Author POV
As the sun set, casting a warm orange glow over the world, the cliff beside the waterfall looked almost enchanted—like something out of a storybook. There stood Willow, smiling gently, a bouquet of white lilies cradled in her hands.
Before her stood Everest.
The priest's voice rang out clearly, "Everest, do you take this woman to be your wedded wife?"
Everest had never felt prouder in his life. Looking into Willow's eyes, he said with confidence, "I do."
It was a moment that would mark their lives forever—one he would never forget. Willow looked ethereal, wearing her mother's white wedding dress. The soft sweetheart neckline traced with delicate lace, and the wide, flowing skirt framed her perfectly. It was as if the dress had been made for her.
Everest wore traditional Elven ceremonial attire: a crisp white formal shirt beneath a regal, golden-white jacket fit for a king. His white trousers and golden-brown shoes completed the ensemble. His long silver hair was neatly braided at the sides, elegant and noble.
The priest turned to Willow. "Willow, do you take this man to be your husband?"
Without hesitation, she answered, "I do." Her hazel-green eyes sparkled with joy and certainty.
In a moment filled with love and magic, they exchanged rings—thin bands of gold to sit above their existing silver ones.
Willow placed the golden ring on his finger and said, "Let this ring be the witness to our love." As she did, she knew deep in her heart that marrying Everest was the right choice. He was the one she was always meant to be with.
Everest gently slipped the ring onto her finger. "This ring is the symbol of our love—that we have found each other. Nothing will break what we have."
The priest continued, his voice carrying over the gathered guests who stood in silence, taking in every sacred word.
Among them stood Evelyn, her heart full of pride and bittersweet longing. She wished her husband and brother could have been there for this magical moment. Beside her stood Drivon, holding his little brother Owle in his arms, both of them watching the ceremony with quiet awe.
Tyron stood nearby with his daughter Ella, his heart swelling with pride at his son's wise decision—Everest had become not only a husband, but a true king. And finally, Violet stood beaming, proud of her dear friend and honored to witness this day.
As the last golden light of the sunset faded, the priest concluded with a joyous declaration, "I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Turning to Everest, he said warmly, "You may kiss your bride."
Everest stepped forward, gathered Willow into his arms, and kissed her—sealing their bond with love and reverence. The crowd erupted into cheers.
At long last, they were married.
And with that kiss, the King and Queen of a new united nation—of Fae and Elven kind—were born.
Lord Lorcand POV
He stood on the cliff, invisible, cloaked in magic as he watched the wedding come to its end. As Willow and Everest kissed, sealing their union, Lorcand's heart twisted.
He had to see it with his own eyes—to make sure it was real. And it was. No illusion. No trick. Even if he had wanted to stop it, he couldn't. He knew now what Willow was capable of—what she had become since rising from the underworld.
Her power was stronger than his.
The realization stung more than he could bear.
When he could no longer stand the sight, he vanished from the cliff, teleporting back to his chamber, where his dark throne waited. As he appeared in the shadows of the room, he shed his invisibility, storming across the stone floor with fury in every step.
Rage, his second-in-command, looked up in surprise. "My king… I didn't expect you to return so soon."
Lord Lorcand cast him a glare sharp enough to silence. His teeth clenched as he ascended the steps to his throne and collapsed into it with a growl, exhaling heavily, like the weight of the entire realm pressed down on him.
"I take it the ceremony didn't go well," Rage said softly, approaching and sitting near him.
Lorcand pressed his fingers to his brow, the pressure barely easing the storm behind his eyes. "She went through with it… just to prove a point," he muttered bitterly. "She knew I was watching. She wanted me to see it."
He knew it wasn't love that drove her—it was defiance. Marrying Everest wasn't just about union… it was about power. She was showing him that she had it—and he didn't.
His throat burned with the taste of envy and nausea. He hated the way her strength made him feel—small. Replaceable. Forgotten.
"It doesn't matter if she married him," Rage said carefully. "The Shadows still chose her as their ruler."
Lorcand's jaw tightened. That truth—spoken aloud—only fueled his rage further. With a snarl, he slammed his fist against the throne's armrest, the sound cracking through the chamber like thunder. His eyes ignited with a crimson glow as he turned to Rage.
"I don't care!" he roared, voice echoing off the walls. "The Shadows were supposed to bow to me!"
He rose to his feet in a flash, trembling with fury. His voice became a vow—a threat etched with venom.
"I shall bow to no one."
Then he turned to Rage with a glare so dark it could shatter bone. "Your queen better watch herself… or she'll regret everything—especially killing Vox."
Rage stiffened, falling silent. He swallowed hard and attempted a nervous smile, but it faltered under the weight of Lorcand's fury.
This was madness. Lorcand had brought her back from death.
And now… the woman she was taking everything for herself and this was not how it supposed to be.
He had created his own downfall. And he would show her who is the king of the shadows the king of the underworld . She might went through with wedding and think she has everything but he would not let a foolish woman fool him like this.
With one look at Rage he turn on his hills and stumble out the room. He need time to think , and he need a good plan . This woman is not going to make him feel like this she shall bowl to him not to the other way around.