Ever since Gabriel and I had returned from Transylvania; things had really settled a lot. He wasn't restless from bad dreams and I had finally met my soulmate. He and I were hiding our courtship from the others of the Holy Order as our lives were always in danger plus we still weren't quite ready to share our secret. We were breaking the rules by being together without having the blessing of the council. We were currently sitting in our secret spot in the courtyard when I finally asked "Gabriel; can we get the blessing of the Order so that we don't have to hide our love anymore?"
Gabriel smiled and replied "You're right Eva. We shouldn't hide any longer. The Order meets in a few hours. Let's do this today." I grinned and asked "Do I have time to put something more presentable on?" "I'll escort you to your room" Gabriel replied. We hurried to my room and I made him wait outside while I changed into a more decent dress and flats before coming out of my room. "Shall we" Gabriel asked, holding his arm out. "Let's go" I replied, taking his arm and we headed down the hall to the council room.
We took our seats on the stools around the room and waited for the meeting to begin. It took awhile before the floor was open. It was now or never so Gabriel and I got up and went to the center of the floor and knelt before Cardinal Jinnette's chair with our hands entwined. "Are you seeking the Council's blessing of unity" Cardinal Jinnette asked. "Yes" Gabriel answered. "I thought we wanted the blessing of courtship. The blessing of unity is for marriage and you and I haven't discussed marriage yet" I replied.
"Actually Eva; I wanted to surprise you. I want us to be together and I know this is short notice but I wish to take you as my wife" Gabriel replied. I blushed deeply and thought about it. I really wanted to be with Gabriel for the rest of our lives and he was the answer to my prayers. I finally replied "Then I will take you as my husband."
There were smiles and nods of approval from the other members of the Holy Order. Cardinal Jinnette finally spoke after a moment and replied "I have seen that your love toward each other is genuine. We give you the blessing of unity. At this time; I ask that you both move and kneel in the center of the room and I will lead the prayer for your union to be the blessing it was made to be" as he rose from this chair. Gabriel and I stood long enough to move to the center and then knelt down in the center. Like a wedding; I knelt down to the right hand side of the Cardinal and Gabriel was on the left hand side.
Gabriel took my hands in his and we closed our eyes, praying in silence as we listened to Cardinal Jinnette pray for our future together. We crossed ourselves as Cardinal Jinnette made the cross above our heads. When the prayer was over; Cardinal Jinnette had us arrive and told us "Let us know when you two have chosen a wedding date." "We will" I answered as Gabriel helped me up. We finally left the council room and I hugged him tightly, glad that we no longer had to hide. It was only a matter of time before I would have a husband but would one disaster ruin the happiest day of my life?