7Author Note: This is the end of Fractured. Thank you to everyone who reviewed, added it as a favorite or as an alert. I had fun writing this story, and it somehow turned from a oneshot that I had planned into a 6 chapter short. Oh well, it was still fun :)
...
Epilogue:
Dei stood at the crumbling stone altar, clad in a simple white gown made of the finest silk and embroidered all over with images of trees and flowers. Eclipse stood in front of her, dressed in a white suit, his vest embroidered to match her dress.
Luca cleared his throat, to make them look at him, rather than each other.
"At this sacred altar, do you, Dei Callahan, take this man, Eclipse, to be your husband for the rest of your lives?"
"Yes." Dei answered. They had chosen together to change the vows to 'the rest of their lives' rather than the previous 'till death do us part' at her insistence.
"At this place of worship, untouched by any ill or lies, do you Eclipse, take this woman, Dei Callahan as your wife for the rest of your lives?"
"Yes."
Eclipse raised her hand to his lips and brushed a kiss across her knuckled before slipping a wedding ring studded with diamonds on her finger. Dei smiled, tears shining in her gaze, before flipping his hand over and slipping a male version of the same band on his finger.
"You are now bound in matrimony." Luca intoned, making Dei grin.
"What happened to kiss the bride?" she asked.
"That comes now." Eclipse told her before proceeding to do just that. Dei was laughing when he let her go to catch her breath.
"I'm scarred for life." Sira muttered to Luca with a fake pout, since he had left the altar and come to her side.
He wrapped an arm around his wife, chuckling. "Want me to kiss you and make it better?"
"Then father will be scarred for life as well. I am not that vengeful. Yet." She said haughtily, even though she did reach up and kiss his cheek.
Luca shook his head, and turned to congratulate the new couple that was finally done making out, and stepping off the altar.
"Congratulations." He and Sira said at the same time.
"Gratitude." Eclipse answered.
"Thanks a lot!" Dei beamed, and then they grinned at the dissimilarities of their responses.
"Now let's go to have a party!" Dei said happily.
Eclipse nodded, and then with one final look at the crumbling remains of a temple of a bygone era that was now hidden in the middle of a forest, they vanished only to appear in a suite above Dei's club where the huge reception was taking place.
...
"I still can't believe I'm married." Dei murmured as she danced with Eclipse, her arms wrapped around his neck, and her head resting on his shoulder.
"I'll keep reminding you."
"Good."
Eclipse chuckled, and she reached up and kissed his throat.
"I have a wedding present for you." He said softly, tilting her head up so that he could look her in the eyes.
"Yes?"
Eclipse uncurled her arm from around his neck and held her hand in his until she could see her wedding ring glittering in the muted light.
Dei raised a brow.
"I placed a spell on it. It has a core of magic in it, and it will keep recharging itself from me. The most basic thing it will do is to protect you as a shield from physical or magical harm."
Dei waited. She knew there was more.
Eclipse smiled self depreciatingly.
"It allows you to call me to your side. No matter where I am, the moment you think of me, and want me next to you, I'll be instantly teleported at your side. No more running away, love. Never from you."
Dei knew that tears had slipped down her cheeks, but she could not say a word, even though she had so much to say. So many ways to tell him that she loved him, that she forgave him, that she trusted him. He seemed to understand, and his bright smile made her heart soar.
"Love you, wife. Now I'll prove it to you."
"You just did." Dei's smile was as bright as his, and just as full of promises for the future yet to come.