“You’re mother was right, my son. You have never been alone.”
“Father?”
Was the painting speaking to him? No, that’s not possible. The voice sounded as though it was being projected from a very great distance. It had an echo to it, that was almost hard to describe. He glanced at the painting harder, but then got a weird feeling from behind and when he turned, he was astonished to see a likeness of his father. Though it was like looking at a hazy apparition, it was definitely him. His father, Leifold had somehow crossed the divide and came to speak to his troubled son, who at this hour was in most desperate need.
By the way he spoke, it was clear that whatever his Mother was feeling or felt had passed onto the afterlife, where her husband and Sirus’s father was waiting. Now that he had time to calm, it was beginning to get clearer, that his mother had wanted to join her Husband a long time before but had held on for the sake of watching her son become the man, to take the crown and lead the people in her place. So in a sense, Tempest was right, he had been selfish. While his father’s apparition was watching him, Sirus finally released all the things he had kept within his heart for so long.
“I never got to say goodbye, Father. I thought you were gone, and that you never heard me. I know I prayed each night, and hoped you would hear.” Shaking his head, he approached the ghost of his Father. “She’s sick Father, so very sick, and here I am crying over losing her, when I should be grateful that she is finally getting her wish, to join with you once more.” He hung his head in shame. “I owe so many an apology. Mother, Tempest…they did not deserve the things I said. Here I was…behaving badly, cause I was losing my Mother, and not seeing the bigger picture.”
He then stood in silence…not knowing what else to say.
<3>
“I did hear you, ‘chev Ust (Beloved First). I heard your voice, felt your touch, and even now I can still sense those things. The love your mother and I have deep inside for you…will never fade, we take it with us and treasure it wherever we go.” Leifold smiled, blessing his son with his love even now, across space and time. “Truth be told, it was I, as I passed on, who asked your mother to wait so long before joining me. You and your sister needed her more then I did and it wouldn’t have been fair to either of you for her to leave while you were still finding your way. Was it fair of me? Possibly. Was it the right thing to do? Most definitely. I have never been more proud of you then I am at this moment. You are a wise, kind, fair and just man…all the qualities that our House embraces. Our people will fair well under your rule.”
Seeing Sirus bow his head, Leifold reached forward and pressed a hand to his son’s shoulder. His ghostly touch was warm, as if the sun had personally graced Sirus with its blessing of peace and joy.
“There is no need to apologize to those we love for they understand far more then you imagine.” He glanced off to the side and chuckled at something only he could hear, “Though I do imagine, your young lady could use some reassurance as she is currently pacing her room, cursing your name for walking away from her once again. I really do like her, Sirus. You have chosen well.”
Sirus felt the warmth in his father’s touch, and the blessing he was giving meant more to the Prince, than he could ever hope to say. The fact his Father had crossed the great divide, to help guide his son in the right path, was like a window of light had suddenly been thrown open, and a renewed faith that meant he could go on now in the light of his Mother’s imminent passing. He knew that this was how it was to be. But first, he needed to set things right.
~Tempest~
“She must be mad as hell at me. I really wasn’t fair on her. She was only speaking the truth.” Sirus admitted. Smiling at his father, he knew what he had to do. Dressed already for the ball, he hurried out of his chambers, and made his way for Tempest’s. He only hoped that she would be there, and that she could find it in her heart to forgive him.
Tempest’s chambers
On arriving at her door, he stood a moment and tried to calm himself. She was probably pacing and calling him names. Tempest did have a fiery temper at best. But how to cool those flames of rage?
The door burst open, and there she was mid stride across the middle of the floor. Sirus didn’t wait, and he wasn’t going to put it off another moment. He practically ran across the room, and then swept her into his arms leaving her with no alternative but to look at him. He held her there and said it…and it was about time.
“I love you, Princess….Tempest Brax, will you marry me?”
He then kissed her…and it was not just a kiss. Oh no…this kiss was strong enough to curl your toes, and make your hair frizzy.
But how would she react?
<3>
“Be happy, my son. Your mother and I will always watch over you.” Leifold whispered before he faded away to await his wife. He knew it would be long before she was by his side once again.
——-
After the seamstress had finished with Tempest, she was left alone as she waited for the dress she would wear to the Coronation Ball to be completed. She was pacing back and forth, still in her shift as she thought about Sirus. Twice in one day he had walked away from her. Instead of talking to her and working through whatever he was feeling…he just upped and disappeared.
