One stepped forward. "My name is Ezek. I will be conducting the ceremony."

His voice sounded familiar.

I moved to get a better look at him in the firelight.

"Is something wrong?" He asked.

"You were the one that started the people chanting to charge me for fleeing Bodin!" I accused.

"Yes." He admitted. Clearing his throat. "I was one of them."

I turned stunned eyes to Bodin who floundered. Looking as confused as me.

I rounded on the Fey King. "You arranged it."

"I did." He blinked factually. "Bodin has spent his life protecting you, yet you continue to operate as though consequences don't pertain to you."

I stared at him in horror.

"They do. You needed evidence of it before you get yourself or my son hurt." He announced it unapologetically.

Bodin's brows lowered accusingly. Glaring at his father. "I didn't ask for your interference."

"But you needed it, nonetheless." The Fey King gave him a long look.

Bodin caught me by the upper arm and turned me away from his father. "You don't have to do this."

I looked up at him. Deeply touched by his intervention.

Seeing his warm amber eyes and how he desired to protect me, I was more sure then ever. Despite that I was still a bit angry about my public humiliation, I'd never been one to hold onto anything upsetting for very long.

It's done. It's over.

I was imagining waking in the mornings with Bodin and envisioning what manner of man he'd reveal himself to be as we grew together over the next few years. The more I'd thought on it, the more excited I became at the prospect.

"No, Bodin. I want to marry you. I don't care who does it. That's not the part that matters."

Bodin looked deeply touched. His face softening and his shoulders slumping in relief.

I caught his hand and rounded. Dragging him bouncing along back to face the man.

"I don't like you." I announced. "Not in the least."

"But I'll allow you to do this." I looked up at my lover. "For Bodin."

The Fey King's features relaxed and he gave a slow nod of approval in my direction.

The words were spoken. And though I wore only a plain brown dress, covered in dirt and mud and wrinkled from my long day and a wide-brimmed straw hat with a bounty of feathers atop it, pinned to my head, I looked happily at Bodin who held my hands. Staring at me intently.

The same look he'd given me those many years ago, when he was hanging on every word as I thought I taught him chess.

What was he really thinking that whole time? I wondered but was distracted by the Fey Man with the long gray hair and plain black hat telling me that it was time for me to speak my part. I reiterated the words he and Bodin had already said.

The vows were sealed with a kiss.

I squeezed Bodin's hands. Lifting one to my lips and giving it a quick kiss before I tossed myself wildly into his arms.

"Finish it." The Fey King gave Bodin a long look.

I cast him a questioning glance.

Bodin sighed and caught my hand. "Come."

"For what?" I queried.

"Even fey believe in consummating vows." He explained.

Consummating?

Joining. I swallowed. Watching in horror as he guided me into the blackness of the night.

"But everyone will hear us."

"I believe that's the point." Bodin said dryly.

"They want to hear?"

"To know it is done."

I felt my hands shaking. Realizing he was taking me into the shadows and was going to lie with me out here. In the middle of nowhere.

"We'll have no cover." I said anxiously.

"We have a lovely cover of stars." He gestured upward. Trees to shield us. Soft grass to lie on. And my family to ensure we're safe."

Thinking of it that way, soothed my worries. Making the idea almost exciting as I put a hand over his wrapped around my other.

Leading me into the darkness. As he moved through bits of moonlight, walking into a small grove of trees. I caught the glitter of his hazy silver antlers.

"What are they?" I peered above him.

"Antlers. The stag is a sacred beast amongst the fey."

"So you symbolize one?"

He grimaced slightly. "More than symbolize. It is a form I can take."

"You can turn into a deer?"

"A stag." He corrected.

"Yes, but a deer?"

"A male one, yes." He laughed. Tugging me under his arm to guide me more carefully as he realized I couldn't see at all.

"That's far enough." The Fey King announced. Indicating we were far enough for privacy but close enough they could verify what occurred.

I felt my cheeks heating in horror. But I was focusing on what Bodin had been confiding to me.

"Can you fight with them as deer do?"

Bodin laughed. "Yes. I could. If I wished. But I would only use them to fight another fey of the same sort. 'Tis truly not the most practical measure when I'm very capable of dueling instead."

"True." I conceded.

Of course. I felt rather idiotic for having asked.