Here's part 2 for you all! This is my birthday gift to you all. Tis a long boy, so get comfy with your favorite snack and enjoy!

"Amberhill!" Zachary said, surprise on his face.

Amberhill's scarred face beamed back at him as his lips quirked up in a grin, "Long time, no see, cousin."

Zachary shook his head, grinning back, "How did you find me?"

The other man shrugged, "I've become reacquainted with the queen since you left. She told me where you ran off to. I'm offended that you did not stop by Hillander."

Zachary rolled his eyes, his arm going out toward the study, "I knew that the province was in good hands." Then he said to both Amberhill and Thomas, "Would you both like to speak in the study, it's much quieter there."

They both nodded and just as Zachary was going to lead them to the study, Stevic came rushing down the stairs. He pulled Zachary over by the arm and whispered, "A moment, Zachary."

Zachary's brows furrowed, "Is Kari okay?"

"Aye, she's as to be expected. Tired. Laren and her aunts are with her now, helping her to bathe and change. She did ask to speak with you after you finish here," Stevic said.

"Of course, I planned on going back to her after I was done anyway. Did she say about what?" he asked. Briefly, Zachary's eyes flashed to the other two men, who were waiting patiently for them to finish.

Stevic shook his head, "She didn't say. Just that it was important."

Zachary sucked in a deep breath, "Of course, thank you Stevic."

Stevic smiled back at him before glancing at Thomas, "Good to see you well, Thomas," he said to him.

Thomas grinned back, "Oh aye, you as well, Stevic."

Stevic bowed his head to the group, "I'll leave you gentlemen to it then."

Zachary led Amberhill and Thomas to the large, spacious study. Himself, Stevic, Karigan, and Sevano had many a meeting in this very room. On one wall, it was filled from the floor to ceiling with books. Three windows looked out over the ocean. And near the windows, stood two desks with chairs; for whoever sat at the desk, they could look out over the ocean while they worked. It was one such element that Zachary hoped to adopt for his own home. For he found such a peace when he worked.

When Zachary closed the door behind him, he asked, "Thomas, it's also good to see you again. How is Grace?"

Thomas beamed at the mention of his wife, "She's constantly pestering me about what dinner I want every day. She declared that now that I am home for a while, that she will make whatever I want." Then a twinkle sparkled in his eye, "As long as I take over caring for the livestock again."

Thomas and Zachary laughed, and Amberhill grinned at them. Zachary looked over at his distant cousin, then back at Thomas, "I'm afraid one of you will have to start. I don't know what the purposes of your visits are."

Thomas and Amberhill both looked at the other, then Amberhill said, "You may go ahead sir. Mine will take some time."

Zachary's brows furrowed at his cousin, what could be the matter? Zachary looked into Amberhill's eyes, one the normal gray, and the other white; blinded from his battle to expel Mornhavon from his mind. One half of his face was left with scars, also from that expulsion of Mornhavon. And his hand, or lack thereof, where Amberhill had cut off the hand that the ring had attached itself to. Thereby helping to finally expel the Sea King as well.

Zachary had seen much change in his cousin since the end of the war. He did not press him on specifics where that change came from, but Zachary was curious if the death of Beryl had played a large role.

Thomas nodded to the other man, "I'll make it quick, then. Thank you, my Lord." Amberhill smiled at them and bowed his head, turning to look back out of the windows overlooking the ocean. Thomas turned back to Zachary, "I wanted to check in with ya about your land. Has the purchase been made, yet? We'd need to start the house quickly before the real cold weather hits."

Zachary nodded, "I planned on heading out today to find Lord L'Petrie to make the purchase. Though with Karigan ill, I don't want to leave her for too long."

Thomas cocked his head to the side, "Is that what she wants you to do?"

"No," Zachary answered honestly, "I'm sure she wants me to go on about my day. But we only just finished with the mender, I want to make sure that she will begin to improve."

Thomas scratched at his beard, "In my experience, son, I would try to change that thinking. These coastal women, the G'ladheon's especially, have such a stubborn streak about them. They don't take too well to being catered to."

Zachary sighed, "I know. I just . . ."

Thomas smiled knowingly, "You love her."

"I do. And I just . . . I want to care for her. Because she deserves to be cared for, for once," Zachary answered.

Thomas held up a hand, "Do what you see fit, son. I'm just warning you," he chuckled. "As for your house, when would you like to meet again for the plans?"

