The Magic Within: Shadows of Two Worlds

Chapter 81 ~ Jamie

     I was busy getting dressed for the wedding. I was basically completely healed at that point, and so I had made my wings disappear. The red, beautiful dress felt less than beautiful as I thought of the events only a day before. I felt bad for Ryoko. She really didn't have much time to mourn. Then again, no ruler did. They had to pick up the pieces and hold their heads high. I did my makeup. I usually didn't do much, but for this event I wanted to look nice. For Ryoko. I hoped she and Cadmus had a long and happy life together. I even tucked my hair behind my ears, hoping I looked nicer. When I came out of the bathroom, Ella was wearing the same outfit she had been wearing to the meeting. She hugged me gently. The two of us made our way to the entrance hallway, where the wedding would be happening. The dragons were already gathered. The room had a bittersweet feeling. I stumbled through most of the wedding, but when Cadmus started talking, I listened. After every few sentences, I used the telepathic connection with Ella to tell her what they were saying. She would be telling Lilly and Amelia. "Ryoko, before I met you, I felt as if I could never lead, and that I would never find a dragon to stand beside. But the moment you introduced yourself to me, I knew things were starting to look up. You helped me gain confidence in my leadership and maybe even rebel a little bit." He broke off to chuckle. "Now I know that together, we can rule with the happiness of our people in mind, and keep peace throughout the world of dragons, and beyond. You will be an amazing leader. It is not just about leading, though. You've changed my life in a thousand ways other than that. You're caring, kind, beautiful, loving, strong, and wise. I love you, Ryoko, and nothing will ever change that." Ryoko's eyes were wide as he finished. Then she spoke. "Despite the sadness of the death of my parents, love will prevail. Cadmus, you have helped me through the lowest points of my life, and the highest. You have been with me when I wasn't sure I could get up in the morning, and when I would sneak around and listen in on the Grand Dragon Council meetings. I never would have gotten up this morning if you had not been with me. Cadmus, though my parents have died and it seems I have lost everything, our love stays strong and gets stronger by the minute." Cadmus was clearly touched by her words too. Then they said their vows, and touched their heads together. They stayed like that, eyes closed for a long moment. Then Ryoko turned to the dragons. "Now, like all new rulers, I have a few words I'd like to say." Everyone quieted down. "Though the circumstances are bad, I want all of you to know this; This wedding and mine and Cadmus's coronation is not to be seen as a place of grief, because of my parents. It's to be seen as new life, rising from the ashes of death and sadness. We are going to stay strong- no. We're going to be even stronger than we were before. We may be young, but we will work hard to make sure every single one of you is happy- including the humans here." She looked to me, then to where Amelia, Lilly, and Ella were sitting. "The Hybrid Hunters will not stand a chance against the alliance of the dragons and the Hybrid Freedom Advocates. We will prevail and make a new and better life for both hybrids and dragons alike," she finished. Immediate cheering, which probably sounded like a bunch of random roaring to the others, broke out. I grinned and started clapping. As it died down, many dragons approached Ryoko and Cadmus to talk to them. I raced forward. "You're going to be an amazing chiefess," I told her. "And you'll be an amazing chief." I looked at Cadmus. Ryoko dipped her head. "Thank you, Jamie Glynn," her eyes were sparkling with pride. "I will always be here if you and your friends need me. All of us will be here for you." I stepped back, smiling with pure happiness. All my sadness from earlier had faded away. I knew that the dragons had a bright future.