So much has happened these past four years. Roisin went back to practicing magic, which is something Tiarnan never expected her to pick up again. Delyth, on the other hand, is extremely happy and supportive of her, as is Tiarnan. Slowly, we've seen a different side to Roisin we've never seen. She is a naturally positive person but now she's at her full capacity of positivity. No pessimistic thought can bring them down because she smashes them before they can hit her and lets them evaporate in the air.

Her nightmares have stopped which frightened her for a while because she thought they would make a huge and terrifying comeback. She gives Tiarnan all the credit because every time she would "make noises louder than a whisper" according to Cillian and the others, they would wake up Tiarnan to put her back to a soundless slumber. He would pull up a stool at the side of my bed and either hold her hand or massage the scalp of her hair. Doing that on a regular basis really helped with her temperament and kept the nightmares and souls away.

He did ask on one of the days why the nightmares were happening and Delyth told him about the souls of the innocent lives that she took taking revenge on her since she's still alive.

"What would happen if you were to die? Would they end?" he had asked.

"That's a really complicated answer. If there is Heaven and Hell, then I would think they wouldn't be able to reach me. But if it's one big empty place of both good and bad people then it would give them a better opportunity in torturing my soul," she explained.

He shakes his head. "Aren't dead people supposed to know the difference between good and bad people? I don't like thinking that even in death you won't be at peace."

They were walking, so she wrapped her arm around his bicep, leaned her head on his shoulder and tilted her head up to look at him.

This is something she has already thought about and come to peace with. She doesn't fear death. But his, would shake her to the very core. "We don't have to worry about that for now. Let's live this life and focus on us. Besides, I have you."

He stopped walking and turned to face her. He brushed his knuckles against her cheek, cupped her jaw and lifted it up as he leaned down and pressed his soft lips against hers in a sweet kiss.

Presently, Delyth stands at the end of the hall with her hand stiff by her side. Her eyes glaze around in the church and make eye contact with Hias Gaisser, Soo Min and Othmar sitting in the congregation. Soo Min is sitting beside Othmar waving her hand excitedly and grinning widely while Othmar waves his hand in a subtle motion. Hias is sitting in the second row to the front and winks at her.

The music begins and she slowly marches down the aisle, making her way to Ruadhan Dinan. She glances to her right at Tiarnan whose lip twitches up at the corner a little. On her left is Cillian who dips his chin in a quick motion.

In her armor, Delyth kneels in front of a half-scowling Swuybian Ruler. One by one she repeats the Knight's Code of Chivalry:

I would always defend a lady.

I would always speak the truth

I would always be loyal to my lord.

I would be devoted to the church.

I would be charitable and defend the poor and helpless.

Delyth stops the snort that almost escapes her throat. They all break that Code every day. Hypocrites. Liars. Naelundians are the poor and helpless yet not one knight or guard has defended them or helped them. They cast them aside and leave them to die. This time will be different because Delyth is now a part of them and she will stop at nothing to make sure that oath is enforced.

I would be brave.

When on a quest, I would remove my armor and arms only while sleeping.

I would never avoid dangerous paths out of fear.

I would be on time for any engagement of arms, like a battle or tournament.

Upon returning to my home or lord's court from an adventure, I would always tell of my escapades.

If taken prisoner, I would give up my arms and horse to my opponent and not fight the opponent again without the opponent's consent.

I would fight only one-on-one against an opponent.

Ruadhan taps both her shoulders with a sword dubbing Delyth Aiken the first Dame in history. Ruadhan feels sick to his stomach performing the ceremony. It's as though he's giving her power over him. Delyth stands to her feet and turns to face the congregation. They also stand their feet and the church erupts in loud applause.

Later, Delyth dresses in full armor and sword, mounts Outlaw and participates in some martial games to demonstrate bravery and skills as part of the celebration. There is also a huge feast at a high table she is obligated to attend. She sits beside Hias because the intense glare Ruadhan has been sending her all day is beginning to get annoying.

