Chapter 20
Lush grass, ankle-high and as green as emeralds, now covered the birthing garden and its adjoining field. Only one flaw interrupted the verdant carpet, a rectangular mound of dirt, a grave for Dragon, formerly Goliath. Since he had expelled the Nephilim in the garden, everyone agreed that his body should be laid to rest here, though all knew that his spirit was now rejoicing somewhere beyond Heaven’s Gate.
Bonnie stood at the edge of the field and contemplated the recent events.
Just an hour ago, Enoch guided Bonnie back to Heaven’s Gate. A golden rope had appeared, parallel to the shimmering gate and extending out of sight to the right and left. He instructed her to cut it with her staurolite dagger, which he had found buried in her dirty uniform. When she did, the rope snapped and disappeared. The ground shook. Although the sky stayed clear, the air cooled, though not enough to bring a chill.
Enoch explained that cutting the rope separated the three realms, but he wouldn’t say what happened to Semiramis and Mardon, only that they would receive exactly what they deserved.
At that moment, thick green grass began to shoot up in the garden’s soil around Bonnie’s feet, replacing the burnt grass. Enoch went on to tell of several new birthing gardens that would be created so that Second Eden could be populated more rapidly as the inhabitants explored beyond the old boundaries and established new settlements.
Earlier, Thigocia and Legossi burned Yellinia outside the village, along with the bodies of the invaders. Billy and Walter buried Devin in an unmarked grave far from any footpath or water source. When they returned, they seemed stoic, lacking any joy at finally disposing of one of the darkest beings in all of human history.
“Let’s just forget about him,” Billy had said. “He’s not worth the energy to speak his name.” And he and Walter refused to tell anyone where they had buried him.
Following the village’s custom for fallen warriors, Elam and Valiant burned Flint’s body and buried his bones. Instead of the burial grounds outside the village, they created a small plot behind Abraham’s former hut. Valiant sang a beautiful song of lament that carried a theme of hope. No one knew the condition of Flint’s soul when he died, but the revival of his companion, his apparent change of heart, and his heroic sacrifice spoke volumes.
The two village chiefs also burned Cliffside’s body. Taking Emerald along, they interred Cliffside’s bones in the traditional burial grounds. Valiant’s song prophesied the coming of another Second Edener, a child who would learn the same rock-solid dedication to service and unshakable love of the smallest ones, the unborn lives in the garden. Emerald wept for quite some time, and Valiant stayed with her, both on their knees as they prayed for comfort.
Enoch himself had taken Acacia’s body through Heaven’s Gate, saying something about preparing a “Welcome Home” celebration for an Oracle of Fire. As the prophecy indicated, since Elam never returned to Earth with Acacia to search for Sapphira, Acacia’s life became chaff, a sacrifice of love on behalf of others.
Just before Enoch took her body, Elam asked about the prophecy.
“I don’t understand. When was I supposed to take Acacia to Earth?”
“When Billy took Acacia and Listener, you could have gone instead of Billy. If you had kept the prophetic words in mind, you might have realized that.”
Elam pointed at himself. “So is Acacia’s death my fault?”
“Of course not. Devin killed Acacia. You merely made a mistake. You had set your mind on training the troops. You did not intentionally disobey.”
“But what if I had paid attention? Would Acacia still be alive?”
“Yes, my son.” Enoch set a hand on Elam’s shoulder. “But Sapphira would have perished instead.”
“Sapphira? But how could—”
“Shhh …” Enoch stooped and picked up Acacia’s body. “I can tell you no more of things that might have happened. Rest assured that God is not angry about your choices. You came to a fork in your journey, and you chose the path that you thought would be most likely to please him. It is a heart of obedience that God cherishes, and yours burns with passion like few others.”
He turned toward the gate, and as he passed through a shining rift, Acacia’s body burst into flames. Then, they both disappeared.
Bonnie sighed. One tragedy in exchange for another.
She shook her head and tried to cast off the sorrow. Only tears of joy would be allowed for the rest of the day. After all, a great celebration was about to commence.
Before she had cut the rope, in anticipation of the celebration, the youngest villagers had washed naked in the fountain. Enjoying the newfound warmth of their land, they scrubbed themselves and each other in perfect innocence. Their parents joined in, not caring that their wet, filthy clothes weighed them down. They made sure their toddlers exited the fountain clean from head to toe. Wearing broad smiles, it seemed that everyone was washing away the past—the conflicts, the deaths, and the sadness of days gone by.
Bonnie and the other Earth inhabitants had chosen to bathe in the private washrooms. Those buildings and half of the others survived the fire, but to the villagers, the losses seemed no more than broken jars. The huts were merely things, temporal and replaceable. They would share their dwellings and the labor of rebuilding what they had lost. Such was the loving character of these precious people.
Now, less than half a day after the climactic battle, Bonnie stood on the field that led to the birthing garden. A line of six bridesmaids and matrons assembled in front of her, temporarily shielding her from the groom who waited for her in front of Heaven’s Gate.
They walked ahead in time with the slow music of a trio of pipers playing near the edge of the garden. It seemed appropriate to stretch out the occasion. Her wedding gown felt so heavenly, why not let these moments last for hours? The satin, dazzling white and as soft as silk, brushed against her body from her bare feet to her neck. With Ashley at her left and Sapphira at her right, each also wearing a beautiful white gown, the sensation was like walking among angels in the clouds.
Karen and Naamah knew the hearts of the brides and designed the gowns accordingly. Although they bore many similarities—modest necklines, fully covered shoulders, long sleeves, and ankle-length skirts—the gowns displayed the individuality of each bride.
