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As the music began, Callum and Rayla were the first to step onto the dance floor. The low hum of the Del Barian melody filled the air, the weight of it tugging at something deep within Callum. He looked down at Rayla, her eyes already searching his, and gently took her hand, pulling her closer. Their movements were slow, deliberate, matching the rhythm of the song—a song that felt like it had been sung through centuries of battle and love, a melody of warriors and their promises.
The world around them melted away, their focus solely on each other. Rayla’s fingers curled around his, and she smiled—a soft, private smile, the kind only meant for him. He pulled her in a little closer, resting his forehead against hers. The rest of the room seemed to fade as they stood in each other’s arms, the soft glow of the lanterns casting a warm light over them. They began to sway, a slow, intimate rhythm that felt like it had been theirs forever.
“Boys workin’ on empty, is that the kinda way to face the burning heat?”
The words curled through the hall, setting the tone. Callum’s hands slipped to rest at Rayla’s waist as they found their movement, their breaths syncing with the melody.
“I just think about my baby, I’m so full of love I could barely eat.”
Callum smiled softly, pulling her even closer, tilting his head down to nuzzle her cheek. His heart swelled as her arms wrapped around him, their bodies fitting together as though they were made for this, made for each other.
“There’s nothing sweeter than my baby, I’d never want once from the cherry tree.”
Rayla let out a soft sigh as she leaned into him, her hand moving up to gently stroke the back of his neck, reciprocating his quiet affection.
“Cause my baby’s sweet as can be, she’d give me toothaches just from kissin’ me.”
Callum’s lips twitched into a smile as he opened his eyes, and she did the same. Their gazes met for a brief moment before Rayla leaned up, closing the distance between them to press a soft, lingering kiss to his lips. They barely moved as the world blurred around them.
“When my time comes around, lay me gently in the cold dark earth,”
Callum pulled away from her lips just enough to spin her slowly, keeping their hands linked. She twirled gracefully, her cloak flowing around her in place of a dress. Not that she was any less beautiful without one. He watched her with quiet admiration before drawing her close again, one hand gently caressing her cheek. They swayed back and forth, slow and deliberate, the movements infused with the depth of their love.
“No grave can hold my body down, I’ll crawl home to her,”
Callum whispered the words quietly, his forehead resting against hers as they closed their eyes again, trusting in each other completely.
“Boys, when my baby found me, I was three days on a drunken sin,”
As the second verse began, Amaya and Janai stepped onto the floor, their movements a reflection of the same connection Callum and Rayla shared. Janai’s hands wrapped around Amaya’s waist, and they fell into step effortlessly, the warmth of their affection evident in every motion.
“I woke with her walls around me, nothin’ in her room but an empty crib,”
Just after, Rayla’s parents joined the dance. Lain and Tiadrin were the first to step forward, exchanging a soft, knowing glance before they turned to each other. Tiadrin rested her head on Lain’s shoulder as they swayed gently, moving in perfect unison with the music and each other.
A few moments later, Runaan and Ethari joined them. Runaan’s hands settled on Ethari’s back, their movements more restrained but no less filled with emotion. Ethari smiled softly, resting his forehead on Runaan’s, the weight of their history and love held between them in the quiet moments of their dance.
“And I was burnin’ up a fever, I didn’t care much how long I lived.”
Callum’s fingers traced gentle patterns on Rayla’s back, pulling her even closer. She rested her head on his chest, closing her eyes as his heartbeat steadied her. He kissed the top of her head, silently thanking the stars that she was here with him, always.
“But I swear I thought I dreamed her, she never asked me once about the wrong I did.”
Rayla lifted her head, her gaze soft and tender. The wars, the danger, everything they had been through—it all melted away in the warmth of Callum’s arms. He gazed down at her, his eyes filled with gratitude, knowing she saw him for all that he was, flaws and all.
“When my time comes around, lay me gently in the cold dark earth,”
By now, several of the soldiers—human and elf alike—had joined the dance, their steps slow and reverent, echoing the love and trust in the space. Callum twirled Rayla again, slower this time, and she smiled softly as their hands remained connected. Her eyes sparkled in the low light, and Callum couldn’t help but smile back as they paused for a moment, their bodies still swaying gently, the world around them fading to nothing but the sound of the song and the feel of each other’s presence.
