Chapter 224 (2/2)

x.x.xxX

Joseph was standing at the altar, nervously waiting for Stella to show up . Everyone was waiting, having been seated for over half an hour, and the great tree towered over them all . None of the G.o.ds had chosen to come, probably to prevent showing favoritism and possibly ruining his marriage, and thus being killed .

A noise from behind him, had him glancing back along the aisle again, and the sight that met his gaze startled him . Everyone in the crowd gasped when they saw her, too .

Stella was riding on the back of the sphinx she had saved in the mountains . Joseph had no idea how she had brought it here, but the sphinx stood proud and regal, as it carried her down the aisle . She perched high, wearing red plate mail that covered her from the neck down to her boots . Joseph had never seen this armor before and his eyes danced along it, noting the fine details where she had quick release buckles hidden, and yet it was fully functional .

Jumping down from the back of the sphinx, she crouched before him, as if about to attack, looking over the crowd after a moment, as if determining the danger she was feeling must be from them, and many cringed back, as if feeling the threat she was emanating with just her glare . The sphinx moved off to the side, out of the view of everyone, yet still watching the show .

She carefully danced around him, placing her feet purposefully, and after a few movements, everyone relaxed to watch her twirl and spin around him . His clothing was made of gold cloth, and the red seemed to enhance it as she drew closer and closer to him .

Coming to a sudden stop in front of him, there was a collective sigh from the crowd as her lips were only inches from his . Joseph could feel through the mind link that he shouldn't move, despite the itch to kiss her that seemed to inflame his lips .

Stepping back, she smiled, and his heart gave a leap . Reaching up, she let loose the snaps he had noticed before, and the armor on her left arm came loose .

”With this armor, I pledge my loyalty to you . ”

Handing him the armor, he set it on the table behind him . He wasn't sure who had set it there, as it definitely wasn't there a moment ago, and wondered if she had placed it on her last pa.s.s around him from her bag .

Removing the right arm, she handed it to him as well, ”With this, I pledge my strength . ”

The left leg came next and then the right .

”With these, I shall not leave you, but shall always hasten to be by your side . ”

As she pulled off the breastplate, everyone suddenly noticed that she was wearing a golden gown that fell to her ankles . A heart shaped opening over her heart showcased the tattoo he had drawn of his name .

Handing him the breastplate, she said, ”Our love will be told in stories to come, and while none shall believe the whole of it, I pledge to protect that love with my whole being . Any who threaten it shall die!”

Joseph couldn't help but chuckle at the shock on some of the guests faces, but reached out and took her hands . It was his turn .

”I vow that I am yours, as you are mine . Your joys and sorrows will be mine, as my joys and sorrows will be yours . I will keep you as close as my shadow, and let nothing come between us . I will love you forever, and should death separate us, I will come back to you, for you are my eternal soul mate . ”

She smiled at him, a smile that he knew he would replay in his mind over and over . His heart seemed to skip a beat and light trickled through the tree branches to land on them, which was quite a feat for the world tree .

He knew that, for many, his vows may have seemed odd, but if it made Stella this happy then, he was sure it was right for them . As the thoughts of children and a happy home played in his mind, he knew without a doubt that the kids would be adorable . With the fey glamour they were going to get from their mom, it wouldn't be possible for them not to be .

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