This time I did roll my eyes, and punched Rylan in the shoulder for good measure. “Just you wait,” I said as Iannis put an arm around my waist and began to gently lead me toward the palace. “I’ll kick your ass the next time we’re on the mat together, Rylan. Lady or not.”
Rylan’s laughter followed us into the ballroom, where we made a glorious entrance. The place was packed with nearly a thousand guests, and they all toasted us as one. Fenris and Annia made grand speeches, making the audience laugh as they recounted anecdotes about us, and nearly making me cry all over again when they praised us.
“You are, and always will be, the kindest, bravest, and most ferocious soul I’ve ever known,” Annia said, her cheeks pink as her eyes shone brightly with love and pride. “And you,” she said, turning to Iannis. “I wasn’t sure about you when we first met, but I’ve learned from working with you that you’re smart as hell, compassionate, and you’ve got a spine of steel under those robes. I can’t think of a more perfect match for my best friend.”
The crowd cheered again, and with that, we broke off to feast and mingle. We spent the first hour receiving endless congratulations from the guests, including Annia’s mother. I hadn’t been certain she would come, but not only had she shown up, she was even talking to Annia again, and the two looked like they were getting along. I wondered if Annia had told her that she’d found Noria and gotten her to safety. The golden collar around Annia’s neck gleamed, and I wondered just how much she’d come to rely on that spirit within. Her skin glowed with a soft, almost ethereal light that I hadn’t noticed before.
“One of these days,” Iannis murmured, noticing where I was staring, “we will get that story out of her. But tonight, we should look toward the future, not the past.”
Later, I sat with Fenris while Iannis was talking to Mina. “Thank you for staying on, saving us the other night, and standing with us on this day,” I said, smiling up at him. He should be on his honeymoon himself, but he and Mina had decided to stay until after our wedding, since Fenris was Iannis’s best man. “How do you feel, now that you’re a married man?”
“Like I am finally complete.” Fenris gave me a broad smile. “I never knew what I was missing before meeting Mina. I only hope you and Iannis are half as happy…but I am sure you are. It was clear to everyone during the ceremony earlier that, despite all differences, you belong together.”
“Duh.” I stuck my tongue out at him. “I’m glad everyone is finally getting with the program.”
Fenris laughed. “Of course, I knew this much earlier—before the two of you had an inkling,” he teased.
We sat in contented silence for a while, happy to just enjoy each other’s company after being separated for so long. “I’m so glad you are no longer under threat, after that pardon for Polar ar’Tollis,” I said softly, pitching my voice so nobody could hear. “Pretending to be your own son was all well and good, but now you’re truly safe.”
“It is quite a relief,” he admitted. “Though I had adjusted to living under the threat of execution, now that I’m married, and hoping to be a father soon, it is better not having to dodge the authorities or use multiple false names.”
“Sunaya,” a familiar voice called. I spun around in shock to see that Deryna was behind us, with Drawe standing shyly by her side. “Congratulations on your marriage,” she said, smiling fondly at us. “I am so glad that you two pulled through. There were times when I despaired of a happy outcome, but I prayed that the Creator would help you escape.”
“Thank you, Aunt Deryna,” Iannis said as I tried to find my voice. He didn’t seem the least bit surprised to see them. “I very much appreciate you two coming out.”
“Is Ennartha here, too?” I asked in a hushed voice. “And…and…” I couldn’t bring myself to pronounce that wicked woman’s name, and desperately hoped she hadn’t set foot in the Federation.
“No, don’t worry,” Deryna said, correctly interpreting my expression. “Ennartha sends her regards, but she never visits Northia, not even for this, any more than her mother would. And speaking of Ta’sradala”—she grinned, an expression that made her look significantly younger—“the scuttlebutt is that Ta’sradala has incurred the serious displeasure of the High King for sending you to their realm, and has been forbidden to visit Earth for the next five hundred years. I understand she hasn’t taken it well.”
“Five hundred years?” Iannis and I said at the same time, sounding stunned. We exchanged looks of absolute delight. “You could not have brought us a better wedding present,” I said fervently, and Deryna laughed. Ta’sradala had gotten off lightly, in my opinion, but by the time she was allowed to come back to Recca, our children would be grown. And that was no small comfort.
“And how are you, Drawe?” Iannis asked, crouching down to meet the boy’s eyes. “Are you enjoying your time in Solantha?”
“It’s so big,” he said in a hushed voice, his eyes wide. His gaze darted around the room before going back to Iannis. “I’ve never seen so many people in my life.”
“I’m really happy you could make it out,” I said, hugging Deryna and Drawe. “You two were kind to me when I was alone and friendless, and I will never forget that. But how did you get here so fast?”
Deryna smiled, pulling a gulaya out of her pocket. “My wonderful nephew sent me this,” she said, patting Iannis on the arm. “We arrived just yesterday.”
“Keeping secrets, are we?” I asked Iannis, arching a brow at him.
He only smiled. “I thought it would be a nice surprise.”
“And so it is,” I said, smiling at them all. “I’m guessing you’re staying here at the palace?”
“We are.”
“Good. Then make sure you find Liu, Tinari, and Rusalia,” I told Drawe. “They’re the friends I was telling you about who live here. Tell the librarian, Janta Urama, that I sent you, and she’ll put you in touch. Iannis and I are going on our honeymoon, but you guys can stay here as long as you like. I hope you’ll have a great time.”
“We are planning on staying here for a few weeks before returning,” Deryna said. “I wish you two a lovely honeymoon. You certainly deserve it after everything you’ve been through.”
“And now,” Director Chen, who was acting as tonight’s master of ceremonies, called in a magically enhanced voice as the chatter quieted down, “it is time for the bride and groom to open the first dance.”
Iannis and I looked at each other. “Are you ready?” he asked, offering his hand.