“Ta-daaaa!” Margaret exclaimed, whisking the cover off the outfit she had brought for me to wear.

I just stood and stared at her, dumbfounded. “You… want me… to wear that?”

“Of course!” she exclaimed. “Why, don’t you like it? It’s the latest fashion!” She turned the ridiculously formal suit—white and cyan, with a surfeit of lace and ruffles and frills—and looked at it with a pouty little frown.

I heard Arthur choking a little behind me; Dylas’s snort of laughter wasn’t nearly so subtle. My ear began to twitch in annoyance. “Like it? Margaret. Even you should know me well enough by now to realize how I’d feel about wearing something like… like that,” I growled, gesturing contemptuously at the suit.

She sighed, and said, “Well… Avani did seem to think you wouldn’t really approve of it. So as it happens, I brought an alternate. It’s a pity, though—it’s such a nice suit! You’d look so… dashing!”

“I’d look like a performer in an ill-conceived circus. What’s my other choice?” I grumbled.

“Avani helped Dolce with the design, so you ought to like it, if only for that reason, you ungrateful man,” she said with a grimace as she hurried off to swap outfits. Returning a few minutes later, she again whisked the cover off the hanger.

My eyes opened wide, then I smiled a broad smile. “Ahh, yes. That’s much more like it.”

“But… but that’s the same thing you wear every day!” she exclaimed, disappointed by my reaction. “You should wear something special to your own wedding!”

“Not quite the same—it’s white and cyan, for one thing, and the trousers are more tailored than the ones I’m wearing now. But the overall style is much the same. I like it.”

Margaret sighed again. “Avani was sure you would. Honestly, she said she preferred it, too. She said that seeing you so dressed up, with a shirt and everything, would just seem all wrong. She even called the other outfit ‘stuffy’!” Pushing the clothing into my arms, she threw up her hands in disgust and bustled away to let us dress.

The king had indeed arrived for our wedding, intending to hold the knighting ceremony between our nuptials and the reception. Arthur had evidently discussed it with him, because instead of a formal ceremony, this was to be a casual event—much like our wedding. For despite Volkanon’s and Margaret’s best efforts, and despite the daunting number of guests expected at the reception, we’d still managed to keep the tone fairly informal, just as we wanted.

After dressing in my room at the inn, Arthur, Dylas, and I all walked over to the castle to await the ceremony. It would be a simple affair—aside from the wedding party, the only others in attendance would be Volkanon, who would perform the ceremony on Venti’s behalf, His Royal Highness King Gilbert and his elite guard, who stood on duty at the doors to keep any overly eager well-wishers at bay, and Margaret, who was providing the music for the ceremony. The ceremony was to begin at 15:00, and the reception approximately an hour later.

A few minutes before the hour, Margaret came hurrying through the side door from Avani’s rooms. She sat down at a beautiful, huge Elvish harp—apparently a family heirloom, lent to her for the occasion. She gently plucked at the strings, creating a soft melody. A few minutes later, the door to Avani’s room was thrown open, and Margaret changed her tune to a more ceremonial piece of music. Amber pranced out in her new frock, beaming in delight as Arthur tucked her hand into his arm and escorted her to her place before stepping over to his own. A moment later and Dolce stepped out. Dylas offered his arm to her, and as she took it, Pico appeared, fluttering around in her ghostly way—obviously envious of Dylas’s position. The soft yellowy moss green of the ladies’ dresses formed a pleasing contrast with the deep blue-violet trousers and bronze shirts worn by the two men. After they’d stepped aside in their places, there was a pause, then Avani appeared in the doorway.

To my surprise, the King himself stepped forward, tucking her arm into his as he smiled down at her. “Allow me the honor of giving you away, my dear,” he said in his deep voice. She blushed and nodded acceptance with a sweet smile, and he slowly led her to her place beside me. She looked up at me—uncustomarily shy in her wedding finery—and blushed at my stare. But in truth, I couldn’t keep my eyes from her. Though simple in design, her gown was an elegant, modern interpretation of the dresses favored by ladies of my own time. Sheer white fabric was gathered over the short, cyan undergown and across one shoulder, falling into a long, lightweight train floating behind her. A slender belt of square golden links was fastened around her waist, and she wore golden sandals with straps that wound almost halfway to her knees. Her pale green hair was even styled in the manner of my era—piled high in curls on the back of her head, with two slender golden bands set across the crown of her head. She wore simple gold jewelry, and her eyes were embellished with narrow lines of black kohl. Her lips were lightly stained with rouge the color of ripe berries—and I couldn’t wait to kiss them.

