Finding my Leelen [completed]

Chapter 22 I do

To say that the garden was beautiful it would be an understatement. The garden looked from another world completely. There were at least 10 different types of flowers spread around the ceremony area in all shades of red making it look like a flower field. Fairly lights were hanging from one tree to another and everywhere on the grass, giving the entire space a beautiful white light. We were stepping on a white carpet that had a multicolored lights on its edge and at the end of the carpet there was a small alter. It looked like a small red desk and it had different things I could not really see on them. 

Beautiful red chairs were lined up for the guest to sit, and there were plenty of guests. At least 100 people were smiling at us when we left the house and their eyes never looked elsewhere than me and Dimitri. When we got closer they all made a small reverence and I could here some of them whispering.

The king is so handsome.

Queen Anais is so beautiful.

They seem to love each other so much.

I can't believe this is finally happening.  

I tried my best to smile at every single one of them, but they avoided my gaze ashamed. I was no queen and I was scared. I only wanted to be with Dimitri and everyone else just leave us alone.

You are a queen, leelen. Sooner or later you will have to accept it. We will figure everything out, together.

Together,I say raising my head to meet Dimitri's beautiful green eyes. 

When we reached the altar Chloe, Josh and another two women I didn't recognize stepped in front of us.

-This bonding ceremony is very special for everyone, not only because the Queen and the King are the ones bonding, not only because it's the first ceremony in more than 2000 years and not only because they are the first witch and warrior to ever bond, but because it will be officiated as all bonds should always have been: by a representative of all species.  

Chloe says and everyone listen to her in silence, before a collective 'Indeed' is spreading through the guests. 

-Please everyone take a seat, Josh says looking at the crowd, and keep an eye open. We will not prolong the ceremony more than necessary, we don't want our Queen and King to stay much in the open. 

I feel my heart starting to beat fast when I understand what Josh actually says: we are still in danger, even now witches or warriors could come and take us.

-Now, are you two ready, sweethearts? one of the woman I don't recognize says to us. My name is Narra, by the way, I am a demon, and it's very nice to meet you.

Demon? But she is so tiny and beautiful, she looks sweet and caring, how could she be a demon? Weren't they supposed to be dangerous and  bad looking? 

-Don't believe every story you read, Queen Anays. 

She says laughing a little understanding my surprise. With her tiny figure, beautiful black skin, dark eyes and long black hair she looked just normal. Not like some monster that got out of our nightmares.

-And I am Purr Hander, the other woman says. I am human and I will be the one marrying you.

I looked at Dimitri with wide eyes.

-Marry us? I ask. No one told me anything about marrying us. 

Dimitri smiles and pulls me so I could face him.

-We want to be able to live everywhere without having to actually explain what a bond is, leelen. Plus, that piece of paper can be teared apart, but this bond not. Why are you scared of marrying me? 

I look into his eyes and exhale grabbing his hand into my hands and kissing him slowly on his lips.

-I am not, Dimitri. I was just shocked... I somehow hoped at least at our wedding we could have Cyra with us.

His eyes look sad as he looks at me and I can tell just how much he would love to make my happy bringing Cyra right now, but we both knew that was not possible. I sigh. 

-Let's do this, I say facing the four representatives. It's very nice to meet you both, Narra and Purr. Thank you for helping us with the ceremony. 

They look at us smiling and make us come closer to the altar. 

-It's going to be very simple, Chloe says, we will all ask you both if you want to accept the bond, you say yes, then with the two needles you are going to puncture your index fingers and join the two drops of blood on each of this, she says showing us two beautiful golden rings. 

The bigger one is just a simple band ring and I imagine it is for Dimitri, the other one has a tiny stone in the center and it's thinner. I love them and I can feel my eyes watering when Dimitri squeezes my hand. He pulls me again to face him.

-Anays, are you sure you want to do this? We can postpone it, cancel it all along... whatever you want.

I love that even now Dimitri is still trying to make sure I do what I want, he want me to know I have options and the final decision is with me. I could not say how much that means to be and how much more it makes me love him.

-I am sure. I want to do this with you.

We both smile at each other and face the four in front of us. Chloe nods and she's the first talking.

-Do you, starwitch Anays Meyer, take him, warrior Dimitri Carey, to be your leelen, to have him always by your side, to love and respect him, to defend him against all evil and cherish him for eternity? she asks.

I look into Dimitri's eyes as I say.

-I do.

-Do you, warrior Dimitri Carey, take her, starwitch Anays Meyer, to be your leelen, to have her always by your side, to love and respect her, to defend her against all evil and cherish her for eternity? she asks looking at Dimitri.

He squeezes my hand and I can see that he is just as touched about all of this as I am when he looks at me with watery eyes too.

-I do, he says in a husky voice and Josh tries his best not to laugh. 

The next one asking us is Josh, followed by Narra and Purr. After saying 'I do' to each of their questions Purr hands us some papers to sign, then asks Josh to sign, then Chloe. 

Purr give us two needles and the rings. I hate blood! I close my eyes and push the needle into my finger, biting my lower lip, even if the pain is not that much. We touch our bonding rings and I hiss in surprise when I see that the rings absorb the blood as soon as it touches them. Dimitri slides the finger on my hand and I do the same for him.

That's when I feel it. The burning sensation on my right upper arm, it's nothing like I remember from when I was in the orphanage, when that horrible woman branded us, but I still moan in pain. 

-Leelen, Dimitri says making me look into his eyes. Breath, leelen! You're with me, you're safe, ok? Don't go back there, just look at me and breath in and out. Breath in and out. 

I do as he instructs me and after a few more breaths the pain is no longer there. I can still feel my skin too hot, but there is no more pain. I feel an euphoric sensation putting a hold on me and I smile at Dimitri. I can see him sigh in relief and pulls me in his arms kissing my head. 

-You are now officially bonded, Chloe says with glowy eyes. You can kiss your leelen.

I turn to face Dimitri and he cups my cheeks lightly touching my lips. I put my hands on his chest enjoying the feeling. Leelen, husband, lover, family. Dimitri is everything to me.

-I love you, Anays, and I swear it to you, I will make you the happiest woman alive.

-You already did, leelen, I tell him resting my head on his muscular chest. Since the day I've met you you always made me happy and I will spent the rest of my life, trying to make you just as happy.

-Long live the leelens! Josh voice interrupts our little moment. Everyone around us starts cheering and yelling 'Long may they live'.