Derra - Wife. Female bond-mate.
Verro - Husband, male bond-mate.
Senux: slang. A derogative. Human equivalent: geezer.
Obluvis - plural Obluvi. One who is senile or absent-minded. Slang: Idiot
Fratrin - Brother, but one of honour, friendship, or of oath rather than one of blood relation. Refers to the bond of karifratrus.
Patrem - Father (Familiar form Pari equivalent to dad)
Matrula - Mother (Familiar form Mari equivalent to mom)
Pahir - (plural: Pahirin) Male progeny.
Mahir - (plural: Mahirin) Female progeny.
Cohamentum - Dance of the elements. Performed during turian bonding ceremonies.
89 Days ASR 1800 hrs (Horizon)
Shepard lifted a hand to block the sun's assault on her eyes, the brilliant orb sinking close enough to the horizon to blind her. Then her verro stepped in to shade her, and his promised supper-time surprise revealed itself in the form of a small pavilion made from layers of gauzy, champagne-coloured drapes.
Her heart trembled in her chest, stealing all the air from her lungs and all the strength from her limbs as she looked into Garrus's eyes. "What's this?" she asked, blushing a little at the breeze whistling through her voice.
"Come inside with me, and you'll find out." Garrus glanced over at Nihlus, something passing between them that Shepard caught just the tail of. When her Callor held out his hand, she took it and followed him through the drapes.
What awaited her on the other side stole her breath. A dark rose-coloured chaise stood along the tent wall on her right, and directly before her a mirrored dressing table reflected her slack-jawed, idiotic gaping.
"Holy glowing Enkindler buttocks, Callor." She turned to look up at him, heart beating hard but steady. "What is all this?"
Instead of answering, he stepped aside, revealing a dressing dummy draped in a long, sheer, blue goddess gown, a chain made of glittering shells belted around the waist. Beneath it, a deep sapphire one piece swimsuit hugged the mannequin, generous cutouts showing the sides and most of the belly. The perfect gown for a beach wedding.
Garrus grinned, mandibles flicking in response to her sheer delight. "It's a little daring for a wedding dress, but I think Nihlus will approve." Using their clasped hands, he drew her into his embrace. "I definitely approve."
"Lucille will have a heart attack," Shepard said, bright laughter bubbling out: sunshine through leaves. "But I definitely approve." Slipping a hand behind his neck, she pulled him down until their brows kissed. "Thank you. For doing this for me, but more … for doing it for Nihlus. He's been keeping a stiff upper lip, but I know he was really disappointed he didn't get to spring his surprise on Illium."
Garrus nodded, just a slight shift of his head against hers. "He asked me to clean everything up, but when I saw how much love he'd put into it …." Rumbling low in his throat, he shrugged, the motion felt rather than seen. "You're his whole heart, Kahri. If I had even a single cell of doubt, seeing that beach killed it off. He loves you as much as I do, and we all deserve to have that love in our lives."
"You're the very best verro and fratrin ever." She grinned, her life opening up before her, the walls fading into translucence. "For a few more minutes anyway, then you'll have to share the title of verro."
"I look forward to it." Rough, perfect mouth plates nuzzled her lips; the scents of cloves and open forests soaking down into her gut, relaxing every muscle. Garrus groaned against her lips. "I'm going to go get Nihlus settled, sic Thane and Sol on him, and then I'll be back."
Shepard didn't let him escape; instead, she tipped her head to kiss him, long and slow, lips caressing and tongue teasing. In that moment, his heart shining so brilliantly that it inspired and blinded her with awe, she wanted to kiss him forever, to sink into the warm waves of love and safety washing over her.
After more than a minute, Garrus grumbled and pulled away. "If we keep this up, it'll be dark before we even get started celebrating," he whispered, his breath lingering, warm and sweet, between them. "I'll be back."
Shepard held onto his hand until distance pulled him from her grip, and he disappeared on the other side of the curtains. Letting out a soft groan, she turned a circle. She took long breaths, struggling to catch up with that latest, sudden twist of fate. Everything … every day … raced by so fast that it kept her breathless and spinning, either floundering through quicksand or sweeping away on the slightest breeze. That morning—Nihlus's intervention—told her just how unstable—how thin and brittle—her anchor chain had become.
No more. She cracked her neck, then her shoulders—that one hurt like a motherhumper—and closed in on the wedding dress with all the caution and due diligence of approaching a wild animal. Fear prickled along her spine as if it might flee or fight back: she knew the impulse.
