A Wolf's Howl, A Fairy's Wing

Before his brides reached the summit, Erik ripped his eyes away from them for a moment, to glance to the side. There, together with Runa, Leila, Alice, Enkai, and Ankhur's wives, stood Elora as well.

She was wearing a stately, elegant dress, with her long, straight crimson hair falling down around her body. She looked like a true empress, but despite her beauty, she somehow went unnoticed by even the people standing just one platform below them.

Her lips were pursed in a mischievous smile as usual. When she noticed him glancing at her, her smile widened, and she winked. She could feel his emotions through their bond, and they warmed her heart.

"I love you, too," she muttered through their bond, amused. "But focus on my dear sisters, alright? You know I'm staying out of the limelight for a reason. I'll be the shadowy, mysterious empress that only a select few ever meet. I prefer it that way."

Erik sighed inwardly, but did as she said. He felt like Elora should be a part of this, but if she didn't want to, what could he do?

When he looked forward again, the six people had reached him. Emma, Astrid, and Emily had released each other's hands and taken their own poses.

Emma cupped her hands just below her navel, where Erik's mark was clearly visible, and smiled at him serenely.

Astrid was smirking and seemed surprisingly at ease with the massive crowd staring at her. Her clearly defined but sleek muscles rippled as she waved at the crowd with smug excitement.

Emily looked at him mischievously, her arms crossed in front of her impressive chest. Between the collar around her neck, the black, gothic-style dress, the hints of tattoos that peeked out from exposed pieces of skin, and the defiant, confident look in her eyes, she was equal parts aluring and intimidating.

At least to the crowd watching them. Since they were already quite familiar with Naeku, they'd focused their attention on the other three. Each of them gave off a particular feeling they wouldn't soon forget.

Emma made them feel warm, protected, and even nurtured, but she also felt distant and inviolable. Emily was the exact opposite. Looking at the older sister, the crowd below felt equal parts arousal and fear… which, for some of them, only increased the arousal.

Finally, Astrid appeared the most approachable. She felt fierce and independent, but also gregarious. Many of the warriors recognised her, as they'd been beaten up by her quite often during training.

But, first of all, Erik was confronted by the mixed looks of Naeku's grandparents. Each of them had one hand on Naeku's shoulder and held one of Naeku's hands with the other. Then, they extended them both towards Erik.

He instantly noticed the soft linen gloves she wore. Clearly, tradition didn't even allow her to show her non-transformed hands to the public.

"Remember what I said in the study, boy…" Tarek growled, a stern, threatening look in his eyes.

"I'm not sure what he said, but just ignore him," Fatima chuckled sagely, her voice old like papyrus. She looked at Erik with confident, amused eyes. "Naeku is a strong girl, but so was my Tarek when I married him. They need a firm hand, but I think you have what it takes, boy. I've no doubt you'll make her happy."

So far, Naeku had remained quiet, but this time, both she and Tarek swivelled their heads towards Fatima. "You—!" they both exclaimed, but Fatima interrupted them both.

"Hehe, oh don't be like that," she chuckled again, glancing at both of them with twinkling eyes. "I'm old, I can say what I like. Just take my words with a grain of salt."

Not wanting to interrupt the ceremony any more, both Naeku and Tarek grumbled, but still looked back at Erik again. Yet, as soon as they did, Fatima winked meaningfully at Erik, causing him to waver mentally a little. He'd had very little interaction with Fatima before, and wasn't sure what to make of her. Yet, he figured he might as well take her words to heart.

Regardless, he took Naeku's gloved hands in his own, and the two older werepanthers retreated towards the side.

As they walked away, Erik couldn't help but notice Fatima had retrieved her walking stick from somewhere and smacked it against her husband's behind with a chuckle. Surprisingly, Tarek didn't react, and a small shudder went through both Erik and Ankhur's spines, as they were the only ones who noticed.

Quickly, Erik focused on the woman whose hands he was holding. He couldn't see her face or even her eyes, but her head was tilted slightly downward, as if shy. Of course, he could use his omnisense to see her in her human form, but he could have done that several times before. Why ruin it now?

"They certainly wrapped you up tightly," Erik remarked with a hint of amusement. From her slightly trembling hands and tilted head, he could deduce she was feeling a little nervous. So, he wanted to break the ice.

Instantly, Naeku's shoulders relaxed a little as a soft groan escaped from behind her veil. "I know, right?" she grumbled a little, her voice now missing the usual gravelly undertone from being transformed. It wasn't the first time Erik had heard it, but he loved her clear, bright voice.

"Honestly, I don't care that much," she continued with a sigh, "but after having gone this long adhering to tradition, it just felt wrong to stop now." She went a little quieter. "Plus… my mother was always big on tradition… or so I've heard."

Erik smiled gently when he saw her shoulders slump a little. "That's not the only way she's here with you, right?"

Instantly, he could see Naeku perk up again. "That's true!" she exclaimed happily, her smile practically spilling from her words. "Elora's abilities are really amazing, to have perfectly recreated my mother's wedding dress from my father's memories!"

Behind them, on the other side of the altar, Ankhur looked at his daughter with warm, yet sad eyes. The day he married her mother flashed before his eyes, and he sank into a moment of melancholy mixed with joy at Naeku's marriage.

"Hehe, yes, they are," Erik chuckled softly, before grinning at her. "But we're here for you, right now. I'm glad you like the dress, even if you can't see anything."

Meanwhile, the crowd appeared confused over Elora's identity. The many screens allowed them to hear their words as well, but they had never heard that name before. Was she one of those three other women?

"Hehe, I do, but I'd also like to see again, so… shall we do this?" she asked softly, her voice a mix of anxiety and desire.