The story so far:

---- Aija and the others are on the South-Land. They are waiting for the Leadership to attack. Goldstar is alive. They lost the Premiere, Leigh, Tailyn, Arah Lin. Ze is getting better in his training. Ze and Ruyanir aren't married yet. The war comes to an end when Iernei spaceships arrive. Aija finds her brother Rei and Vincent alive. Aija and Thieron tell Goldstar all that has happened with them. Aija and Thieorn want to go to Ierne to give Aa'di Irih'va the Avo. Luka didn't expect to survive this long. He now feels at home with Thieron and Nala. Zuri goes home. She asks her parents to go to the South-land with her. They refuse. Xan accepts Var-Inu's offer to get an Iernei body. Xan is now Iernei. Thieron talks to Aija; she says she's confused and needs time. They all go to Ierne, Aa'di Irih'va welcomes them and takes Aija away. Zuri roams the Palace. She meets Ze, who tells her he doesn't like Nala and makes Zuri doubt her relationship with Nala. Aija asks Irih'va to remove her bond with Thieron. He agrees and accomplishes it. Goldstar gives Premier Zhaleh a plan to use against the Leadership. Thieron wakes after the bond is removed. He misses Aija. Aa'di Irih'va asks him to go home and then to join the Ithi'hra to work with him. Thieron gives Aija candy; she accepts them and it makes him happy.

----Nala and Ze have a fight session. Ze wins. Nala gets to know Thieorn spoke to Ze about her and Zuri. She asks Thieron about it. He convinces Nala to go home. Xan struggles with Ishth'nor's memories. Xan learns from Aija what really happened to him; he feels hurt. He wants to warn his family about the experiments to save his siblings. Goldstar finds out Vincent is Ytean-human. And that he was responsible for his reputation. He is upset. He chooses to leave behind 'Goldstar' and be Rei.

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****19.1 ZE****

A wintry afternoon on a planet far across the universe from where he was born became the day he got married.

Ze awoke that morning, awaiting to be bombarded by alarm and a sense of incredulity like the gusts of icy-wind that pounced on one when they went out at night. Warm winter afternoons morphed into treacherous, monstrous nights with biting cold on Ierne. Ze expected it to happen to him, woken from sleep into shock and disbelief to his wedding day. He'd waited and waited. And waited. It hadn't come. He felt calm, assured, and happy that he was getting married to Ruyanir.

He only wished his mother were there. Diya would love Ruyanir.

Ze wore a gold gw'xun, the robe unbuttoned and clasped by a gold belt. Thin gold chains hung over his chest, connecting lapel to lapel. A looping gold circlet sat over his forehead. Unlike his visit to the shrine, gold motifs weren't painted over his face. But he'd seen everyone else having them in black, from his guards to Xlo'qua Ne'vei, to Ru'n On'jir, who'd sashayed into the Throne Room and given a blessing before hurrying out for the day.

Ze waited for the Ceremony to begin, Ru'n Ve'dir and Ru'n Thr'vir keeping him company. Ru'n Thr'vir had asked him, twice, to sit and relax. But Ze couldn't. Left to Ze, he'd have a modest wedding with no more than ten guests. This massive, royal wedding gave him the jitters; he wanted it to get over soon. It wasn't the marrying Ruyanir part that made him nervous; it was the crowd.

Since that morning, he hadn't seen Ruyanir after the Palace Staff ushered her out of their room to help her get ready. He knew she'd look lovely; she'd been eager to wear her blue gown and hadn't let him see it, wanting him to see her in the gown at the Ceremony.

The Throne Room's door whooshed open a crack, and a guard peeped in, her eyes settling on Ze. She said, in perfect CommLang, "Aija Niyarah is here to see you."

"Please let her in," Ze urged, feeling terrible she even had to obtain permission to meet him. He felt Ru'n Thr'vir alert at the mention of Aija. He'd taken several attempts at asking Ze about Aija, also asking once if Ze could introduce her to him. Ze had ignored it until he was curious about Ru'n Thr'vir's interest. The man had shrugged and mumbled something like, 'I want to know the girl my cousin has fallen for. Perhaps, ask her to marry him.' Ze refrained from mentioning that his cousin had asked, and Aija had declined.

