ter, on the

ld and silver banners fluttered from every tower. Fresh white camellias decorated the palace gates, their petals trembling

transformed into a breathtaking sanctuary - crystal chandeliers, polished marble under

st time in decades, representatives from all four kingdoms stood beneath the same roof - some smiling sincerely, others

ueen Elowen, greeting each guest personall

place peacefully," Queen Helena of Vareth said warmly, embr

er smile gentle but her eyes bright

greeted the

dren succeed where o

rstood the weight of the words anyway. One succe

. The great doors

ed away, replaced by formal black attire embroidered with silver threa

quiet confidence rather than arrogance, the kind that

g Alaric and bowed de

orward and hugge

me to

ciprocate

s an

breaking through the ceremon

ands. Lucien appreciated the gesture immediately; it told

eports described," Elowen said, watc

e," Cedri

able," he added,

d without tu

ll hear yo

ed in it, and for a moment the room felt less like a political summi

sicians changed melodies. Ever

ned slowly, and Prin

he world seemed to h

ed, a delicate veil resting against her shoulders. The Moon Pendant lay just above her heart, catching th

ng-ready smile of royalty, but a genuine one, unguar

e was beautiful, though she undeniably was, but because she a

er eyes met his for the very first t

gesture, and then - almost imperceptibly, small

n's chest that had been qui

this marriage will not

- brief enough that no one beside her noticed - her gaze slid past Ariana, toward the empty space at the edge of the family'

into the place she kept things she had promised h

without looking, as though he'd felt the same thin

stepped forwar

ent who opposes this uni

of candle flames, and somewhere far off, the muffled

remony

atched without moving. One gloved hand rested against the cold stone ledge. The other held a small crystal

th curved, faint

barely more than breath, "is what t

shed back ben

he Moon Pendant at her throat. For the briefest moment its silver surface

frow

as nothing - the hall was drafty, that was all, an

oss the afternoon sky, dimming the

e two young royals standing before the altar, hands now joined, who