Page 92 of Secrets of Ruin

Skog and the dwarves sat in the front row with the brownies. Unicorns, sasquatch, phoenixes, and other assorted creatures stood within the trees or perched in their branches.

As her father led her up the steps, Cole moved forward to take her hand. Warmth spread through her when they connected, and her heart raced as their gazes locked. Nothing in all the realms would ever keep them apart again; she’d make sure of it.

They moved toward the archway the dwarves built. The dragons and wolves etching the delicate wooden frame symbolized her and Cole’s joining.

Once they stood beneath the arch, the music stopped. Even the birds ceased singing as the last bit of pixie dust floated to the ground.

Cole leaned forward to kiss her cheek. “You’re so beautiful.”

She turned her head into his as it became just them… even if hundreds of immortals surrounded them. “You’re looking very handsome.”

He kissed her cheek. “I love you.”

Tears of joy formed in her eyes as their gazes locked. Alina cleared her throat, drawing their attention to the dragon perched in the garden behind the stage.

When they were in place, Alina started speaking. Lexi’s heart raced, and she couldn’t tear her eyes away from Cole, who held both her hands.

Alina spoke of love, faithfulness, friendship, and cherishing each other, but it was all a blur. When the dragon got to the point where she asked if they took each other as husband and wife, she and Cole responded, but she barely remembered doing so; she was too busy trying not to dance around.

And then, when Alina finally pronounced them husband and wife, cheers erupted from the crowd, and the dragons roared as Cole swept his arms around her waist. He plucked her off the ground and pinned her against his chest.

Lexi was laughing and crying as she draped her arms around his neck. They grinned at each other before her husband kissed her.

CHAPTER NINETY

Kaylia smiled as Brokk spun her around the open area of the garden where the reception was taking place. The party was still in full swing as music and laughter filled the air, and overhead, the dragons rolled, dipped, and played while their fire lit the night.

Lexi and Cole had disappeared a few minutes ago, but that didn’t dampen the celebration. Beneath the glow of the lights strung from the trees, all different species of immortals danced and mingled with each other.

It was miraculous to behold, and her heart swelled with pride over the fact they’d helped accomplish it. There were still so many obstacles ahead of them, and any number of threats lurking in the realms, but they’d united so many.

Despite her joy over everything they’d accomplished, exhaustion weighed heavily as her eyelids drooped. She was ready to call it a night so she could crawl into her bed, bury herself under the blankets, and sleep.

Exhaustion had become a constant companion lately. Somehow, she’d managed to get through the past week despite dragging herself through most afternoons. She’d drunk countless energy potions, but nothing worked.

She’d blamed her weariness on the events of the past months catching up with her but started to worry it might be something more. Immortals didn’t get sick or diseases, but they did feel the effects of spells and potions, and she’d been poisoned once without realizing it.

Kaylia liked to think she was too powerful for someone to do such a thing again, but she hadn’t thought they could do it before, either. Fabian had proven her wrong.

This morning, when an awful bout of nausea hit her and she was throwing up in the bathroom while Brokk was out with Cole, she finally understood what was wrong with her. In the beginning, shock left her sitting on the bathroom floor with her head spinning, but then joy rose to replace it, and she found herself laughing through tears while stroking her belly.

She was dying to tell someone but had managed to keep her secret. This was Lexi and Cole’s special day, the one they’d been denied for months, and they deserved for it to be all about them.

Kaylia had done everything she could to ensure this day was perfect for them, and everything had gone according to plan. It had been a beautiful day, and the married couple’s joy was palpable.

Now, the newlyweds were gone, and she smiled at Brokk as he twirled her again. The anti-nausea potion she’d taken this morning had worked throughout the day, but now her stomach lurched, and when she reclaimed his hands, she gulped back the bile in her throat.

Something must have shown on her face as Brokk’s smile vanished. “Are you okay?”

Kaylia swallowed again before trusting herself to speak. “I’m fine but ready to call it a night. Let’s go for a walk; I need some fresh air.”

The concern didn’t leave his eyes as he took her hand and led her through the crowd of immortals. Together, they strolled further into the garden. The noise of the party dissipated, and without the lights, the moon and the dragon’s fire illuminated their steps.

She inhaled the fresh air and tilted her head back to take in the stars and moon. Gradually, her newest wave of nausea dissipated, the sweat beading on her forehead dried up, and she once again felt confident she wouldn’t throw up all over Brokk.

“The dragons are happy,” Brokk commented.

“We’re all happy.”