The powder blue silk trickled like cool water over her fingertips, and she cursed Garrus for his fantastic taste in fabrics. If she didn't control herself, she'd end up standing there fondling the dress until he came back. Letting out a truly pathetic sigh, even by her standards, she turned away and began to strip out of her uniform, starting with her boots. As she exposed her skin to the heat, it prickled as though she'd contracted heat rash.
Damn, who knew the 'paradisiacal temperature' of Horizon resembled that of the first level of hell? Not one of the scary layers where you had to take razor-wire-yarn crochet lessons from Hitler all day. Nope, the really top of the top layers; the ones for people who stole the pocket change off their dad's dresser, put the new toilet paper roll next to the dispenser, and skimmed icing off other people's birthday cakes.
She slipped into the swim suit, ready to race to the nearest source of water even though it was probably a water bottle—maybe even a chilled one—and shove herself down the neck. She'd lost weight since she died, she could make it. Taking a moment to examine herself in the mirror, she winced at the scars showing through the generous windows in the shimmering, deep blue fabric.
"You look beautiful," a soft voice said from the entry.
Shepard looked past her reflection to watch her mother walk up behind her. Bunny lurked just inside the curtain. Forcing a smile, Shepard shook her head. "I wouldn't say beautiful, but thank you." For a split second, she almost called Lucille, Mama, but the glower on her sister's face warned her off. The hatred in that expression promised violence at the drop of a hat.
Shepard blamed herself. She needed to spend more time with Bunny, build a relationship. Maybe once the kid graduated Archangel, she could come along on missions; they could bond in the trenches.
Or she'll shoot you in the back of the head because you say or do something she doesn't like.
"Come on in," Shepard said, meeting Bunny's stare in the mirror. "Take a seat. It's a party, not a formal inspection." The truth of their situation probably ran closer to benign neglect on her part. Shepard couldn't look at Bunny without being hammered by all the love and pain and worry she'd felt over more than a decade. She adored her baby sister, had sacrificed her body and spirit to save her, and to see nothing but hatred coming back at her sliced far deeper than the batarian whips.
A wave of dizziness slammed into her, sending her stumbling into the dresser. Catching herself against the blessedly solid surface, she leaned into it. She pulled deep breaths in through pursed lips, trying to beat back the tsunami … trying to beat back the truth. She pressed her eyes closed, letting the dresser support her weight. Bunny screwed up her internal equilibrium, the girl's presence bringing back the nightmare of those twenty-seven hours, right down to the taste of blood and broken teeth.
Stop it. This isn't about Bunny, and it's not about you. It's about giving Nihlus the day he deserves.
Pushing herself back onto her feet, Shepard met her kid sister's stare and forced a smile onto her face. It felt more like a grimace, but when she spoke, she felt good about the lightness jammed into her tone. "Party? Celebration? Good times."
Bunny cursed under her breath and slammed her arms down over her chest. "Yeah, another celebration brought to you by the brainwashed cult of half-dead Shepard. Whoopee."
Shepard felt rather than saw the glare Lucille shot at her younger daughter. Deciding it best to leave the girl to her attitude, Shepard turned back to the dressing dummy. "I have no idea how to wear this." A soft, self-conscious laugh tumbled through her lips, all corners. In the time it took to utter a couple of sentences, all her bliss evaporated into smoke. Removing the belt wrapped around the dress's waist, Shepard set it aside.
"We'll figure it out." Lucille reached around her to slip the dress off the mannequin. "There's not much to it, so it shouldn't take too much engineering skill. The trick will be making sure you don't look like you're getting married in some hippy, nudist ceremony." She waved for Shepard to turn around before the captain managed to put any thought into the not-so-subtle dig. Lucy waved once more, that one steeped in brusque efficiency. "Come on, now. Back facing me, and let's get this production underway."
Shepard chuckled, that one feeling like the heaving hiccups that preceded throwing up. Tears prickled in the corners of her eyes. She'd hoped and struggled so long to find Bunny, and then she'd been gifted with Lucille as well. And now … now she just wanted them to leave and allow her to enjoy her day. And, of course, wanting them gone festered, forming a cancerous tumour of self-hatred. The malignant growth sunk roots deep into her heart, consuming the organ a little at a time.
