Embers of Sun and Flame: Before We Have It (Fuegoleon x OC)

Chapter 35 Go bite a strawberry

"So, how does it feel to be married?" Even if Solara hadn't seen the smirk over Mereo's lips, she would have heard it from the tone; flowing out of the fearless lioness with ease.

"The best hours of my life, so far," she smirked right back, leaning against her arms while swirling wine in her glass. "You should give it a try."

The red-head hummed, looking up to the ceiling, as a result of which, Tani's gaze fell down and her posture slouched forward; a hint of blush rising to her cheeks.

"In time," was the reply, after a few seconds of deliberation that seemed more to have been for the sake of seeming less enthusiastic about the idea than she actually was.

"But perhaps it's better to not wait for too long," Lena noted, taking a sip from her wine glass.

The table at which they sat, along with Neva, and Josele, was to the side from the main table. Not too far to be considered a corner, but far enough for them to have a more private conversation. Though most of the guests had retreated into conversing in their own circles. Much like them.

"Agreed. One shouldn't wait for the fulfilment of marriage. Life is short, after all," Josele noted, thinking back to the days passed, far longer than they seemed. But also the days ahead, now that the battle with devils had been won, even if only for the time being.

Mereo's eyes turned to her, as if assessing. But since she had not been acquainted with the brunette previously, aside of having heard what had happened, she couldn't say that she was happy about it. Though under the circumstances, it was better to stay quiet.

"I see," was the only comment she gave to the statement. Not meaning anything more with it, but the way the words left her, gave an impression that she might have.

"We'll just need to see who catches the bouquet," Tani interrupted, trying to ease the tension. "It tried to make it sturdy enough to actually withhold the toss."

"And I have no reason to doubt that it wouldn't hold," Solara replied, trying to shift the conversation elsewhere. "Thank you, again, by the way," she continued as a soft smile crept onto her face. "It wouldn't have been the same without your input."

"It was nothing," Tani protested. "It was a simple task, really, and I was happy to do it."

Had Solara had to guess, she could have sworn that there was a hint of a blush on Tani's cheeks along with her tone. But as Mereo wrapped her arm around her beloved, and pulled her closer, making the guessing unnecessary; although this blushing was for other reasons.

"And you too Neva," Lara turned her gaze. "You really outdid yourself. Thank you."

"Of course!" She half blurted, half said. "I mean... Of course, I would help. And it was good practice on mana control."

"Regardless, thank you." The words were spoken with a nod, and a smile, while the platinum blonde girl took another piece of cake in front of her. She still needed time to get used to compliments. Being recognized for her work. Though she couldn't say that she wasn't exactly given credit, it was more that she wasn't... most often, thanked for it.

"It was interesting to see other Theans... doing... a ...." Tani begun, trailing off as someone floated through the air on a piece of... metal? Surely such spells existed, but something about it just caught her attention. Which caused the others to turn to look towards the same direction, to see a young woman, easily below twenty, approaching.

"'ey," she greeted, stepping off the board and taking a seat by the table, all with a swift motion.

Her hair was short, reaching only her jawline; mostly platinum white, much like Selena's, but a couple of individual streaks of red ran through them.