Side A – Nia
It wasn’t that Nia had beaten Margrada to being the first to propose.
Or it wasn’t entirely that she’d proposed first.
Neither one of them had gone into their relationship thinking that it would be forever, but as they cuddled together in warmth of the late spring night, Nia was hard pressed to imagine how it could ever have been anything else.
“You really are the worst you know,” Margrada said.
“And I’m not going to get any better,” Nia promised, running her fingers through Margrada’s hair and tracing a fingertip down her neck.
“You better not,” Margrada said, running a hand down to the small of Nia’s back and hugging her in close.
“When should we tell the others? And who should we tell?” Margrada asked.
Nia had an evil idea and chuckled.
“No,” Margrada said. “Whatever that was, just no.”
“Yeah. If we steal any more drums the Roadies will make sure no one ever finds what’s left of us. Still drumming it out so that everyone from her to Frost Harbor can here would be pretty fun.”
“I’ve mentioned that I hate you, right?” Margrada said without letting go at all.
“Once or twice,” Nia said.
“And you still want to be with me?” Margrada asked, again not for the first time.
“You ask that like there’s any chance I’m letting you escape me at this point,” Nia said, nuzzling the side of Margrada’s neck and ear. “You had your chance. I’m afraid that now that you’ve said yes, all hope is lost and you’re mine, ALL MINE!”
“Oh, is that so?” Margrada’s words held a note of challenge in them, which made Nia swoon just a little more.
“Unbreakably so,” Nia said. “For as long as you’ll have me.”
Margrada let out a little breath.
“Maybe the drums aren’t such a bad idea after all,” she said, rolling over on top of Nia.
“Drums? What are those?” Nia said, leaning up to catch Margrada in a kiss that wiped away all thoughts and questions for a good long while.
When they came up for air, the horizon was starting to lighten and with the approach of the new day came thoughts of planning for it.
“Who would you want to tell first?” Nia asked.
“Probably my Grandmother,” Margrada said. “She basically raised me, and I’m pretty sure she never thought she’d get to come to my wedding.”
“Why’s that? Is she not doing well?”
“Oh, she’s healthy as an ox,” Margrada said. “I just told her I was never going to get married since I was about six I think. I always thought the drums had everything I needed.”
“She’s got to be the first then,” Nia said.
“What about your mother, or mothers I guess?” Margrada asked.
“We’ll need to tell them too, although unless I miss my guess Marianne and Naosha already know, and I’m sure they’ve filled Osdora in too,” Nia said.
“Wait, did you tell them you were going to ask me first?” Margrada said, sounding more puzzled than upset.
“Nope. If I’d planned that at all, I would have done it over the best food I could make, in a rose petal bower, at sunset, with an engagement jewel big enough to outshine the sun let along a star,” Nia said. “I asked you like I did only because I knew, beyond any doubt, in that moment that you were the one for me. Sometimes though, there are people who know you better than you do yourself.”
“Sounds like I should invite them out for a pre-wedding dinner then,” Margrada said with a sly look in her eye.
It was a great idea. A wonderful one. Perfect in fact for making Nia’s heart sink past her stomach and to the tips of her toes.
Side B – Yasgrid
Seeing Kyra in the flesh called to mind all the night’s Yasgrid had spent wandering the Darkwood, alone and uncertain of what the future could possibly hold.
To say she and Kyra were from two different worlds was the definition of an understatement.
But those two worlds had come together. Stoneline and Elf. Wood and mountain. Fate Dancer and Bearer. None of the old divisions meant what previously had. Some of them no longer remained at all, and others? Others were what people chose to make of them going forward.
“I’d say this feels like a dream to me too, but I don’t think I was able to dream of anything like this since Elshira kidnapped you,” Yasgrid said, fidgeting in the otherwise comfy chair which felt an ocean away from Kyra.
“And all I’ve had was dreams since then,” Kyra said. “Quite a pair that makes us doesn’t it?”
“I’ll take it,” Yasgrid said. “At least if you’re still interested in the ‘pair’ part of that?”
Kyra gave her a shy little smile and nodded.
“I think I’ve spent enough time just dreaming about what the future might be. It’s about time I get to know you that you’re choosing to be here and now.”
“I suppose proper introductions are in order then. My real name is Yasgrid Kaersbean. I think you saw that already, and you’ve met my mother Osdora I gather, but I’d like you to know who I really am.”
“And is this who you’ve chosen to be?” Kyra asked, gesturing up and down towards Yasgrid.
“More than that, I think this is who I’ve always wanted to be,” Yasgrid said. “I still love the mountains, and it’s nice to see my old friends and my Mom, but this feels comfortable? Right? Like me, if that makes any sense?”
“It does. A lot,” Kyra said. “In my visions, I saw you when you were a Stoneling – a mighty fine one might I add – but it always felt off seeing you like that. I thought it was just me being used to seeing you as an Elf, but you do look a lot more at home like this.”
Yasgrid nodded, not having needed the confirmation but glad to receive it nonetheless.
“Plus I think the Troubles that you’re carrying are more comfortable there too.”
Which was a secret Yasgrid was quite certain she was going to be judged for.