𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐄

Epilogue

Kaida takes a deep breath.

She is on the outside steps of the Cathedral, sheltered from the overwhelming surge of people who had journeyed to witness the Royal Wedding .

They wanted to revel in the atmosphere and excitement. Royal Weddings had been rare in Norta, and it was about time for one.

The reporters had followed Kaida's carriage, and the cameras had not stopped rolling, as it was everyone's desire to try and catch a glimpse of the Queen bride.

Security had been tight, Cal had overseen it, and the planning had been down to the detail.

Outside the rather gothic-looking Cathedral, Kaida, her father and Jordani Viper stood together.

Jordani was fixing her veil, held on the point of her head by a halo of a silver crown. The veil was a sprawling almost translucent lace that stretched on and on behind her.

Jordani had opted for it to be almost sheer, so the embroidery on the back popped even more. Hand-stitched was the image of a beautiful phoenix, in flight. It's feathered tails spiked and almost seeming ablaze, bringing the image to life.

Kaida had helped design it, and it was incredibly personal to her. Like a Phoenix, the strong shall rise again.

It became the first sigil of House Ziyados.

Jordani took one last look over the bride of his creation.

He had listened to her every desire when making the dress. It was a high neck-long sleeve gown, surprisingly conservative, that clung to her frame and descended at the back in rivulets of a luxurious silk and lace blend, which moved like water. It had a flattering cut out at the back, which tapered into a v-shape to sit just above her waistline.

She was the image of wealth and regality, and seemingly the most beautiful Queen that would ever walk this Earth, and that was Jordani's satisfaction.

"Perfection."

He whispered, as he kissed both her cheeks, before he took his leave.

Kaida's father was in his best Naval uniform, consisting of a deep blue turncoat with golden buttons, golden stitching and golden string hanging from his shoulders.

He wore a Royal Naval Cap, mostly white, complete with gold laurel leaves on the brim.

He fixes the satin gloves on his hands before he extends an arm to Kaida, who loops her own through his.

"I-"

The Captain chokes back tears.

"I never knew. All those years ago when I brought you to Archeon, I never knew you would become our new hope. But I should have expected nothing less from my daughter, my Kaida, my little dragon. While I explored and adventured out there, you conquered the politics and treachery in here. And now you've got the world in your palms. Now you provide for your family, you provide for me..."

Kaida looks up at her father, and he stares straight ahead, but she can see the trickle coming from his eyes. He wipes it away quickly with a handkerchief.

He finally looks down at her with a warm smile.

"I couldn't be prouder."

Kaida's face softens for a moment

"Oh, father."

She squeezes his arm.

"You ready?"

She nods.

The melody begins, the notes sounding from organ, violin and trumpets blend together in a smooth and sweet harmony.