What was she supposed to think? How was she to feel?
“Ruddy, selfish, twit.” she growled, a flaming ball of fire being tossed back and forth between her hands. Oh she was angry.
The door to her chambers burst open and startled, the flames in her hands dissipated. She whirled around to see Sirus standing there.
“Sirus! What-”
He cut her off when he pulled her tightly into his arms, a strange light in his eyes. She couldn’t look away if she tried, but she did struggle.
“Let me go! I’m not speaking to-” And again he cut her off, his lips inches from her own.
“I love you, Princess….Tempest Brax, will you marry me?”
And before she could even formulate a reply, his mouth sealed over hers, his tongue slipping into her mouth as she gasped. She struggled in his embrace, even going so far as to beat at his shoulders with her fists to be let go, but he wasn’t going for it. Her struggles began to weaken until of her own volition, her arms slipped around his neck and she was responding to that hair-raising, toe-curling kiss.
When he pulled away, her eyes were glazed and she felt lightheaded, but she recalled his question before his lips claimed hers and she smiled.
“Yes. I’ll marry you.” she nodded, pulling him back to her by his lapels for another breath-stealing kiss.
For all the time that Tempest and Sirus had been together, they had never gone and done anything more serious than a stolen kiss, but this…this was like the flood gates to their emotions had been smashed away. Tempest had said yes. She would marry him, even though when he entered the room, she was ready to lob a fire ball at him and call him hateful names. He did deserve it, but after all they had been through it was what was needed to happen. Tempest kissed Sirus back with as much passion, when she gave her answer. Sirus could be heard between the kisses, moaning her name and then finally pulling back for air.
“I’m sorry…for everything…You were right, and I was wrong. But I am not wrong about us. I have loved you from the moment I saw you. I have dreamt of this moment for so long.” He held her tight in his arms, like he was never going to let her go.
He was panting heavily, just staring at her. His right hand came up and stroked her hair back, captivated by her beauty.
“Tonight…before all, I want to marry you. I don’t want to wait. If my mother is to leave us tonight, then I want her to witness our love. Please say you will.”
<3>
Arianna had been walking the halls of the castle, committing to memory all the good times she had here with her family, wishing her daughter was with her. She had sent out numerous messages, hoping someone had seen or heard from Eve, but it was not to be.
She was walking thought Sirus’s wing of the castle, when she heard murmured voices coming from Tempest’s room. The door was slightly open, in his haste to get to her, Sirus had forgotten to close it fully. Curious, she moved closer to listen.
“I love you, Princess….Tempest Brax, will you marry me?”
Arianna covered her mouth to stifle a gasp of surprise so that they wouldn’t hear her.
“Yes. I’ll marry you.” she heard Tempest reply. Arianna wanted to do a victory dance there in the hall, but didn’t think it would be appropriate. She had an image to maintain. There was silence for a few minutes and she took a quick peek, smirking as she saw her son and future daughter kissing.
“I’m sorry…for everything…You were right, and I was wrong. But I am not wrong about us. I have loved you from the moment I saw you. I have dreamt of this moment for so long.” Sirus stated. “Tonight…before all, I want to marry you. I don’t want to wait. If my mother is to leave us tonight, then I want her to witness our love. Please say you will.”
——
Tempest’s gaze softened as she stared at her beloved. She pressed a hand to his cheek.
“Tonight, tomorrow, it doesn’t matter. I will marry you because I love you.” she murmured, pressing her forehead to his.
Arianna backed away from the door, leaving the two alone. She couldn’t help herself, she started to dance a jig as she went in search of her seamstress. She had a wedding dress that needed to be made.
“Then it is tonight!” Sirus beamed, before kissing her forehead again. The Prince stepped back and then realized he really needed to let Tempest get ready. “Ack. Tradition, I am not supposed to see the Bride on the wedding day. Okay..okay..”He covered his eyes and started to back out of the room, nearly bumping into her hope chest, before finding the door. “That was close. See you at the ball…wedding…YEAH!”
In a flurry of movement, the Prince had taken off out of the room and ran back to his own chambers to finish getting ready, for what would be the biggest night of his life.
