Chapter 10 Mah’Keht

I’m so nervous. Why am I so nervous? I’ve stood in front of these immortals plenty of times. I’m in my castle for crying out loud. I should be beaming with confidence and pride. Instead, I can’t keep my energy together as I wait for Dai’Ahnah to enter the main throne room. 

It didn’t take much to get things together. Deh’Mi had Sahn take care of most of the details for his ceremony, so I took his lead preparing. Each of the five core elements is presented on an altar shaped in an infinity symbol. Two candles sit at the center of each loop symbolizing our cores with an unlit candle at the center. I do my best to quell my flames and avoid setting the whole room on fire.

Deh’Mi stands behind the altar with a bemused smirk. “I’ve never seen you so flustered.”

“This is ridiculous,” I mumble, tugging on both of my horns. “I’m already married to the woman.”

Deh’Mi shakes his head. “I fear that love is an unpredictable feeling.”

Clearly. The closer Dai’Ahnah’s presence grows, the more erratic my energy becomes. I glance at Behls who sits between a bouncing Heh’Kaet and an impatient Ridah in the front row. She inhales and exhales deeply with a small smile and I follow her motion. Leave it to my oldest to calm me at a time like this. Soon enough, the large doors of the throne room open to Kah’Muae holding a large mirror in front of her. No doubt Lu’Nah is watching from the other side.

“She’s ready,” Kah’Muae sings as she floats down the aisle decorated in tropical flowers and an iridescent blue gown. She takes her place beside Deh’Mi with pride and looks at the open doorframe. “Come on out, starlight.”

Our modest group of guests turns to watch Dai’Ahnah appear in the doorway. Her black romper has been transformed into a regal indigo gown, a cape of stardust draped over her shoulders. Her eyelids are outlined with dark paint and glitter. She floats down the aisle gripping a bushel of star lilies, a light blush outlining her olive skin. She’s beautiful, perfect. And all mine.

Dai’Ahnah’s eyes drink in my form, now transformed into black and red robes of divinity. I refrain from reaching out and cradling her close once she stands before me.

“Sorry for the wait,” she smiles.

“You’re a being worth waiting for,” I wink at her.

“Alright,” Deh’Mi sighs loudly. “Let’s get this over with so I can go home.”

“Deh’Mi,” Kah’Muae smacks him.

“I’m kidding, my love. Relax,” Deh’Mi kisses her cheek before refocusing on me and Dai. “You two ready for this?”

I rake a hand through my flames with impatience. “More than necessary, I believe.”

Deh’Mi nods and hovers his hands over the altar. “Then let’s get you two married.”

The flames of the lit candles swell with his power and Dai’Ahnah’s eyes widen as they engulf his palms.

“Both of you, repeat after me,” he says. “I give myself to you, my love.”

“I give myself to you, my love.”

“To protect and honor through all that will come.”

“Two hearts are uniting and now beat as one.”

“May we thrive in a union that cannot be undone.”

Deh’Mi removes his hands from the flames and motions to the candlesticks. “Each of you must take a candle and light the one in the center together. A symbol of your eternal unity.”

I steady my energy and pluck the candle from its perch, watching Dai’s eyes sparkle from the flame we light together.

“I love you,” I whisper.

“I love you too,” she beams, leaning closer.

“I pronounce Mah’Keht and Dai’Ahnah eternally united,” Deh’Mi declares. “May the flame of their love ignite inspiration in this Rehlm and beyond.”

The room falls away as I close the gap between me and Dai’Ahnah, her lips soft against mine. That magnetic energy between us lingers but I’m more focused on the surge of energy I’m feeling from my core. Dai’Ahnah’s being vibrates against me and I open my eyes to see her entire form glowing with starlight. She glances up at the glass ceiling before focusing on me.

“Do those windows open?” she asks.

I flick my wrist and shatter every pane, the glass raining down in glittering shards. Dai’Ahnah pushes her bouquet into my arms, and I notice a trail of stardust seeping out of her palms. She stretches both hands to the inky black sky, her indigo waves moving more like smoke around her face. Bursts of starlight shoot out of her palms and explode upwards. Each new constellation reveals a different moment between the two of us, including when we first reunited on the shores of Kah’Noh. Our short history twinkles above for all to see. The guests stare at the sky in awe, but all I can stare at is Dai’Ahnah.

“Beautiful,” I murmur, wrapping my arms around her.

The jewels of her golden crown cool my skin as she leans into my touch. Starlight continues to explode in the sky, and Heh’Kaet flies up to us with wide eyes.

“I want to do that,” she yells in our faces. “Teach me how to do that!”

“All in good time, firecracker,” I laugh.

“Don’t hold your breath, darling. My brother’s the worst kind of teacher.”

I snap my head to the double doors and shield my girls from Serah’Finah standing at the end of the aisle. She’s flanked by two smaller beings no bigger than Heh’Kaet. One, a pale female with large gold and blue wings tucked behind her back, her blue hair billowing around her shoulders like downy feathers. The other is pitch black, the edges of his black and red feathers tattered, his jaw set in a hard line. Serah’Finah grips his shoulder, her hot pink talons digging into his black cloak as she grimaces at me.

“No need to ruffle your feathers, brother. I’m only here to drop off dear Deh’Niuhs. The banished prince of Skah’L needs somewhere to live until he learns to behave.”

“You banished your own Kri’Aeshon?” I fume.

“Oh, always with the sentimentality,” she groans, shoving Deh’Niuhs forward. “He’s been dying to meet his uncle ever since he found your old swords. So, now he’s your problem.”

