"If I could," Nyrielle said, raising a hand to gently caress Ashlynn's soft, tender cheek and feeling the warmth of her lover's skin under her cool fingertips. "I would give you a grand wedding this very night because I cannot bear to deny you any happiness."
"But as much as I wish to give my darling Ashlynn the grand wedding she deserves," Nyrielle said as she turned to address the crowd. "There are two things standing in our way, and we must resolve them both."
Across the great hall, a few people stared in open-mouthed disbelief at Nyrielle's words. She was the Harbinger of Death, and she was betrothed to the Mother of Trees! What could possibly come between them?
