“What do you think?” she asked, turning.
No one spoke, but we got up to admire her from all angles. The bodice came to just around her belly button, but the naked-illusion pattern extended along the sleeves to her wrists, except the back, which had a single row of pearl buttons. Because it didn’t have the floral appliqués, it looked like she wore pearls along her spine. The full, frothy skirt made with sparkle-flecked tulle flowed down to the floor, making her look taller and ethereal.
Every one started talking at once, but I went to Maera and knelt to look her in the eye.
“Please say you’ll design my wedding dress,” I whispered. “Something like hers. I mean, not exactly alike, but just as unique and gorgeous and amazing.”
Maera laughed and cupped my cheeks. “It will be an honor, young goddess.”
We made Celestia tear up again, but that was nothing compared to the next day when Mother entered her changing room with Celestia’s grandmother, the surprise guest. According to Hayden, Celestia’s grandmother had raised her and nurtured her gifts, taking the role of mother when hers had disappeared.
The wedding was just like in my vision. Echo, Rhys, and Torin were groomsmen, and Karle was Eirik’s best man. Hayden was the maid of honor, and Jess, Trudy, and I were the bridesmaids.
We stood together, a close-knit family, and listened to Celestia’s vows.
“From the moment we met and I thought I was meant to help you, I knew you would change my life,” she started. “I didn’t realize then that you’d end up helping me. Before you, I’d been blind to my potential and strength. I can now see. Before you, I’d merely existed, but now I can feel. I can hear the right words that encourage, support, and uplift, and not those that hurt and destroy. I can touch love, because you embody that word. You have helped me triumph over challenges and encouraged my personal growth. You’ve chased away my demons and fought dragons for me. You’ve gone without sleep and food for me. You’ve hurt when I’ve hurt, shed tears when I’ve cried, and laughed with me. You’ve shown me what true love really is, and that I’m worthy of it.”
There was not a single dry eye when I glanced at Raine and the others.
“Remember that I love you and value your opinion, even when I don’t take it,” Celestia continued. “Remember that I love you and never keep score, even when I’m winning.” Laughter trickled through the room. “Remember that I love you when I’m angry and throw things at your head or when I complain about your arrogance. Remember that I love you when I cringe as you kick ass, because on the inside, I’m cheering for you. You are my rock. My dragon. My best friend. There’s no place I’m more content than by your side, and I’ll always love you.”
Eirik cleared his voice, and we expected him to be a goofball. He surprised everyone.
“In the presence of our families and friends, I take you, Celestia, to be my mate, my love, my consort, and my wife. Together, we can accomplish more than I could ever do alone. I will never let the pressures of the present and uncertainty of the future stop me from loving you, because you are my partner in mayhem, my enabler in trouble, and my companion in a life full of unexpected, strange adventures. I will encourage you to try new things and revisit the old to refresh your memories. I promise to celebrate our love daily, snuggle with you often, and make you laugh out loud. I vow to lend you my strength only when you need it, and to cheer you on from the sideline and support you when you don’t. I pledge to nurture and be respectful of your talents and quirks even when they involve dead animals.” He glanced at a raven in the back of the room, which I’d assumed was one of Odin’s. “You have a huge, kind, and giving heart, and I’m the lucky man you’ve given it to for safekeeping. I promise to never give you a reason to doubt my love for you, because this is just the beginning of our journey together. We have forever, and I will love you always.”
The entire time, Echo’s eyes were on me, so I knew his vows to me would be just as moving and sincere because he and I were two halves of a whole.
I had a year to work on my vows, and I planned to make them perfect and unique, just like he was.
THE END