Moonbeam

Chapter 3

The wedding took place three months later. Constance had hired the best event coordinators for our special day.

It was something Paegeia had never seen: a blend of a traditional dragon wedding and a royal one.

The tabloids couldn’t stop talking about the big event.

Everyone who was anyone was going to be there. Oh, and one more thing…it was going to be held in the sky.

A heavenly wedding.

Most people only dreamed of something like that, but once everyone started exploring ways to make it happen, I realized it was really possible.

Blake loved the sky. He was made for the sky. Apparently that was how all dragons got married.

It was just going to be a little bit trickier.

A month before the wedding, my father called for Blake. He moved in, taking a temporary room in the castle until the wedding. He spent as much time with Dad as he could, learning about being a ruler. Dad took him under his wing. He taught him everything he knew about how to be a great king. Which was a lot.

At night, Blake sneaked into my room, dodging all the booby traps my father had laid out.

The magical day had finally come.

I couldn’t stop staring at myself in the mirror.

My dress was white with purplish-black lace trim that matched the color of Blake’s dragon skin. The back was netted with a thin, translucent layer of lace woven into the shape of a dragon. My shoulders were bare and the sleeves caught on my forearms, fanning out to my wrists in folds of purple lace.

I’d never seen such a puffy dress in my entire life. The skirt threatened to drown my legs. But the dress tapered at my waist into a corset that was a mixture of faux purple leather and white satin.

When I first saw it and felt its softness in my hands, I’d thought Blake had offered some of his skin, but he hadn’t. It was all a reproduction.

I couldn’t believe that such a beautiful gown had been created just for me. In that moment, I felt like a fairy-tale princess.

Blake planned on wearing traditional dragon attire. At first I thought he was going to show up naked, but I was assured that wouldn’t be the case. Dragon weddings were usually in human form, thank goodness.

There had just never been one in which the bride was of royal blood.

His outfit reminded me of a Scottish kilt. Blake was going to get married in a dress, too. I teased him about it, but he just stared at me. He didn’t think I was very funny.

His kilt didn’t have plaid; it had scales. It was his color—deep purple. It came with a piece that reminded me of the Samurai 3000 vest, just softer around the edges and much more elaborately decorated with raven-black satin and gold trimmings. A cape draped over his shoulders. Boots laced up to his knees. He would look like some sort of Greek god. I could already imagine what was waiting for me at the altar. A hot wave washed over me. Dizziness and doubt clouded my mind.

I was going to become someone’s wife. Not just any someone—the Rubicon’s. What if I didn’t make him happy? What if everything was going to change?

Was this too early? Was this the reason why my father kept telling him no—because he knew I wasn’t ready?

I backed away from the mirror to the fan. I spread my arms wide like a bird’s wings and waited for the air to cool my head.

That was how Becky and Sammy found me. They both looked pretty in their gold-and-purple dresses.

“Okay, what is up with you?” Becky asked.

“I don’t know. I’m so hot.” My voice sounded strangled.

She walked over. Her cropped black hair bobbed with each perky step. “You are the most gorgeous bride I’ve ever seen, Elena.”

Half my lip rose.

Her big brown eyes narrowed. “No, you are not having cold feet!”

“I don’t know,” I whined. “It’s the Rubicon, for crying out loud, Becky.”

“And he is marrying the freakin’ Princess of Paegeia, Elena. You don’t think that is intimidating for him, too?”

I took a deep breath. She had a point.

“It’s Blake. Your knight in shining armor. Your Dent. The guy who would literally give you the moon and the stars if he could. He will love you forever, Elena.” She took a strand of my hair and fixed it.

“When did you become so wise?” I asked.

“The day I became Mrs. George Mills.”

We both laughed.

“Please don’t break my brother’s heart,” Sammy said. I’d forgotten she was here, too. She had become like a shadow the past few years. Becky and I had tried everything to pull her out of it, but after a while, we just stopped. She clearly didn’t want to be saved from torturing herself over Dean’s death. I hadn’t seen her famous dimples in forever.

I went over to her and gave her a hug, careful not to mess up her coiffed auburn hair. “I would never break his heart. I love him too much.”

“Good,” she whispered. “Now go and marry him.”

The door opened and my father walked in with Constance. Dad was downright dapper in his leather suit and delicate, yet manly crown. A cape cascaded from his back.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he stared at me.

“Say something. Please.”

He shook his head and wiped his tears away. “May I have a moment with my daughter alone, ladies?” They left the room.

He took my hands gently in his. “You look so much like your mother today.” His voice broke.

“Dad.”