The guard let Aija in. She smiled at Ze, running to him. He gave his fh're to Ru'n Thr'vir and held his hands out to her. Ze scooped Aija in his arms into a hug, lifting her up.

"Ze," she giggled; he put her down. "You look amazing," she gushed, roving her eyes over him, adjusting the chains neatly back into place.

"Thank you, Ai,"

She was in black like everyone else, including the Royal Guards.

"Where's your bride?"

"No idea. She didn't want me to see her just yet."

Aija grinned, "You're getting married,"

"Yeah, how did this happen?"

Aija laughed. "Congratulations, Ze Roan. I'm sorry I couldn't spend much time with you this visit."

"Visit? Ai, you're not staying?"

Her smile faltered. "Let's not talk of this on your wedding day,"

"Stay,"

Ze and Aija turned to Ru'n Thr'vir, who'd spoken, voice soft. He'd had his eyes on Aija from the moment she'd entered.

"Ru'n Thr'vir," he bowed. "Aa'di's cousin."

Aija bowed. "Aija Niyarah,"

"You should stay," Ru'n Thr'vir reiterated.

Aija half-smiled, shy, and didn't reply. She put her attention back on Ze, who led her away from Ru'n Thr'vir and Ru'n Ve'dir to make Aija comfortable.

Aija took his hands in hers. "Thank you."

Ze nodded.

"I'm so proud of you, Ze. I'm sorry I accused you of betraying Earth to help someone else. It's okay to feel at home where you weren't born; it's okay to make your home in an entirely new place. You're fighting for your people; Za'nai is your home too. May you and Ruyanir be happy together for the rest of time."

Ze bit his lips to stop himself from crying. How did she always know to say the right thing at the right time?

"Ze? You're crying"

"Trying not to,"

Aija hugged him. "Your wedding gift awaits,"

"Gift?"

"It's from Aa'di,"

"I don't have to fight Na'thwir?" he asked with hope.

Aija laughed. "You'll see," she kissed him on the cheek and apologised for not bringing a gift.

Ze didn't care. Her presence was her gift. He didn't understand why he'd ever thought Aija was meek and soft. She seemed to contain the strength to uphold everyone around her above the crashing waves of life.

Aija bowed at Ru'n Thr'vir and Ru'n Ve'dir before leaving. Ru'n Thr'vir's gaze tailed her out the massive doors.

The second Aija was out, two people stepped in, and Ze's heart lurched, nearly stopping.

Diya Roan and Nova Tally.

The tears Ze had barred fell. Aa'di Irih'va had brought his mother for the wedding. Ze hadn't asked, not once, even though the thought had crossed his mind. He knew the Emperor had enough on his mind. But it was Aa'di Hi'er; he gave more than he promised.

"Ze!" Nova ran to him.

"Nova," Ze said, catching the boy in his arms as he had Aija. He twirled Nova; the boy laughed.

"I missed you, Ze," Nova put his arms around him.

"I missed you, Nova," Ze put him down.

Diya joined them, crying. Dressed in black like Nova, she had black runes painted over her face, neck, and arms. They must've definitely come a day before.

"Ze," Diya hugged him.

"Ma," he whispered.

"Oh, Ze; I thought I'd never see you again."

"Neither did I. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have left home that way. I'm so sorry for worrying you. I'm sorry."

"No, Ze," Diya pulled back. "It's okay. I see you found home."

"It's your home too," Ze told her. If I win against Na'thwir, he thought. I must.

"Can I stay too?" Nova asked, puppy-eyed.

"No," Diya chided; Nova pouted.

"When did you get here?"

"Three days ago. Your Emperor and Aija came home, just appeared out of thin air. He explained everything to us, and about your father's...," she broke off.

Ze held her hands in his. "I'm sorry you didn't get to see him again."

