Chapter 656: First Dance
As soon as Ashlynn mentioned them, the musicians exchanged wide-eyed glances across their small ensemble area, each still processing the impossible magic they had just witnessed. The leader of the group, a veteran musician who had led ensembles at countless gatherings of the elite gladiators and wealthy merchants of High Fen City, had never seen anything that compared to the Mother of Trees’ display.
But as Ashlynn extended her hand toward Nyrielle, his professional instincts overcame the wonder. A quick nod passed between the members of the ensemble, and they retrieved their instruments with hands that trembled slightly from more than just the evening’s excitement as each of their hearts swelled with the desire to make this precious moment as perfect as it could be.
A moment later, as Ashlynn extended her hand to Nyrielle, the gentle sounds of reed flutes blended with the beating of drums, the bright, cheerful notes of harps and the energetic, rapid music of the citole as the musicians launched into a bright and cheerful melody.
Nyrielle’s wings fluttered briefly before she appeared next to Ashlynn, taking her lover in her arms with reverent tenderness. When their lips met, it was different from every kiss they had shared before, not stolen in secret moments or shared in the privacy of chambers, or even hidden behind Nyrielle’s wings and shadows but offered freely before hundreds of witnesses who celebrated their love.
The floating lights seemed to pulse brighter around them, responding to the magic that flowed between their connected hearts, and Ashlynn tasted not just passion but promise on Nyrielle’s lips, the pledge of forever that they had just made before all their people.
For two heartbeats, then three, and then countless more, Nyrielle said with her lips and tongue what words could never hope to convey as their bodies pressed together and they held each other tightly.
Once again, the crowd broke out in applause and cheers, now completely caught up in the romance and joy of the moment. Milo wore a happy, silly grin before wrapping his tail around Juni, leaning in to surprise her with a deep, passionate kiss of his own while dancing motes of light exploded around them like dozens of fallen stars shooting across the sky.
The couple from the Heartwood Clan weren’t the only ones finding themselves caught up in the moment and a few of the bachelors at the celebration briefly wondered if the Mother of Trees’ magic contained more than just a bit of light and flame as they watched couple after couple sharing tender embraces and stolen kisses that ranged from chaste and tender to every bit as passionate as the one Nyrielle shared with Ashlynn.
Eventually, after giving Ashlynn a kiss that left her lover trembling and breathless in her arms, Nyrielle pulled back and smiled at the enchanting blonde vision nestled closely against her body.
"My darling, Ashlynn," Nyrielle whispered as she ran her slender fingers gently through Ashlynn’s soft, pale blonde hair. "You have outdone yourself tonight."