Forces Collide by Jamie Wilson (ap literature book list txt) 📖

/> Just what were the Cyan and the Garnet Elves? Why had Drannor been answered? Who was the elf talking to him like that? I knew it was not Galan Evandari, Nuala’s mate.

Everyone in the room seemed oblivious to what I had over heard. Then again I was the only one not saying much.

Soon we were all done and it was almost time to go. I heard Drannor and the others in his room leave and knew that it was almost time.

That made me grimace. Why was it I had a sinking feeling in my stomach? “Hopefully you’re right,” I muttered.

The wedding was being held in the huge open floor of Ievos Hall. Outside, behind the hall, the reception would take place. I had hidden my gift there, waiting for me where I would sit. As we reached the forest floor, I heard quite an irate voice coming from near the hall.

“You may certainly not enter! Enemy you are, the greatest of our enemies!” cried an outraged male voice.

“Zelphar Nightstar is it? My father was there for your mates parents wedding,” argued a soft voice. No elf sounded that way, so I deduced it was a human.

“That changes nothing though it is not my decision to make. I’ll just go see the person can,” my father said.

I heard him walking towards us all. He stopped not far from us, staring at me. “Oh wow Gem, don’t you look breathtaking?”

“Diolla lle atar,” I replied. “What’s going on?”

My fathers face hardened and then he said, “Lindan Marcos is here. He wants to be part of the wedding celebrations. His father was welcome but I am not so sure if he is. That is your decision to make.”

“I suppose he can come, but he better not try anything,” I replied. I then looked at Collin and Sam. “I suppose you’ll meet your father then.” Looking back to my father, I said, “Come back quickly its time this happened.”

Zelphar nodded and hurried away from my small company. He soon came back, arriving just as music floated towards us. Then a young seventy year old elf came running up towards us.

“I am sorry for interrupting; I came with my father for my little brother’s wedding. My father was aware that you have no Maid of honour,” she said, politely to me.

“Ah, so you’re related to Drannor are you?” Nuala inquired.

“Yes.”

“Join us then,” I said. I smiled at her, knowing I would have to meet my mates’ real family. That was just something I had to do. “I was going to do without one.”

My eyes looked at her in interest. There did not seem to be any real differences except for her black hair. Not many elves here had black hair. Then what really were the Cyan Elves?

Then Nuala got us all into one line and with Tiatha, took Sam, Collin and Gemma away to the hall.

Zelphar stood beside me and was smiling the whole time. Out of the four of us, my father seemed the most at ease. The new female elf stood in front of my father and I. Ashlere was behind me, holding my train. Then I heard the music change and I knew it was our turn to enter the hall.

When we reached the door of the hall, I was for only for a moment distracted by all the decorations that had been fixed in place by magic. From every part of the roof, long chains of roses and other flowers were draped throughout the room. There were many white ribbons throughout the room, one on the back of every chair.

Finally my eyes met Drannor’s he was standing under an arch covered with flowers.

Only for a few seconds was I aware of the two men who stood with Drannor, Galan Evandari and a black haired elf who had to be Drannor’s true father. This new elf seemed to have a very demanding face, and he was looking at the ground. He did not look up to meet my gaze until Drannor elbowed him in the ribs.

I did not see my mother where she was sitting in the front row or my new family or any of the guests; I only had eyes for Drannor. He came to meet us, and my father stopped shortly after, me with him. At last we met Drannor who held out his hand.

Zelphar took my hand and in a symbol as old as the world, placed it in Drannor’s. As soon as I was touching Drannor’s skin I felt safe. I had no idea why that was.

Then Zelphar followed us the rest of the way down the aisle, to stand beside Galan. I was well aware of the many eyes that rested on me, human, elf and vampire.

Things went very quickly from there on. I barely heard what the priest said, until he asked me, “Do you, Princess Gem of House Hawksong take Drannor Silverleaf as your lawful wedded husband and promise to cherish and love him as long as you both shall live?”

Confidence showed in my voice as I proclaimed, “I do.”

The priest smiled and then turned to Drannor. “Do you Lord Drannor of House Silverleaf take our Princess Gem Hawksong as your lawful wedded wife and promise to love and cherish her as long as you both shall live?”

I looked at Drannor’s face watching to see what emotion would be most dominant. He seemed to be unable to respond so I thought, What’s mine is yours, remember?