“No, Elena.” He took my hands and kissed them. “I’ve been wrong these past four years, trying to keep you all to myself. Forgive me.”

Tears pricked my eyes, reflecting his. “There is nothing to forgive,” I said. He handed me a tissue before a tear rolled down my cheek. “Constance will kill me if I ruin your makeup.”

I laughed ruefully. “I’m sure if they can create a wedding hovering in the sky, they can fix ruined makeup.”

He laughed. “It looks stunning out there. You know if you’re not ready, Elena, he will understand. We can still slip out the back.”

“You forgot one thing,” I joked.

“What?”

“We’ll tumble to our deaths.”

He threw back his head and laughed.

I joined in. When our chuckles subsided, he sighed. “No, I’m serious. We won’t fall to our deaths.” He touched my face gently with his palm.

“I’m ready, Dad. I want to marry him.”

“Okay, sweet pea.” He kissed me on my head. “I’ll let everyone know it’s time to begin.”

A soaring melody of violins floated to us. My bridesmaids included Sammy, my best friend and Blake’s sister; Becky, my other best friend and old roommate from Dragonia; and Annie, Blake’s fantastic cousin and one of my favorite people.

They all walked out, stately and serene, to the rhythm of the music. I couldn’t recall if I’d ever heard this melody, but it was beautiful.

“Ready?” my father asked.

I smiled. “Ready.”

He pulled my veil over my face and we stepped out the door.

Earlier this morning when Constance brought me here with Becky and everyone else, it hadn’t looked anything like this. It had just been a room hovering in the sky by loads and loads of enchantments.

Now, it was as if heaven had come down to us to make this wedding possible.

Rows and rows of chairs were lined up on both sides. A flouncy bow adorned each chair back. There was even a red carpet. A soft mist covered the ground. Clouds mixed with rose veins lined the walls. Dragons flapped their wings, hovering in the air.

At the front, my gorgeous groom stood in his Adonis attire. Waiting for me to marry him.

Everyone stared at me, but I couldn’t keep my eyes away from my prize. It was as if I’d won him somehow.

He was standing underneath an arch made of clouds threaded with soft colors and flowers.

As I came closer, I could see tears shining in his eyes.

My father leaned slightly toward me. “See, I’m not the only one bedazzled by how beautiful you look today, Elena.”

My heart warmed.

When we finally reached the front, my father turned to me and lifted my veil. He kissed me on both cheeks.

The priest spoke loudly. “Who is giving this woman away?”

“I do,” my father said. He turned to look at Blake. He just stared at him until everyone watching started to laugh.

“Make her happy, Blake.”

“You know I will,” Blake answered.

He took my hand and put it in Blake’s, before stepping off the altar.

The ceremony started, but to be honest, I didn’t hear much of it. I couldn’t stop staring at Blake, and he couldn’t stop staring at me.

“You may now speak your vows,” the priest said.

Blake went first. He took the ring out of his pocket. Very romantic.

“Sorry, I have many trust issues,” he said to the crowd, who laughed.

He put the ring on my finger. “With this ring, I promise to give you my soul and my undying love.

I place this ring upon your hand.

You have made me a better man.

With your sweet love and gentle kiss,

The darkness from my soul you forever dismiss.

With this circle of gold, I solemnly vow

To love you until my life takes its final bow.”

Tears filled my eyes as he spoke the words. I felt each syllable imprint on my soul. Rhyming. It just had to be rhyming…

As I felt the cool circle of gold nestle onto my finger, I turned to Becky, who had been holding Blake’s ring for me.

The ring felt heavy in my hand as I turned back and stared into his peacock-blue eyes. The same eyes I wanted to look into for the rest of my life.

Taking a deep breath, I began my vows. I hadn’t planned them in advance. I let my heart speak the truth.

“While our challenges have been many, there has really only been one constant for me, and that is my soul-deep love for you. Even when you pushed me away, deep down I knew we were meant to be together and destined to face the challenges of this world together, hand-in-hand, forever. You are more than my dragon. You are my heart, my soul, and the very life force that flows in my veins. I promise to keep you, love you, and care for you, until my dying breath.”

I could feel the emotions flow out of me. Light sparkled in his eyes as I slipped his ring onto his finger. I could feel the moment our lives became one.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

Blake stepped forward, his hand curled around my waist and he kissed me softly.

I didn’t dare open my eyes, since this kiss was our first as husband and wife. When we finally broke away it was dark, and I looked around me.

I realized he’d covered this private moment with his wings, partially transformed. Then he lowered his wings and the crowd came back into view.

Everyone cheered.

The reception took place in the sky as well. It all went by so quickly. Toward the end, Blake took me for a flight.

