Aether’s Guard (Aether’s Revival Book 2)

After shutting the door, Yukiko smiled at him. “Dear one,” Gregory whispered, taking the seat beside her.

“I was worried when I heard what they’d planned,” Yukiko said.

“They didn’t plan to kill me,” Gregory said. “Gin pulled that last strike, and I thought they were a little out of step. They definitely made me earn it.”

“Yes.”

“You look lovely,” Gregory said, staring into her cyan eyes.

Yukiko smiled as she stared back. “As do you, dear one. I don’t recognize the shoes, though.”

“The boots. They change,” Gregory said, focusing on them for a moment so they looked like his regular boots before going back.

“Oh, like my new obi.”

The carriage lurched slightly as it got underway, the musicians again playing a happy tune.

“Did you notice the others get upset?” Yukiko asked.

“What do you mean?” Gregory asked in return.

“Jenn, Daciana, and Nessa were unhappy that you had to face three all at once. They started to object, but Inda and Indara stopped them.”

“I heard something, but I had to focus.”

“Yes, you did.”

“Where are your parents? I expected them to be in here with you.”

“At the hall, waiting for us, along with the rest of the guests. In an hour, we’ll be wed.”

Gregory’s smile matched hers as he took her hand and held it lovingly.

~*~*~

When they made it to the wedding hall, small fireworks were set off, announcing the arrival of the procession. Gregory escorted Yukiko inside, the last ones to enter the marble building. Everyone was watching as the doors closed behind them. Friends, family, and others that had shown them kindness watched from either side of the aisle that the two walked down.

Side by side, hand-in-hand, the couple approached the far side of the room where an altar was waiting for them. To the left stood Yukiko’s parents and Jenn, while Carmichael was on the right.

The couple separated to walk around the altar, before coming back together and facing each other. Four matching sets of small cups were the only items on it. Together in perfect unison, Yukiko and Gregory picked up their first cups, decorated with the design of Aether’s flame. Each took a sip from the cup they held, before exchanging it with each other and finishing the drink.

“The first binding is to the gods. It was in aether they met, so Aether is the one they thank for bringing them together,” Hao announced.

Setting down the empty cups, they picked up the second set and repeated the process. The second cup had the image of an old couple smiling at each other.

“The second binding is to appease the spirits of their ancestors who came before them. It is only because of these forebears that they are here to love each other.”

Gregory and Yukiko continued to see only each other as they moved to the third cup. A child looking up at a man and woman decorated the third cup. After they drank, they set the cup back down.

“The third binding: a thank you to their parents who helped raise them and allowed this moment to come. May their marriage be as full of love as their parents’ marriages have been.”

The fourth cup held a single heart, and as the couple finished drinking the last one, both felt a surge of joy deep inside them.

“The last binding to each other, for they have pledged their hearts to one another,” Hao said, his voice a little thick as he finished speaking.

Setting their cups down, the newlyweds turned to face the cheering crowd. After a few moments, the gathering quieted and Gregory cleared his throat. “We thank you for coming to our wedding. We’ve been waiting for this day for six months, and while that might feel like no time to some, it’s felt like an eternity to us.”

A ripple of laughter and knowing grins went through a portion of those attending.

“Now, we can hold our heads high and thank you for coming to this event. We’re honored to call you friends and family.” Gregory finished by bowing his head to the crowd.

“My dearest one has said much of what I wished to convey,” Yukiko said. “We know that this is only the start of our joined path, and that many obstacles will be encountered as we walk it. Those will be overcome, because we will aid each other at every hardship. And we know that in those moments when we both struggle, our friends will be there to help us.” Her smile was wide as she bowed her head and the gathering cheered.

“Now that the binding is over, let the feast begin,” Hao said, clapping his hands.

Everyone moved to the sides of the room, where tables loaded with food sat waiting for them.

~*~*~

The feast was lavish, with no expense having been spared. The musicians played soft music during the feast itself, loud enough to cover the conversations of others, but quiet enough to not impede people from speaking to those near them.

