This day, this moment, could have been planned thousands of years in advance and Airin would still feel unprepared for it. She was either on the verge of tears or outright laughter; it was more likely to be a combination of both. Airin would never have guessed this day would come so soon, especially in the manner in which it did. She laid a hand on her enlarged belly fondly. It was all because of this child Airin carried that prompted her and Devlyn, her Devlyn, to solidify their bond into a formal union.
The vampire ruffled the folds of her dress in her fretting until a gentle hand upon her shoulder shook Airin out of her daze. The soft hazel of her father's eyes observed Airin with such adoration and pride and the sight instantly eased the princesses's nerves.
"Don't worry. You'll do fine," Skilar soothed, cupping his daughter's cheek in his other hand. Airin held onto it affectionately, eliciting a smile out of her father. "You're beautiful."
Airin was tempted to object; her skin looked washed out compared to the snow white of the dress and, even with it's absolutely beautiful design, it looked rather unbecoming due to her swollen stomach. Airin didn't voice her objections, however, and she eyed the orange haired fate as the reason for that. Starlight had the uncanny nature of wanting to preserve the happiness and purity of this day and any negativity Airin displayed was quickly cast aside. It was for the best, perhaps; Airin really did need to learn to accept things as they were and ignore the need for perfection. It was just one day (a very important day, though) that would lead to a lifetime of brighter and happier days to come.
Pre-wedding anthem music began to play and it's volume boomed like a thunderstorm even from where Airin and the other stood inside the entrance hall. Airin positioned herself hastily in front of the double doors, blindly taking the bouquet of flowers the fate of love pushed into her hands. Skilar's footsteps approached his daughter evenly and calmly, offering his arm to her once he reached Airin's side and she took to it like a lifeline. She licked her lips absently in place of biting on them; it would make for an unattractive kiss at the floral alter awaiting her. Yes, just beyond those doors, out in the warmth of a bright April morning, awaited much more than just a flimsy alter... there stood a man of feather-soft, raven black hair and brilliant, ocean blue eyes that expected Airin's arrival.
Skilar would have to hold onto her tightly to prevent her from all but sprinting down the aisle for Devlyn.
"Wait."
There went Airin's will to break her lip-biting habit. She turned her gaze towards the source of the voice, a voice she knew all too well, but never in her life would Airin have guessed to see her mother standing before her.
Dusk returned her daughter's gaze thoughtfully and took in Airin fully and completely before speaking. "... You're lovely."
Airin blinked. Was this really her mother? Upon seeing the look of confusion on Airin's face, Dusk broke into a small smile and glanced away in... was that... shame?
"... I'm sorry. I know I haven't been there for you when I should have been." What was going on? Airin glanced back towards her father, who's eyes were trained on Dusk with great pride and approval. Airin smirked; he must've talked her into doing this. Nevertheless, the princess couldn't deny a small warmth radiating in her heart at hearing Dusk's confessions. Airin turned back to face her mother, who had made her way over to Airin's side opposite of Skilar.
"... Good luck out there," bade Dusk, moving a lock of Airin's hair behind her ear. And just like that, out of the blue, Airin had broken away from Skilar's hold and wrapped her arms around her mother. It was pointless fighting off the tears at this point.
"I love you," whispered Airin in Dusk's arms. They remained like this for only a moment or so, as the procession was already well under way, and when they broke apart Dusk placed a small kiss to Airin's forehead before pulling down the veil over her eyes.
"Aww, your mom's finally growing up," teased Skilar, sporting the hugest shit-eating grin Airin had ever seen him wear.
"Shut up," sniped Dusk, though she couldn't fight back the twinge of a smile.
Airin had to laugh. This day was getting more perfect by the second.
"Oh my goodness! Look at you, Devy bear! You're all grown up!"
ReplyDeleteDevlyn rolled his eyes as Akari fussed over tie. If this wasn't the happiest days of his life, he would have killed himself.
"Kari, I told you not to call me-"
"Oh, shush you. I remember my wedding. I was such a nervous wreck. I'm sure you are too." She stepped back to look at him, her eyes narrowing as if she saw another abnormality she didn't like. Before she could attempt to fix it, Devlyn held up his hands to stop her. "How about you don't, and we save you the trouble of trying to get a wine stain off of your dress."
