Chapter 318 - Officially Wedded!

Dmitri was waiting for Anastasia on the other side of the portal. Wearing a white shirt, white trousers with a golden cape and a gold crown, he looked like the king he was—handsome and very attractive. With a smile on his lips, he offered his arm to Anastasia and she placed her hand in the crook of it. "Thank you, Father," she said in a voice that was full of tenderness that she would have felt towards her father. 

As if understanding her thoughts, he said, "Anastasia, you father, Ian was a dear friend. And I am sure that if he was here, he would have walked you down this cobbled path to the temple. And I am honored to fit in the role. However, I am sure that Ian would insist that this marriage also takes place in Vilinski." He chuckled. "I hope that you are happy, Anastasia." 

A shaky breath left her as her body shuddered and her wings rustled. "Yes, Father," she replied. There were not enough words to explain how she felt. She looked ahead at the path that was flanked with lanterns. Roses of various hues lined the path on the sides. Up ahead of them was the small marble temple behind which the sun was still bundled up in a small red ball waiting to rise and stretch its golden petals in the skies. 

Dmitri walked her to the stairs of the temple. They ascended it and reached inside where Anastasia was surprised to find Adrianna standing next to Ileus, whose eyes were red and slightly swollen. And despite it he looked devilishly handsome. Wearing black trousers with white shirt that had a golden hem and royal insignia on the chest, and a red cape, he looked like darkness wrapped in starlight, in fireflies' laughter and abundant love. She was attracted to him like Icarus to sun, like honeybee to the nectar… She stared into his twin golden flames as she walked to him, as the rest of the world just fell silent. All her friends and his relatives… everyone faded in the background. 

Dmitri led her to his son. She stood there facing Ileus and Dmitri walked to where Adrianna was standing. Ileus stared into her eyes, unable to break the contact even once. She looked like a goddess, a goddess to rule his heart, to be worshipped by him, to be cherished by him. 

The Shaman stepped forward. He took their left hands forward and said, "You both were married in Evindal, which is the most sacred form of marriage that can take place in the Lore. However, there is just one small custom that I will be performing here in order to officially let Anastasia be the crown princess of Draoidh." He took out a small knife and sliced their hands in the center. Then he joined them together and looked at Adrianna. She pointed her finger and a silvery wisp of light emitted, which went to circle around their joined hands. 

Anastasia felt a twinge of pain in her palm where it was nicked. The silver wisp coiled around their hand and got absorbed in their skin. The Shaman held their hands again and when he parted them, Anastasia was stunned to see that their palms glowed with silvery lights, which swirled like a small ball and then seeped into her skin. She felt a sharp sensation in her mind. It was as if thousands of people whispered something to her. She gasped and thought her head would reel, but the next moment she felt a strong spell around her mind and the whispers faded. 

She looked at Ileus in a new light. All of a sudden, she heard him speaking in her mind. "You look gorgeous, my love, my wife." 

Stunned, she looked at his lips. 

Adrianna stepped forward and presented them the rings. Ileus picked up the ring, a large diamond with blue stones around it and made her wear it. She picked up a similar ring, except that it had yellow stones and slid it on his finger. 

The Shaman turned towards the deity and chanted in ancient language for her blessings. After a long time when he turned towards them, he announced, "Now you are officially wedded for the two kingdoms. You may kiss your wife, Prince Ileus." 

Ileus' heart fluttered the way it did for the first time. He cupped her face and pressed a kiss on her waiting lips. When he pulled away, he said, "Welcome to my world, princess." And Anastasia knew what he meant. Finally, after so many obstacles that they face together, he succeeded in making her the queen of his kingdom. She was already the queen of his heart. 

A squeal and several cheers later the friends surrounded them and congratulated and slapped their backs. 

They left the temple premises only to be taken for more ceremonies. Anastasia noticed that Adrianna and Dmitri were missing. 

"Why are your eyes red, Ileus?" she asked as he walked with her, holding her hand tightly. 

"I didn't sleep yesterday night," he said. "I missed you, honey." 

She leaned her head on his arms. "You have me for today and forever," she whispered. "I will never leave your side now." 

"And I won't let you leave me." He stopped, halting her too. Even though there were so many who walked with them, he pulled her close to him and kissed her on her lips. She immediately curled her wings around them to cocoon them from the rest of the world. "Gods, I love you, princess!"" he breathed as he rested his forehead against hers. 

"And I love you." Why did she hear so many people laughing?

Moments later when their heartbeats settled, she pulled her wings back and found Kaizan staring at them with are-you-fucking-crazy expressions. As if to make them understand that it was an inappropriate behavior, he separated them by pushing himself in between. "You two need to focus on others too!" he chided. "They are waiting for you in the noble court." 

"For what?" asked Anastasia with a frown. 

They were taken to the court. For the first time, Anastasia walked in the Draoidh court and she was stunned by its opulence. The nobles were all standing on the sides in front of their chairs. A red carpet stretched till the end of the hall, where on a high platform were placed two opulent armchairs—the thrones of the king and queen. She found them standing right next to the chairs. Nervousness flickered through her body as she walked towards the thrones with Ileus holding her hand. What was Adrianna planning? Was this necessary? She couldn't help feel the eyes of the ministers and nobles on her. As they walked, the nobles bowed to them. From the corner of her eye, she found Circe standing who bowed as soon as her gaze fell on her. Dread skittered down her spine. Instantly she averted her gaze from her. 

When they reached the platform, Adrianna gestured to them to sit on the thrones. Nervously glancing at her husband, Anastasia swallowed her emotions and sat down. 

Adrianna turned to the nobles and announced, "I present to you the Crown Prince and Princess of Draoidh, Ileus and Anastasia." 

Dmitri placed the crown on his son's head while Adrianna removed her tiara and placed a crown on Anastasia's head.