Chapter 90

Aurelia couldn't get over how wonderful her dress looked. The black and purple lace For the last time in her life, she applied the gothic makeup the people knew so well before Zinjo entered the picture. Aurelia straightened the purple sating sweep and opened the velvet box with an amethyst choker. The Crowned veil awaited her on a nearby bench.

A long-standing tradition of Shadowfen brides was to stand in front of a mirror and practice saying I do. No one is sure who started the tradition or why, but all the same, Aurelia found herself engaged in the activity.

She felt rather silly at first and used a deep voice, "I do." She held her silence before she giggled at the action. "That won't do at all, will it?"

Aurelia tried again. This time, she added a snobby tone. A knock at her door paused her preparations, "I'll be right there,"

The door creaked open, and Tess entered with her long dirty blond hair in braids to signify she had gotten engaged. She held out her hand and displayed an enormous diamond.

Aurelia admired the diamond for two seconds before Tess hugged her, "I never realized how I felt until he asked. He said you and Zinjo inspired him to gather his courage and take the plunge with me." She gushed happily.

Aurelia felt overwhelmed by the revelation, "We didn't do anything. Gael chose to do it all by himself," She fluffed her hair and growled, "I wish my hair would listen to me for once."

Tess stepped around Aurelia, "Hmmm," she mused, "I have just the thing to breath new life into this style. Give me a few minutes," She left and returned with purple flowers. She motioned for Aurelia to sit in a chair.

"Thanks, it is the one detail I forgot," Aurelia's red face and sheepish words earned her a giggle from Tess.

"After everything you've done for me, this is the least I could do," the brush stopped halfway through aurelia's matted locks, "Stubborn are we?" Tess left and returned with a bucket of warm water, "This usually helps."

It took four buckets of warm water to detangle Aurelia's hair, another thirty to brush out the dead insects, and an hour to style it. "How are things with you and Zinjo?" Tess asked quietly.

"We are happy to be home and ready to finish what we started," Aurelia's voice had steel in it.

"Don't you have everything backward? Doesn't it make more sense to get married after the danger is over?"

"Yes, it would," Aurelia took a moment to enjoy the sweet scent of the flowers, "I have to be married to forge something in the name of my goddess."

"Wasn't there an alternative?"

"Yes, but it was a backup plan," She shuddered at the idea of returning to Carmen's island. "Trust me. I chose the superior option."

Tess cocked her head to the side, "You aren't joking, are you."

"When I have time to do the story justice, I will tell you all of my adventures abroad. I have had my fill of the world and am ready to assume the throne and rule."

A knock on the door and a Terrified Sophie entered the room, "A strange winged man flew in a few minutes ago. The guards are holding him for the moment," She paused and took a sip from the open wine bottle, "His face is red, and that beard is abnormally long."

Aurelia giggled, "Release him. He is the Tengu king. We wouldn't want to cause an international incident on the first day I become Queen."

Sophie nodded, "What are we doing with the refugees?"

"There is a plan for them, mother. Everything will be addressed and explained during my speech."

"You hate speeches, or was it that you got debilitating stage fright?"

"I got over it," Aurelia tapped Tess on the arm, "I love the look," She turned back to Sophie, "Send Sojobo in."

Sophie nodded, "As you wish, my daughter."

"What is a Tengu king?" Tess asked

"When there is time, I'll tell you the story about the vampire tree where I met Sojobo."

"Vampire tree?"

Aurelia laughed and waited for her friend.

***

Aurelia didn't want to walk down the aisle. After months of travel and passionate nights, all Aurelia wanted is to make Zinjo hers forever. Zinjo wore his favorite suit, the same one Mr. Silke made all those months ago.

Sojobo gave her away despite protests from Sophie, "You are going to let this man thing give you away? What will the people say?"

"They will see their princess has grown up and has friends all over the world. Sojobo is a king, and we treat him as such," Aurelia's icy tone caused a shiver in Sophie.

When they reached the steps to the Altar, "I have a gift for your husband when the ceremony is over. I assure you he will love it." Sojobo said mysteriously, "Now go to him. Zinjo is worthy of you."

Ayasu took the podium in front of the happy couple and smiled, "I know I am not the high priestess of Amouria. However, as I am learning, all cultures have a goddess of love...," She went on for several minutes about the importance of a strong bond and compromise.

Zinjo looked over at Aurelia and whispered, "This is boring, dark princess."

"It's a public spectacle. They tend to be more exciting for the audience than the participants," Aurelia giggled.

"Shouldn't we be listening?"

"Our hearts and minds know what Ayasu speaks of already. I am waiting around for the vows."

"As am I, dark princess."

Ayasu leaned forward, "It's not my fault your religious people wrote this like it was an instruction manual to some complicated machine," She hissed, "Now, can we please get through the vows?"

"Zinjo, do you promise to love and cherish Aurelia through hardship and happiness?" Ayasu's face lit up with pride, and a tear touched her cheek.

Zinjo held Aurelia's hand and slid the ring on her finger, "I do."

"Aurelia Dusk, princess of Shadowfen, do you promise..."

"I do," Aurelia said in an excited tone.

"I didn't get to finish...."

Everything in the area froze and stopped, birds hung in mid-air, a familiar voice spoke, "Have no fear, good princess, it is I, Amouria, here to bestow my blessing upon you and your marriage." She placed her hand on Aurelia's forehead, "You and Zinjo will forge the bottle together. I know the evening belongs to the married couple, but Lebende's machines have not reached the Cherish Empire."

Aurelia looked up at Amouria and nodded, "I understand. We will get to work after the feast. I am excited to eat something familiar."

"Very well. There is a forge near the temple. Go there when you have had your fill of food and drink."

"I will," Aurelia promised.

"Excellent, I will be waiting at the forge."

The world unfroze and Aurelia Kissed Zinjo, "I love you Zinjo

"I love you too, dark princess," He replied.

"I now pronounce you man and wife," Ayasu smiled and the whole crowd cheered.