The blue-feathered girl wraps her arms around Deh’Nius. “Brother, please. Reconsider her request. This place is-”

“Enough, Ai’Sihs,” Serah’Finah yells, pinching her wing between her fingers. “We must be going. Clearly, we weren’t invited to this event and I’d hate to overstay my welcome.”

Ai’Sihs hesitates to let go and Deh’Niuhs gives her hand a small squeeze. “Take care of the others while I’m gone, Princess. I’ll be home soon enough.”

Golden tears line the edges of her lashes as she retreats to Sehrah’Finah’s side with a nod. They open their wings in unison and fly through the broken ceiling without so much as a goodbye. The Sacred Four stand on alert as Deh’Niuhs shifts uncomfortably at the center of the aisle. 

Heh’Kaet pops her head from my feathers and glances at me before darting out in her shadow form. Such a mischievous little flame. Behls reaches out to stop her but I hold up a hand. Heh’Kaet reforms behind the boy with pure curiosity. Her fingers pinch his feathers and Deh’Niuhs immediately stands in defense, his wings flaring behind him.

Heh’Kaet’s eyes dim in disapproval. “You’re hurt.”

“Am not,” he spits.

“Are too. You can’t fly far with wings like that. Let me help you.”

He folds his wings back behind his cloaked shoulders. “I don’t need help from a little flame like you.”

“I’ll show you a little flame,” she responds, jumping on his back. “I demand you let me help you.”

“Get off me, you little brat!”

Deh’Nius struggles to fight against Heh’Kaet and I can’t help but chuckle at the sight.

“I don’t think that you will get rid of her that easy, little one,” I float over and pluck Heh’Kaet off him. “She’s untamable, I’m afraid.”

“No kidding,” he mumbles.

I push Heh’Kaet over to Dai’Ahnah before standing face-to-face with my sister’s Kri’Aeshon. His arrogant vibrato dims in my presence and I’m surprised when he falls to a bow at my feet.

“Uncle,” he starts. “I know I have no right to ask anything of you. But my mother is a tyrant whom I need to stop at all costs. She holds my twin sister hostage as well as my people. I need to get stronger to save them. Please.”

I rake a hand through my flames. “Always something new to discuss, it seems.” I kneel and place a hand on his shoulder. “From here on you will be known as the Prince of Darkness. Even if you can’t enter Skah’L for a while, I refuse to let my sister hold her banishment over you.”

“Thank you, Uncle,” Deh’Niuh beams through golden tears. “I promise not to let you dow-”

“I wasn’t finished.” I look back at Heh’Kaet and motion her over. “Get over here, firecracker. And behave for once.”

Heh’Kaet floats over to sit beside Deh’Niuhs without a care in the world. “You called?”

“From today you will be known as the Princess of Darkness. The two of you are now kindred siblings. You share a bond similar to the Sacred Four. Use it to grow stronger as a pair and raise this Rehlm higher.”

“But why?” Deh’Niuhs asks. “Uncle, I am not worthy of this honor.”

“You asked me for power,” I say. “Renaming you is the strongest power I can bestow. And your kin bond Heh’Kaet will allow you a direct ally outside your sister.”

“Yay,” Heh’Kaet cheers, hugging Deh’Nius by the neck. “We’re gonna be the best of friends!”

“Delightful,” Deh’Niuhs mumbles. “As if Ai’Sihs weren’t enough to deal with.”

“Are you sure about this?” Dai’Ahnah asks, floating beside me.

I wrap my arms around her and nestle my face in her neck. “What’s done is done, my love. I’m more interested in refocusing my sights on you. The ceremony is over. You’re officially mine for eternity.”

“Mah’Keht,” Dai’Ahnah blushes. “We still have guests.”

I glance at Deh’Mi intertwined with Kah’Muae, the others talking amongst themselves. Part of me wants to shoo them all away but then I remember how reserved Dai’Ahnah was around everyone at the last wedding. Even if it’s only for a moment, she deserves to be at the center of a celebration for once. I look over at Ichi with a devious grin.

“Cousin. I think we require a few rounds of Liki Gohld.”

“Now you’re talking!” Ichi cheers, his energy swelling as he begins to make goblets of golden liquid along with several tables' worth of dishes. The sacred drum that signals the start of all of Ichi’s meals appears and Deh’Nius perks up as Ichi begins to play. One glance and I can already read my sister’s Kri’Aeshon like he’s my own.

“A fan of music, I see?”

“It’s my reason for being.” Deh’Niuhs rubs his arm. “It’s also one of the reasons I was kicked out of Skah’L.”

“Really?”

“My mother isn’t a fan of my playing,” he mumbles. “My music doesn’t suit her elegant aesthetic.”

“Well, show us what you can do.”

“Really?” Deh’Niuhs beams. “Okay!”

He flies up to Ichi and a jet-black guitar manifests in his hands. The sound of Ichi’s drums is ripped apart by the energy that flows out of the guitar. Ichi’s energy flares with excitement, their instruments blending into a new melody. Deh’Niuhs takes a deep breath and begins to sing with all of his being. The others seem captivated by his voice and twirl around the throne room. I look over at Dai’Ahnah and take her hand.

“Care to dance, my Lady?”

“I’d be honored, Lord Nait,” she smiles, resting her hand on my chest. 

The rest of the room fades to a blur as I take Dai’Ahnah in my arms and the two of us sway to the music. So much will require my attention after today, starting with getting all my Kri”Aeshons to behave. Especially Heh’Kaet. I notice her lingering near Mahn’Ji on the dancefloor from the corner of my eye but choose to ignore it. For now, I’ll let everyone indulge in the moment and bathe in Liki Gohld. Whatever awaits us will arrive soon enough. And once it does, we’ll be ready. But for now, all I can focus on is Dai’Ahnah and the fact that she’s mine. Eternally and irreversibly mine.