Zachary's eyes went to the ceiling in thought, "Perhaps in two days' time? That would give me enough time to get the purchase finalized and Karigan and I can meet with you to go over the layout of what we would like." He looked back down at Thomas, "How long, do you think, it will take you and your men to finish the main house?"

"If your initial plans that we have already discussed haven't changed much, I would expect the building to take a month or so to complete. I know many men who have worked under my supervision in the past. And additionally, with the fall and winter months upon us, many sailors will be looking for winter work," Thomas explained. "We won't be short of help, so the house will be finished much sooner," he added.

Zachary nodded, gladdened to know that once the process is started, it won't take long for it to be finished. "Thank you, Thomas," he started. Then Zachary smiled and asked, "Are you ready to have your Duke back?"

Thomas let loose a belly laugh, making Amberhill turn and look over at the pair. He answered, "Yes, I've missed my boy."

"Duke has been a good horse for me, and he did get me here very fast. I must thank you for allowing me to use him for a time," Zachary said.

Thomas glanced over at Amberhill, "I'll go saddle Duke up and be on my way then. I'll be back in two days' time, or sooner if you seek me out first."

Thomas and Zachary shook hands briefly and Zachary bid him farewell. And it was after Thomas had left the room and the door shut again, that Amberhill spoke up again, "You're making a number of friends here. I'm glad to see it."

Zachary smiled, walking over to the decanter of Stevic's aged brandy on one of the nearby side tables. "It's a much different environment than the nobility. I must say, I'm still learning the finer points of it." Zachary poured them both a glass and he passed one of them to Amberhill, "I am glad, though, that I made the decision to leave the nobility. It was almost the best one I've made."

Amberhill took the glass, a single brow arched in question, "What is the best decision you've made, if you don't mind my asking?"

"Not at all," Zachary started, "the best decision I've ever made is deciding that I want to marry Karigan G'ladheon." Zachary glanced down at the glass in his hand, swirling the drink briefly before looking back up at Amberhill, "My life is so much happier, and I feel so much more fulfilled with her in it."

Amberhill smiled slightly, taking a swig of the brandy, then he said, "I envy you, cousin. And I know of many others at court that feel the same. To have found a love so profound and deep, is a rare thing. To have such a connection with another person . . . I fear that I will never find mine."

"Don't sell yourself short, Amberhill. I believe that you will find a woman to love someday. You have changed radically since the end of the war. I would not have made you the Lord Governor of Hillander if you hadn't."

Amberhill shook his head, "Changed or no, I was the man that the Sea King AND Mornhavon the Black inhabited. I am blind in one eye, I'm scarred over half of my body, and I am missing a hand. Those at court still watch me out of the corner of their eyes. I hear their whispers. I see their stares."

Zachary stepped forward, reaching out to grasp Amberhill's arm tightly and looking into his eyes, "That may be, Amberhill. But you are also the man who forced them out and survived it. The only other person that I knew of that Mornhavon possessing was Yates, and he was killed. Amberhill, you are one of the strongest men that I know, and I have seen you change and grow in spite of your injuries and perceived slights. You are not the Raven Mask anymore, you are the Lord Governor of Hillander province and you are acclimating into your role perfectly."

Zachary watched his cousin as he glanced down at his drink again, "I have changed. Being possessed has changed me. Having my body manipulated to kill others, to kill Beryl. There are times that I've wished that she had succeeded in killing me." Zachary was stunned to silence, watching as Amberhill looked back up and to the side, taking a step back from Zachary. And then when Amberhill looked back over at Zachary again, he wore a smile. Though, Zachary thought, it lacked real depth. "Where is that woman of yours? Is she avoiding me from our numerous interactions together?"

Zachary, shaking himself out of his reverie, smiled slightly at the mention of Karigan, "She is here, though she is not having visitors today. She's unwell." Zachary arched a brow, "If you stay in town long enough, you might get to see her."

There was a little twinkle in Amberhill's eye when he answered, "Perhaps. Which brings me to my purpose here. Like I've mentioned, I have been speaking with the queen and she has shared with me some concerns she has." Zachary's brows furrowed. She has yet to send any messages to him, either good or bad. Amberhill took another swig of his drink before continuing, "I have bore witness to some of the things she has described and share her concerns. Truthfully, she preferred that I not tell you, to allow you your space. But I believe them concerning enough that I cannot keep them hidden from you.

"I have seen at counsel meetings, that the Lord Mirwell seems to be particularly hostile and threatening to the queen. Definitely not direct enough to be seen as a real threat to the queen, but threat nonetheless," Amberhill explained.

