Kaden pressed his lips together to suppress his grin, but he broke out into a smile anyways. He could barely contain his expression and excitement at the sight of her.
"You are a bewitching vision in white, dove," Kaden whispered. "This color suits you best."
Lina laughed again, so quiet that the priest barely heard her. He was rambling on about some blessing, but all she could focus on was her husband.
"Perhaps we should get married more often," Lina retorted in amusement.
"Let's have one for every anniversary then," Kaden responded in all seriousness.
Lina blinked. Kaden stared back, almost saying, "what?"
Then, Lina shook her head in disbelief. This man, truly, even up until the last moment, was willing to do anything for her. She stepped closer to him, almost beguiled for a kiss, but then, the priest finally reached the conclusion of his never-ending speech.
"Welcome friends and family," the officiator smoothly said in a wise voice, just as the ring bearers came forward.
Lina glanced upon Atlantis who stepped up with a velvet pillow where a set of rings rested upon. Rubies. When he caught her gaze, Atlantis warmly smiled and nodded. She gazed back to the red pillow and then, towards his own finger, where a sapphire encased in white gold was seen. She did not need to look over her shoulder to see who Atlantis was wedded to.
In the corner of Lina's eyes, she saw Priscilla seated at the front, just beside Lina's family, consisting of her mother, grandparents, and relatives, minus Clyde—for obvious reasons. Her cousins were there too, including the newly announced Chairman of Yang Enterprise.
Everything in Lina's life was complete.
"We're gathered here today to celebrate the great union of Lina and Kaden, a union knotted with eternal love, lifetime of commitments, and a destiny that could never be shattered," the officiator stated.
Lina wondered if Kaden gave the man the script. Seeing his arrogant, knowing expression, she predicted he certainly did. When catching her confusion, he simply winked in reassurance. Her lips twitched and she knew Atlantis, Sebastian, and even Holton caught on as well. The three exchanged a knowing glance, almost humored, for the officiator appeared bewildered at the unexpecting speech.
"Loving couple before us, please exchange your vows."
Lina shakily exhaled. She had it memorized because she knew she'd be nervous and forget it, but Kaden didn't seem to have prepared any materials prior. Instead, he spoke straight from the heart.
"Our love needs no vows, dove of mine, you and I always know that," Kaden glanced her straight in the eyes. "You are my eternity, you are my home, you are the destination I am willing to crawl to. Against all odds, I swear to love you as I've done in the neverending time we've spent together, through sickness and health, through insanity and upsides."
By now, Lina was in tears again. She let out a soft sob, unable to hold it in anymore. Kaden's hardened expression softened, just as a slow, gentle smile spread across his lips.
"I'll always be by your side, dove of mine. Next to you, on top of you, behind you… the choice is yours to make—always."
With his words, his comfort, the gentle squeeze of his hands over hers, Lina felt her anxiety melt away. She only needed to focus on him. Upon doing so, her heart slowly went back to normal. He had comforted her with just a small action.
Kaden picked up the Heirloom of Ritan, earning yet another round of gasps from the crowd who had swooned so deep at his words, that they had puppy expressions in their eyes. He had secured the ring of the Second King of Ritan—it never belonged to him anyway, it was always her property.
Kaden looked Lina deep in the eyes as he slid the ruby ring upon her fingers. The ring was simple, but powerful. There was an enormous pigeon-blood ruby surrounded by diamonds and encased with pure gold. Then, he bent and kissed her on the ring, her knuckles, and finally, her cheeks.
Lina's lips trembled. This was the exact ring he had given to her in their first lifetime. All of the pieces of the puzzle had fallen into place. They have come full circle now.
"We have made history not once, but three times now," Lina began, her words ripe with emotion. "And each time we did, I love you unconditionally—I still do without bounds. I swear that I won't stop loving you, even upon the last breath I take, and we both know it will be a long time… you are the reason I realized home is not a place, but a person."
Lina bent and took the ring from the velvet cushion that Atlantis held. For a brief moment, they made eye contact. He smiled to himself and stepped off the altar. The three of them had a history that none would ever know—their lives and chapters entwined, but in conclusion, an ending was due.
Lina took the gold band from the cushion and slid it upon Kaden's long fingers. His knuckles bore remnants of faint scars, whether it was from battles or fights, she did not know. Just as she pulled away, he joined their fingers tightly, unable to let her go.
"Now, those are one of the best vows I have ever heard," the officiator mused with a firm nod of his head. "So grand, that there shan't be a speak now or forever hold your peace."
The officiator cleared his throat and turned to the groom.
"Do you, Kaden DeHaven, take Lina Yang, as our lawfully wedded bride, to love even at your worst, to respect even at her lowest, and to cherish against all odds?"
Kaden glanced deep into Lina's eyes. She was holding her breath as if he would ever dream of disagreeing with her. Thunder should strike them dead before that even happened.
"I do, dove of mine," Kaden proudly announced.
"And do you, Lina Yang, take Kaden Dehaven as your lawfully wedded husband, to support during his hardest moments, to shoulder his burdens as if it is your own, and to love as if it is your last?"
"I…" Lina trailed whilst stepping closer and dropping her voice to an octave that only the two of them could hear.
Then, Lina smiled up at him, the man who had braved across a millennium to search for her, to continue pursuing, and love her unconditionally.
"I do, my dear immortal tyrant."
The End.
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