As she walks toward me with her arm looped through my father’s, I slowly look her over. Her hair is twisted up on top of her head, and she’s wearing the crown her brother gave her prior to the ceremony. He had it altered for her. It’s small, simple, and subtle. Perfect. In the middle of the crown it comes to a high peak with smaller peaks down either side. Each peak has a diamond at the top. In the center of the crown is a large, teardrop-shaped emerald to represent the Pine side of her. Evenly spaced away from the center, below each smaller peak, are square sapphires to represent the Azure side she’s marrying into. Teardrop shaped diamonds hang from her ears.
Her dress is a crisp white with silver vines of leaves across the bodice down to her waist. The silver embroidery continues at the bottom of the dress with more vines. At the top of her breasts is a wide, royal blue sash which wraps around her chest to her back and falls to a wide panel of blue with more silver embroidery all the way down. The tie in the back crisscrosses then narrows into small buttons down to the end of the train.
She’s a vision with eyes only for me. The sun is high in the sky without a cloud in sight. It’s beaming down, illuminating her in a stream of light. Ali truly is an angel walking amongst us. Ever since she stepped into my world, nothing has been the same. She’s made everything better, including me.
Before her my life was ruled by violence, hatred, and the duty of protecting my land. Ali showed me love and compassion; that fighting isn’t the only way to resolve things. She showed me kindness by helping my family out when she hardly knew us. My princess risked it all and none of us will ever forget it.
With every step her smile grows. When she and my father stop before me, I have to try my hardest not to allow everyone to see how badly my hand shakes when I take hers in it. We turn, stand before the priest, and listen as he speaks of love and marriage. Then it’s our turn to say our vows. I’m asked to go first.
I take a deep breath, face my beloved, and clasp both of her hands in mine. “Alison, my princess. Our journey began when you entered my dreams. Even from afar, I knew there was something special about you. With every dream I woke to the hope that one day you’d appear before me. Then you did. I couldn’t believe you were real. Every day since then has been nothing short of magical. I’m the luckiest man alive to get to spend the rest of my life with such an amazing woman. I promise to protect you with my life, to love you like no other, and to give you everything your heart desires. I love you, Ali. Always.”
She lets go of my hand for a brief moment to brush tears from her face. Then I watch as her chest rises and falls with her own deep breath. “Lucas, my prince. My world was dull before I met you. The first day I saw you in this very field, it was as if I had seen in color for the first time. You’re strong, where I’m weak. You’re brave, where I’m afraid. You know what I need without ever having to voice it. And you accepted me as part of your family long before you asked me to be your wife. I vow to spend my life cherishing you as you cherish me. You’re my forever, Luke. I love you.”
Tears begin to sting my own eyes and I blink quickly to keep them at bay. Not that I would mind if everyone sees me cry, but I don’t want to release Ali’s hands. I need her touch; to feel her warmth as a reminder that this is real.
We face the priest again and listen as he finishes the ceremony. At his words, I wrap an arm around my bride’s waist and kiss her with everything I have. I pour all of my love and lust into the kiss. This is our first kiss as husband and wife. I dip her back and don’t let up until I hear Elliott hooting and hollering beside me. We break apart and I smile like a fool. Ali’s face has a blush creeping over it and it’s adorable.
As we begin to walk down the aisle, I look to each person in attendance. My family, Ali’s brother, my Elite, royals from other kingdoms. Everyone came to wish us well. To see different kings and queens sitting together is a sight to behold. The peace treaties are holding strong. I can only hope we maintain these alliances for many years to come.
Storm and Tali are waiting for us when we reach the end of our guests. I sweep Ali up into my arms, lifting her to Tali’s back. I step up and settle myself behind her. Tali turns to us and I mentally ask her to take us home. She gracefully takes flight with Storm on our tail. Together we fly off toward the castle and our future.
Keep reading for a preview of
The Pine Forest, Iridescent Realm, Book 2
Acknowledgements
My husband, my children, and my family make writing possible. My husband knows how much I love to write and picks up the slack when I’m doing so. My kids have a little less time with me, and I can only hope one day they are proud of what I’ve accomplished. I love them all!
Shannon, another book, another declaration of love for you. Thank you for always being there.
Stephanie and Laura, you two help me in so many ways. I appreciate you more than you know.
My betas are awesome and gave me great feedback to help make this book what it is. Crissy, Sharon, Lianne, Natalie, Lisa, Laura, Jeneane, Rebecca, Mary, Stephanie, and Jennifer, thank you for beta reading this book for me.
To my street team, thank you for everything you do. I’m so fortunate to have you on my team.
Zolie, Mecca, and Michele, you are wonderful friends. Thank you for always listening and supporting me.
To Karen, Jennifer, and Riane, this book looks as great as it does because of you. Thank you so much for your hard work.
The book community is made up of wonderful authors, bloggers, and readers. Thank you to each person who has shared, read, reviewed, and supported me.
I have so much love for all you!
This book is very different from the others I’ve written. I didn’t know how I’d like writing fantasy, but I absolutely loved it and hope to write more in this genre. Thank you for reading and I hope you love Ali and Luke as much as I do!
Preview – The Pine Forest
Lost
Oliver
I thought she was going to be mine. I thought I would be the one declaring my love for her in front of all the people in our kingdom. Alas, it’s not me. It’s the one man I despise above all others–Lucas Azure.
Even now, watching as Alison says words I wish were meant for me, I still have feelings for her. How could I not? She was promised to me and had been for years. Once I saw her, I had hope for the first time in so long. Then she walked away from me with an Azure. The image of her clutching to him outside of my cell, in their dungeon, is seared into my mind like a branding I’ll never be able to rid myself of.
Her beauty alone keeps me riveted to the scene before me. Her long, dark hair is piled high on her head. The dress she’s wearing accentuates her every curve. The royal blue sash atop the white of the gown in the front, and also down the back, makes my fists clench by my side. The color shouldn’t be blue. It should be green.