Garrus ducked into the tent, plowing straight over Bunny. "Oops, sorry about that, kid," he said, grabbing her shoulders to keep her on her feet. He closed the couple of metres to stand in front of Shepard and reached up, his palms warm and comforting as he cradled her face between them. Sweet baby Jesus, they felt like heating elements against the chill freezing her from the inside out.
Without loosening his stare's hold on Shepard, the general cleared his throat. "Ladies, would you mind if I claimed the honor of helping my wife dress for her bonding ceremony?" His mandibles tightened against his mouth a little when Bunny scoffed, but otherwise he remained unreadable and fixed on Shepard.
"Of course, General," Lucy said. "Perhaps since you purchased it, you're more qualified to figure out how to cover an entire woman with a few scarves."
Instant, intense fury blazed through Shepard's chest, searing away all her previous guilt. Shepard jerked, trying to pry her way from her verro's grip, but his hands didn't budge. Still, Shepard struggled to get loose, her anger burning hotter by the second. How dare Lucy? If her mother and sister needed to turn their venom loose on her, fine. Turning it on Garrus … no damned way, not after everything he'd done to free them.
"Thank you," he replied, his tone even but veined with the slightest hint of frost. "I appreciate it."
As soon as the curtain closed behind them, Garrus drew her into his arms and pressed her tight against his chest. "I'm sorry, Kahri, I didn't think they'd be such jerks." He shook his head. "I thought you three might be able to make a family memory or … something."
Shaking her head, she buried her face in the curve of his neck, breathing in the strength of his spirit, molten gold pouring through her. "I'm sorry she talked to you like that; you deserve so much better."
His talon pads traced the line of her spine, slow and gentle, up and down. "So do you. You deserve every good thing this universe has to offer." He chuckled, subvocals as deep and solid as granite. "We'll just ignore the fact that the galaxy keeps throwing crap at us." Nuzzling her bare shoulder, he rumbled deep in his throat, the sound reverberating through her. "You have family now, Kahri. You have a family that loves you without any conditions or reservations, and we're here for the long haul."
Burrowing in tighter, Shepard kissed tender hide at his neck. "I couldn't ask for a better one." After a couple of seconds, she pulled away. "Come on, let's get me into this absolutely gorgeous dress and scandalize my mother."
A soft chuff drew Shepard's attention to the entrance, the set of turian toes just poking through telling her who waited outside. "Mari? Come in, please."
Garrus drew back the curtain to reveal his mother, the tarin holding a garment bag across her lap. He grinned. "I suspected you knew why he called everyone to Illium," he said, taking the bag when she held it out."
"I'd like my mahir to wear our bonding robe at both her ceremonies," Trea said, smiling up at Shepard. She passed Garrus a small case, then beckoned to Shepard. "Allow me to do the honors?"
"Of course." Shepard crossed the short distance and pulled up her shirt to take a knee next to Trea's feet. As it had at her ceremony with Garrus, his family's acceptance amazed and humbled her.
Trea took a sprig of rylamia from the little case then settled it into Shepard's hair, the comb-like leaves holding it in place. The tarin smiled, her eyes glistening with emotion as she reached out for Shepard's hand. "Beautiful." Trea pulled her in, touching brows. "My pahirs are the luckiest of torini."
Shepard shrugged. "I don't know, I'm feeling pretty lucky right now." She stood and leaned over to kiss her mother-in-law's brow. "Thank you, for everything."
Shepard followed Garrus from the tent, pausing just outside to take in the scene that Garrus had hidden behind the shuttle when they came in. Another small pavilion stood closer to the lake, a match to her own. Nihlus's dressing room, no doubt. Then, on the beach stood another, much larger tent, all the curtains drawn back to reveal tables and a dance floor.
A gasp launched her words as she said, "Holy frigging Enkindlers, big guy, this is amazing." She slipped her hand through his elbow, hugging his arm tight. "You must have shanghaied everyone to put this together this morning."
He shrugged and nodded toward the shore. "I may have grabbed a few people here and there."
Shepard balanced on tiptoes to kiss his mandible, then allowed him to lead her to the large tent. She dragged her bare feet through the grass and some ground-hugging greenery that reminded her of clover. Blessed Enkindlers, her toes hadn't experienced such pure bliss since the sand on Illium. After a second, she looked up at her husband. "Thank you for doing all this, Callor. I mean ... for me, sure, but mostly for Nihlus. He's longed for family his entire life."
Garrus nodded toward the shore where two large rocks stood at the membrane between sand and grass. Anderson stood in front of them, family, friends, and crew ranged in a loose semi-circle a few metres back. "They all wanted to help. Mari was in heaven acting as foreperson, bossing everyone around."