"So, how much chaos have you been up to since you've arrived here? Dinan looks like has the gallows ready for you?" Hias questions, slight humor glistening in his eyes, though he is extremely worried for her safety.

She lifts a shoulder and chuckles lightly."I think he does. Not much though. He's threatened by existence. Luckily, I have a team of brave men ready to fight by me."

"I can see that and that is true luck in itself. I am proud of you, dear lass," he pats her shoulder in a genuinely proud smile. Unable to stop herself, Delyth throws her arm around his neck in a tight hug. It warms her heart such affirmative words from the man who didn't turn her away despite her threatening him and helped her get where she is.

"Thank you, Sir."

She sits on the grass under the weeping willow tree in her mint green gown. After catching up with Soo Min and Othmar, she changed out of the heavy and hot armor into something a little more comfortable than metal.

"I see those constant gazes between you and that dreamy Captain." Soo wiggled her eyebrows suggestively at Delyth. "Are you two dating?"

Her cheeks went high in the same way Tiarnan says it does when she blushed. "Yes, we are. His name is Tiarnan Holian."

"That is so cute," Soo gushed. "Aren't they cute, Othmar?"

"I could care less about your love life, Tumbleweed." Tumbleweed is a nickname he calls her every once in a while because when they met her, her hair was all over the place. "But I'm happy that you're happy."

Soo Min rolled her eyes at Othmar who was already smiling at a woman walking by them. "Whatever. Tell me what has happened since your last letter. Are the guards still giving you trouble?"

Delyth laughed. God, did she miss them. "Shockingly, no. One and two have tried to be friendly or get on my good side. Haangi and the rest ignore me."

"Tell me about Ruben. He sounds nice," Soo smiled giddily.

Delyth raised an eyebrow, amused. "I should introduce you, then."

"How was your day?" Tiarnan asks, playing with her hair. She doesn't know but he is obsessed with her. Any chance he gets to thread his fingers through them, he takes it.

Such a small act should not be a big deal but Delyth's stomach is literally at her feet. Her heart is pounding against her chest. The thought of him hearing it because of how close they are, petrifies her.

"Very eventful. Possibly one of the best days of my life," she answers, looking into the lake filled with lily pads and lotuses.

"I am sure your parents and all of Naelund would be proud." Appreciate hearing those words and hoping he's right, Delyth turns slightly to face him and kisses him on the cheek. His neck and ears immediately turn red.

"Look who's blushing now," she teases then looks back in the water. She leans forward and gives him an eskimo kiss. "This place is really beautiful, Tiarnan. Swuybia is very beautiful. I wish there was a way to remind them of that."

"If there is anyone capable of making the impossible possible, it's you." He lowers his head in the crook of her neck, placing kisses all over. It sends tingles in her stomach and her eyes automatically close to enjoy the feel of his soft lips against her skin.

A tremor runs through her body and she tilts her head to the side, allowing him more access. He presses a hard kiss on her neck and a gasp leaves her lips.

His hands pull the strings on the back of her dress open. Holding her by the waist, he lowers her on her back whilst she looks up into his ever so loving eyes and the heavenly greenery above them.

"You have no idea what you do to me. Every day you amaze me, Odessa Penteau of Naelund and Delyth Aiken of Swuybia. I will marry you one day. That is my promise to you. For now, I want you connected to me in almost every sense of the word." He whispers, gazing deeply into her eyes.

She nods her head. "I'll be waiting for you to take me as yours." And the two join themselves physically in raw and pure passion. Every touch ignites against their skin.

Suddenly her hair gets caught on a twig and pokes her. Tiarnan lifts her and removes it from her hair. Then, they look back into each other's eyes and burst out laughing for a full two minutes. Not long after, their laughs turn into moans and groans sounding in the forest.

She is one step closer to being fully mine, Tiarnan thinks to himself and that is the day he could hardly wait for.

10/07/22

Au revoir...

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