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There she stood in her beautiful dress, which she had put on just for this occasion. She seemed to be completely at peace with herself as she climbed the cliff of the Aureum Falls and was now enjoying the wonderful view. Dohalim had been glad for once that she had accepted his help in choosing her dress. Because she looked stunning.
After all, they didn't go to a wedding every day and his well-trained eye and infallible taste had served him well as always. He knew instinctively which dress would suit her best and so it was child's play to communicate his ideas to the most talented seamstress in Viscint so that she could then transform his vision into a dream of flowing fabric. After all, Kisara shouldn't feel like a guardian tonight, but like the remarkable woman she was.
When he saw her this early afternoon, his breath caught in his throat, as the reality was even more impressive than he could have imagined in his wildest dreams. Kisara had braided her hair and let it fall over her shoulder. To match, she had pinned a shimmering red flower behind her ear on the other side, which matched the color of her dress perfectly.
Dohalim had put on his finest robe in red and black tones, so the two of them matched each other perfectly.
"You look divine, Kisara!" He offered her his arm, which she gratefully took and held on to.
"Thank you, Do." She gave him a warm smile and once again he realized that he still had to get used to Kisara calling him that. But he also felt even more attracted to her every time she did. She was so close to him and he took this opportunity to give her a light kiss on the forehead. They glanced at each other and then set off, otherwise they would be far too late. There would certainly be enough time for certain things later.
At that moment he had been so happy that they had finally been able to sort everything out on Daeq Faezol and finally left the natural distance that had existed between them in the past behind them. If Law hadn't burst in at that moment, he would have pulled her to him immediately and let his feelings run free.
Kisara was important to him. And he saw the upcoming wedding of Nottio and Cagari as a welcome change. After all, this was the first event that the two could attend as a couple.
Today they could just be Dohalim and Kisara. Two people who had found each other despite the many obstacles on their path. No lord and no guardian.
Sometimes he wondered what he would have done without her. Kisara had always stood loyally by his side and would hopefully continue to do so in the future. However, he had no time to be with her during the wedding ceremony because the bride and groom had asked him of all the people to perform the ceremony. He happily complied with this request, but he also wouldn't have minded just being by her side. Dohalim had to be careful not to constantly look over at her and when he did, she responded with a knowing and mysterious smile.
In these moments, Kisara had never seemed so attractive to him as she did now. And he had to concentrate hard not to interrupt the ceremony.
He had deep feelings for her and was infinitely relieved when he realized that she felt the same way. They both treated each other as equals and complemented each other in more ways than one.
When the couple had said their vows, all the guests present finally set off to get to the place of the celebrations: the Aureum Falls. Dohalim insisted on catching up with her and the two of them made the journey through Lavtu-moor together. They talked about all sorts of things and Dohalim quite naturally took her hand and did not let go until they arrived at their destination.
Kisara remembered that he had been doing this more often recently. As they boarded the Falneitz, he grabbed her hand as he passed, but let go of her hand again shortly afterwards. The events on Lenegis had taken a toll on him, but he had emerged stronger. At that point, she had noticed that she was inevitably attracted to him. She was proud of the man who had finally emerged. The change was good for him and the time had finally come for him to reach his full potential.
And yet her opinion and advice were still as important to him as they had been before. Dohalim sought her company and Kisara sought his. She had not missed the looks he sometimes gave her and she returned them in her own special way. The next time he took her hand, she returned his gesture and received a smile in return.
When they were both invited to the upcoming wedding, she became painfully aware that she did not have a single piece of clothing that could be worn for this wonderful occasion. Looking back, she was glad that she had accepted Dohalim's help this one time. He looked so elegant in his ceremonial robe. Sometimes it seemed almost unreal that she was his companion.
She felt happier that day than she had in a long time. Almost euphoric. She now knew that he belonged to her as she belonged to him. There was no longer any doubt about that. The ceremony and the walk to the waterfalls flew by thanks to Dohalim and soon the two of them found themselves on the dance floor among the other guests. They danced exuberantly and passionately. Dohalim was a perfect dancer and spun her around lightly. They laughed and grew closer with every turn.
The string quartet played lovely songs and somehow Kisara had the feeling that Dohalim had a hand in it. Kisara had rarely seen him of a brilliant mood and was happy to be infected by him.
However, their passionate dancing did not last very long as Dohalim was constantly surrounded by numerous admirers who craved his attention. Kisara was happy for him to have this fame, although she would have liked to have had him all to herself. He tried to get rid of them all quickly, sometimes successfully, sometimes not. This in turn gave Kisara the opportunity to finally do something she had wanted to do for a long time.
She was finally able to enjoy the wonderful view at night. So she climbed to the highest cliff and looked down from there. The rainbow was visible even in the moonlight. Kisara didn't know how long she had been standing there when she heard footsteps behind her. She turned around and looked into Dohalim's face, who was looking at her somewhat reproachfully.