"Yeah." Shepard shook her head, glancing over where Trea sat. "She's amazing."
The shade under the pavilion covered Shepard's face and shoulders with cool, blissful kisses. Once out of the sun, she took in the finer details of the space. Flowers … dear, sweet, baby Jesus, the flowers. Her fingertip traced the pink veins of a satiny lily petal. Lilies of all shades filled the air with perfume, brilliantly coloured heads nodding in the breeze of eight or so large fans set around the perimeter. Centerpieces made from candles of different heights sat unlit on each table, their flames awaiting the sun's surrender to the deepening twilight.
Garrus guided her to the left, stopping before they left the shade for the long shadows and slanted sunlight beyond the tent. Shepard leaned into her husband's arm, the reality of the day hitting home. For as long as they remained able, those two torini would hold her safely between them, fighting at her side for the shared hope of peace.
"All right, everyone," Sol shouted, drawing all eyes to Nihlus's dressing room. "Make way for my fratrin, the best dressed senux obluvis in the galaxy."
Nihlus walked around the large pavilion, his hide more red than chocolate as it reflected twilight's lilacs, reds, and oranges. Heart stopped, Shepard watched him, struck breathless by his beauty as he stepped up to the large stones. After an impossibly long second, he turned to face her, his mandibles fluttering a little as their gazes met.
He grinned, and despite the heat his appreciative smile sparked in her gut, she knew he was going there. Oh yeah, smart-ass ready for take off, course set for cocky jerk, full speed ahead. The Spectre cleared his throat, the sound tugging at the corners of her mouth. "If anyone sees her making a run for it, tackle her. I'm not crawling through sewers or caves today."
"Nah, there aren't any windows for her to climb out, this time," Martin said, his grin even wider and more shit-eating than Nihlus's.
"All right, all right," she called, elbowing Garrus as he chuckled. "You two are endlessly hilarious. Congratulations. Now stop it." She grinned at Nihlus and gave him a broad, teasing wink. Sweeping a flourish with the arm not clutching Garrus, she posed. "I mean, come on, I'm standing here, looking incredibly gorgeous, so shush, and just admire the view."
Speaking of admiring the view, Nihlus looked glorious in his favourite suit, the deep red glinting between the black embroidery as it caught the sun. Trea's paint job on his markings gleamed brilliant white against his chocolate hide. Still, as beautiful as he looked, nothing stirred her heart like the sight of the joy in his eyes. Oh, merciful, sweet, baby Jesus, that happiness grabbed her heart and threw it, playing handball against her ribs.
She turned to look at the sunset, inhaling the long ribbons of colour down into her gut. Letting them curl through her, she slowed her heart rate, the burden of all that joy lifting enough for her to breathe.
Anderson cleared his throat, a gentle roll of sound and a question. Was she ready? She tugged a little on the front panel of the bonding robe, a tiny bit disappointed that it covered enough of her body to make Lucille happy.
And then Shepard took the first step across the open expanse of grass. Life had gifted her with an abundance of love, of course she was ready. As terrified as she was of hurting either of her verros, she knew that the three of them belonged together. Somehow, they'd see the war through and settle down, get two cats and three ponies and make ridiculous amounts of money selling fake scandals to the tabloids.
Shepard Spawns! Delivers four alien babies, all four jailed on drunk driving charges within hours of birth, see page 3.
Then Garrus placed her hand in Nihlus's and stepped behind her, taking every single thought in her head with him. Nihlus's eyes gleamed, that breathtaking green making her swooned as it had the first day in the Normandy's cargo hold. Her Spectre gripped her hand in bare talons, his thumb caressing along the line of her knuckles.
Bunny spoke the truth when she accused Shepard of being blessed with an embarrassment of riches. She smiled up into those remarkable eyes, amazed and awed by the love that stared back at her.
Anderson spoke, and they both answered his question, but after she agreed, she couldn't have told anyone what she agreed to. She felt fairly sure it had something to do with the pair of them taking one another as bondmates. Still, everything outside the two of them—no, the three of them: she felt Garrus's presence behind her as keenly as her own breath—faded into a bright haze, fog illuminated … transmuted into magic by the sun.
"Jane?" Anderson's voice broke shattered her perfect bubble again. The soft lapping of waves against the shore filled the emptiness as the world waited for her to do or say something.
