The Fire and The Storm - The Nexus of Kellaran #2 novel Chapter 147

Part 22

“Welcome one and all, gracious people of every nation, to an event of great joy and importance. We are gathered here today in peace and harmony, in this most revered place, to join three lives into one, and to join three hearts into one, with bonds and oaths of love and honor, proudly sworn in assembly to be witnessed by all.

“As these monarchs are united in love, so will their nations be united in peace, harmony, and co-operation.

“Who speaks for the bride Princess Alilia, Monarch of The People of Life?”

Alilia stepped up to the top tier of the dais and nodded to Somonik, turned and regarded the gathering, then spoke.

“I am Princess Alilia. I speak for myself.

“While we were within the Hiliani time-bubble, I approached Mark to ask to bear his child. I had only ever had one child in all my long life, my beautiful son Prince Bezedil, and for a while I thought I had lost him. I yearned most powerfully for another child, but it seemed impossible. My marriage had failed, and perhaps my fertility as well.

“Yet the Healer Hilsith and the Midwife Yzell were both quite sure that if I were mated by Prince Mark, I would probably bear his child, and likely from our very first mating, so potent was his seed.

“And so I asked Mark to give me his child.”

She paused and took a deep breath, and smiled at Mark, then at Talia.

“I swear all that is true, but I realize now that it was also merely an excuse. I was, and am, deeply in love with Prince Mark and Princess Talia, and I would have done anything to have their love, and to share their lives.

“They told me that if I could earn their love, I could bear Mark’s child, and I thank all the powers that be that I was able to do so. For me, it’s been almost eight years since then, and that entire time has been a whirlwind of joy and love.

“I have grown and changed so much since then, when I had thought I was beyond being capable of such fundamental change. My character has improved as much as my ability, and I can assure you all that I am far more capable as a wizard, a warrior, a strategist, and a monarch than I was when I entered the time-bubble with them.

“The love of our children has been a wonder of happiness that has enriched me beyond my imaginings.

“I have ruled The People of Life for over forty-seven centuries, and for much of that time the administration of my nation has occupied my every waking thought. Yet I have been so captivated by my loving family that I never even considered what a proud and beneficial political alliance might be made for my people through my marriage to Mark and Talia, until my Regent Smogin spoke to me about it yesterday.

“And then I had to consider; putting my own feelings aside, will this alliance be good for my people?

She was warmly applauded as she stepped down, especially by the one hundred and twenty of her people she’d invited as friends and family.

Though Yazadril had been asked to speak for Talia, and Markhan the Third had been asked to speak for Mark, it was Nemia who stepped up to speak for Talia, and Sana who spoke for Mark. Both spoke simply and eloquently of the deep love that had grown and thrived among Mark, Talia, and Alilia on Hiliani.

As Nemia explained, they had not had one single angry argument in the eight years they had been together. She gave her opinion that Alilia’s long experience had been as valuable to the relationship as Mark and Talia’s youthful enthusiasm.

Sana pointed out that their relationship was a shining example of how love and good sense could conquer complex and unexpected problems with ease, and noted that though the three-way relationship was unusual and against tradition, it was easily accepted by the people of Hiliani, and by those of Hilia after they’d emerged from the time-bubble.

Both women spoke at length about what a fine parenting team Mark, Talia, and Alilia were, raising the most advanced, fast-developing, and complex children the world had ever seen, doing so with love and understanding, and producing fine young citizens who were as considerate and well-loved as they were brilliant and hard-working.

When Sana had finished and stepped back to her place, Mark stepped up and bowed to Somonik, and then to the gathering. “I know it’s not traditional for the groom to ask another to speak for him and then to speak for himself as well, but this occasion calls for it.

“I presently rule three distinct nations; Hilia, whom I co-rule with Talia, Serminaki Draconia, and The Sylvan Nation. I have the final say on decisions made in those nations by internationally recognized law. But the functional truth of it is, since we emerged from the time-bubble, all of my family and I have been governing these nations co-operatively. I may have the deciding vote, but I never really need to cast it. We all put our thoughts into the mix, and the best thing to do usually seems pretty obvious to all of us.