphel, my friend. You are a better man than the world realises. Both you, and Julius, are the two best men in the world, and I can say that from my heart," she said, subconsciously Weaving the Truth into her words.
Though Azphel could not detect the Weave, he heard the Truth through the Aether, and his expression faltered from her words. Whether Beralin was aware of it or not, her words not only affected Azphel to his core, but Julius to. Her words, her tone, contained a startling age and wisdom. There was a knowing, as ethereal as the strings of Fate and Destiny. There was purity, and warmth, warmth enough which could have melted the very ice of Kurngalfberg, and purity which could have put Aion's and Siel's to shame.
In this rare moment, Azphel was lost for words, and Julius sighed with contentment, kissing Beralin's forehead while she dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief.
"Only you could say something with such sincerity and meaning, even if it seemed as simple as calling one a friend," Julius said, rubbing her back.
"A friend is a powerful thing," she said, trying to clear her throat and regain her composure, before she looked up at him. "Friends are the family we choose for ourselves. It is stronger than any blood we may share."
Julius stared at her. They were the words he spoke to her on the night she returned after her two hundred years of sleep.
He hugged her, strong enough to convey just how much he loved her, but not strong enough to ruin Beralin's hair and tangle her veil. Her words now, in this context, meant more than any of them had ever anticipated.
You are such a good woman, Bera, he thought silently. He almost could not believe that she was indeed his wife. Julius could not believe that such a woman chose him as her husband.
"My make-up, Julius!" Beralin protested.
He chuckled. "Your make-up will be fine, Bera. Amana's spell is still holding it in place. But I will check for you." He pulled away, and peered down at her face. "Yes, it is fine. Though you do not need it. You never did."
Beralin smiled, her cheeks reddening.
"Beralin," Azphel said, and she turned to him. He took her hand, and kissed its back with a gentleman's respect. His expression was soft. "Thank you."
Beralin blinked in surprise, as did Julius. It was rare, almost impossible, to hear such a soft, simple and sincere thanks from the Lord of Shadow.
But Azphel meant it.
Beralin's own expression softened. "You are welcome, Azphel," she said quietly.
Very soon afterwards, Beralin was called by Skell, and so she flitted over to join them after a feeble attempt at putting on her mask again.
Julius and Azphel watched her leave, before Azphel sighed and took Julius's shoulder. "I can say I am truly relieved."
Julius looked at him expectantly.
"She is a good woman, the best one, besides my own wife," Azphel said. "You have truly found your equal, Julius. I cannot tell you how relieved and how happy I am for you. For you both."
Julius raised an eyebrow. "You? Happy?"
"Indeed. It takes a great deal to make me happy. But to see you find the perfect woman, one whom I approve of entirely, someone as great and as honourable as you, brings such a warmth to my heart that I do not know what to do with it. Like I said, I cannot tell you just how I feel, because it is too powerful to put into words. But," he then said with a smile, "Beralin has my respect in its entirety. She is my friend, and now my sister, as you are my brother."
Julius clasped Azphel's arm in return. "You know not how much your words mean to me, and I am grateful to you, Azphel, my brother."
xxx
The celebrations did not come to a close until very late in the night. It was almost considered early morning, by the time the wedding celebrations ended and everyone went home.
Beralin was stood in the walk-in wardrobe, holding the hanger which held her beautiful wedding gown. Julius watched her eyes graze over the gown with fondness and contentment. It was a dress which held as much significance for her, as it did for him.
Julius stood up and went over to her, unable to resist being away from Beralin as he wrapped his arms around her from behind. "It is a shame weddings only happen once in our lives," he murmured.
"Well," she trailed off for a moment. "I have heard sometimes people renew their vows. Like a wedding, but the same one, just as a reminder." She then sighed with a gentle laugh. "But I do not see myself needing any reminders to maintain my vows. Even if I am Displaced, I will never forget, I will never break them."
"Neither will I," Julius hummed. "But I do not mind the idea of renewing our vows in say, another few hundred years." He dipped his head to her ear. "Nothing made me a happier man today, than to watch you come down that aisle for me."
Beralin's hand reached up to hold his arm. "And nothing made me happier than to see you waiting at the end for me. I still find it hard to believe. It all feels like a dream, a wishful imagining, and then I will wake up, or snap back to reality to find it had been nothing more than a hopeful dream."
Julius reached over her, to take her gown and hang it up, so he could turn Beralin to him and hold her jaw. "If it were all just wishful thinking, then I too would wake up, to find myself missing something which should have always been. But I am very certain this is real." He brushed his fingers along her neck, and traced his lips against hers as he whispered. "Because as much as I dream of you, nothing is as exquisite as physically feeling your skin with my hands, of physically tasting your lips on mine, of hearing your voice and breath in my ears."
Her arms snaked up and behind his back as her form melted against his. Julius kissed her, and inhaled her scent. She was as real as she could be, solid within his arms, warm against his body, and deliciously sweet to his seeking tongue.
"Thank you, for this," Beralin whispered. "I have never been so happy in my entire life. At last, I have a victory. I have you. My husband."
Julius smiled against her lips. "Not entirely. The marriage has not yet been consummated." He brought his hands down, sliding them back up against her silky back beneath her blouse.
Her lips parted, pressing her mouth to his as she breathed deeply through her nose, inhaling his own scent with a delightful sigh, while her body pressed against his. She could read his mind, and wanted him as much as he wanted her.
He kissed her hard, walking them both back to the bed while their clothes were stripped away. One by one they disappeared, and their skin rushed together with the heat and breathless desire of passion.
Throughout the remainder of the night, they loved. Julius thrust deep. Beralin rode hard. Their kisses left marks across the skin. Their ragged breath panted and sighed their lust. Sweat matted their hair.
Yet despite it all, they could never get enough of each other. Always craving, always needing more, and the other would always give.
At last, Beralin was entirely his; mind, body, soul and heart. She was his wife.
And would be for all eternity. Nothing could ever change this fact. Nothing could ever take her away from him.
Nothing, could defy the sheer strength of their love.