(Amaia)

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, unable to recognise myself. The dress for our marking ceremony is a breathtaking masterpiece crafted from a rare fabric known as celestial silk, a luxurious material that moves like liquid light and shifts between the shimmer of crystal, and the softness of mist.

Rich hues of royal violet and midnight blue flow together across the cascading skirts like the colours of a twilight sky, while molten gold embroidery twists across the gown in intricate celestial patterns inspired by constellations, especially Orion.

The corseted bodice is sculpted from translucent lace edged with gold filigree, designed to catch the light in sharp crystalline flashes. Strands of sapphire crystals drape elegantly from my waist like falling stars. Thousands of rare gemstones are sewn throughout the gown with extraordinary precision.

Blood-red rubies burn within the sleeves and neckline, deep blue sapphires scatter like droplets of the night sky, luminous amethysts bloom through the violet embroidery, and radiant sun opals that flash gold, scarlet, and blue with every movement.

All four colours represent the eyes of my mates.

The immense trailing train is lined with soft golden luminescence and embroidered with cobalt and ruby patterns that seem to flicker like living magic, transforming the gown into a fusion of flame, starlight, and royalty, sprinkled with the love of my mates.

I love it.

"You look breathtaking." Rahria places the last of the hair accessories on my hair and holds my shoulders, beaming.

"Thank you! Do you have the rings?" I ask, turning around to face her.

"I do. Don’t worry. They are going to be mesmerised seeing you." She hands me a bouquet of red roses and I know this must be especially chosen by Rigel.

I haven’t seen any of my mates for the last two days. According to the traditions I was separated from them and bathed in milk and honey.

Alnitak did try to sneak in but was caught by Rahria and kicked out. I swear I felt Zille resting on my chest last night too but I was too sleepy and when I woke up, there was nothing.

Maybe I dreamt about it.

The door opens and Meissa walks in. She and Aziel have been such a great help to me. Both of them are getting closer and have a lot in common.

She is wearing a pastel pink and white bohemian-style gown. Her hair is held in a loose bun with flowers embedded in it.

She places her hands on her mouth. "Stunning, I have never seen anyone as beautiful as you. You are glowing." She comes closer and hugs me.

"Thank you!"

"My brothers are going to go crazy. They were already trying to bribe me into telling them how you look," she giggles. Rahria and I join in, knowing their antics.

Another knock on the door and Aziel enters.

"Amaia!" His eyes sparkle with brotherly love. "My beautiful sister." He embraces me and my heart eases. How I have missed him my whole life and now he is here on one of the most important days.

Even my father. That suddenly makes me emotional. I don’t know why I am like that these days. Everyone keeps saying it’s the hormones which are making me cry and occasionally throw tantrums.

"Come, everyone is waiting for you." He offers me his arm and with a sniffle I take it.

Rahria adjusts the train of my dress before going ahead with Meissa.

Aziel guides me outside where Kacir, Cristo, Luthial and Larissa are waiting for me with bright smiles and dressed up for the event.

"Wow, you look breathtaking." Larissa is the first one to step forward and embrace me.

Boys nod in unison.

"Thank you for coming." I greet everyone. After a brief conversation, they go ahead to join the rest of the guests.

My father joins us, wearing his elegant kingly attire. His eyes sparkle with unshed tears. His shaking hands hold my shoulders.

"Look at you. I can’t be a prouder father," he murmurs, making me sadly smile. Today is the day I miss my mother. Her happiness would be beyond measure and our family would have been complete.

"I wish Mom were here." My sad wish makes him embrace me.

"I wish the same, Amaia." His voice comes out hoarse, almost breaking from the emotional turmoil.

Aziel joins us in a group hug.

"We want you to be happy. Your mates are good men, they will take care of you."

I sniffle again at my brother’s words, knowing he is right.

After hearty embraces and tears, we finally separate.

"Rahria is going to kill me if I mess up my makeup," I say, carefully dabbing my eyes with Saiph’s handkerchief, making both my brother and father laugh.

"May I?" My father offers me his arm to walk me to the altar and I graciously accept.

We begin to walk through the courtyards and arrive in the vestibule. Miscellaneous decorations have brightened the palace and it appears to be an eternal spring because of the number of flowers that my mates have used.

I can’t help but feel their love from the way they have gone above and beyond to make these special arrangements.

The ceremony is to be held in the royal garden. The guests from all over the supernatural world have gathered to attend it.

With nervousness gripping every bone I possess we arrive outside. A pathway of flowering petals has been specifically created from the palace gate to the altar for me to walk on.

Children of Fae folks, the one we rescued from Istrale line both sides of the flowering trail holding flowers and beautiful smiles. Their eyes sparkle again and my heart can’t be prouder.

"Condratulation Omifae!" The youngest among them says in his broken words, stepping forward and offering me a white lily.

Bending down I place a kiss on his cheek and accept.

"Thank you!" He shyly beams at me before trotting back to the lane on his little feet.

I place the flower in my bouquet and we begin to move again. The guests stand up seeing us approach and I thankfully nod at them.

Clapping, happily murmuring. The music and fragrance are in the air.

And then I straighten my gaze to stare ahead and find my mates, all five of them lined up on the altar and my breath is stolen from my chest.