Eve and I walked down the isle hand-in-hand, backed by the girls who stood beside us, who were in turn backed by Halsan, Leeson, Byurik and Vedna.
We were headed for some dressing rooms in the temple, the girls needed to change into more party friendly attire and I needed to shake off the last of whatever it was confounding my mind.
After a fight to get Quatal to part from me, that resulted in my getting bit this time, I succeeded in finding myself alone with my three friends and father-in-law.
"Well that was certainly a dramatic wedding, Origin Wyrms, higher existences and the groom picks his wife over all of it... Sooo romantic." Leeson laughed, until I threatened to release my killing intent again.
"What was that bit about the gloves though..." Byurik added as he began to crack up.
"Why don't you two fall silent before us old men get crushed beneath the weight of his anger with you, perhaps you will speak less with full mouths." Vedna stated, retrieving a bottle and five glasses from a desk to one side which I was leaning against. "A gift from my late wife, she said her daughter's true love would be elated with it and I should share it with him and his friends the day they married."
"Be honest, you are secretly hoping he doesn't like it so you can call shenanigans after that kiss." Leeson whilst being as big a dolt as always, was proven at least a little correct by Vedna's wordless reaction.
As he filled and passed out the glasses he gave a toast. "I won't lie and deny his words, but I truly wish you both the best and thank you for such an undeniable display of devotion. I still can't wrap my head around it, anyway, cheers!" We repeated "cheers" and each sipped.
"Your wife was right." I declared as tears fell. The taste was distinct and burned into my mind from when I had tasted a drink my father was savouring in my first life. "The drink is absolutely terrible... Yet your wife, somehow managed to bring my own parents into this time."
"The oracle was certainly a woman to be reckoned with, I wonder how many bottles she browsed to have this vision."
I drank the rest of the glass with a groan and refusal to waste, then stood.
"The girls should be ready and everyone should be back at Halsan's manor, We'll go ahead and you and the mrs can follow when you're ready." Byurik spoke, to nods of agreement.
As they stood to join me the door opened and Astrael popped her head through. "Gentlemen, the bride wishes for some family time with the groom before the party, so kindly escort us would you. Oh, just so you know Vedna, we left Quatal to stop any funny business so no need to worry about hanky-panky beneath the temple's roof." She quickly retreated after that, leaving me with my mouth covered trying not to laugh by the killing glare of my Father-in-law.
Eve as expected, just wanted to kiss and hug for twenty minutes without disruption, but it was definitely a good thing Quatal was present as her eyes flicked between natural and black, as if to warn me the night was going to be long and eventful.
When we arrived, everyone toasted, then we were shown to the room where the band awaited us to sound in for our first dance.
"Do you even know how to dance?" Eve asked, suddenly nervous at the overisght.
"Nope, but just pretend that I do, I'll keep up..." Eve didn't find my words reassuring as we reached the centre of the room, but when the music started playing and I matched her movement she became more confident.
After a few more movements, we closed the distance between us. "I thought you said you didn't know how?" she whispered.
"I don't, but I can predict your movements as I would in a fight. For the next steps I have Astrael reading the mind of a dance instructor mentally running through the motions and giving me a heads up." I replied before we parted once more..
Eve stifled a laugh and quickly composed herself, eyeing me and evaluating my performance until we rejoined.
"You were a half-step out on that rotation." She snickered.
"The mind she was reading focused on your movements as we parted, she had to find another whilst I improvised." She could no longer hold in the laugh completely.
"How ridiculous, how brilliant, how you. Winging one of the most difficult dances I was taught and no one even noticing." She laughed.
"Two have, they are trying to determine what methods I'm using as we speak. Vedna is one, the other is a professional most displeased at the amateur feigning such talent. What he doesn't know is my acting, is far superior to his dancing." I finished speaking with the music and Eve fell to embrace me, kissing me one more as she chuckled.
"You really are a man of illusory expertise." She finished as we bowed and made way for others to dance, including Quatal with the instructor Astrael had been reading.
"Is she?..." Eve started.
"Yes she is dancing badly and arguing that she can't have two left feet since they are in fact a tail split into two. We best rescue the man before he upsets her."
As we approached, the man bowed and we thanked him for his patience, asking if he would like to be her instructor since she would likely want to dance at functions when we are officially royalty.
He promised to think about it, weighing his desire to see her make the most of her adorable demeanour and the momentous difficulty he would have in the endeavour.
With Quatal in hand we went to eat and mingle, thank guests for their presence and gifts, not to mention gauge people who would one day become either political rivals or allies.
Several children tried to speak to Quatal but she kept her distance. "Sorry, I would play, but Auntie Astra says I'm still not good at controlling myself when I'm excited, and I'm very excited because Papa and Mama are together again."
She said the same thing over and over again as though reading it from a card, which was when I noticed whilst there was no kind, Auntie Astrael was telling her each time telepathically and I sent a thanks her way.
"That's what Aunties are for... Or is it to babysit on wedding nights whilst Mama and Papa disappear." That was when I ended the communication with her only to have Eve start one with me.
"She isn't wrong, you have no idea what's waiting for you when we get home."
With that I spent the rest of the day in a bit of a haze, I only really remember a few faces which made a good impression, but for the life of me couldn't remember why I felt that way, the food I remembered being superb and going to thank the chefs who were ecstatic to receive praise from the best cook in town and the occasional knowing glances exchanged between the deva who were monitoring minds and feelings looking for trouble before it could be revealed.
Finally as dusk began to descend Eve held me. "I can't wait much longer myself, I think it's time we gave our thank you speeches and excused ourselves."
I cleared my throat and used magic to get everybody's attention, then used it to distribute my voice evenly over the whole space so I didn't burst the closest eardrums ensuring the furthest could hear.
"I would like to thank you all, this day will be remembered for as long as I live as will all those who are present. Your wishes, blessings and gifts mean the world to us and we will send a more personal thanks to each of you in time and turn... I wish I could avoid bringing this up, but as you saw with the bit about gloves, in-spite of my divinity I am still very much a mortal man and my mortal nerves have been put through the wringer, so we will retire for now so that I may enjoy the comforts that only being alone with one'f family affords."
"Indeed, I'm not as grand a speaker as my husband, but as my husband has said, both my husband and I are in dire need of rest and respite." She stopped to smile. "Did i mention he is my husband now?" She stopped to let the laughter die down. "Seriously, this day has meant the world to us and we can't thank those who made it happen enough. Father, Halsan, Leeson, Byurik, Fala, Valo, Karla, Layaera... You have been amazing today, Astrael, Celsael, little one and Quatal, I couldn't ask for anymore... I tried but you already had it covered. Truly, thank you and goodnight."
We then opened up a portal to the other side and as I lifted Eve we crossed the threshold.