She gaped at him. "You wouldn't."
"Try me." She debated, but figured he was telling the truth and wouldn't risk ruining her dress. "I'm going to go find my seat. Im sure Alkirn is fussing about here somewhere." Akari made for the door and paused. Unsure of whether or not Devlyn would approve. . . but, she did it anyway.
Akari practically tackled him in a fierce embrace, squeezing him with all her might. Considering she was now a goddess, Devlyn nearly split in two.
"I love you Devlyn. I wish you all the happiness and joy in the world." Devlyn smiled earnestly at his beloved sister, of course she would pull this on him right before he would go out. He returned her hug, "I know Kari. Thank you."
She stepped back once again and kissed him on the forehead before finally taking her leave.
Man. . . His nerves were on edge. Excitement ruled his body as it all seemed to finally sink in. His Airin. . . she would be his. It seemed only yesterday, Devlyn was helping her climb out of a tree or teasing her to no end. He winced as he remembered all the times he was crude to her. Deep down, he had always cared for her. It was just, back then. . .he didn't know how to show it.
"Alright," A voice sounded from the door leading out to the altar. "It's time Devlyn." Right. . . Devlyn took a deep breath, calling on every technique he knew to stay calm. . .with little to no success. . .and turned towards his father.
He knew he did not approve of the union. Frankly, Devlyn didn't care but to Airin. . . she somehow wanted them to get along. For her sake and for the sake of their child, Devlyn would do anything.
"Father, I know you do not like her, but please, give her a chance-"
ReplyDelete"Alright."
"If you got to know her- Wait, what?" Devlyn cast him an incredulous expression. It could not be that easy. He was talking to his _father_ . . . he never took anything with acceptance.
"I cannot guarantee that I will ever accept her, but I will not harm her either. On that, you have my word. If there is anything I draw a line in, that is family. I have learned my lesson with your sister. I do not commit the same mistakes twice. Now hurry, the music is starting." And just like that he was gone. Devlyn stood there for a second, blinking at the door as he tried to process what the heck had just happened. Gods, he really didn't have time to understand why life liked to mess with him.
After a few more deep breaths, Devlyn opened the door and made his way to the altar. All eyes turned to him, making him shift uncomfortably under their gaze. He could have counted the moments before the music changed. And suddenly, he was no longer the center of their attention. everyone, including himself were awe struck as Airin took her place at the end of the aisle. In that moment, the earth could have fallen into Armageddon and he wouldn't have given two shits. This day was all about his beautiful vampire and the life they both had to look forward to.
This was it. Somehow this moment, walking down the aisle to the wedding march, sealed the deal. If Airin's father wasn't a vampire, she would be dragging him effortlessly in her fervent desire to stand beside Devlyn as soon as possible. Airin couldn't even spare any mind to the guests whose collective attention were focused on her, where she would normally cringe underneath the weight of so many set eyes upon her.
ReplyDeleteIt didn't feel that long ago that Airin found herself stuck in Devlyn's tree as a child, or when Devlyn repaired that toy bird she so stupidly was fond of. How long had it been since that accursed day, when the young werewolf prince offered as the only light within the sea of darkness? And their first night together... Airin pulled the flowers closer to her face as her face grew hot at the memory. If no one could see the blush, they could certainly see the smile widening on Airin's lips.
There was never a specific moment in her life where Airin had realized she was in love with the beautiful god of darkness. She had always loved Devlyn, even when he teased her or said cruel things when they were children. It was more than he had shown anyone else and Airin ate up every bit of attention he gave her. In the end, it was Devlyn who fixed the toy bird, and it was Devlyn who helped her out of the tree. The very same man who extended his hand toward Airin as she approached where he stood.
Skilar leaned over to kiss Airin's cheek before he removed his arm from her grasp (although doing it much more slowly than Airin would have preferred) and her hand immediately reached for Devlyn's. Warmth enveloped the vampire instantly and her racing heart was simultaneously quelled to a steady rhythm. She was finally here with Devlyn, her love since childhood and the father of her child - their child, together. And that was the way Airin would always love for them to be - them, together, from this day on until the end of forever.
