Glimmering Copper and Gold

Chapter 8

The cathedral was stunning. The walls were white, the windows stained glass of gold and blue. The ceiling was domed, and it was painted with images of how the Grisha became who they were, embellished with golds.

The carpet was a deep blue, and the seats were made of a beautiful pale wood, and we're filled with grisha. Alina noticed each of them had a white trim on their Kefta, a little note to celebrate the event.

Up a set of stairs, stood Aleksander. He was in his black kefta, but it was more stylized, more formal. He had his crown on, and was smiling at her.

Behind him, stood Ivan, who Alina had learned was the officiant for Weddings Aleksander could not do. Though Genya had informed her, Aleks did most weddings.

Alina walked up the aisle, and once there, Fedyor helped her up the stairs, passing her arm to Aleks, who helped her up the rest of the stairs.

"Hey" Aleks whispered

"Hi" she responded, grinning.

"You look beautiful."

"You look handsome." She smiled at him out of the corner of her eye.

"Thank you."

"Anytime." The two focused back on Ivan. Alina thought the Grisha ceremony was beautiful.

"We are all from the making in the heart of the world, and everything has an equal, a balance, a partner. Even when we believe we don't, no one is made to be alone." The ceremony talked about so many things, but didn't seem.. overwhelming, at least not to Alina.

Alina cried a little during Aleks' vows, they were clearly well thought out, and personal. Alina felt hers were sub par in comparison, but she saw a glimmer of tears in Aleks' eyes, so counted it as effective.

Fedyor and Kaz stood to the sides, listening to their hearts, their jobs to make sure they weren't lying to each other, that they were true.

Alina's favorite part of the ceremony soon arrived. It was where their friends got to participate, and traditionally, there was supposed to be one of each Grisha type, but they had a few multiples. Fedyor and Kaz had already played their roles, and Summer, their healer, would play hers later.

Alina quietly watched as it started, David and Nikolai bending metals to create the rings, as Wylan used some chemicals to set them and treat the metal and crystals.

Genya fixed the colors of the rings with her abilities. When finished, Inej and Zoya lifted the rings with gusts of wind, slipping them through the water Matthias had summoned, and held in a ring around Alina and Aleks, then through the ring of fire Kwuei held, then lowered the rings into Alina and Aleks' hands. This tradition was to show the Grisha where together on this, that they approved of the marriage.

Aleksander summoned an orb of shadows above them, and Alina summoned light to mix with it. The ball ended up marble of shadow and sun. Darkness and light, in balance.

Alina carefully slipped the ring onto Aleks' finger, and, in old Ravkan, made the promise. The promise was the Grisha's version of 'i do' but.. personalized.

Aleks smiled, and did the same with her. After a few more words, Ivan spoke the last words of the ceremony. "May your hearts remain together even in the making, Moi Tsar, you may kiss Mrs. Morozova"

Aleks didn't waste a second, and Alina smiled into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck. Alina laughed when Aleks picked her up and walked out.

"Hush, I want a Minute alone with my wife before her coronation" he scoffed, and she snorted. He set her down a bit away, and gently kissed her, she kissed back. "I can't explain in words how happy you make me, Alina."