Skystar turned the small blue gem over her claws, a thoughtful smile twitching at her beak. She looked out from the upper levels of the palace, watching the hustle-and-bustle of Mount Aris below her and in the distance, hippogriffs and other creatures going about their day under the sun.
Her home had been secured months ago, and the Ashen now mingled freely with the inhabitants, eager to see the world now without fear of their greatest enemy. Negotiations and contracts had been hammered out; and embassies for the Ashen had continued to crop up in many nations. For Mount Aris, a permanent portal was active for their new friends; a smaller version having been placed in a side-room for Skystar’s use on her daily trips.
The Princess smiled, a warm glow in her chest arriving with that final thought. The personal portal had been a semi-regular event at first, but then over the months had turned into a routine way of visiting. Galen would have breakfast with her, they’d then disperse for their various duties, and then have dinner and an evening together, alternating between Anthracite and Mount Aris. That was most days at least, but as the tasks has decreased, lunch and afternoons had been added to the mix. Half the time in one kingdom, half in the other.
For all intents and purposes, they spent most time together other than nights….which led to the current state of affairs. She looked at the gem again, recalling her mother’s simple reply to her plans.
‘I just want you to be happy, my little seaweed wrap.’ Novo had whispered, wrapping her daughter in a hug. ‘And if being forever with him does that, then I’ll give every blessing I can to you two.’
Almost as though on cue, Ley shimmered into existence, the kirin’s eyes flickering to Skystar.
“Thanks for coming, Ley. I just wanted a final check of it- nerves and all.” Skystar admitted. The kirin simply smiled, touching the blue gem with a nod.
“Same result. Keep him safe, Skystar.” Ley’s voice had been slow to get used to, but now barely even registered as a different tone to the hippogriff, having consulted her on numerous occasions.
‘They’re certain?’ Novo had asked, as Skystar showed her the gem.
‘Ninety-nine point nine, and then about ten more nines, percent sure. I’ve had the gem for two months now…and apparently I’ve acclimated to the energy perfectly. The transition should be near-seamless.’ Skystar had explained.
‘I’m just happy for you, Skystar. You’ll forgive me for being a bit e-emotional. It’s a big step to accept that my daughter is finally-Oh your father would be so proud, and I most certainly am. My little girl has grown up so much.’
‘I love you, Mom.’
‘I love you too- and you’ll always been my little seaweed wrap.’
Spreading her wings, Skystar flew down to a secluded area of the gardens; her and Galen’s usual meeting place for lunch. On landing, she opened a different box, looking at the item inside with a smile. It was a big step- now she just had to figure out when to take it.
A big step indeed, but one I can’t wait to take.
Nodding to a guard, Galen trotted through the portal in his private section of the castle, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. The past months had been a whirlwind; yet Skystar had made traversing all the political rabble all the easier.
Not sure why I’m nervous…well, I KNOW why.
The true nerve-wracking moment had been a few weeks ago; during a private audience with Queen Novo. It had been a simple request for her blessing, based on a question.
And Novo had stared at him with a steely gaze at first, finally breaking down and letting out a laugh.
‘Prince Galen,’ she had chuckled, waving a claw at him. ‘You fought against a foe that nearly brought my nation to ruin, protected my daughter with your life on multiple occasions, and make her happier than I’ve ever seen. And you have the nerve to ask my blessing for this?’ She had paused, ‘I am almost insulted- because I planned on giving it regardless, for you have more than earned it. However, your courtesy is appreciated. Continue to treat my daughter as you always have, and I have no reason to do anything but wish you my best, and give you every blessing I can.’
Queen Novo was a cheeky one more often than not; that was something Galen had quickly discovered in abundance. She seemed extra tickled however by his request, and that was something he wasn’t entirely sure the reason of.
But no matter. I just hope Sky…
Said words faded as the hippogriff in question came into view, Galen having traversed the palace in Mount Aris and making his way to their private meeting area in the gardens. She turned on hearing him approach, welcoming him with a tight hug as the hippogriff nuzzled her head across his neck.
“Hey there.” she whispered, prompting a chuckle.
“Hello to you too. Light work day? The council is handling most negotiations on my end.”
“Hmm. Same. But there were a few trade agreements that popped up, as did the vetting of a council on our end. But my mom is handling most of that. I get more and more time free, which is nice.”
Galen let out a hum, giving his special somegriff a kiss before settling down to look at the prepared spread of food.
Not sure if I can eat just yet….
“Politics are best dealt with by someone else handling it, honestly.” he mused, prompting an affirming nod.
“Too true. I’m already itching to go…somewhere. I got spoiled when on your ship. So many new places!” Skystar sighed, then gestured to the food. “The cooks had some leftovers; I didn’t want them to make a brand-new thing, especially since it’s still really good.”