“I so,” he stammered. Then in a more certain voice that showed none of the fear I saw in his eyes a moment ago he said, “I do.”

For a moment I wondered why he seemed to nervous about being here today. He’d chosen me, like I had chosen him. This nervousness he felt did not fit in the picture. Calm down honey, no bad will happen now, I thought clearly.

The other elf said a few more words and then Drannor raised his hands and lifted the lacy veil from in front of my eyes.

Then his face came closer and he gently kissed me. it was different to normal, he was being so much more gentle. I kissed him back, I was so glad that he was finally mine and no one else’s. so many emotions rushed through my head as I did.


Chapter 15 - The Reception

When Drannor stopped kissing me, the same reality of where we were came rushing back to me. My thoughts turned to the idea of Lindan Marcos being near. Those thoughts I kept at bay, to deal with him later. That I would not forget. Not that Drannor would allow me to forget, he knew what was in my head at any given time.

Then we both turned to face the rest of the congregated elves. I was certainly smiling as all the elves stood up. Then Drannor and I turned, and started to walk down the isle between the watching elves.

As we walked, I knew that my family, plus Drannor's family, both biological and adoptive, would follow us.

When we made it to the outside of the hall that was decorated for the reception I was amazed. A huge white canvas pavilion had been erected that was filled with flowers again. I smiled, it was as I expected it would have been, having been one of the people planning it. Then again, Nuala had been the one in charge of this part.

The first thing I noticed once we were inside was the two fragrances heavy in the air as I walked. Lilac; like Drannor and there was also roses. I guessed the roses were me, Drannor had mentioned that was the flavor of my scent.

Everything was covered in white, and there was a huge space that was clear that I guess was for the dancing.

Once everyone had been seated, I knew that we had to give each other the gift we'd chosen for the other. Soon I spied the huge box that Drannor had shifted to his lap. It was almost the same size as my present.

I spotted little Elion Anarina walking towards Drannor quietly.

Gaelira had crouched a little distance away from me, her eyes watching the goings on eagerly. She saw me watching her and said, “I am not about to miss out on any of the celebrations little on. Congratulations to you both.”

“Thank you Gaelira,” I replied gratefully.

Then Drannor won my attention again by holding the box in front of my. I grasped at it with one hand and then carefully passed him the concealed sword with the other.

Hiding my mind all the while from him, I started to open the box. All the elves were watching waiting to see what we'd given each other. At last I had it open.

In front of me was a brand new sword. My eyes widened as I examined it.

The handle was made of large, smooth interlocking white scales. As I ran my hand over them, I knew they were Gaelira's. The pommel was made up of a huge white diamond the diameter of my fist.

The sheath was a brilliant ginger colour, and very finely constructed. It was smooth and cold, hard as leather but certainly looked fragile.

Then I carefully drew the sword from its sheath, very carefully. I was certainly amazed as a line of beautiful sparkling white stones were embellished down the center of the curved cream blade.

The curved hilt was sky blue and the middle of it was leaf shaped.

I was at a complete loss for words as Drannor suddenly leaned over and kissed my cheek softly.

"This is what you kept hidden from me, is it?" he muttered softly.

I nodded, only too pleased to have been successful. "You were not so able to hide this from me. I knew what I was getting from you."

Drannor's eyes darkened at my words significantly. Then he asked, "What will you call it?"

I thought for a short time. It was a beautiful sword, and I hoped to only kill in order to keep the peace. Then I had its name. Gently resting my hand on the handle, I muttered a brief spell.

A sky blue lightning bolt shaped rune appeared. With the same spell I etched more runes into the hilt. The lightning bolt stood for Corellon. The runes on the finely curved hilt said, Keeper of the Peace. For that was what it would be.

"Very nice," Drannor complemented me, reading my handy work. He showed me his sword. It had the silver diamond rune on its handle: Vaeril. On the hilt I read: Flame of the Night.

I giggled at the name, it would be unexpected by the humans. "Very nice," I quoted him.

After a wonderful meal and cake; it was time to dance. The first song would be purely for our customary first dance. It was a good thing we were both naturally born dancers. For three minutes we pun around on the dance floor, everyone looking on.

Then we stopped and Zelphar came to take my hand.

"Did I mention how beautiful you look, my daughter?" he asked as he spun me around.

"No, but thank you father," I replied, smiling. I wished that dance lasted longer but alas it came to