Tearing her stare from Nihlus's, she looked at the Captain, blinking back the dry burning in her eyes. How long had it been since she blinked? "Sorry, what?" Turning toward the chorus of laughter, she leveled an exaggerated scowl on their family and friends. "Oh, shush. How's a girl supposed to listen when she has someone so gorgeous standing right in front of her?"
Anderson cleared his throat: a jovial, smothered cough. When she met his gaze, those deep brown eyes smiled at her, filled with love and joy and … and … what was that? Pride. Yeah, she saw pride and acceptance of the woman she was. No wishing she could act another way or fit into any sort of mold. Anderson loved her for better or worse.
"Jane?" Dammit, he'd spoken again. This time he took mercy on her and followed up with, "Your vows?"
"Oh, yeah, of course." She focused back on Nihlus. "Vows." She shrugged. "They're not going to be poetry because no one gave me time to prepare, but I'll do my best." Taking his other hand as well, she squeezed his talons, his hide alive and electric against hers.
Nihlus smiled, but all the teasing had faded from his expression, replaced by wonder. For a moment it looked as if he intended to say something, but then he let out a long breath and relaxed into her hands.
Shepard mirrored the breath, then let the words flow, praying they didn't head off in some terrifyingly horrific direction. "I promise you everything we saw in those moments on Thessia. The closeness, the comfort, the family, and yes, my impossible mind and obsessiveness and insecurity. You know this package is far from perfect." Releasing one of his hands, she reached up to caress his cheek. "I promise honesty even when it hurts, and then to be there to comfort that hurt. I promise to drive you completely insane and mostly understand when you want to ring my neck. But, I sorta also love you to death and promise to remind you of that every chance I get."
She stroked his cheek and the length of his mandible once more, then reached behind her for Garrus's hand. When his talons wrapped around her fingers, she continued, "You've been here to catch me when I fall, to hold me up when I couldn't stand, so I will build this family at your side and help keep it strong for all of us: the family that is and the family that will be."
Another long breath whispered between open lips, her mouth beginning to feel like a well-trodden desert path. "Basically, I promise to be your cikabeknai for as long as we live." She squeezed Garrus's hand then released him to caress Nihlus's mandible.
Nihlus leaned down, reacting only by narrowing his eyes when the humans protested, no doubt thinking he was going in for the kiss. Which, of course he was, just not a human kiss. He pressed his brow against hers. "I promise the sort of love we have witnessed through the bond between Tashac and Merol. Not an imitation. Not a repetition, but something as deep and beautiful and lasting. Something unique to us."
Shepard closed her eyes, sinking into the blissful beauty of his words. Spirits, who could have guessed that this torin and the one she met her first day on the Normandy shared anything? The arrogance and cockiness that had filled her with the urge to slap him silly had matured into real soul and a beautiful humility. And so, she just breathed in that beauty as her new husband spoke.
"I promise to support you through every trouble and hardship, fight at your side through every challenge, lift you above every obstacle. I promise to help you raise our children in love and support … to make our family a refuge from the troubles of the galaxy." He shrugged, she felt it through the roll of his brow against hers, then said, "The rest we'll figure out as we go."
"With the exchange of their oaths and promises," Anderson said, his tone betraying a battle against emotion, "and with the support of their family and friends, I declare this marriage sound. Nihlus … Jane … you may now share your first kiss as husband and wife, verro and derra."
Shepard tipped her head into the kiss, the entire world disappearing outside the sensation of Nihlus's mouth against hers, his tongue teasing her bottom lip. From behind her, Garrus's happiness warmed her back like the sun, which had disappeared behind the mountains.
Dear, sweet baby Jesus, I'm not saying I believe in you like I used to in my childhood, but if you do exist … please. Please watch over them and keep them safe. And … and please keep me from screwing it up. Please.
She returned Nihlus's kiss with all the passion she'd been terrified of before she died. Heart pounding hard and slow, she savoured the moment and the sensations. Nerves fluttered and tingled in her belly as the passion flared between them; the downside to Nihlus insisting on waiting for their wedding night to make love.
Anderson cleared his throat. "Break it up, you two," he grumbled, his smile shining through the words, "or I'll have Alenko throw water on you."
Shepard pulled away and grinned up at Nihlus. "Wouldn't be the first time." She caressed her husband's cheek, then turned loving mirth toward Anderson. "So, are we done here, Captain? I need to dance with my verros. Tomorrow we're likely to spend the day dodging bullets."