The Ball room
Many of the servants were getting the main ball room ready for what was to be a lavish affair. Willow and Gertie were also helping out and in their human forms no less. Being that they were magical, they were assisting with the decorating, levitating up to places that the other fae couldn’t reach. From dazzling sprays of floral tributes, to masses of rainbow covered bubbles, the room was like something out of a mid summer’s night’s dream.
Willow’s giggles were infectious as she hovered around the room, zapping this and that with her wand, and then darting away to hurry the slower staff members up a bit.
Gertie was working on the banquet table, setting up the long line of dishes and exotic foods, as well as making a punch bowl, that looked like a fountain, with bubbling champagne spilling out over an ice made rock foundation. Klaus was not far behind, but his eyes were on the delicious slices and cup cakes. Every time he reached for one, Gertie seemed to strike out of nowhere, her chubby hand slapping his away before he could steal a single morsel.
“But they look so good, Gertie.” He lamented, pouting sadly.
“You still fat.” Gertie growled, and went back to working on the refreshments.
<3>
Tempest covered her mouth over a giggle as she watched Sirus become excited about their upcoming nuptials, pleased to see him so happy again.
“Ack. Tradition, I am not supposed to see the Bride on the wedding day. Okay..okay..” He slapped his hands over his eyes and began to back out of the room, nearly tripping over the chest near her bed as he did so. She giggled again as he rushed from the room, yelling that he would see her later that evening.
Tempest released a sigh of happiness and couldn’t wait for the seamstress to return with her gown…
——
Some time later, there was a knock at her door.
“It’s open.” she stated, turning away from the window where she’d been sitting. The door opened and she was surprised to see Arianna enter the room, followed by the seamstress, Her Majesty’s Ladies, Tempest’s own ladies and a man Tempest had never seen before. Tempest got to her feet and curtsied, which Arianna waved off.
“I’ve brought a present for you, Lady Tempest.” Arianna smiled.
“A present, Your Majesty? For what purpose?”
“Well…” she eyed Tempest shrewdly, “I have learned that there is to be a royal wedding this evening.” Arianna smirked. Tempest’s eyes widened.
“How did you-” Arianna’s laughter cut Tempest’s words.
“My dear, I do know what goes on in my own kingdom.” she stated cryptically. “Now…you need a proper gown, and not that monstrosity that I saw being made for you earlier, so I had the seamstress change a few things.” She turned to the woman, who stepped forward with the dress in her hands. “Ladies.” Arianna and Tempest’s ladies stepped foward as well, surrounding the young woman, who suddenly found herself being poked, prodded and pampered until her skin gleamed and her hair shone like the sun. The seamstress helped her into the dress and did some quick adjusting before she pronounced Tempest ready.
All the women stepped away and stared at the young woman, eyes shining.
“My dear…you are simply beautiful.” Arianna smiled. “And such beauty deserves beautiful jewels to go with it.” She waved a hand to the man beside her, who held a box in his hands. He opened it slowly and Tempest gasped.
Inside was the most beautiful piece of jewelry she’d ever seen in her life.
“Your Majesty!” Tempest exclaimed. Arianna touched her arm.
“Mother, if you don’t mind.” Arianna smiled gently. Tempest had to fight back the tears at this and she nodded.
“Mother…I couldn’t possibly wear these!”
“You can…and you will. I had them commissioned just for you. As Sirus will be crowned King, as his wife, you shall be his Queen.” Arianna took up the diamond and ruby encrusted crown and carefully placed it upon Tempest’s head. Illiana handed over the veil and both the seamstress and Arianna helped to place it, draping the thin fabric over Tempest’s face and shoulders.
“You have made my son a happy man, Tempest and I shall be happy knowing that you will continue to do so long after I’ve gone.” Tempest bowed her head beneath her veil, cherishing the words of a mother to a daughter. After a moment, Arianna clapped her hands. “All right, ladies! Places! The festivites are about to begin.” There was a flurry of activity as everyone prepared for the Coronation Ball of epic proportions.
The castle was now a glittering spectacle, with enchantments, that had the very turrets sending off dazzling fireworks, and showering the arriving guests that were coming by coach, or on the wing. This night marked a special event in the lives of Sirus of Laegess and Tempest of Brax. Not only was Sirus to be crowned the new King of the Wintervine, but he was also to take the hand of his beloved; a woman he had crossed many leagues to save and brought home to give her a new start and a better life.