“I've finally found you!” he said and covered the last few meters to her.
“I hope I was able to shake off all the annoying pursuers.” Dohalim looked pretty angry that people he didn't know had stolen valuable time with Kisara.
“I've wanted to come to this place for so long, to enjoy it all to myself.” she replied and walked a little further towards him.
“But of course I have nothing against being alone with you.” She winked at him and in response he took her hand and brought it to his mouth. He looked deep into her eyes and she held the gaze of his beautiful brown eyes. She put her other hand on his back and pulled him closer to her.
His look was difficult to interpret. Dohalim let her hand drop a little and Kisara put it on his cheek. A warm smile flitted across his features and instinctively he pulled her even closer to him.
Kisara could now move her other hand up his back until it finally came to rest between his shoulders. She could feel how much he liked her touch. Dohalim, in turn, put his hand on her face and began to gently run his fingers along her cheek. They looked at each other and couldn't suppress a smile. The two were so close that there was not much between them now. No one would be able to find her or Dohalim here in this place and so no one could disturb them this time. Finally they were all alone.
Without meaning to, they got closer and closer to each other and their lips met for the first time. He pulled Kisara even closer to him so that nothing could fit between them anymore. She returned his kiss immediately and was surprised at how passionate Dohalim was. Kisara realized at that moment how long he must have waited for this moment.
He stroked the part of her back that was not covered with fabric with his other hand. This movement sent gentle shivers down her spine. She intensified her kiss and pulled him even closer to her. Her hand had now wandered to the back of his head and was running through his hair. Kisara was ready to lose herself in him and the longer their kiss lasted, the more certain she was that Dohalim felt the same. At that moment she knew that she was in love with him.
But even more than that. She wanted to feel him very close to her and explored his mouth with her tongue. He in turn started to work on the clasp of her dress and now exposed her neck to cover it with gentle kisses. However, he stopped on the way up and looked deep into her eyes and said:
"Oh, how long I dreamed in starry and moonlit nights." He didn't get any further because Kisara had put her index finger on his lips.
"Please, Dohalim. Tell me what you have to say, not as a poem this time." A little offended, he nevertheless complied with her request:
"I have dreamed of this moment for a long time, but I was simply too cowardly to follow my heart!" He gently stroked her face, which had taken on a slightly lighter shade of red. But he was not sure.
"What I accomplished in Menancia, I denied myself." Dohalim looked sadly at the ground.
"Let's not dig into the past. After all, we live here and now and have the opportunity to shape our own future." She gave him a kiss on the cheek and then said something that made him sit up and take notice:
"At some point it will no longer matter where you come from or what people you belong to. And I want to fight for that future." She had that determined look on her face again, which he always admired. But this time he was able to let his feelings run free. He pulled Kisara to him and kissed her. She returned his kiss immediately and now Dohalim had words for what he felt. He let go of her, took her face between his hands and said:
“I love you, Kisara.” In response, she pulled him to her and kissed him, but she pulled away after a short while because she still owed him an answer.
“I have admired you for so long, but there was always something between us. I am so proud of the man you have become. I want to experience the future with you by my side.” She paused and saw that he looked extremely happy. He smiled at her and she continued, with weak knees:
“I love you too, Do!” He held her tightly in his arms and they stood there for quite a while. Neither of them knew exactly how long, but it must have been quite a long time, as the party was now coming to an end.
“Should we slowly go back?” Dohalim finally broke the silence.
“I think we should, although I would rather stay here a little longer.” Kisara replied and, contrary to her answer, started moving. She took his hand and they made their way back to the inn. The others were probably fast asleep. A circumstance that suited Kisara quite well.
Their way back to Pelegion through Lavtu Moor went smoothly. Not a single Zugel stood in their way and so the two were able to continue to enjoy their time together. They had lively conversations, exchanged their thoughts on certain topics or stopped to show each other their mutual affection again. So it was not surprising that the way back took them almost twice as long as the way there.
But this walk had to end at some point and so it was with this one. They reached the gates of the city and walked through. The night was well advanced and the silence now had the capital of Ganath Haros firmly in its grip. Dohalim and Kisara both enjoyed it and the closeness of each other. After a short time the two reached the inn and sneaked in. Dohalim accompanied Kisara to her room.
“I wish you a restful night.” Dohalim turned to leave after giving her a goodnight kiss. Although it was incredibly difficult for him to part from her after today's events. When he had taken a step, she grabbed his hand and held him back.
"Don't you think we should share our room from now on?" It was her directness that he loved most about her.
"How could I ever refuse a lady's request."
And so it was no surprise that he followed her without another word.
The next morning they caused some astonishment among their traveling companions when they appeared hand in hand for breakfast. However, this did not bother them much, as everyone should know that they had been inseparable since yesterday.