"With the power invested in me by the Systems Alliance, I hereby declare your marriage valid." He waved to the small audience. "Everyone, I am extremely proud to introduce to you, Nihlus and Jane Shepard-Vakarian-Kryik."
Gripping Nihlus's hand tightly in hers, Shepard turned to face their friends and family, every face there glowing with love and joy. Well, most faces. Instead of giving the sourpusses recognition, she focused on Nihlus as they strode from the beach to the large pavilion.
She eyeballed the long tables covered in food, but remained on course for the dance floor. Enough breakfast remained with her to hold her over for a few dances. Spinning on her toes, she turned into Nihlus's arms. His parents never taught him the cohamentum, and he'd made it abundantly clear that he wanted their wedding to follow human traditions.
He bowed, the hand not holding hers sweeping out in a wide flourish. "Beautiful derra, will you honour me with this first dance?"
Shepard curtsied the best she could, affecting a southern belle accent as she replied, "Why, handsome verro, it would be my pleasure." She rested her hand on his waist as the music began to play, some soft, sweet quarian love song. After a moment, she abandoned the proper dance frame and pressed in tight, resting her head against his chest.
"Is this real?" she whispered despite being able to hear his heart pounding behind his keel, despite being able to feel his heat along her body and against her cheek.
A low, rumbling echoed in his chest. If contentment could be a sound, it would be that sound. "It had better be. If it's a dream, I've been asleep for months, and I'm going to be heartbroken when I wake up. These past few months have been the happiest of my life."
"Oh, Nihlus." She pulled back enough to stare into his eyes. "It's got to be real, right?" She glanced over to where Garrus danced with his matrula. "We're all dreaming it. That makes it real." She tugged him down into a kiss, then whispered against his mouth, "This makes it real."
Around them, the candles lit at few at a time, the people lighting them hidden by the glare. That light … that golden light pushed back the deep twilight, highlighting the dark purple-blue with spheres of golden brilliance. After a couple of seconds, sweet hints of smoke and beeswax drifted on the breeze.
Heaven. Nihlus had planned it all, and then Garrus and the crew had done their best to build his version of heaven. The perfect day, indeed.
For those moments, dancing with Nihlus, Shepard allowed herself to sink into the deep well of history and silliness and beauty that dwelled between them. Just as surreal and crazy as the rest of her life, their relationship could never have happened any other way. And despite the pain swimming through those waters, she wouldn't change any of it. Well, maybe dying. She nuzzled into the curve of his neck. No not even dying.
Nihlus held her tight, long arms wrapping around her. "I love you, Mrs. Shepard-Vakarian-Kryik." He lead her around the dance floor, the rest of the party giving them the center of the space, even as they joined in. "I've loved you my entire life."
Shepard didn't reply, taking a deep breath and submerging into the still, deep waters. She knew what he meant, the truth of it deeper than their experience on Thessia, deeper than the beacon connection. They'd been drawn to one another years before either event.
The song ended, but she held Nihlus tight, unwilling to step away and feel that absence. Why hadn't they met half a decade earlier while they still had time for their love to mature before war snatched it away?
"Are you okay?" Soft enough that it didn't break the peaceful bubble around them, Nihlus's whisper brushed her ear. His hold on her tightened.
Unable to trust her voice, Shepard nodded. Would she ever experience happiness without terror following hot on its heels? And she was all right. Fear of losing everything good in her life still fell under the 'good' heading, particularly since coming back from the dead.
Tonight on Necromancy Bulletin; throwing the perfect zombile wedding. So, despite your zombile dysfunction, you've found the perfect mate; we can help you choose flower and candle center pieces to cover that undead odour. Also, don't give up on finding the perfect dress for your colouring just because you've begun to decay a little here and there.
She drew back and smiled up at him. "I'm fine, love." She glanced toward the edge of the dance floor where Garrus helped his mari back into her chair. She met Nihlus's stare once more, letting how blessed she felt glow through her smile. "It's the perfect day, cikabeknai. The perfect day."
(A-N: So, I've decided to do Nano this year and work on my original fantasy series, Taming Dragons. That means even more of a slow down on my fanfic for the month. Please bear with me. ALSO: I reorganized my page to reflect my original fic as well as changing the patronage levels/rewards. People are by no means to feel pressured, I've simply been asked about it, so thought I would throw it out there for people. Anyway, thanks as always for your support. The fact you're still with me and these crazy kids means everything. I love yah!)