Zachary took another deep swig of his drink, lost in thought. "What of the other Lord Governors?" he asked.

"She has support from most of the Lord Governors. They do try to come to her defense. And the queen herself does seem to hold up well when the confrontation is presented. But . . ." Amberhill explained, drifting off.

Zachary watched him closely, "But what?"

Amberhill met his eyes and said, "Lord Coutre has been strangely quiet when Lord Mirwell makes these threats."

The hair on the back of Zachary's neck stood on end in warning. He sucked in a deep breath as the room fell silent as Amberhill's words sank in. They both moved to the window, each of them starting to look outside at the waves lapping at the sand.

After a time, Amberhill spoke up again, asking, "Do you think . . .?"

Zachary managed to catch on to what Amberhill was asking, "Is Lord Coutre, the queen's own father, capable of complete treason?" Zachary fell silent a moment, "When I entered the marriage agreement with Lord Coutre, the main goal of it was gaining Lord Coutre, and essentially all of the eastern provinces, support. I had assumed that the support would grow once I stepped out of the way, leaving Estora as the High Queen."

"Since you left, she still governs in much the same way as you had," Amberhill added.

Zachary's eyes narrowed, still staring out at the ocean, "Is he capable of murder of his own daughter?" The question, he asked more to himself than to Amberhill.

The room fell silent again. Until Amberhill said quietly, "He has not made any threats toward the queen. Not like Mirwell."

This time, Zachary's head turned to look at the other man, "But silence is just as dangerous." They both fell silent again as the truth of the words filled the room. Then Zachary said, quiet, "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Because the queen does not wish for me to know, I cannot do anything about it. The question is what will you do with this information? What is your next step, Amberhill?"

Amberhill took a deep breath, "I don't know, honestly. I think I still need time to dwell on it. I thought, perhaps, if I spoke with Lord D'Yer about it. He is a good man, I trust him to keep this between us."

"When you do, tell him that I know of it as well. The more support that the queen has in this matter, the better," Zachary said. Then he added, as he had forgotten about it until then, "Though I would hate to bring such a matter up on the eve of his wedding."

Amberhill shrugged, "I know, but that is a part of our job."

Zachary nodded, agreeing. He was once again glad that he was not a part of that anymore. The power that a noble had was not near worth the trouble that it brought. He eventually asked Amberhill, "How long will you be staying in the city?"

Amberhill's brows rose, "I didn't plan on staying long. But I must say, this view of the coast here is worth staying an extra day or two. I doubt I would be getting much of it once I head toward D'Yer province."

"Stay for a day or two and meet with Karigan. Though you are not one of her favorite people in Sacoridia, I think seeing how much you have changed will sway her to your side," Zachary offered. "I can pay for your lodging," he added.

Amberhill laughed, finishing his glass of brandy. "From what I remember of her, she is quite spirited, and stubborn. Is she still?"

Zachary laughed as well, "Oh yes. She hasn't changed at all. I think you two will hit it off quite well."

Amberhill turned to look at Zachary, a beaming smile on his lips, "Are you not afraid that I'm going to steal your woman from you?"

"Not in the least," Zachary answered, still laughing. "She would likely threaten to cut off your manhood before you could steal her away from me!" Amberhill doubled over laughing, to the point of tears.

When Amberhill calmed, he said to Zachary, clasping his shoulder, "I'll stay, just for a little while. If only to just see Karigan again. I know I have missed much after I . . . left."

"Yes, though she would be loath to admit it," Zachary said. "If you wouldn't mind hanging around for a little bit, Karigan has asked to speak with me after our conversation. Then after, I can take you to lodging. I know of a great inn right on the coast."

Squeezing Zachary's shoulder, Amberhill said, "Thank you cousin. I will do that."

Zachary offered take Amberhill's glass from him and set them both down on one of the desks in the room. From there, Zachary led Amberhill back out and led him into the living room. Gretta happened to be in there, busy embroidering. She looked up upon their entrance. Zachary asked her, "Would you mind keeping Amberhill company while I talk with Kari?"

She set her work aside and stood, "Of course, Zachary." She waved Amberhill over, "Come come. Sit. I'll get us some tea."

