Beyond Immortality

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR

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Orion stood at the top of the stairs, its entrance adorned with hydrangeas. I spotted Enmryia among the nobles, her face pale. I wanted to feel joy because she was in pain; after all, I was sickened with pure revulsion. Hadn't she tried to starve me to death? Despite everything, I still felt sorry for her. What was wrong with me? I've never harbored a wicked heart, but at times, I found my hard, cold heart to be vulnerable.

Once we reached the front, we stopped at the bottom of the steps leading up to the gazebo. I looked at my mother, who offered me an assuring smile before planting a kiss on my cheek and stepping away to stand beside Leonius. I couldn't help but wonder about their close relationship; they had always been together since my mother's arrival. Orion reached out his hand to me. Taking a deep breath, I grasped it while using my other hand to lift my dress so I could climb the few steps. Hand in hand with Orion, we walked up to the priest as the music gradually faded and he began to speak.

"My Lords, ladies, and gentlemen, citizens of Oriodoth, "he began. "We are gathered here today to celebrate, through the ancient rights tradition, the union of Prince Orion Hemsworth and Lady Dierdre Guillerm."

From the corner of my eye, I peered through my veil to see his jaw clench. The priest asked him to lift my veil. His eyes remained fixed on my countenance. They widened, and his mouth fell slightly open as if this were the very first time he had seen me. I watched his Adam's apple rise and fall as he gulped. His hands are holding mine afterward.

"Is it your wish Orion to become one with this woman, to love to protect and care for her for all eternity?" He seems to jerk back to his senses when these words fall from the priest's mouth. His gaze lowers, giving him a chance to peek over at Enmyria as if asking for help. I can see the pain both share in their eyes, and the betrayal they both feel.

"It is," he answered his tone hoarse and hard. As my eyes open, I realize that they were closed and a tear has escaped my left eye. My muscles relaxed, I had prepared myself for the embarrassment he was going to cause me by rejecting me in front of this entire crowd. He smirks at my reaction, seemingly enjoying the distressful position he has put me in.

"is it your wish Lady Deirdre to become one with this man, to love, to protect and care for him for all eternity?" the priest asks. My eyes fixate on his, studying them intently. Boring into them reminds me of the time he had me chained in the dungeons and the cruel words he used against me. I wish it were Enmyria here instead of me. I glance at his father and then at my mother. The king's happiness is genuine, while my mother seems to be pretending, just trying to make me feel better and remind me that I am not alone. She nods at me, and faintly, I manage a small smile, stretching my lip to one side.

"It is," I reply, my breath caught in my throat. Mason steps forward, presenting our rings together. Orion picks one of them, placing it on my ring finger, I follow shortly after.

"do any say nae?" the priest asks the crowd.

No one stands to object to our union, not even Enmyria whom I know would, given the opportunity and in authority. "With this garland do I tie a knot," he wraps a flowered garland around our intertwined hands, "By doing so, bind your hands, heart, body, and soul for all eternity."

"I, Orion prince of Oriondoth shall respect thee as I respect myself," Orion says. I recite the words after him.

"With the power invested in me, I pronounce you to be husband and wife," he says. Orion leans in and tilts his face, closing his eyes as our lips meet in a deep kiss. I had expected a quick, emotionless encounter, but he was surprisingly skilled at maintaining the facade. When we turned to the crowd, we were greeted with applause, cheers, and whistles. As a sign of celebration, roses were tossed our way. Enmyria angrily stormed off, while Mason congratulated us. We descended the stairs to join the crowd that had gathered around us.