Chapter Fifteen: The Wedding.
Although it’s his wedding day, Hemlin still works. Only half a day. He’ll be closed tomorrow and wants to make sure everyone can get their orders for Dawning of the Light. Olen is off with a friend, Flint in tow, and won’t be back until lunch like Hemlin, so I’m all alone.
The wedding isn’t until nightfall and time crawls by slowly. I’m used to seeing Ashlyn every day and not being able to see her feels like a form of torture. Mr. Threader delivers the suits, and I put them in Hemlin’s room to stay safe until it is time to put them on. There’s not much else for me to do.
I sit in a chair and blow out a breath, tapping my finger on the arm. There’s no way I’m leaving this dragon egg unattended after what I went through to get it. Hemlin has lots of books, but I can’t concentrate enough to read, still, I get up and go over to the bookshelf. I scan along the spines and my eye catches on Ashlyn’s biography. Despite knowing I shouldn’t, I pick it up and flip open to the first page. There is a beautiful portrait of Ashlyn from the shoulders up, chestnut hair tied back in an elegant bun, a diamond tiara on her head. Her hazel eyes pierce mine from the page and longing courses through me.
It wouldn’t hurt just flipping through the pages, would it?
Unable to resist, I do just that. My eyes snag on another picture, and I flip it open all the way. I gulp. It’s the Prince. Ashlyn’s ex. The one she was going to marry. He has emerald eyes, and I mean emerald, like the gem, and I wonder if the artist was taking artistic liberty or his eyes really are the colour of emeralds. His hair is black as the ravens back home. He looks fierce in the portrait, determined. I guess women would think he is handsome. He battled alongside Ashlyn to save the world, so he could fight. I’m no weakling. Working the farm has built up my muscles, and I could protect Ashlyn if I needed to.
If she saw him again, would sparks fly?
I slam the book shut and shove it back on the shelf. Needing to do something, I go out back and take some wood out of the wood storage and stock up what’s inside.
Ashlyn chose Earth and has stayed for five years. That prince isn’t in the picture, yet my gut still twists. What if Earth loses its appeal? I growl as I slam wood down on top of the pile. Placing my hands on my hips, I take a deep breath.
If Ashlyn is meant to be with me, nothing will stand in the way. God has a plan, and I’m praying it’s for Ashlyn and I to be together. The way she smiles at me, the way she touches me, surely that means more than just being friendly? But I’m just a farmer and I do have a past. Maybe friends is all she wants to be.
I drop to my knees in front of the fire and pray.
#
I check myself in the mirror. I swallow and wipe my hands together, trying to get rid of some of the sweat. Anyone would think I was the one getting married.
Hemlin is the most solemn I’ve ever seen him. He’s hardly said a word since we started getting ready, let alone cracked a smile. It’s the happiest day of his life and he looks like he is facing death.
I slap him on the back. “Nervous?”
He takes a deep breath and nods. “This is a big moment. I never dared dream someone as beautiful and smart as Lyndaria would want to marry me. What if she realises that and decides not to come?”
I can’t help but laugh, which makes him frown. “Sorry, but seriously, mate. Lyndaria clearly loves you, anyone can see it when she looks at you. Nothing would stop her from marrying you.”
He nods but continues looking solemn.
Olen steps into the living room in his suit. It matches mine, but his vest is white where mine is emerald. A part of me wonders if Ashlyn chose emerald because of the Prince’s eyes. I shove the thought away. I’m not going to let such thoughts distract me. I have green eyes too. Normal green eyes, not weird gemstone-coloured ones.
Olen joins us. Flint is no longer with him. He had to take him home as he can’t be at the ceremony.
“Looking sharp, Olen.”
He gives me a quizzical look. “Thanks?”
“You look very smart,” I clarify. “Grown up.”
He smiles. “Thanks.”
Now that we’re ready, we get into Hemlin’s sleigh.
I’m nervous about leaving the egg, but it has to stay near the fire. Hemlin’s assistant from the bakery is watching over the egg for me while I’m at the wedding. Hemlin swears he is trustworthy and wouldn’t attempt to steal the egg. All I can do is trust he is right.
We take the sleigh to the special glade where the ceremony will be held. Marriages aren’t performed in churches here.
The minister greets us when we arrive. He pulls Hemlin aside to give him what appears to be a very serious talk. The glade is lit by flaming torches lining the path to where the ceremony takes place. Flowers bloom in the trees above, glowing with a soft yellow. They are beautiful and unlike anything I’ve seen on Earth.
When we are called to take our positions at the front with the minister, I jiggle my shoulders and take a deep breath. Ashlyn will be here soon.
An ornate white carriage being pulled by Thistle stops at the edge of the glade. Ashlyn said the unicorn would be back for the wedding. She’ll be glad to have her back.
A woman with a violin stands on the side where the bride will be and begins to play a soft melody.
Hemlin’s brother and wife arrive. They take their seats as does Poplyn, who had come in the ornate carriage and was the first to get out. Olen helps Ashlyn down, and just like the first time I saw her, it’s as if everything fades away around me and all I can see is her. My breath catches. She’s beautiful. Wearing a dress of green with gold leaves stitched into the sleeves. Her hair flows down to her waist; half tied back with a tiara sitting atop it. She holds a bouquet of gold flowers.
