Princess of Faerl

*Hephaestus*

I didn’t sleep. I couldn’t sleep. Too many emotions swirling. I hadn’t dared to let myself imagine this day for so many years. Too many to count. Call it cheesy but I asked for them to play an instrumental of “A Thousand Years” because it encapsulated my life waiting for her. My skin finally didn’t hold poc marks and red tones from being at the forge. I hadn’t been making anything new for the last few months. I spent the days with Elena, training her and learning a few new things myself.

I had even taken some advice from Lily and started using some all natural botanical stuff to help my skin heal. She admonished me for not caring enough about myself to take care of myself. I honestly had no reason to care and as a god, I had no reason to care about physical injury. None of it would hurt me. She told me it would still hurt Elena to see the marks on me, because they would hurt her, so that would be ever prevalent in her mind. That got me to change my ways real quick. I would never do anything that would hurt my lady.

“Hey, Pops.” Khalith showed up behind me. “How you feelin today?” He really was the best mix of the two of us. It had only been a week, but we were growing close. The similarities were crazy.

“I’m losing my mind, honestly. I never thought this day would come. I thought I was going to be eternally waiting. It sure felt like an eternity. Your entire lifetime I’ve been waiting for this day.” The gravity of that weighed on me. “I just want to be the best for her. I’m seen as the lowest god in the pantheon. I still don’t understand why I was chosen, but I am grateful for her. I’m grateful she’s mine. That she didn’t reject me immediately.” Sorrow filled me as I thought of all the missed years. “I’m terrified of having to live my existence without her, yet again, once she’s gone. Waiting for her to come back to me. Each lifetime for a mortal is so short.”

“You have no idea what’s going to happen, Pops. Just wait, I’m sure a few of your worries will disappear today.” His grin gave me cause for concern. But I had too many things to worry about right now. “Ma looks amazing. She definitely defies the norms though.”

Now I was full blown nervous. “I haven’t gotten to see her for a full 24 hours and you’re going to tease me over this?” There was no denying he is my son, he acted too much like me. “You’re too much like me for your own good, ya ass.” He laughed a bit. “Got the rings?” I asked him.

He held up a small box with three handcrafted rings in it. One was mine, Elena had Khalith make it, so it would be unique for me. The other two were hers. The engagement ring I had made, and then a wedding band that matched my own ring that Khalith and I made together. Small multicolored diamonds circled her engagement ring while mine only had three small diamonds in it.

“I got you, Pops!” His attitude was infectious and was starting to calm me. I got this, I chanted to myself mentally. “She loves you, Pops. It’s never gonna be like it was before. Aphrodite will never come between you two again, nor will anyone else. You’ll understand when you see who is officiating for you.”

I blinked, “Isn’t Auntie officiating?” I asked. I had assumed that was why she separated from Elena.

“No, she’ll be there in spirit, but this is your time with Ma. Also, Auntie isn’t like the rest of the family. She’s not really wanting to be in a body that’s boning her favorite nephew.” He laughed at his own joke.

“Okay, so I didn’t think of that, so thank Adalith she did. Cuz that would be gross, to say the least.” I scratched my head, “But then I have no idea who is officiating. No Zeus, please tell me it’s not him.” Khalith shook his head. “Okay, now I’m at a loss.”

“Stop worrying. You’ll see. You’re probably the only wedding they’ve officiated or ever will. Now, just get yourself to the front of the aisle and wait for mom. It’ll all be worth it, I promise.” He left the room to go find the rest of the bridal party. He was going to be walking with Alke.

We decided our son was the best man, and each mated pair would walk together. So Khalith and Alke first, Stacie and Aran, followed by Scottie and Lily. Elena’s moms walked down next. Alisee went to the ‘bride’ side while Belle went to the ‘groom’ side. Both sets of parents were equally important and we agreed we did not want my parents physically present. They never really cared about my life, and weren’t deserving of being here for this day. I also didn’t want anything or anyone there that would upset my bride. Elena wanted to incorporate Tanz and Tourmaline so the sisters were going to spread the white lilies and roses before she walked down the aisle.

I took my place at the front of the aisle, and felt immediately confused. There wasn’t anyone standing in the spot of the officiant. No one but I seemed to be concerned about this fact. I messed with my cufflinks as a few of her friends gave me a thumbs up. We had only family members and their mates in the wedding party, and dear friends in attendance. Manic and Audra, plus their brood were there. The Clearwaters took up a few rows to themselves, and the Bronzetails were in the very back. Eliza had a very sullen look on her face as if she were in pain. I’d have to figure out what was going on there as soon as I could.

I could almost feel the sweat pouring from my forehead. I hadn’t even felt this much sweat in my forge. ‘Deep breaths, deep breaths.’ I repeated to myself again and again. Each couple that went down the aisle was full of love. It was beyond magical. Then the doors opened. Elena was flanked by both of her dads.

I couldn’t believe my eyes. She was a vision. She didn’t wear white, no not my goth love. She was dressed in a beautiful form fitting black dress with a sweetheart neckline. She was teasing me with what I had wanted for so long, but had kept myself from enjoying, so that way we could make it special after our wedding. She also didn’t want to chance being a teenage mom. I guess I could understand that. The dress flared out at her hips, flowing back into a long train. There were beautiful crystals all over her dress. Probably thousands of them. A layer of white lace started at the sweetheart neckline and met at the center of her stomach, then flowing out to line her train, extending the length another foot of pure lace. It was a vision to behold.

A vision in black, perfect for my goddess. I prayed silently to Adalith to help, intervene, bind us so either I became mortal, or she, immortal, so we would never have to part again or live one without the other. This woman became my world thousands of years ago, and today I get to declare to the world, the universe, all of existence known and unknown to me, that she is mine. Now and forever.