Fireflies began to blink and float in the gathering darkness. The sun had dipped below the horizon, but the traces of dusty purple and rich red still rolled in the sky. The air was cool against Nocturne's skin and her fingers prickled frozen as she clutched her hands over her face to hide her shock and joy and the tears that threatened to spill over.
She clamped her eyes shut and open again, but the scene didn't change. Aurora was still staring up at her, expression hopeful and nervous and deeply, dearly vulnerable. The ring shimmered in Aurora's warm brown fingers as the light ribboned beautifully off its burnished darkwood surface and the band of lapis lazuli near its edge seemed to almost glow.
"You- you mean it?" she asked, though it felt as if some wild faerie had stolen all the breath from her lungs. "R-really?"
Aurora nodded. "Really."
A shaky giggle burst out of Nocturne and she spun wildly in place, totally shocked. She didn't even bother to take the ring at first, and threw herself directly at Aurora, collapsing them both into a tearful hug. "Yes! A million times yes!"
Aurora's answering laugh was just as unsteady and relieved as Nocturne's. "Noct- I-" She felt as if she were going to burst into ecstatic tears herself. "I love you so much and I-"
Nocturne interrupted her with a kiss. "Shh..." she whispered as she slipped the handcrafted ring onto her finger. "I love you too. So much you'll never truly know. I love you to the stars and back, Aurora."
They lay there together for a long time, resting peacefully in the grass, enjoying the cool late evening air, and breathing in each others warmth.
The were wed as the sun rose nine months later.
High Apprentice Sorell had been trained in the traditions until he could recite them by rote, but he was still flustered and stumbled over his words as the brides climbed the stairs of oceanic-looking sodalite on either side of the great Starstone that stood perfectly positioned between the two Cities.
Nocturne's first glimpse of Aurora took her breath away just as efficiently and wondrously as it had when they were fifteen. She wore a dress of pure white just short enough to avoid dirtying its hem on the dirt. Golden-yellow transparent tulle fabric wrapped loosely around her shoulders and her red hair had been brushed and washed until it glowed almost as brightly as her smile. A crown of holly adorned her brow, and she was barefoot.
Nocturne in turn wore an exquisite creation of layered sheer black silks with sheer purple sleeves. Her feet too were bare, but her crown was crafted of ivy vines. She smiled shyly at Aurora, her blush only growing by the moment. Aurora responded with her own grin.
Each of the women carried a potted flower on the verge of blooming. Nocturne's lilac tree was unimpressive, save for its height, with its meek buds almost invisible among the leaves. But once it got the chance to open its petals, its beauty and aroma would draw gawkers both cities over. The tiger lily Aurora held was smaller, yet glorious, with yellow already glowing through the green tone of its shell.
When both women were standing face to face on the circular platform of shimmering rose quartz, Sorell began to speak. His voice wavered at first, but as he proceeded it grew larger and stronger until it found its steady beat.
"Aurora of Apollo and Nocturne of Artemis, you have gathered us all here at this physical dawn to witness the dawn of a new stage in your love and in your lives. Marriage is a bond of trust and of faith truer than any you have known before. Are you both willing to commit to this new path?"
"I am," said Aurora, and her voice held all the strength and conviction of the Sun.
"I am," said Nocturne, and her voice held all the serenity and honesty of the Moon.
"Are you both willing to believe in and to support one another until the night this contract of hearts reaches its conclusion?"
"I am."
"I am."
"Are you both willing to protect and fight for each other throughout all difficulties?"
This time, they spoke in unison. "We are."
Sorell nodded, though she still refrained from smiling.
"You have each brought to this place a gift of life and potential that represents you and what you have within you to offer. Nocturne, you have brought the lilac, a heartfelt bloom of first love and spirituality. Aurora, you carry the tiger lily, a passionate blossom of devotion and instinct.
"Yet your flowers have yet to reveal the true power and beauty that lies within them. Now, as you do in your relationship, you will exchange and share your blooms just as you exchange and share traits."
The brides stepped forwards and ceremoniously exchanged blossoms.
Sorell turned slightly towards Nocturne. "Nocturne, from your love and friendship with Aurora, you learn pride." Shifting towards Aurora, he continued. "Aurora, from your love and friendship, you learn wisdom."
Taking a few steps back, Sorell addressed them both once more. "Together, you are more than when you are alone. Do you understand?"
The couple nodded. "We do."
For the first time throughout the ceremony, Sorell let out a smile.
"Then I declare you woman and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
Aurora needed no prompting to set down her young lilac tree and sweep Nocturne up into her arms. They kissed, and it was like stars exploding all around them. In each other's arms, they were finally home.
YOU ARE READING
Nocturne
General FictionOnce upon a time, there were three gods. Sol, Lord of the Sun; Aster, Guardian of the Stars; and Luna, Lady of the Moon. Then war broke out between the Solars and the Lunars, and Aster sacrificed themself to stop it. To prevent such tragedy from oc...