Page 59 of Iris of the Crowned Flame

Mina appeared, stepping through a shimmer of light rather than just crossing the altar to meet us. Her gown shimmered in pearlescent white with hints of silver and pale blue, flowing like a liquid light with every step. Intricate embroidery of olive branches and geometric patterns adorned the bodice and sleeves, symbolizing the harmony she upheld. A silver circlet crowned her moonlit hair, its luminous pearl centerpiece glowing softly as if infused with the very essence of peace and order.

I smiled at her, especially as I heard gasps from the crowd behind me. She shared a smile with me before addressing the crowd.

The air shimmered as the light coalesced around her, casting a serene glow over the temple’s chamber. Gasps echoedthroughout as Mina stepped forward, her very presence commanding reverence. She lifted her hands, a light glow of golden light emanating from them, and the murmurs fell into awed silence.

“Be still, and know me. I am Mina, Goddess of Peace and Order, the keeper of harmony, the weaver of fate’s delicate threads. I have walked unseen among you, watching as this kingdom stands on the edge of change. And now, I stand before you, revealed, to bear witness to the union that will shape the days to come.”

Her gaze softened as she turned toward Spencer and me, her voice both gentle and firm.

“Today is not only a joining of hearts, but a binding of destinies. A Queen and her chosen King, bound not by force, but by trust, by courage, and by love in its truest form. Under my guidance, their vows shall be spoken, and their fates intertwined as one. Let this be a moment of not only devotion, but of renewal—of hope, of promise, and of the balance that must always be upheld.”

She extended her hands towards us, the light of divinity pulsing in her palms.

“Come forward, Lyla of Elthas. Come forward, Spencer of Vondalon. Let the gods bear witness to the bond you are about to forge.”

Spencer and I joined hands and stepped forward. Mina went through the speech usually given, and I had to admit I lost focus. Every moment of surprise this morning has been so emotional, and I needed a moment to reflect. I had never imagined enjoying my wedding day, never thought I’d find a man I could trust so deeply like I do Spencer. Before long, I realized we were at the vows.

“Please face each other and share your commitment to each other now.” We turned as directed.

Spencer shared his first, “Lyla, from the moment I saw you this summer, you were a force I could never turn away from. You are my North Star, the fire in the cold, the truth I never knew I needed. I vow to stand beside you, not as a shadow, butas your equal—through peace and war, through certainty and chaos. I will honor your strength, cherish your heart, and love you with a devotion as steady as the tides. You are my queen, my love, my home. And for as long as I breathe, I am yours.”

Gods, the exact words that I needed to hear. The temple quieted, waiting for mine. I realized I didn’t have any prepared, I never had time to write them, let alone memorize them. I took a breath, glanced at Mina in my peripheral, and then focused back on Spencer.

“Spencer, you see me as I am, not just as a ruler, but as Lyla. With you, I am not just bound by duty—I am free. I vow to lead with you, to fight beside you, to trust you with my heart and my kingdom. You are my safe harbor, my dearest friend, the steady hand I never knew I needed. Today, and always, I am yours, just as you are mine.”

Mina cleared her throat. “Before we complete this ceremony and cement the bond forever into eternity, I must invite one more person. Amyra, will you share your vows to these two, your future queen and king?”

My face flushed, and I felt my stomach twist in terror. I glanced down to the crowd, and saw Father smiling, and Juniper was nodding. They didn’t plan this, did they? Did everyone know but me?

Amyra stepped down two stairs, then walked to stand in front of us, her back to the crowd. She smiled, just as Spencer spoke in my mind, ‘No one knew this was happening. Mina is surprising all of us.’

Mina also added, ‘Don’t worry, I shall address your council when they inevitably call their meeting to be angry about this. They can’t subvert the will of the Gods, can they? Consider this my gift to you for all that you’ve done to show you are ready for this.’

With that, I breathed out a little shakily and focused on Amyra as she shared her vow.

“Lyla, Spencer, I stand here with you both, not just as your friend, but as your partner in all things. I vow to serve you, to protect the love shared, and to stand beside you in every trialthat comes our way. My heart belongs to both of you, and I will cherish and honor our bond through all the years to come. Together, we will face whatever comes, and together, we will endure.”

Mina threw her arms in the air, creating a subtle warm glow of light that surrounds us, as she announces, “As the will of the Goddess of Peace and Order is heard, so shall this union be. Lyla, Spencer, and Amyra shall forever more be joined as one, for this lifetime and throughout all others until the end of eternity.”

Spencer and I shared the traditional kiss, and electricity filled me through to my core. He broke it quickly, and then we both immediately turned to Amyra and reached for her hands. She took one step up to be closer, and we all embraced. As we touched, the room erupted in a bright display of light, signaling the bond was accepted by the Gods. Such a display hadn’t been seen in decades, not since Mother and Father’s wedding.

“Forgive me, but I don’t feel comfortable with a kiss in front of this crowd,” Amyra whispered.

“We shall share it when it’s right, as soon as we have a moment.” I whispered back in understanding.

We broke free of the hug, and then the three of us turned to the crowd. Applause and cheers thundered throughout the chamber, so loud I was certain that the windows would shatter. Whatever consequences might have happened if we had done this without a Goddess as the presiding priestess, the people seemed to have forgotten.

Amyra moved to stand next to me, and I held hands with both of them as we accepted the applause.

After several minutes, the noise settled down. I knew this meant that the coronation was ready to begin. I glanced behind me and saw that a table was already placed behind us, and that the crowns, my scepter, and Father’s ceremonial sword were placed on it.

Amyra let go of my hand and walked down the steps to join Ivy. This ceremony would only involve Father, Spencer,and me, as he passes the title to us, and then I grant him his new title of King Emeritus and Lord Regent.

Once the items were placed with care and the courtiers were out of the altar space, Father entered the altar. Mina seemed to have disappeared, completing her duties.

Father stood at the table and waited while Spencer and I turned and knelt to offer our respects. Father bowed his head and started whispering his prayer. We wouldn’t be allowed to know what he said, but it’s meant to be a prayer to ask for Mother’s blessing from the beyond. Once he was done, his head rose, and I could see tears threatening to spill. We made eye contact, and smiled, realizing we both shared the wish that she was here with us. One tear dropped from his eye and landed on what was about to be my crown. When that tear landed, a small light flashed for a moment, a glow. Mother’s blessing, I knew instinctively.

Then Father moved around the table to hand the items to us. The crowns were placed on us first. My crown, then Spencer’s, to show that I was the one that inherited the throne by birth, while Spencer was the one to stand by my side and support me. These crowns were the heaviest and most intricate in the royal treasury, crafted to complement one another. Both were lined with rich blue velvet, their weighty golden filigree wrapping around the head in delicate, ornate patterns. Gems in every color of the rainbow adorned the filigree, catching the light with each movement. My crown was delicate, its design reminiscent of rose petals poised to bloom. Spencer’s, more angular and square, reflected masculine strength but was no less dazzling, with gems intricately encrusted throughout.

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