Having left Tempest to get ready, Sirus had gone down to the Coronation ballroom, where already dignitaries from outer kingdoms and realms were arriving, including some royals. The trumpets were sounding, as the Lord Chamberlain tapped his staff upon the tiled floor, to announce those that had arrived. It was a scene reminiscent from days gone by, with women looking resplendent in silks and jewels. Men in suits that were adorned with sashes and their royal seals.
Normally, Sirus would shy away from such events, being that it was more a social occasion to match him up with what may be a potential new bride. However, his bride to be was of his own choice. A woman he loved and had done for quite some time, only he wanted her to be absolutely sure that this was the life she wanted.
Already the orchestra had struck up a delightful melody, that had some already dancing in the main auditorium, while on the outer perimeters there were groups of ambassadors and courtiers that were catching up with small talk, whilst sampling the kingdom’s finest wines and champagne.
Sirus glanced up at the large clock on the wall, and wondered when his bride to be would make her appearance.
<3>
Arianna, looking splendid in all her royal finery, made her way to the entrance to the ballroom, her Ladies-in-Waiting in formation behind her. She stopped outside the closed doors where two guards and the Lord Chamberlain were waiting. They bowed low in respect and she nodded regally. This would most likely be her last function as a member of the royal family and she was going to do this in style.
“If you please, Lord Chamberlain.” she stated.
“It has been an honor to serve you, My Queen.” he bowed, a catch in his throat. Having been the Lord Chamberlain since Leifold’s father sat on the throne, he knew more then most of what her bond to her husband entailed.
Smiling warmly, she touched his cheek.
“And you will serve my son just as well.”
“With pleasure, Your Majesty.” he nodded. She blessed him with a gentle kiss to his cheek before he turned to step through the doors the guards now held open.
“Presenting, Her Royal Majesty, Arianna Margred Tarian Rhiannon, Queen of Laegess.” the Lord Chamberlain announced. Arianna couldn’t remember the last time her full name was spoken with such reverence and respect and it warmed her heart. The music that had been playing while people were milling about changed to the Royal Processional March and she straightened her shoulders, showing no signs of the weakness that had been plaguing her of late. This was her son’s night and she was going to see it through to the end.
The doors were opened and Arianna started her processional walk, nodding to the dignitaries, royals and their families lined up on either side. She saw Sirus waiting for her beside her throne and graced him with a full smile, of love and pride.
She reached the dais and carefully climbed the stairs so as not to trip on her gown before she turned to face the congregated guests. Everyone bowed or curtsied as the music slowly died down.
“Friends and honored guests…” she began, her voice strong and easily carrying to every corner of the room, “This is a very special night for myself. For tonight, all present shall bear witness to my son, Sirus, Heir Regent of Laegess, as he takes his rightful place as King.” There were murmurs through the crowd, some surprised by this turn of events. Arianna ignored them all and continued. “But before that occurs, I ask that you indulge me, as a mother…who shall watch her son be joined in the holiest of ceremonies to a woman he loves with all his heart.” The gasps of surprise were louder that time as the long-time family priest stepped up onto the dais, the music playing once more, this time a wedding march. There were glares from angry fathers hoping to snag Sirus for their tearful daughters as they all waited to see who the ugly beast was that had managed to claim Sirus for herself.
The doors opened once more and Tempest stood framed in the doorway, resplendent in her wedding gown and the ruby tiara upon her head. Although her face was covered with her veil, the material was thin enough that she was easily seen by all assembled. The wailing from the daughters was louder as they caught a glimpse of the beautiful woman, who stood poised to marry the man of their dreams.
Tempest, displaying none of the nervousness that had plagued her when she stood in the hall before the doors opened, smiled brightly as she made her way forward. She kept her eyes on Sirus at the front of the room as she walked, feeling as if they were the only two people in the room.
From the corner of the hall, Pyres watched, eyes spitting fire, as his first plan, of getting Tempest to trust him and defer to him when up in smoke. As he watched the beautiful and powerful hybrid move toward the Queen, he began to rethink some of his plans, and chuckled darkly when he settled on one in particular.
“Enjoy your moment, Princess…the happy times will not last for long.” he mumbled to himself, glaring evilly at the woman who turned to shush him.