King Gilbert kissed her on both of her cheeks, then he placed her hand into mine and stepped back. Wiping tears from his eyes, Volkanon looked at Avani, murmuring “Beautiful, so beautiful,” before clearing his throat and proceeding.

“I, Volkanon, Head Butler and Steward of the Lady Ventuswill’s estate, shall perform this ceremony in her stead.” Turning to Avani, he said, “Avani of Selphia, will you take this man, Leon, as your lawfully wedded husband, pledging your undying love and devotion to him and him alone now and for all time?”

She looked up at me and smiled, then turned to face him as she replied, “I do so pledge.”

I felt tears pricking my eyes at her reply as Volkanon turned to me. “Leon Drake of the tower of Leon Karnak, will you take this woman, Avani, as your lawfully wedded wife, pledging your undying love and devotion to her and her alone now and for all time?”

I grinned down at her as I replied, “Damn straight I do.” She smothered a giggle, though her sparkling eyes betrayed her amusement.

Volkanon cleared his throat again, glaring severely at me. “The rings?” Dylas stepped forward to give me the ring I’d designed and crafted—with a great deal of help from Bado—for Avani. It was comprised of a narrow gold band set all around with tiny emeralds and entwined with a second band of golden scrollwork. Dolce also stepped forward, and placed a ring in Avani’s hand. I slipped my ring onto her finger, and she slipped hers onto mine. The ring she’d crafted for me—for I recognized her handiwork—was a polished band of gold, inlaid with gold squares. Set into the band was a design of rectangular and square turquoise inlays, and in the spaces between the groups of inlays, she had set tiny diamonds, with a single tiny ruby in the very center of the design. It was an incredible piece of work that reminded me of my facial markings—as I was certain she had intended.

After placing our rings on each others’ fingers, we turned back to Volkanon. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. Henceforth shall you be known throughout the land as Mr. and Mrs. Leon Drake of Selphia. May the Native Dragons bless your union!” I smiled down at her, happy tears springing to her eyes as she returned my gaze, then I caught her up and kissed her while those around us cheered.

Immediately segueing into the knighthood ceremony, Volkanon stood aside and the King stepped forward. Avani stood before him, with Dylas and I falling into place on either side of her and a step back. The three of us genuflected before him, awaiting his pleasure.

“I shall keep this simple and brief,” he began. “In honor of the great service which you three have rendered to our kingdom in our time of need, and in gratitude for your efforts on behalf of us all, the Native Dragons inclusive, I now confer the honor of knighthood upon you, as is my royal prerogative.” Taking a step forward, he drew his mighty sword, then he tapped Avani first on the right shoulder and then the left with the flat of his blade, saying, “I dub thee Sir Avani Drake, Knight of the Kingdom of Norad. I further bestow upon thee the title of First Baronet of the Selphia Plains, with all the honors and duties implied therein.” She kissed the signet ring on his outstretched hand, then he raised her up and again kissed her on both cheeks.

“My Lord and King, I thank you for these honors so conferred,” she said in her melodic voice, bowing her head and curtseying.

He flashed a brilliant smile at her, saying heartily “It is I who thank you, my dear lady.” Then he turned next to me, saying as he tapped my shoulders with his blade, “I now dub thee Sir Leon Drake of Selphia, Knight of the Kingdom of Norad.” I likewise kissed his ring before he raised me up and kissed my cheeks, then he repeated the process with Dylas, similarly styling him Sir Dylas Powell of Selphia.

“Well done, all three of you, and congratulations, Sir Leon and Sir Avani, on your marriage. Now—I do believe there is a party out there waiting for us, so let us begin the festivities!” He gestured to my new bride and me, signaling us to precede him through the main door to the courtyard, regardless of rank.

