The High Lord of Summer

7. Soul Bound

I awoke the morning of the ceremony with sun in my eyes and light in my heart.
I shielded my eyes with my arm as I disentangled myself from Harlow and Blaik and rose to greet the morning. I walked to the window of the suite and gazed out over the gardens below. Sandy paths drew patterns between plots of frangipanis and lavender, ponds that housed brightly coloured fish. Jacaranda trees, in bloom all year dotted the garden.
In the early morning light, the garden was serene. And that was exactly how I felt. Serene. At peace. Today, I would be joined with Tarquin in the eyes of the Priestess. In front of our entire court, we would become one.
I wrapped my arms around myself, the early morning breeze had given me goosebumps. Or maybe it was the thoughts of today.
Blaik joined me at the window, Harlow could still be heard snoring softly from her place in our makeshift bed.
"Today's the day." Blaik whispered.
"Today." I smiled.
The ceremony was to be at noon, when the sun was at its highest point. Marin had selected an area on the main beaches in Adriata, out of the wind, in plain sight, so many of the Summer Court faeries would be able to witness the ceremony.
My Mother and Cresseida came by the room early, and we gorged on a breakfast of pancakes and berries. Cresseida toasted to me with faerie wine, and then the preparations began.
Cresseida swept my hair into a loose braid, while Harlow powdered various cosmetics on my face. Blaik put the finishing touches on the dresses she and Harlow were to wear as my bridesmaids in the ceremony, while I had a private moment with my mother.
I sat at the vanity, looking at my mother's reflection where she stood behind me, placing a small diadem atop my head. The golden strands of the diadem were fashioned into the shape of the sun. The symbol of her original court, the Day Court.
"This diadem belonged to your Grandmother. As you know she was... a causality of Amarantha's reign." A tear rolled down Mother's golden face. "Your Grandfather brought it with him. He said she would have wanted you to wear it."
The tears fell freely now. I embraced my mother, comforting her. I knew how hard it was moving away from her parents, let alone losing her own mother.
She bid me farewell to get ready for the ceremony, and told me that my father and Marin would meet me on the palace steps in two hours.
I helped Harlow and Blaik change into the billowy cerulean gowns we had chosen, before they helped me to don my own gown. It was just as stunning as I remembered.
Before I knew it, I was in front of the palace with my father, my twin, and my bridesmaids. Marin winnowed Blaik and Harlow to the beach, and left me with Father for a moment.
"I'll miss having you around the house, love." Father said as he kissed my temple.
"You say that, Father. But you will see me almost every day at court anyway." I teased.
"Ah, but it will not be the same." I was surprised to see a sad smile on his face. "You know I love you and your brother more than anything in this life. I've always wanted the best for you."
I nodded my response. And he winnowed us to the beach.

The crowd was much bigger than I expected. Hundreds of High Fae and lesser faeries were strewn throughout the streets, some taking the higher ground to view the ceremony, some lining the streets that point towards the beach, to get a glimpse of me on my way to the alter.
The tide was out, and the sea was calm, reflecting my mood. Many of the lords and ladies of the court sat on wooden chairs on the sand, a white carpet leading toward a large, golden arbour. And under that arbour, stood the High Priestess. And beside the High Priestess, was Tarquin. He looked positively noble in a royal blue tunic and white pants trimmed with silver thread. His ruby dagger in his baldric, his brown boots polished. My knees buckled. He was striking.
We made our way to the dunes at the top of the beach, where the aisle began. Tarquin had not seen me yet, he was gazing out to sea.
My mother met us at the top of the aisle, and when the music began, Marin escorted her to the front of the congregation. Blaik and Harlow followed, gowns swishing in their wake.
I looped my arm through my father's, and he gave my hand a squeeze, "I love you, Aria. And if our High Lord loves you half as much as your mother and I do, then you'll be very happy."
It was that moment that Tarquin turned toward us, and I could pin point the moment that he saw me.
He straightened, shoulders square, looking positively regal. He beamed, blue eyes meeting mine, and I could see the tears welling there. He had lifted the dampener on his High Lord other-worldliness, and he shone. He was so beautiful.
The walk down the aisle was the longest walk of my life. I just wanted to be in his arms.
When we reached the alter, my father kissed my cheeks and I finally faced Tarquin. He took my hands in his.
"You look... astonishingly beautiful." He whispered, the touch of his hands in mine sending shivers throughout my body.
He leaned in to kiss me, but the High Priestess clicked her tongue.
"There will be plenty of time for that after the ceremony." She chided.
Tarquin lowered his head sheepishly, and laughter rippled through the congregation. The smile on my face was infinite, and his returning smile almost knocked me off my feet.
The Priestess said several prayers. She officiated our mating bond in the eyes of the Priestess, which would be "officially" solidified in front of the court later at the reception. She swore me in as Lady of Summer. And then it got to the vows Tarquin and would make to each other.
"High Lord. Make your vows to your lady." The Priestess instructed.
Tarquin cleared his throat. His hands were shaking, and his voice wobbled slightly as he began to make his vows, "Aria. We have known each other our entire lives. Even when we were younglings, I knew you were special, you were more to me than my other playmates. As we grew older, being apart from you became more and more unbearable." He took a deep breath. "Your generosity, your compassion and love for our people, your kindness and your love of life make you my equal, my match, my mate. I've loved you since we were very young, but I fell completely in love with you when I learned of what you do for our people." Another deep breath. "As your mate and husband, I pledge my soul to you. My undying love. All that I am. I am yours. Always."
Since reuniting with Tarquin, it seemed I was always crying. Happy tears, but I felt I was always on the edge of them, so overwhelmed with emotion and love.
"Lady Aria." The Priestess prompted. It was my turn. To bare my soul to my mate in front of the court.
I took a steadying breath and laid my heart bare, as Tarquin would say.
"Tarquin," I tried desperately not to cry, "from the moment I first saw you, seventy-five years ago, I thought you were a big idiot."
Laughter bubbled from the congregation again. A cheeky smile bloomed across Tarquin's beautiful face.
"But the fun we had together always drew us to each other, and you were always my best friend. I missed you terribly during those years, and reuniting with you has been the happiest time of my life. You are so kind, Tarquin. And funny. You make me feel so cared for, so loved. So special. So safe. You make my heart somersault in my chest. You make me feel as if I've got wings. As if I could float around on a cloud for the rest of my existence. My life, without you, is not a life. It is a mere existence. But with you," a deep breath. "With you, I feel alive. I feel whole. You are my mate, my missing piece. And I pledge my soul to you, may our souls be bound until the end of time. I love you, always."
Tears were spilling from Tarquin's brilliant blue eyes, and my cheeks were wet with my own tears.
When Tarquin kissed me this time, the High Priestess did not stop him. She simply spoke the soul bound prayer, and sprinkled Summer Court water over us.
When we broke the kiss, the crowd were applauding, some politely clapping, while others, like Harlow and Blaik and Marin, were cheering, tears rolling down their faces. I did not leave Tarquin's side for the rest of the day.

The reception was held in the palace. I fed Tarquin the ceremonial cake, to "officially" solidify our bond in front of the court (little did they know, it was already solidified by the docks with undercooked fish). I danced with my friends, my brother, my father and mother, my grandfather. But for most of the night, I was in Tarquin's arms. They held me, strong and sure as he whirled me around the dance floor. I knew right then, that I would always, always be happy with this male. My High Lord.

It was then, when we looked out over the horizon, that we saw the armada of ships. And they weren't ours.