The stars were like diamonds tonight. He took me to our special spot by the river.

It still took my breath away, with the fireflies lighting the way.

I slid off his wing, and when I turned around my husband was naked, and I was in his arms.

What followed next was a blur.

We made love right there under our tree without tearing my dress.

Like I’d always said, he was a jack-of-all-trades.

We stayed there until the sun came up, and then we returned to the castle.

That was our wedding. Beautiful. Impossible to forget.

My dad gave us our own wing in the castle—the west wing that had once been my mother’s. They’d rebuilt it. We would never be able to fill all those rooms. Every night we made love. For hours. I thought I was going to die of happiness.

Getting pregnant wasn’t as easy as I’d thought it would be. Several times I’d thought I was, but then it turned out that I was just late.

But when the day came, it was even more magical than I could have dreamed. Now it was my turn to try and block out my thoughts. I was going to break the news to Blake at dinner.

Blake had been away for a few days, helping my father with some of the threats the Wyverns posed again. I didn’t like it when he was gone for so long.

My dad didn’t even know yet, but Constance said she would tell him before dinner when he came back, so it could only be Blake’s surprise.

I spent the entire day waiting for him by the window of our room, praying to see his outline.

“Constance!” I yelled and run out of the room. “They are here.”

Sure, he was the Rubicon, but Wyverns, they would always be Wyverns. I was glad to have him back safe and sound.

He landed hard. The ground rumbled; his dragon form was bigger than ever.

He morphed back to his human form and I was in his arms, kissing him everywhere.

“I was only gone for three days, Elena.”

“Three days too long.”

He laughed. “So how is my favorite person?” He squinted at me.

“I’m perfect.”

“What are you trying to hide from me?” he asked in a serious tone.

“Nothing! I’m not hiding anything.”

“Why can’t I reach your mind, Elena?”

“You can’t?” I tried to sound surprised. “Guess I finally found a way to block you.”

He shook his head. “Fine, whatever,” he mumbled. He took the robe that Jeeves held toward him.

“Thank you, Jeeves.”

“Welcome back, my prince,” he said.

Blake huffed. “Still need to get used to that one,” he said as he pulled the robe over his body. He flung his arm around me and we walked side-by-side to the castle. “Seriously, Elena. You are starting to freak me out, just a little.”

“Nothing? You can’t see anything?” I was smiling ear-to-ear.

“Nothing. It’s scary.” He took a huge breath, which made me laugh.

“It’s not funny! I feel off balance.”

“Soon. Just be patient.”

We got ready for dinner and went down around seven o’clock. It was nice to have a full table for tonight.

Isabel had come over for dinner. Sir Robert had been away with my father, so he didn’t know about anything either.

My father caught me in the kitchen right before we sat down.

“Sweet pea,” he whispered with tears in his eyes, hugging me tightly.

“I don’t want to say anything. You’ve been trying so hard to keep this a secret.”

“Shh, Dad.”

“Sorry,” he said and mouthed, Congratulations.

We sat down and dinner started.

They talked about the Wyverns and everything that had happened the past three days.

Blake was quiet, very quiet. I tried to peer into his mind to see what was bothering him, but I was scared that would open the gateway for him to see my thoughts too and ruin the surprise.

Finally, it was time for dessert.

The staff all exited the kitchen. A plate covered with a silver bowl was placed in front of each of us.

They all took off the silver lids with a flourish to reveal dessert on every plate—except Blake’s. On his plate was a pair of booties.

I looked at him sitting next to me as he stared at his plate. For a very, very long time.

The silence stretched around the table as everyone looked at him, waiting in anticipation for his reaction. Nobody expected this.

I looked at my father, who still had excitement on his face. I begged him with my eyes to do something, but he shrugged.

Blake still stared at the stupid plate.

Then finally he moved his head and met my eyes. “You serious?”

I nodded.

“I’m going to be a dad?”

He was scaring me. “Yes, you are going to be a father.”

A sloppy grin spilled over his face. He grabbed me and hugged me tight as I unleashed the lock on my mind and my thoughts streamed into his.

He laughed.

“Good surprise?” I asked.

“The best,” he said, touching my belly and kissing my lips.

The pregnancy was a blast. It went slow, but eventually the big day arrived.

I didn’t know who was more nervous—my father or Blake.

Constance told them both to go wait in the living room. I’d planned a royal home birth.

A beautiful little girl made her grand entrance four hours later. We called her Silho.

She had dark fuzz down to the nape of her neck and the most angelic face. A perfect mixture of Blake and me.

Life was beautiful. A princess couldn’t ask for more.