With Amberhill cared for for the moment, Zachary left and headed back up the stairs for Karigan's room. He assumed, by that point, that Karigan was back in bed and resting (he hoped). And he was happy to see that his assumption was proven to be true when he peeked in through the door to see her lying on her side on the bed. Her back was to the door, so she did not see him as he quietly entered. For a moment, Zachary wondered if she had fallen asleep, but when he walked around the bed to the other side, Karigan was indeed awake. Her eyes fell to him when she spotted him around the foot of the bed, and she smiled slightly. Croaky, she said, "Hey."

Zachary smiled back at her, taking a seat in the chair next to her. He reached out and caressed her cheek before leaning forward to kiss her forehead softly. "Hey," he responded when he pulled back. "How are you feeling?"

She shifted, groaning a bit, "I guess a bit better. The tea helped the nausea some and the hot water bag really helps with the cramps. Now I'm just tired."

"Do you want me to come back later?" Zachary asked, tucking a stray tendril of hair out of her face.

She shook her head, "No, I don't want to wait anymore." She looked up at him knowingly.

Zachary's brows furrowed, sensing a double meaning in her words, but unable to discern the meaning. "What do you mean?"

Karigan reached up to hold Zachary's hand to her cheek and she said, "What are we waiting for, Zachary? What else is keeping us from getting married? Please tell me because after today, I'm done waiting."

For the second time today, Zachary was stunned to silence. For he was not expecting this conversation, especially after today. But he shook himself out of it and answered truthfully, "I want to be able to provide for you Kari. I want to give you a stable home that you won't have to worry about going into our marriage."

"But you have your job, Zachary. I've seen you myself, you're doing great at it. And I don't care about the house not being built yet. You and I both know that my father will let us stay for as long as we need. It's not like after we get married, we're going to be living on the streets.

"Is it me, Zachary? Do you not want to marry me?" she tearfully asked.

Instantly, Zachary shook his head and leaned forward to kiss her lips, "That's not it Kari. I love you so much. I want to marry you. If I have nothing else, I at least want to call you my wife."

Zachary wiped away her tears as she asked, "Then what is it? Why are we waiting? What is holding you back? I was ready a week ago Zachary. And now, after today, I'm even more sure than I ever was before. Even at my worst, you are there to comfort me and be there with me." More tears fell from her eyes as she shakily continued, "When we were up in the Northern Forest together. Even when Estral, Fiori, Enver, and Nari were all there. You stayed by my side as much as you could. You gave me the horsehair bracelet that I treasure."

Zachary's eyes watered himself as he recalled that time. "You first told me you loved me in that tent," he said. Karigan nodded and Zachary bent again to kiss her again.

Karigan caught her breath through the tears and asked him again, "What else are you waiting for?"

Zachary shook his head, tears falling down his cheeks, but he smiled. Then he whispered, "Marry me, Karigan G'ladheon."

Karigan barked out a laugh, tears still falling freely down her cheeks. She then suddenly got her arms under her and sat up in the bed. Then she leaned forward toward him and kissed him, over and over. Smiling broadly, she answered, "Yes, a thousand times, yes!" Zachary smiled broadly and he wrapped Karigan up in his arms and held her against his chest. His heart swelled in a happiness that he had not felt at any other point in his life. In this moment, all he wanted to do his hold her close to him and kiss her senseless.

A gasp interrupted the moment moments later. They both looked up and back toward the door to find Stace watching them, a hand over her mouth. Then she suddenly called loudly to the rest of the house, "IT FINALLY HAPPENED!"

Another voice called back as many footsteps began to approach, "WHAT HAPPENED?"

Stace called as she quickly left the doorway and charged down the stairs, "A WEDDING! THERE'S GOING TO BE A WEDDING!"

The last thing that Zachary and Karigan heard was Stevic saying, "Um . . . yes, there's going to be a wedding. . ."

They both laughed and looked back at each other. Zachary wiped away Karigan's tears from her face as she said, "I'm sorry about them."

Zachary shook his head, "Dearest, I wouldn't have it any other way." They exchanged more kisses, even while another piercing scream echoed through the house. Then Zachary asked her quietly, "When do you want to marry?"

This time, Karigan reached up to wipe away the tears from Zachary's face, "Honestly, I don't want to wait. Today?"

Zachary's brows shot to his hairline, "What about tomorrow? You can get some rest after today and I can get rings while you rest."

Karigan grinned, rolling her eyes, "Fine."

Many sets of footsteps sounded at the door again and they both turned around to look at who it was. To their surprise, all four of Karigan's aunts crowded the doorway. Stace asked them, "When?!"

Smiling, Karigan answered, "Tomorrow."

