Page 46 of Dark Chains: First Link
They were gorgeous together. The former Doomer and the girl who had arrived at the village too frightened to speak above a whisper, who had found in each other something that the universe had apparently decided they both deserved.
"She looks so beautiful," Syssi said. "And so bold. I would never have suspected that she had it in her to wear a dress like that."
Kian nodded in agreement. "Ruvon's chest is so puffed up with pride that it's about to burst."
The couple made their way through the crowd, stopping to accept compliments and hugs, and Arezoo's cheeks were flushed, either from pleasure or self-consciousness or both, and that made her look even lovelier.
Drova's transformation was even more shocking than Arezoo's. She wore an elegant black pantsuit that was the fanciest thing Syssi had ever seen her wear, and her black hair was loose, cascading down her back and curling at the ends. She even wore eyeliner.
Syssi wondered what kind of bet Drova had lost to agree to the beauty treatment because there was no way she would have done it voluntarily.
Ruvon and Arezoo reached the stage that had been set up near the buffet, where a microphone stood on a stand, and Ruvon stepped up.
He adjusted the height. "Good evening, everyone," he said. "Arezoo and I want to thank you all for coming tonight to celebrate with us. I'll keep this short because I know none of you want to hear speeches tonight."
A ripple of laughter.
"We're saving those for the wedding. Tonight is just about eating, drinking, and enjoying each other's company. The Odus have prepared an incredible spread, the bar is open, and ifanyone needs me, I'll be the one standing next to the most beautiful woman on this lawn."
As the crowd responded with cheers and applause, Ruvon stepped off the stage and returned to Arezoo, who was looking at him with such adoration in her eyes that Syssi felt tears prickling the back of her eyes.
"They are so much in love," she whispered.
Kian wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "I wish them to keep falling in love with each other every day as we do."
"That's sweet." She lifted her head and kissed his cheek. "You should save it for your speech at their wedding."
"I'm not going to speak at their wedding." He tightened his arm around her. "And tonight, I'm going to enjoy spending time with my wife. I love our daughter with everything I have, but sometimes I want you all to myself. I was very glad when my mother decided to babysit the little ones and not to join the party."
Syssi was a little worried about the goddess handling Allegra, Evie, and E.T. without the Odus there to help her, but Annani had dismissed her fears, saying that they would be fine and to stop worrying. If they got fussy, she would just sing to them, and they would calm down.
It wasn't boasting.
Annani's singing voice carried a special quality that only goddesses possessed, and it was so beautiful that even babies were enthralled by it. No matter what they were upset about, they stopped fussing and just listened.
"Do you want to stand in line at the buffet or wait until the line gets shorter?" Syssi asked Kian even though she knew his answer to that. He would hate standing in line with everyone.
"I can wait for the food, but I would like a drink."
She smiled. "I would like a drink too."
The bar was self-serve, and since the other guests were lining up at the buffet, there was no one there.
"Moscow Mule?" Kian asked.
She nodded. "That would be perfect."
He poured the mix of vodka and ginger beer for her, neat whiskey for himself, and they went to find a place to sit. They found a table near the periphery because Kian preferred not to be the center of attention if he didn't need to be.
Their solitude didn't last long, though. As people collected the buffet offerings and started looking for a place to sit, Eluheed and Tamira walked up to their table.
"May we join you?" Eluheed asked.
"Please." Syssi gestured to the empty chairs.
Tamira was a gorgeous female even by immortal standards, and today she wore a purple dress that was the perfect shade for her.
"This is lovely," Eluheed said.