“No grave can hold my body down, I’ll crawl home to her,”
This time, instead of pulling Rayla back immediately, Callum lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles softly, his thumb tracing her skin as if memorizing the feeling. Rayla’s cheeks flushed pink, and she lowered her gaze, biting her lip with a small smile. She slid closer to him once again, the warmth of her body pressing against his as she rested her head on his shoulder. His hand found the small of her back, holding her securely, and they resumed their slow, intimate rhythm, moving together in a steady, loving dance.
“When my time comes around, lay me gently in the cold dark earth,”
Callum pulled back just enough to cup Rayla’s face in his hand, his thumb brushing gently across her cheek. She tilted her head into his touch, closing her eyes briefly, savoring the warmth of his hand. When she opened her eyes again, they locked onto his, and for a moment, time stood still. He leaned forward, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead, their movements slowing but never stopping.
“No grave can hold my body down, I’ll crawl home to her,”
Rayla shifted slightly in Callum’s arms, sliding her hands up to rest on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her palms. Callum’s other hand slid down to her waist, guiding her as they swayed, their connection tangible and unbroken. They moved with a newfound closeness, every step, every touch a promise of their unyielding bond.
“My babe would never fret none about what my hands and my body done,”
Callum’s hand slipped back to her waist, and Rayla’s fingers traced the line of his jaw. Their movements slowed even further, their eyes locked, filled with the quiet understanding they had built through years of trust. As he held Rayla close, he felt her hands move tenderly across his back, comforting him, steadying him. Her touch was a reminder—one he desperately needed—that no matter the scars on his soul, no matter what he had done, she would always love him.
“If the Lord don’t forgive me, I’d still have my baby and my babe would have me,”
Callum’s breath caught as he pulled Rayla close, her head resting against his chest once more. His arms wrapped around her protectively, as if promising he would never let her go.
“When I was kissin’ on my baby, and she put her love down soft and sweet,”
Rayla lifted her head again, her gaze steady and full of love. Callum leaned down, their lips meeting in a soft, gentle kiss, one that spoke of all the promises they had made and would continue to keep.
“In the low lamp light I was free, heaven and hell were words to me.”
As the final chorus approached, the men—the soldiers, generals, civilians, and Callum—began to hum along, their voices low and resonant, joining the musicians in a soft, collective vow.
“When my time comes around,”
They sang, their words slow and filled with a quiet reverence. For each soldier, the promise was personal, a vow to return after battle, to find their way back to their loves, no matter the cost. Their eyes shifted toward their partners, their movements filled with sincerity, as if the lyrics were a sacred oath passed from heart to heart.
“Lay me gently in the cold, dark earth,”
For Callum, though, the weight of the words ran deeper. He gazed down at Rayla—His bride—His wife—and the promise became more than just a vow of return—it was a commitment, a lifelong devotion to the woman who had stood by him, fought with him, and loved him beyond all measure.
“No grave can hold my body down,”
Callum twirled her once more, his hands never leaving hers. This time, though, he took a moment to pause as they moved, pulling her close again, his fingers brushing along her jawline before resting gently at the nape of her neck. Rayla’s breath caught for a moment, and they moved together, their steps in perfect sync, while his thumb traced the curve of her ear.
“I’ll crawl home to her,”
The music swelled, and instead of pulling Rayla close right away, Callum held her hand and kissed her knuckles gently, then tilted his head down to rest his forehead against hers. Rayla closed her eyes, their noses brushing as they lingered in the moment, feeling the weight of everything—their love, their future, their promise to always find one another no matter the distance or trials ahead.
“When my time comes around,”
Callum’s hands slid to Rayla’s waist as he pulled her into a gentle sway, his body pressed to hers in a warm, steady embrace. Rayla’s hand rested against his chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath her fingers, steady and sure, and she leaned into him, her breath soft against his collar.
“Lay me gently in the cold dark earth,”
His grip tightened ever so slightly, their dance becoming slower, more solemn, yet deeply intimate, as if their hearts were speaking to each other through the movements.
“No grave can hold my body down,”
Callum brought his hand up to cup her face again, his thumb brushing over her cheek.
“I’ll crawl home to her,”
She gazed up at him, eyes soft and full of love, and he leaned down to kiss her—just a soft, tender brush of lips, but it was enough to send a spark between them. The world around them seemed to disappear entirely, and for that moment, it was just the two of them, bound by the unspoken promise of forever.
With the music beginning to fade, they held each other close, breathing in sync as the rest of the room followed their lead, swaying gently, their love reflected in every movement. Callum and Rayla stayed in that embrace, letting the final notes of the song echo through their hearts, knowing that no matter what came next, they would always find their way back to each other.