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Margaret…
Margaret…
"Margaret!"
Margaret jolts awake, hands already glowing bright turquoise. However, there is no threat, only her beloved Sia sitting before her, startled. Margaret takes a deep breath, and then lets out a soft laugh.
"You startled me, dear," Margaret apologizes, taking Sia's hand in her own. Her beloved smiles in understanding, an expression as bright as the morning sun. Speaking of…what time is it? Margaret glances around their bedroom, the lavish curtains are still pulled shut, but no light peeks through them. "What are you doing awake at this hour?"
"There's a tradition we have in the Second…something those that are newly wedded do." Sia explains, fidgeting with the ring on Margaret's hand. The one she herself had transformed. "I wanted to do it, if you would—"
"Of course we can do it." Margaret reaches out and tucks a loose strand of fiery hair behind Sia's ear. Her beloved flushes almost as red as her hair, eliciting a snort from Margaret. "Still bashful as ever, aren't you?"
"Shut up!" Sia throws a pillow into Margaret's face, which only makes her laugh even harder. They wrangle with each other for a small time, before Margaret turns the tides and ends up pinning Sia down to the bed. Both of them are flush now, smiling wide with giggles on their lips. The only light in the room comes from the wisps of radiance flickering to life in their palms. It illuminates them as kisses are pressed to necks and lips, and hair is carded through with gentle fingers. The moment ends when Sia pushes Margaret off her gently, clearing her throat. "As much as I love this, my light, the tradition I mentioned?"
"Right!" Margaret leaps off the bed, then claps her hands together as a grin forms on her face. "What is it? And why does it require us to be awake before the sun?" Sia rises from the bed, moving to rummage through their wardrobe instead of answering. Margaret feels heat rush to her face again as that thought registers. Their wardrobe. Everything that was once separate was now…just theirs. Her thoughts are interrupted by fabric filling her hands, and she glances down to see what Sia chose. Simple traveling clothes—tunic, pants, and a cloak.
"I'll tell you more when we get there,"
"Get there? Where exactly are we going?"
"Just get dressed, dear," Sia teases, slipping away behind the dressing screen. Margaret hums quietly as she waits, wondering what this tradition could be. In all her studies of the seven clans, she'd never come across anything regarding such an early-morning tradition. Though, she had neglected to look into the clans' wedding traditions…"Done! Your turn."
"Alright," She smiles and changes as fast as she possibly could. If they woke before the sun, it is likely that it has some sort of role to play. So, Margaret makes sure to not waste any time, for her beloved, and a little bit of her own curiosity. When all is done, she can't get a word in before Sia is snatching her hands and the hum of Movement fills the air. In a moment, they're no longer in their shared bedroom, but at the base of a towering mountain surrounded by lush plant life. "Sia, this is…"
"Sornia, yes," Sia's smile was gorgeous. There are moments where Margaret cannot believe that this ethereal woman before her is her wife, and this one is no different. She shakes that off, it is imperative that she focus on Sia right now. "The tradition dictates that the wedded travel to the hometown of the bride, but seeing as we're both brides…"
"And since Paradise isn't the greatest city for intimate rituals, even barring the fact you're married to the Princess, you decided on Sornia."
"Exactly," Sia's smile turns mischevious, "You're getting better at completing my sentences, Margaret."
"Ah, well, my Perception grows stronger by the day," Margaret says, her thumb rubbing the back of Sia's hand. "But I don't need magic to tell that this tradition has something to do with the sun. Am I right in that assumption?"
Sia nods, "You are. The custom is that the wedded experience the first sunrise after their marriage together, in the bride's hometown. It suggests…" She trails off, raising her eyebrows over at Margaret. Oh. Margaret quickly works through all known symbolism of sunrises, before settling on her answer.
"New beginnings?" She suggests. Sia, again, nods. Then she pulls Margaret toward her, arms wrapping around her. Margaret rests her head on Sia's shoulder, taking in the warmth of her body and the mint smell she's come to recognize from just the faintest trace. "I love you, my sword."
At that, Sia did a strange little wiggle. Now it was Margaret's turn to raise her eyebrows, eyeing her beloved incredelously.
"D-don't call me that…" Sia murmurs, and oh, if there isn't a more golden opportunity for teasing.
"No? But you are my Traveler, are you not? Sworn to protect me for as long as you shall live? Is that not comparable to being my sword?" Margaret says softly, her lips drifting along Sia's ear as she does so. She, again, wiggles, letting out a soft huff.
"Still, that does not mean you have to purposefully fluster me." Sia grumbles as Margaret giggles.
"Ah, but is that not my sworn duty as your loving wife?"
"Hush, you!" Sia swats at her shoulder, and her giggles grow ever stronger. Before long, Sia joins in, both laughing until they're red faced and leaning against each other. Margaret leans in to press a gentle kiss to her beloved's cheek, ghosts of laughter still tracing her lips as she does so. Then, she turns out toward the rolling hills that surround the town of Sornia. She had been here before, when she met Sia's family. The view remains breathtaking, the Firestone Hills almost seem to glisten in the sun—
"Sia! The sun!" Margaret exclaims, and Sia's eyes widen. The sun has already breached the horizon. Quickly, she grabs Margaret by the shoulders and arranges her so they're face to face. She interlaces their fingers, and takes a deep breath.
"Margaret Aurion, my light, my love, I am privileged and thrilled to be able to spend every waking moment tied to you, body and soul. Let this sunrise be a testament to our love, and though the sun may set, its presence is still felt. I believe that our love is much the same," Sia states, fondness filling her voice so easily. No practiced poise or elegance this time around, only them. Only this. Margaret finds herself smiling wider than ever. Who else could she ever spend her life with but this beautiful, luminescent woman?
"Sia Peregrine, my sword, my beloved, I am truly grateful to known and loved you, and though our path had been filled with strife, you have stood by my side through all of it. I could not have asked for a better partner. So come what may, I will always be by your side. I love you, Sia," Tears fill Margaret's eyes as she squeezes Sia's hand. So many emotions were raging within her, but the one that won in this moment was joy.
"I love you too, Margaret." Sia kisses her gently, her free hand coming to cup her cheek. Margaret leans into the kiss and the touch on her cheek, embracing the connection to her beloved. Their interlocked hands begin to glow, their magic unable to remain dormant any longer. The glow spreads up their arms as they continue to kiss, crawling up their bodies until both are glowing just as brightly as the sun. When they break away, all the two of them can do is take each other in. Then they kiss again, and again, and again, until their Radiance subsides. "New beginnings are truly wonderful, aren't they?"
"Yes they truly are," Margaret agrees, giving Sia one final kiss. "However, we should be getting back to Paradise, there are some matters that I need to address."
"I don't want to go back just yet…I like it just being us."
"Now what have you done with my wife, Sia Peregrine, famous paragon of routine?" Margaret smirks, nudging her wife playfully. Sia rolls her eyes, but a smile rests on her lips all the same. "Alright, I suppose we can stay for a little while longer…are your parents awake yet? Perhaps we can sit in for breakfast?" They're already making their way into Sornia as she asks this, and Sia merely scoffs.
"You've met my parents, of course they're awake already," Their hands remain connected as they walk, and they discuss small things. Margaret can't keep the smile off her face, not that she wants to anyway. This, right here, is exactly the life she's been dreaming of. And she gets to share it with Sia. A perfect first morning of being married, if you ask her.