Galen nodded, feeling a bit of sweat start to collect under his feathers.
Face down a magical ‘god’, an armada, yet this…
“Galen?”
The gryphon shook his head, reaching over to hold a set of Skystar’s claws tenderly.
“There’s, something I’d like to talk to you about first, before we eat.” he began, and saw a strange recognition in Skystar’s eyes.
“It’s really a simple question, a yes or no. Skystar,” Galen reached up to rest a set of claws on her cheek, a gentle smile on his beak. “You’ve made me happier than I ever thought I could, in so many ways. I look forward to every moment I can walk through the portal, or when you are coming over for dinner, and would like nothing more for that to be a regular occurrence. Well, not just regular, but…life.”
Reaching over to pull a small box from the satchel at his side, Galen swallowed the lump in his throat, opening it to show the simple golden band, a series of small gems set into the metal.
“I love you, Skystar, more than anything. I’d like nothing more than to be at your side every day, through thick and thin…” he let out a nervous but still amused huff. “But I’d say our journey has covered plenty of that too. Skystar, will you marry me?”
A few tears streamed from Skystar’s eyes as she nodded, only able to lean forward into Galen’s arms as she squeaked out a single word.
“Y-yes!”
Galen swept her up and around in his arms, giving her a passionate kiss as dampness intruded into his own gaze. He paused, then seeing Skystar fish out a small box as well, the hippogriff wiping a few tears away.
“I will, I most certainly will! I j-just…”
Galen’s jaw dropped as the hippogriff opened the box, showcasing a similar ring, Skystar’s beaming expression reflecting off of the dark blue metal.
“I’ll marry you, Galen. Will you marry me?”
Staring for a moment, Galen couldn’t help but laugh as he swept her up into another hug, nerves vanishing on the wind.
“Yes, a million times yes!”
Skystar joined in his laughter, pressing her forehead against Galen’s as they settled back down onto the ground.
“You were going to ask me? That explains why your mother was so tickled when I asked for her blessing…” Galen mused, not wanting to let go of Skystar’s claws for an instant.
“She didn’t tell me that- oh that cheeky hippogriff.” Skystar mused, then pausing. “Galen? There’s one more thing I’d like to share.”
“Hmm?”
Skystar pulled out the small blue gem, energy swirling inside the oblong item.
“Ley says there’s basically no chance of the spell failing now.” she explained. “I’ve carried it around for over two months. I told you a while ago, I wasn’t ready to take that eternal step, but now, now I’m sure.”
A sniff caught her attention, and Skystar looked up to see Galen’s shocked gaze, tears streaming down his cheeks.
“Sky? You’re willing to be with me…”
“Forever, Ashen and all.”
Galen could only stare, Skystar walking forward to wrap him up in a tight hug, caressing his cheek with her own.
“I know it has been on your mind, that fear; I’d like nothing more than to put that to rest, forever, because I’m not going anywhere.” she whispered, Galen’s arms wrapping around her torso to pull her close.
“Well, not anywhere without you at least. I’d like to think we’re going to go to a lot of places together.”
“Sky…”
She didn’t say anything further for a time, holding Galen close as decades of fear and pent up worry were beginning to be shaken free from the Prince’s heart.
“You’re willing to do that? Live for however long, be with me….”
Skystar tapped Galen’s beak with a claw, a sly grin on her features.
“Well, I sure didn’t carry this gem around to not do just that. And before you ask, my Mom is just happy that I’m happy. It’s a big step, but I’ve thought about it a lot, obviously.”
She scooted back slightly, holding Galen’s claws in her own.
“You know, when I said that you owed me, or someone else a hug, when we first me, I never thought you’d be so serious about fulfilling that request.” she mused, not able to resist a laugh as Galen smiled, the pair wrapping their arms around each other again.
“And I never thought I’d enjoy completing that request so much.” Galen teased, a giggle Skystar’s response.
“I love you Galen.”
“I love you too, Skystar.”
The pair stayed in each other’s arms for a time, a familiar confidence beginning to creep back into Galen’s frame.
“Hey, Sky,” Galen mused as they put rings on each other’s claws. “I do have a smaller ship, one that I’ve recently had refitted. It’s built for two, and is more of a luxury scout ship…”
Skystar’s entire face lit up, freckles almost leaping off her cheeks in anticipation.
“Well, I guess the question is, where do you want to go for the honeymoon? And after that?”
Skystar let out an excited squeak, wings flaring as she hopped up and down.
“With you? Anywhere!”
Holding her claws in his, Galen was all smiles as he looked upwards to the shining sun, and then back to the hippogriff that made his heart glow all the brighter.
“Then we’ll set sail for the stars!”
-The End-