Khushala

Smiling warmly, Deidre released my hands. “Go,” she said. “I will see you after the ceremony is over.”

Reluctant to part with my friend but eager for the ceremony to begin, I gave her one final hug before following the servant toward the center of the courtyard where the natural land overtook the fae-made cobblestones. I let myself soak it in for just a moment, the beauty of it all, green and gold, the sun shining strong over everything it touched. A perfect day for a wedding. It was as if nature itself had blessed this union, that everything seemed to be coming together in such splendor.

We reached the rough-hewn stairway that would take us down to the steaming dirt and rocks in the pit surrounding the Sun Forge. There, I would walk through the steam and be cleansed before rising back up to the Forge itself. I knew Rafail was on the other side doing the same, making his way toward me so that we could meet at the top of the ring and rise together.

I walked slowly toward the clouds of steam, knowing I should take my time even though inside my impatience was rising. We were so close, I wished I could skip ahead and meet Rafail so that everything could happen now, so that Rafail and I could finally be together in every sense of the word. This day had been planned so painstakingly, with the precision and care befitting a ceremony of state, but the closer the moment came, the more obstacles there were to overcome. I took a deep breath, exhaling with the steam as it hissed upwards. As the heat within the ground built enough pressure to power the Sun Court, so too would my irritation with propriety propel me forward.

When the first wave of hot air touched my skin, I was suddenly struck by a tactile memory of its opposite, a memory when the cold burned like fire in the icy lands of the Moon Court during one of the war’s most hard-won battles.

The ice and snow around me made it difficult for my boots to find purchase in the frozen landscape, and I scrabbled to keep my footing, fighting for my life with every step. All around me was a melee of violence, Sun and Moon fae fighting each other with every weapon at their disposal. Sparks of magic fell like deadly rain, the screech of metal ringing in my ears, the screams of the dying. It was a nightmare come to life, one seemingly endless battle in a seemingly endless war.

My glaive was heavy in my hand, wet with enemy blood. A sudden bolt of magic flew past me and slammed into the moon fae standing before me, throwing the heavy, horned soldier back with a resounding crack. The sun fae went still, and I shuddered at the sight, knowing all too well what it meant, the sacrifice of life force they had accepted to use their magic against the Moon. The same sacrifice that so many others had made before them. That they were still making now.

When will it end? When—

“Mistress?”

I blinked, refocusing. The servant behind her cleared her throat. “Mistress?” she repeated.

I realized I’d stopped moving and hurried forward, feeling my cheeks heat. I’d been drawn in by the memory, lost to it—and not for the first time. I’d had nightmares about that battle, the magic lancing through the perpetual darkness the only light by which to see the horrors around me. I would never forget the cost of our victory, not for as long as I lived. The war is over, I reminded myself. It’s only a memory—and it’s time to make new ones.

I continued to move across the rough terrain, letting the steam wash over me and imagining as it rose that my anger and anxiety about the war went with it, opening me up to the rest of my life yet to come. Because I was ready for this—more than ready. With this, we can all move on, I hope.

As I made my way slowly around the curve of a wall, Rafail finally came into view. Through my own veil, I could see the dampness of his, how it stuck to his skin and outlined his handsome features. My eyes lingered on the sharp line of his jaw, the familiar curve of his shoulder, angles I would recognize in sun and in shadow.

When I first heard about this part of the ceremony, I was worried that we would end up looking ridiculous—like drenched cats, fresh from unwanted baths—but Rafail was the furthest thing from that. Instead, he looked as I felt, unburdened by everything we’d both been through—though I knew our experiences in the war were wildly different. I had been a soldier on the field while he’d had the entirety of our forces resting on his shoulders as the general of the militia, deciding which fae would live and which might die. It was a weight I didn’t begrudge him. I could only imagine how difficult it must have been to carry it, and to see us through to victory.We’ve fought for so long, but the fighting is over and it’s high time we enjoy our happy ending—or a happy beginning, I suppose.

At last, we were merely a step away from each other. I could see the plains of his face more clearly now, and the glint in his eye, a certain sparkle he reserved for me. It had never failed to draw me in. Our eyes locked and held, and nothing more needed to be said.

As we met on the platform, Rafail reached for me, linking his fingers with mine. “Ready?” he whispered.

I didn’t get a chance to answer before there was a hiss of steam, and the platform slowly began to rise. The intensely blue bright ring of the sky above us expanded as we lifted out of the earth and back up to the Sun Forge, still surrounded by sun fae waiting for our reappearance.

A loud cheer erupted as we came into view, and I found myself beaming as I took in the crowd, the sky, the sun. I knew my cheeks would be sore by the end of the day if I kept smiling like this—but why should it matter? It was my wedding day, and for once, I was happy. Why not let it show? I was determined to soak in every second, to memorize every detail so I could recall this moment with vivid clarity. And to see the people’s happiness for me, for us—it warmed me from the inside out. I squeezed Rafail’s hand, and he squeezed mine. I will never forget this, the happiest day of my life.

The stone platform gradually became level with the brickwork surrounding the Sun Forge, and together, Rafail and I stepped off of it and onto the flat brick, our hands still entwined. His fingers felt warm, and I squeezed them a little tighter. I’ll never let go. Never.

The Master Forger was waiting for us, his burn bowl already lying in the fire and heating up the metal shavings that would become the symbols of our union. Rafail and I had spent hours together agonizing over what type of metal to use for our rings before we finally settled on a Titanium-Gold alloy to symbolize our strength together. It was traditional that sun fae select the metals that would galvanize their union, but these rings would not only bind Rafail and I, but also everyone to us—the entirety of the Sun Court. As we promised ourselves to each other, together we made a promise to them.

I smiled at the Master Forger, and he started to return the smile, but suddenly his eyes widened in terror and he let out a piercing cry.

That sound tore through me as sharply as a cold wind, and I whirled around with a gasp.. A moon fae soldier with dark purple skin and sharp horns that curved up from his forehead materialized with a resounding crack, pushing back pitch-black hair. His tail whipped behind him in a frenzy. I had seen his like before on the battlefield, scimitar held high and gleaming with sun fae blood in the light of an aurora. What is he doing? How did he get here? His glittering eyes were locked on me, and a strange smile curled his lips.

I flinched at the sight, instinctively reaching for the sword that wasn’t at my side. Shit! I had no weapon, not even the smallest of knives.

This wasn’t happening! Not now!

There was no time to react. No time to register horror or despair or rage. The moon fae advanced quickly, so quickly I only had time to hear Rafail shout, “No!” before the soldier’s hand grabbed my wrist and everything around me vanished in an instant.