When we stepped out, momentarily dazzled by the brilliant sunlight, a roar of congratulations greeted us. The courtyard was filled with friends and strangers alike, all prepared to eat, drink, and be merry on our behalf. The King stepped up behind us, and placing a hand on each of our shoulders, he shouted, “All hail the newlyweds, Sir Leon and Sir Avani Drake of Selphia!” Another roar rose from everyone gathered there as he smiled and gently propelled us forward into the welcoming arms of the crowd.

Margaret stepped up onto a platform that had been raised adjacent to the butler’s entrance to the castle, where a few other musicians awaited her. With a wide smile, she began to play a sprightly tune on her lap harp and the other musicians joined her in accompaniment. As our friends gathered around us to congratulate us and wish us well, others began to dance in the center of the courtyard. All around the sides of the courtyard were tables laden with some of Porcoline’s finest cooking, including a towering cake that looked as though it could feed a thousand—and looking around at the crowd, I thought it very well might need to. Next to the tables of food, several casks of beer, wine, mead, and cider had been tapped for the occasion. The castle and lampposts and courtyard were splendidly decorated with hundreds, if not thousands, of brilliant summer blooms, festoons of cyan cloth, and clusters of peacock feathers.

I looked down at my wife, and she looked up at me as we smiled at each other. She reached up and gently stroked my cheek, murmuring, “My husband.” Then she grinned at me, grabbed my hands, and pulled me into the crowd, which parted as we passed through, clearing a space for us in the center of the courtyard. She pulled me out into the center of the clearing just as the current song ended, and throwing her train over her arm, she turned to me and said, “Shall we dance, good sir?”

I grinned back at her, replying, “I thought you’d never ask, My Lady.” At that, the musicians struck up another lively tune and we threw ourselves into dancing, the others falling into a circle surrounding us as we laughed and whirled to the music.

On the opposite side of the main castle entrance from the musicians, near the request box, a dais had been constructed and comfortable seating arranged for the King and Prince Arthur, with room for the King’s guard to stand close by his side. Here, the royal guests retired to watch the dancing, feast upon delicacies offered them by the young maidens of Selphia, and enjoy the music as they talked. After a while, I saw Forte approach the dais, her cheeks flushed crimson. I was surprised by the sight—not the blushes, as I was used to those. But instead of her usual armor, she wore a sweeping gown of azure blue. Her long golden hair was braided and woven with azure ribbons; aside from her glorious hair, her only decoration was a strand of pearls at her throat. I looked at Arthur as she approached, and smiled to see his response. She was actually quite lovely—beautiful, even—and he was more than man enough to notice. It wasn’t much later that I saw him dancing with her, and I smiled again—any heartbreak he may have felt at Avani’s marriage appeared to have been short-lived.

Indeed, most of the bachelors seemed to find themselves very satisfactorily paired off for the evening. Doug danced happily with Amber, whom he’d not-so-secretly admired for some time. Kiel danced with various maidens, but seemed partial to little Xiao. And Vishnal paired off with Clorica right from the start of the dancing. In fact, of all the young Selphian bachelors, only Dylas remained alone and apart, refusing all who asked him to dance.

The feasting and merrymaking went on well into the night. After a time, King Gilbert retired with most of his guard to the royal pavilion that had been constructed for him down by Dragon Lake. He left a few of his guards in charge of the soldiers in town, as he’d ordered Forte to take the night off from her duties to join the celebration. Arthur and Forte escorted him, then returned a while later to rejoin the dancers.

A little while after midnight, Avani looked up at me with an eloquent plea in her eyes. Instantly comprehending, I nodded, and we quietly slipped away. Most of the revelers by that time were three sheets to the wind, so our departure went unnoticed by all but one. Dylas caught my eye for a brief moment as I led Avani towards her—towards our—rooms, then instantly discerning our intent, he flushed and turned quickly away. The last I saw of him, he was striding purposefully towards the still-plentiful supply of drink.

Quietly opening the door to our room, I smiled down at my beautiful bride. I lifted her up in my arms and carried her through the entrance, nuzzling her neck and breathing in her intoxicating fragrance. Then as she reached her arms around my neck and began to kiss me, I closed and locked the door firmly behind us.