Her eyes meet mine and she smiles shyly. I gulp, unable to smile, amazed by how beautiful she looks. Our eyes don’t leave each other until she takes her place.
Every part of me wishes it was our wedding right now and I know I can’t wait another day; I need to tell her how I feel tonight. I force myself to focus on Lyndaria. She looks beautiful too, in a gown of white with embroidered gold stitching. She also has the gold flowers, though her bouquet is slightly bigger. Her eyes are only for Hemlin, radiating her love, and she looks softer than I’ve ever seen her. He definitely had nothing to worry about.
Olen is beside her, and she pats his hand when they reached the end. He takes a seat next to Poplyn. Lyndaria stands across from Hemlin, facing him. I glance at Ashlyn and her eyes don’t flick away but stay locked with mine.
I love you, I think to her.
Lyndaria and Hemlin exchange vows, declaring their love, loyalty and devotion before the Light and man. They exchange rings. With a kiss, they’re pronounced man and wife.
Lyndaria and Hemlin sign the official documents. Ashlyn signs next, followed by Hemlin’s brother and wife. As I’m not from this world, I can’t sign.
A quartet joins the violinist and Lyndaria and Hemlin have their first dance. They dance on a bed of glowing yellow leaves, only a sprinkling of snow on the ground. After three dances, they go off to the side to have their portrait painted by an enhanced artist, apparently someone gifted in this world that can capture the likeness quicker than a regular artist. They will take it home to work on it, but they can capture what they need tonight in under an hour.
While we wait, I turn to Ashlyn.
“Would you like to dance?”
“Yes.”
I take her hand and pull her into my arms, tucking her body close to mine.
“You look beautiful,” I whisper close to her ear.
“And you look very handsome, Samuel Evans.” I’m ecstatic that she thinks so.
Our lips are close and I want to kiss her, but I don’t think she’d appreciate our first kiss being in front of prying eyes.
I can feel Poplyn shooting daggers at me, but thankfully he doesn’t interfere.
“Ashlyn…”
She looks at me, waiting.
There’s only one thing I want to say. I swirl us off behind the closest tree. It’s big enough to shield us. My eyes search hers, my hand sliding up to cup her cheek. She swallows.
“I love you, Ashlyn.”
Her lips part, her eyes widening. She swallows again.
“I’ve been in love with you since the first day I saw you.” She says nothing. The silence feels like it’s stretching painfully long, though it’s probably only moments. “I want to be with you. Be more than just your neighbour and friend.”
“I love you too,” she whispers, but it’s enough.
I press my lips to hers and she sinks into me, kissing me back with as much intensity as I’m kissing her. I’ve thought about this moment for the past two years, and yet it’s even better than I had imagined. The hardest thing I’ve ever done is stop.
She places her face against my chest, and I kiss the top of her head.
I’m breathless. “Wow.”
She slips her arms around my waist, under my jacket and looks up at me, and then we’re kissing again. Her lips taste like strawberry, and the scent of her apple shampoo envelops me.
I groan against the lips, and she pulls back.
“Ashlyn Sorrows you are driving me wild.”
“Okay, no more kissing.” She pecks my chin and goes to pull back, but I tug her close.
“Just one more time?”
She gives me a shy smile. “We have lots more time for kissing, Sam. We should go back. They’ll be leaving soon.”
“Promise?”
Her brow furrows. “That they’ll be leaving soon?”
“That we have lots more time for kissing.”
She shrugs. “Unless you get sick of me.”
I squeeze her back. “I could never get sick of you.”
Her eyes drop to my vest. “Maybe when you see me back on Earth, in my regular farm clothes again, you’ll regret ever kissing me.”
I press my forehead against hers. “I could never regret kissing you and I think you look even more beautiful in your farm clothes. Maybe you’ll regret kissing me when we get back.”
“I think you’re more beautiful in your farm clothes too.”
I burst into a laugh and kiss her once more, shorter this time, and force myself to let her go, though I take her hand. She threads her fingers through mine, and we move back around the tree.
Poplyn is there, tapping his foot, arms folded.
“Relax, Poplin,” Ashlyn says. “It’s a celebration.” She moves past him, tugging me along.
The artist is finished and it’s time to say goodbye. Ashlyn hugs them both, and the others step up to say their goodbyes.
Lyndaria lets me hug her. “Don’t break her heart,” she whispers into my ear.
“I won’t.”
I hug Hemlin. “Thank you for all your help.”
“Nothing I wouldn’t do for my future nephew.” He winks.
I can only hope.
They get into the white carriage and we wave them off.
With a quick goodbye to Hemlin’s brother and his wife, and the minister, we head to the sleigh.
Poplyn and Olen sit in the front of the sleigh while Ashlyn and I snuggle together in the back, shoulders pressed together, hands clasped.
I tuck the blanket around her legs to keep her warm. “Would you like my jacket?”
“I’m good.” She snuggles closer.
“I love you,” I whisper, as we take off.
“I love you, too.”
My heart soars. It’s almost unreal, hearing those words.
Ashlyn Sorrows loves me.
(Stay tuned for chapter sixteen!)
© Rochelle L. Sharpe, 2026.