Chapter 11 - The Vows and the Blessing

I

The Dragon Lord smiled widely as he saw Dareon and his lovely bride walked hand and hand going to the altar where he is standing. He can strongly sense the royal wolf blood running the bride’s every vein. He smiled. It will be a history in the Dragon World for the strongest Dragon to marry royal blood, Lycan woman. The union between them will be magical that will bring a storm of powers to both of them.

Confusion yet a ray of excitement is lurking within Shelyca’s mind. He saw Dareon in his Dragon form. She is marrying a Dragon; another strong species that she never actually thought of and expected to be actually living. She heard the myths but she thought it was just a myth.

As they reached the altar where the Silver Dragon Lord is standing magnificently in his all-white clothing, Shelyca suddenly felt the enigma that had drawn her into the depth of his eyes. She saw fires in there initially then placid clouds thereafter. His genuine smile and fatherly aura pacified the heart of Shelyca.

Dareon held Shelyca’s hand tightly and smiled with such a smile of pride and satisfaction. The Silver Dragon Lord’s smile grew wider before he closed his eyes and spread his arms up and wide. He started to chant a magical song that brought shivers not only to Shelyca but to her wolf too, Sheenei, who suddenly jumped inside exuding the joy she is feeling in the meantime.

When the Silver Dragon Lord opened his eyes again, a ray of smoke suddenly enveloped Dareon and Shelyca, embracing them into oneness. Dareon guided his bride for them both to kneel and vow. As they kneeled and bowed their heads, the Silver Dragon Lord uttered some more chants and suddenly the smoke disappeared.

“With the power vested in me as the Dragon Lord; you Dareon, the strongest Dragon in the Dragon Land and the master dragon of the Thregonad Village has been tied in heart and mind to your chosen woman beside you now. You will love and cherish her; defend her even if it means death for you; Do you accept these vows with full sincerity and gaiety?” The Dragon Lord asked Dareon after his magical song.

Dareon looked up, put his hand on his chest near his heart, and answered with such sincerity and firmness. “I do my Dragon Lord. I will love and cherish Shelyca; defend her even if it means death for me.”

It was as if a warm hand touched Shelyca’s heart when she heard the vows of Dareon for her. When the Dragon Lord, had spoken the same words to Shelyca, she looked up and nodded. Voluntarily and spontaneously, she put her hand over her bosom and muttered the very same words that Dareon have vowed for her. “I do my Dragon Lord. I will love and cherish Dareon; defend him even if it means death for me.”

“With the power vested in me as the Dragon Lord of the Dragon Land and this land of Thregonad, I pronounced you Dareon and Shelyca as husband and wife. Your marriage shall be ruled by love, trust, and fidelity. Accept my blessings and live happily until you created a family that will bring your life to complete happiness and fulfillment.” The Dragon Lord then gently put his hands on both heads of Dareon and Shelyca, chanted a song once more, and then motioned for a little Thregonad boy to come forward. The little boy is carrying a medium-size, red velvet box, which he handed to the Dragon Lord as he came near him.

“Get up Dareon and Shelyca and wear these rings that will bind you forever as husband and wife.” The Dragon Lord stated holding in his hands now, two golden rings that shine like the sun’s light hits them.

Dareon and Shelyca stood up. The Dragon Lord gave Dareon first the smaller golden ring.

“Shelyca, wear this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. My heart is engraved in it and once you removed it, my heart will melt, my breath will fade and then my spirit will be enclosed by the realm of death and darkness.” Dareon’s words as he put the ring on Shelyca’s ring finger. Shelyca heard what he said. His words filled her ears and travel down to her heart. She will keep those words in her heart unperturbed.

When the Dragon Lord handed to Shelyca the bigger golden ring for Dareon; Shelyca gently accepted it and then take hold of Dareon’s hand. As she slipped the ring into Dareon’s ring finger; automatically as if something pushed her; her lips muttered the same words that Dareon have pledged for her a while ago. Dareon looked at his finger with the ring on it and his eyes ignited with such fire that only Shelyca and the Dragon Lord could comprehend.

“You may now kiss your bride Dareon.” The Dragon Lord stated smilingly that made the Thregonad people clapped their hands and showered the newlyweds with fragrant and colorful flowers.

Dareon pulled Shelyca’s veil upon her head and with glistening eyes, slowly lowered his head and claimed Shelyca’s lips gently yet possessively. Shelyca closed her eyes and her world turned to colorful hues.

Then the feast started.

II

After everyone has enjoyed the food; the Dragon Lord bade goodbye and once more gently put his magical hands unto Dareon and Shelyca’s heads. When he stood at the center of the Thregonad people rounding the fence, he swayed his right hand swiftly; a ray of light eventually scattered all throughout him that has been replaced by a cloud of smoke that encircled his frame thereafter. As the smoke disappeared, a mighty and big Silver Dragon came out.

The Silver Dragon Lord flipped his wings and then soared up high, leaving the Thregonad people in delight as they followed his form with their eyes when he flew bravely into the sky.

Dareon and Shelyca waved their hands until they could no longer see the Silver Dragon Lord.

When Dareon looked at Shelyca, a naughty smile traveled in his lips, giving Shelyca such quiver that excites her suddenly.

Dareon swiftly scooped Shelyca into his strong arms to the cheers and laughter of the Thregonad people.

When Dareon bade his people goodbye and walked going to their big hovel with Shelyca still in his arms, two blazing and jealous eyes followed them.

“Threma, you have no chance anymore,” Duri whispered to her friend, whose eyes are trailing down the figures of the newlyweds with fury and jealousy.

Threma shook her head. “If I could not be his wife, for now, I will offer myself as one of his mistresses. I don’t want to be chosen by the Head of the Pirates,” she whispered making Duri’s eyes grew wide.

“Oh my Lord Threma; we are both single ladies; we will be lined up with all other single ladies here when those pirates arrived!” Duri exclaimed with excitement. Fears could not be traced in her expression.

Threma’s brows rose up. “Why is it that you seemed happy and excited Duri? Are you not afraid of the Pirate’s Leader?”

Duri mysteriously smiled and shook her head. “I am not. I am waiting for the Pirates Leader to choose me.”

With that Threma’s mouth hanging open. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, so don’t be afraid, the Pirate’s Leader will not choose you as his mistress. He will choose me. So I advised you my dear friend not to swallow your pride and dignity to beg to our Dragon Master to take you as his mistress. I bet, a Thregonad brave warrior who is secretly in love with you, will save you for tomorrow.” Duri smilingly stated as she pouted her lips motioning to Threma to look at her back.

Threma with furrowed forehead turned her head. To her surprise, she saw Glendo, one of the Thregonad’s valiant warriors standing so stilly, holding two pieces of silver rings in his hand and looking at her with pure love and affection.