All four of the ladies gasped collectively and began talking over one another. Zachary reached up to cup her cheek and turned Karigan back around to look at him again. He kissed her again briefly. They broke apart slightly, leaning their foreheads against one another. Zachary whispered, still caressing her cheek softly, "You don't want a big wedding?"

"I don't want a big wedding that I know my aunts are arguing over right now. I want us, a priest, and our family and close friends," she answered.

He kissed her again, then whispered, "I want that too." She smiled brightly and they came together again for another long embrace. Each time he held her close to him, burying his nose in her hair, and breathing her in, seemed to heal the wounds that they both endured all those years at the castle. She was intoxicating to him. He would never tire of her. When they parted again, he said, "Get some rest. I will take care of Amberhill and get us some rings and the priest."

She looked up at him, "Are you sure? I can come."

He arched a brow at her inquisitively, "Is there a certain ring you have in mind that you feel the need to come?"

"No, I-" she started.

Zachary kissed her again, stopping her, "Let me take care of it. Do you trust me?"

"With my life," she whispered in reply.

Smiling, Zachary finished, "Then let me take care of all of it." Karigan smiled back at him and nodded. Then, without another word, Zachary separated from Karigan and reached out to lift the sheet from her body. She gingerly lay back down. Zachary gathered up the hot water bag from where it lay and set it against her stomach again. They shared one more parting kiss and Zachary whispered, "Get some rest. I love you, Kari."

She whispered back, "I love you too, Zachary. So much."

Karigan's aunts surrounded him as he stepped out of Karigan's room and softly shut the door behind him. Upon taking his hand from the knob, he held up his hands to them. But Stace said, her hands on her hips, "How do you two expect us to prepare a wedding in a single day?"

Zachary looked at them all, "We don't want a big wedding. I am going to see to Amberhill and his lodging. Then I am going to get our rings and see to a priest. That is all we want."

Quickly, Zachary went to his bed chamber and retrieved his purse, where most of his saved coin was stored. They began to follow him down the stairs, but Zachary tuned most of their words out of his mind. There was a pep in his step as he touched the ground floor and sought out Amberhill, who was sitting quietly in the living room. Stevic and Laren stood side by side next to the stair way.

Laren stepped forward and grasped his hand. Looking straight into his eyes, she asked, "Truly?" Zachary couldn't speak, all he could do was tearfully nod as his heart swelled overwhelmingly. The next thing that he knew, Laren's arms wrapped around him tightly. They held each other for a minute, rocking slightly. She whispered into his ear, "I'm so happy for you moonling. Really."

When Laren finally let him go, Stevic stepped in and clapped him on the back, pointing a threatening finger at him, "You swear to me you will take care of her."

Zachary looked him straight in the eye and answered, "I will. Till my last dying breath."

Laren wiped her eyes as Stevic stepped back to her side and wrapped an arm around her. Stevic said, "So I hear tomorrow is the day." Zachary nodded, glancing over at Amberhill, who stood and came to stand next to him.

"I just need to get the rings and a priest that will marry us on such short notice," Zachary said.

Stevic waved him off, "I can take care of the priest. I will see if our priest will do it. He probably will. Just get the rings and I'll take care of the rest."

Zachary took a deep breath and looked over at Amberhill. "I'm sure you would like to rest for the night. I'll take you to the inn first and then I'll get the rings."

Amberhill cocked a brow at Zachary, "You think that I'm going to allow you to go get wedding rings without me?"

Zachary laughed, nodding, "Fine, you can come as well."

Amberhill raised his head high and clasped his hands behind his back nobly, "That's right."

The next morning, Zachary used the spare time that he had to adjust the cuffs of his greatcoat. Karigan's aunts had worked a miracle the afternoon before. All four of the intimidating aunts marched to the seamstress and convinced the women there that it was most important to drop all of their other projects for the night to make clothes for him and a gown for Karigan worthy of their upcoming wedding. They gave him a perfectly fitted greatcoat of the clan's blue. For obvious reasons, Zachary did not know what Karigan's gown looked like. He glanced down at the silver set sitting quietly atop his trunk, he would find out soon though when he took his gift to her.

It took a hefty coin to convince the jeweler to fashion the two rings on such short notice. But the man had looked down at the purse that sat upon the counter and almost instantly agreed. He had decided upon a simple band for himself. But for Karigan's, Zachary decided upon a ring with subtle intricate designs making the band. To Zachary, it showed her beautiful soul, while still being subtle so it's not ostentatious.

