We stepped out into the blinding sunshine, the warmth of the day wrapping around us like a golden embrace.
Mother held tightly to my arm, half guiding me as we moved forward.
Her grip was steady, reassuring, a silent reminder that I was not alone in this. The crowd stared at us and I felt the slightest blush colouring my face.
Behind me I knew, Selen and Cass walked in a practiced unison, their matching dresses swaying with every step. The fabric, dyed in the same shade as my own, shimmered slightly in the sunlight. Further back, Obsidian and Clay followed, their creamy-colored royal robes lending them an air of quiet dignity. Each had a single red rose tucked into their pocket, a nod to my distant past when a rose had chosen me as the kings bride.
How long that had been ago?
The moment we were in full view, the audience erupted into a roar of cheers. The sheer volume of it startled me, nearly making me trip over my own feet. Mother caught me and helped steady me.
