Ever After

nine | eikko

Eadlyn loves tormenting me. Obviously, because it's the only reason she'd show up to dinner with one day between now and our wedding, after I hadn't seen her all day, wearing a red gown with her hair down and face bare of makeup, looking so completely herself that I have to look away when she walks in.

She sits and takes my hand, just as she always did when she arrived at dinner- always late, busy with meetings and advisors. 

When I don't look at her, focusing on my food instead, she giggles. She knows exactly what she's doing. 

"Good evening, dear," she whispers, "how was your day?"

"You look beautiful," I say instead of answering her question. She grins, then turns to her plate.

My mom, now a week-and-a-half comfortable with the royal family and palace, breaks away from her conversation with Lady Brice and smiles at Eadlyn, who nods back.

Lady Brice, who is sat just next to Eadlyn, takes her other hand. "Are you two excited?"

I'm not sure how to answer that. Am I excited to marry the queen of Illea, the woman that changed everything about our country, the woman that stole my heart, the woman that is everything to me? 

Sure, you could say excited.

Am I excited for what comes next? More like entirely nervous.

Eadlyn squeezes my hand. "I know I am."

I blush at her words, but nod while I chew, agreeing with my fiancé. 

At my side, Niko, Osten, and Kaden show their disgust through scrunched faces. Josie giggles at Kaden, and he turns beet red, fixing his features. 

No one really bothers each other for the rest of the meal, content in sitting in silence. General Leger catches my eye across the table and winks, so I grin back. Ahren and Camille are quick to excuse themselves, and as soon as Josie stands to leave, Kaden attaches to her side and follows. The two teenagers leave, giggling about something, and the entire table watches them with wide eyes.

I guess these people that group-raised the children that grew up at the castle never imagined any of them getting together. They'd certainly reacted that way when Eadlyn and Kile had kissed. 

"You want to go?" Eadlyn asks me, turning to take my other hand.

I look down at my plate, where I had been pushing my food around, hoping Eadlyn finished soon. "Of course, rakas, lead the way."

When we stand, no one pays us any mind, so we slip out of the room quickly. As soon as we're out of sight, I sweep her into my arms and cradle her close.

She yelps, then stifles herself with a giggle as to not alert anyone. Even since Marid had sneaked in, the guards were on high alert. "Eikko!" She wraps her arms around my neck, holding tight.

"Darling, I'm sweeping you off your feet." I smirk as she scoffs.

"You did that a long time ago."

At her wink, I kiss her nose. "Hmm, well, do you think I could do it again? Like, in two days, perhaps?"

At the mention of our wedding, she blushes. "I think that could be arranged."

For some reason, I continue carrying her as I make my way out into the garden. "I love you."

"So I've heard," she teases. Then she kisses my cheek. "I love you, too."

The red fabric of her dress glows in the setting sun. Every curve of her body catches my attention, and I flush with the knowledge that she inevitably knew exactly what she was doing when she donned the red.