Zachary pocketed the rings and silently went to pick up the silver set. Briefly, on his way out of his room, Zachary gave Lady a soft pat on the head in farewell before walking out the door. Zachary descended the stairs, going to join Amberhill, who waited in the entryway. While they waited for the family to make their descent, he and Amberhill chatted about various topics. He assumed that Karigan's aunts and Laren were helping her into her gown, and Stevic was having a private moment with his only child.

But after what felt like forever, though it was likely no more than 10 minutes, the G'ladheon family began to descend as well. Zachary watched them arrive by the door and saw each of their excited faces as they each locked gazes with him. Then finally, Laren came down the stairs. She silently smiled at him and came to stand next to him. In silent support, Laren looked up at him and smiled, reaching up to give his arm a little squeeze. She said to him, "She's beautiful, Zachary."

Zachary had to briefly stare up at the ceiling, fighting back tears. He was once again overwhelmed and awed that the moment that he had been dreaming of for years was finally coming to pass. Zachary was marrying Karigan, the love of his life.

And then it was time. Laren gave him a little nudge with her elbow, and it made Zachary look back down at the staircase. There she was on her father's arm as they descended the stairs. His breath left him as he looked upon her smiling face. Her hair was put up into a bun, and around her neck was a single string of pearls ending in a knot between her bust. And the dress; Zachary had to take a deep breath. A modest ballgown that was a dark royal purple in color with the same royal blue along the banded off-shoulder neckline. Another royal blue accent belt hugged the hourglass figure that Karigan hid all the time.

When she and her father came to stand in front of Zachary, Zachary stepped forward and offered the coffer holding the silver set. Karigan glanced at him, tears swimming in her eyes before looking back down at it. Zachary said, "I promised you, all those years ago, that this set would always be waiting for you." She glanced at the coffer again and reached out to open it. It was then that Zachary continued, "You asked me, on that night, what I hoped for. And I said that I 'hope there is a place for faith and dreams'. I have finally found it," he said, tears starting down his cheeks, "I have found it, with you. That place is here, in Corsa. That's why I chose to come here, rather than going to Hillander. Because my place is here with you and your family."

Karigan sniffled and gently closed the coffer again, silently slipping it out of his hands to give to her father. She looked back up at him, reaching up to cup his cheeks and kiss him briefly. She pulled back and said, "All those years, I was not focused on finding my future husband, at all. All I wanted was to be safe, secure, and surrounded by those that I love. I had to leave my family here, but then I gained another one with the Green Riders. And Mornhavon and the Second Empire, they threatened both of my families. Since the end of the war, and the safety of my families assured, I still felt an uneasiness. I felt torn open and exposed and in danger from an enemy that I did not know.

"And then you showed up at my doorstep. And even though I fought it again," all those in the room chuckled, "I felt safe again. Zachary, you make me feel safe and secure. We've had this connection that neither of us can fully describe in its entirety. And now, we're getting married, and I feel assured now that I will be safe and secure in your arms," she chuckled at the last words, "and we will be surrounded by our family."

Zachary wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, and they met again for another kiss. Until Aunt Gretta said, "Come come now, we must meet the priest." They broke apart, leaving their arms interlocked and they all headed for the back yard and the beach beyond it where the priest waited for them.

The whole process felt like a blur to Zachary as he and Karigan came to stand before the priest. The rest of their family gathered around them. But the blur suddenly came to a halt when it came time for their vows. Zachary shakily produced the rings from his pocket. He gave his to Karigan and kept hers, silently giving Amberhill the empty box. The priest spoke to Zachary first. He asked him, "Do you pledge to the gods your love and fealty for Karigan as your wife."

Zachary smiled and answered without hesitation, "I do." Zachary held Karigan's hand in his and slipped her ring on her finger.

Then the priest turned to Karigan and he asked her, "Do you pledge to the gods your love and fealty for Zachary as your husband?"

Karigan smiled as well, and taking a deep breath, she answered clearly, "I do." Then it was her turn to slip his ring on his finger.

The priest then smiled at them both and finally said, "With your vows made, I may now pronounce you husband and wife."

Zachary and Karigan wasted no time in meeting and sharing a tear-filled kiss. Their family around them clapped and cheered. And Zachary, grinning broadly, swept Karigan off her feet and spun her around. Her shrieks of laughter filling the air, wrapping her arms tightly around Zachary's neck.

This took longer than I thought it would take, but I wanted this little wedding to be perfect for them.

As usual, review/favorite/follow! Until next time!

*I'm now off to bed lol*