"I have you," Diya smiled. "Amaya and George send their blessings. Nova's here on the condition he goes back home right after the wedding."

"I don't want to," Nova whined. "I'd have to go back to school."

"You will go," Diya stressed.

"Ms Roan; Mr Tally?" Ru'n On'jir had entered the Throne Room. "I'm to accompany you to the wedding."

"Right," Ze said.

"My beautiful son, congratulations on your wedding,"

"Thank you, Ma. I'm sorry you didn't get to meet Ruyanir."

"Oh, I saw her from afar. She's gorgeous. The girl my boy chose will be as brilliant as him. If not more," Diya winked, making Ze grin.

****

Ze waited for his bride in the foyer.

Yal arrived first, bounding to him. She leaned into him, and he scratched the spot behind her ears where he knew she liked. Yal inclined further onto him.

At the other end of the foyer, he saw the Zayr in their green-gear; he'd wear green soon. A few of his supporters had made it to the wedding. How they'd come without Na'thwir's notice, Ze didn't know, but he appreciated it. More than anyone there, Ruyanir would be happy.

Behind them, half-concealed by the Zayr, Ze saw a spot of blue. His heartbeat hastened. The Zayr parted to reveal Ruyanir, decked in blue. And the world around them slipped away into a blur.

Ruyanir halted in front of him. The blue of her dress matched the blue of her eyes. Blue: the Zayr colour of love; Ze was convinced Ruyanir had coloured his soul blue the very first time he'd laid eyes on her. The sight of her tugged at his heart; he wanted to kiss her. A gold-tiara sat upon her silver-pearlescent hair, decorated with blue gems. A gold-belt crisscrossed her, shoulder to waist, holding the blade Aa'di Irih'va had gifted her. She'd cried; no Zayr woman was to touch a weapon. But she'd always wanted to learn to fight. Now she wore the blade to her wedding: a symbol of change to the Zayr and an alliance with the Hi'er Empire.

"I have no words for how beautiful you are, Ruyanir."

She blushed. "You look lovely,"

Ze laughed. At that moment, he was happy. So happy. He'd never been this blissful before. He knew nothing but joy. He was marrying Ruyanir. He'd felt the connection between them the first time he'd seen her. He'd known then if ever there was a time in his life he'd have to be brave, it was for her. He'd endure anything for her. His fight with Na'thwir didn't matter; the spectacle of the royal wedding didn't matter. Only Ruyanir did. He'd spend a lifetime loving her. Even if it was till the day of the fight, then he'd have experienced a lifetime of bliss in the infinitesimal time-period. Whichever it was, in the end, he'd have known love and joy.

"Ri'l Ze, Ja'wri Ruyanir," Ru'n Thr'vir spoke, "it's your commitment ceremony. You have agreed to commit to the other; you have invited witnesses from the Hi'er Empire and the Zayr Kingdom. I, Ru'n Hi'er Thr'vir, am bound to ask you – do you want this?"

"Yes," Ze and Ruyanir said in unison; there were no other answers.

"You agree to have your commitment sealed in front of Aa'di Hi'er Irih'va, Ruler of the Hi'er Empire on Ierne, blessed of the Spirits, favoured of the Gods and Goddesses?"

"Yes,"

"Then, let's go," Ru'n Thr'vir grinned and handed Ze his fh're.

Ruyanir stepped beside him, ready to go out. Ru'n Thr'vir and Ru'n Ve'dir led the entourage. Behind them were Zwi'nair and another Zayr. Ruyanir's mother was already out, and Ze had met her only once that morning. Behind Zwi'nair, Ze and Ruyanir stood; Yal beside her. At the back of Ze and Ruyanir were five more Royal Guards in black.

"Ruya," Ze whispered.

"Yes, Ze?"

The doors opened, letting in a warm breeze rather than cold, and the hum of Iernei of the guests conversing.

Ze had to do it before they stepped out before the guests' attention befell them.

"Zyn uiri zvu," Ze whispered.

Ruyanir's eyes rounded.

"Zyn uiri zvu, Ruyanir,"

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