As people reached their fill, Hao stood up, and the musicians stopped their song. When he had the attention of the entire room, Hao spoke, “Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the Pettits and Warlins, we thank you for coming to this joyous event. In a little while, the old tradition of the dances shall begin. The bags will be set on the newlyweds’ table, so please form orderly lines near them and wait for your turn patiently.”

An undercurrent of excitement filled the room as Gregory and Yukiko rose to their feet. Hand-in-hand, they moved to the middle of the room. Gregory was nervous, as his dancing was not great, but he’d had a bit of practice with Amoria over the years.

Taking Yukiko’s hand in his, he rested his hand on her hip, and she rested hers on his shoulder. Staring into each other’s eyes, they moved as one when the music began. Both of them glided across the floor as smoothly as if they were on ice.

Gregory let foresight go as the music ended, giving Yukiko a slanted smile. Yukiko leaned against his chest briefly. “You didn’t need to do that, dear one, but thank you.”

“I wanted to make it as perfect as possible,” Gregory murmured as they separated.

The lines near their table were long, as the majority of the guests had formed up to dance with them. The first two were traditional— Carmichael approached Yukiko, and Yoo-jin went to Gregory.

“Mother,” Gregory smiled, “will you honor me with a dance?”

Yoo-jin laughed lightly. “It is I who is honored, son. No need to use your aether, though. I can make sure we’re still smooth.”

Gregory gave a small shrug as he offered his hands to her. “I’ll do as you say.”

~*~*~

The dancing went on for over an hour, so both Gregory and Yukiko were tired when they finished. When the last person had had their dance with them, Hao got the musicians to stop the music.

“It’s time for the new couple to head to their room for the evening. Normally, this is when we’d pray to Vera to bless their union. As they are both novice magi, that’s being omitted from this wedding. Instead, we’d ask for you to offer a prayer to Aether: that he bless their time in service to the empire, so that they might start their family when their obligations end.”

Everyone bowed their heads and murmured a prayer. As they did, the couple walked toward the door. The carriage was outside, waiting for them when they exited. Getting in, Yukiko and Gregory sat side by side.

“It’s finally here…” Yukiko said softly as the carriage began to roll.

“Yes,” Gregory agreed, his hands starting to grow damp.

Seeing his nervousness, Yukiko felt hers die. Taking his hand, she leaned against him. “It was hard waiting for today. A number of times, I almost tossed aside my father’s wishes.”

“It was difficult,” Gregory agreed, his nervousness fading when he felt her against him. “I considered sneaking into your room every night for the past few months.”

“I considered the same over many nights,” Yukiko replied.

“Tonight, we don’t have to dream, nor restrain ourselves. Tonight is our night.”

“Yes,” Yukiko whispered as she leaned in and kissed him.

Gregory kissed her back with equal love.

Reaching the house, they were both flushed and breathing a little fast. They’d had to fight their desires to go further during the carriage ride back to Gin’s. Helping Yukiko out of the carriage, Gregory gave the guard a nod as he led his wife to the door of the home.

The house was quiet when they entered, and the pair were quick to strip off their footwear. Hand-in-hand, the newlyweds walked through the empty halls. Pushing open the bridal-room door, Yukiko entered, followed by Gregory.

With butterflies turning cartwheels in his stomach, Gregory swallowed hard when Yukiko turned to face him.

Yukiko looked nervous as she touched her obi. “We’ve done this twice in our dreams, so why does it feel like I’ve never been bare for you before?”

“I don’t know… I’m just as nervous, Yuki.”

“Would you mind if I started, dear one?”

“Whatever you wish.” Gregory swallowed the lump in his throat as Yukiko began to unwrap her obi.

Smiling at him, Yukiko stepped back as she started to undress. Dropping the obi, she patted the bed. “Please strip and come lay down for me? Tonight won’t last as long as we’d both like, but we’ll be awake and together far longer than we usually are.”

Taking a deep breath, Gregory felt his nerves calm. Reaching for his own obi, Gregory crossed the room toward the bed. Thank you for the dreams before, Darkness. It will make this night better.