The priests words were lost in the background of Devlyn's mind. His entire focus solely on the woman in front of him. His precious Airin. She had changed his entire life, from the moment they met. He remembered her before the incident. So full of life and wonder. He remembered the horrors of that night. The dread and he had felt as he feared that Airin was no longer alive. . . He remembered how distraught he was after the attack. Being bedridden for weeks, not knowing if she and Cyrus had made it or not.
ReplyDeleteFinally, he remembered her change on that night they were finally together. She had been so shy, so fragile before. That night had brought out the inner vampire in her, and he had loved every moment of watching her, finally, take what she wanted.
"The vows, if you'd please." Devlyn nearly missed his queue. It took Airin's gentle squeeze, and smile, to snap him back to the task at hand.
He had no need for notes, or a prewritten speech. Devlyn would give his entire being to her, this day. He would give her what every wolf cherished most, and that kind of vow, was that of a bond.
He took both of her hands into his, encasing them as he brought them to his lips. Without severing his gaze, he took his wrist to his mouth and bit into it, letting the blood flow as he let his wolf rise within him.
He spoke in his native language, "I, Devlyn Blake Akuma Wolfheart, vow my undying devotion to you, Airin Kori Roseland. I vow to protect you from all darkness as you have shielded me from my own. You, my precious blue rose, will forever hold the heart and soul of both my wolf and I. Solely you will rule us, and solely you will ever be able to ruin us."He paused for a moment, long enough to wipe a tear away from his lovely vampire's eyes. "I promise, to love you, so long as there is light in the darkness of this world." He brought her hands once more to his lips, and felt the wolf inside him howl as it was finally. . .complete.
The world was lost to Airin, her mind completely enveloped the waves of euphoria as Devlyn's bond washed over her with its finality. At the time, it was hard to understand Leoun's description of such a momentous sensation but now it was as though her words could not do it justice. It was bewildering but by no means was it terrifying as Airin thoughts made it out to be. This was the true milestone of her and Devlyn's relationship; to bestow unto another one's utmost and undying devotion and loyalty was not something a werewolf gave away on a whim. Naturally, an internal struggle ensued within Airin to retrieve a hand from Devlyn's grasp to wipe away the tears flowing down her cheeks or ignore them altogether. As it was, the moment was so surreal that relieving herself from Devlyn's warm grip would have either of them floating away, never to be together again. Airin would just have to make do with the tear streams.
ReplyDelete"Now you, my dear," gestured the priest. The voice was a slap back to reality and Airin had to laugh. Even now, on her wedding day, the young vampire still couldn't avoid daydreaming or staring off into space. She squeezed Devlyn's hands, smiling when he gripped them back tighter in reassurance.
Airin had gone through so many rough drafts of her vows in the past few days and none of them were truly satisfying. It was impossible to relay how much Devlyn meant to her in only a handful of words. She would pages, books even, but for the sake of her beloved, and for everyone in attendance, Airin decided the straight and forward would be the fastest way to get the message across.
"I, Airin Kori Roseland, swear unto you, Devlyn Blake Akuma Wolfheart, the full extent of my love and compassion. I promise to cherish you, to help you stand when you fall, and keep you warm in the cold depths of darkness with any and all light that I possess. I vow to always stand by your side as your lover, a close friend... and the mother of your children." Devlyn smiled at that, eliciting one from Airin to mirror his own. "Words cannot express how much I love you, my Devlyn... and I hope I can provide you with every bit of happiness that you have blessed me with."
God, the ocean blue of Devlyn's eyes were something that Airin could never get accustomed to. They were so soft, so bright... he really and truly was beautiful.
"By the power vested in me," bellowed the priest, commanding the attention of everyone present (excluding the two people right in front of him, unsurprisingly). "I now pronounce you man and wife..." He placed a hand on Devlyn's shoulder but neither he nor Airin severed their gaze from one another. "Congratulations, young man. You may kiss your bride."
They were in each others arms immediately; the union of their lips never felt so fulfilling as it did in this moment. Airin hadn't realized how anxious she had been, how painful it was to wait so long to get to this point. But it was happening, right here and now, and that was all that mattered. At last, she and Devlyn were with each other and from now on, the both of them and their expected child would always and eternally be together.