The day of the wedding arrived under a sky that seemed determined to outdo itself.
Soft golden light poured across the grand open pavilion that had been raised in the heart of the Divine Realm's capital.
Floating lanterns drifted lazily overhead, their glow mixing with the natural radiance of the realm.
Rows upon rows of seats stretched outward in elegant curves, filled with gods, goddesses, old allies, former rivals who had long since become something closer to friends, and more than a few curious onlookers who had traveled across realms just to witness the event.
The air carried the faint scent of night-blooming flowers and fresh incense.
I stood at the center of the raised platform, dressed in formal black and silver.
A single simple ring rested in a small velvet box on the ceremonial table beside me. Just one ring, as that was all I would wear.
There was no practical way to fit eighteen rings on one hand, and none of them had ever asked me to try.