The lace that covered the bottom third of Ashley’s skirt lacked symmetry, but a closer inspection revealed a complex design within the delicate fabric, a tiny mural of scenes from her adventures—a miniature Apollo, a representation of Larry the supercomputer, and a portrait of her departed grandfather.
Sapphira’s lace bore images of flames sprouting from plants, scrolls from the museum, couples dancing with fountains of water spraying over their heads, and a blossom from the tree of life. As she pushed each foot forward, the sun seemed to make the flames come alive, the tongues sparkling with her every movement.
Bonnie looked down at her own dress. Of course, Karen and Naamah had cut holes in the back for her wings, but they had added something far more important. Although the satin was already brilliantly white, when the sun struck the bodice and skirt at the right angle, something still brighter gleamed—text stitched in silver thread, her song from Psalm 139. As she read the opening words, though it was upside down in her perspective, tears filled her eyes.
Whither shall I go from thy spirit?
Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there:
If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
Yes, whether living on Earth, visiting Heaven, trapped in Hell, or in the midst of battle in Second Eden, God had always been with her no matter what.
As they neared the garden, Bonnie peeked through the line of escorts. Billy stood in front of Heaven’s Gate, facing her and wearing a stunning white tuxedo, a jet-black sword belt, and a freshly polished scabbard with Excalibur sheathed within.
She smiled. With his hair brushed back, his handsome face clean and shaven, and his broad shoulders squared, he looked fine indeed. Oh, yes, very fine indeed.
To Billy’s right and Bonnie’s left, Walter stood ramrod straight, alternately folding and unfolding his arms. Also wearing a white tux, he kept his eyes focused on the ground, shifting his weight constantly, apparently too nervous to behold the lovely treasure he would soon receive.
Elam stood at Billy’s left, his hands folded at his waist. Also dressed in white, he moved from side to side, obviously trying to catch a glimpse of Sapphira behind the bridal party wall.
The villagers sat in the grass, as did the dragons and humans from Earth, all facing Heaven’s Gate, yet looking back at the approaching procession, every eye wide with anticipation.
Billy’s parents sat in the front row next to Bonnie’s, all four so close to Billy, he could have reached them with two steps and an outstretched arm. Makaidos and Thigocia sat on their haunches close to Walter, with Roxil behind them, all three wearing draconic smiles.
Bonnie also spotted Patrick and Ruth seated near Elam. Patrick still felt very close to Elam, though he was much younger. Watching over Elam, or Markus as he was called at the time, had made him feel like a father long before Shiloh was born.
When the bridal party arrived at the front edge of the garden, the escorts stopped. The pipers’ song faded, and, except for the cool breeze creating a gentle rustling of nearby trees, silence ensued.
Bonnie let her gaze drift from left to right along her line of escorts—Mantika, Tamara, Dallas, Shiloh, Listener, and a village girl about Listener’s age. The two Second Eden maidens began to sing, trilling words in an unfamiliar language. They had explained earlier that Abraham had written the song centuries ago at a time when they did not yet speak English, and it became their traditional wedding song. Of course, he later translated it, but to this day they still sang the first verse in the original language, and that was the cue for Bonnie, Ashley, and Sapphira to lower their bridal veils over their faces.
After the beautiful yet mysterious words ended, the three matrons on the left shifted into single file, and the girls on the right did the same, as if opening a gate to the brides they had veiled with their bodies.
Bonnie and her companions stepped through the gap. The villagers and Earth visitors rose to their feet, gazing in silence. Even the breeze fell to a hush.
All three grooms stared. Walter’s mouth dropped open. Tears streamed down Elam’s cheeks. Billy’s jaw quivered, and his fingers worked Excalibur’s hilt. With his gaze locked on Bonnie’s, he smiled.
Goose bumps covered Bonnie’s arms. That smile … that wonderful smile—content, satisfied, filled with joy that a great journey was over and a new one, perhaps even more exciting, was about to begin. And now, they would travel the new road together as husband and wife.
She returned his smile, hoping to reflect the same excitement, the same joy, a joy so overflowing she could barely keep from bouncing on her toes.
Listener stepped out from her line of maidens and stood directly in front of Bonnie. Now the processional would begin, Listener leading the way, singing the English version of this realm’s wedding song, altered slightly for the triple union of brides and grooms.
As she and the maidens proceeded, followed by the three matrons, Bonnie paused for a moment, took in a deep breath, and led the brides, stepping in time with the song’s gentle rhythm.
The brides are ready, sound the call,
With spotless virtue, virgins all;
Let pipers pipe and angels sing,
Let shouts resound and anthems ring.
Extend your hands, O grooms of light,
And be their noble, worthy knights;
With arms of holy strength embrace
Your brides with honor, love, and grace.
When the song ended, Bonnie took her place in front of Billy, facing him and Heaven’s Gate, though they didn’t yet touch, as was the Second Eden custom. Ashley stood in front of Walter, and Sapphira faced Elam.
Immediately to Bonnie’s right, Listener knelt and gazed at Billy with a broad smile. As Shiloh, the gap in her fingers still obvious, took a seat with Gabriel, and the village maiden sat with her parents, the crowd buzzed, some displaying questioning glances.
Tilting her head, Bonnie gave Billy a quizzical look. Why did Shiloh and the other girl do that? They were supposed to copy Listener’s pose, one kneeling in front of Walter and the other in front of Elam, virgin females to attend each of the couples, a Second Eden tradition.
Billy seemed to understand her silent question, but his expression said he didn’t have an answer. Obviously Shiloh and the other girl knew something the marrying couples didn’t. A surprise, maybe?
A bright vertical line appeared in Heaven’s Gate. As expected, Enoch stepped out. Instead of his usual tunic and breeches, he wore a multicolored cloak tied at the waist by a purple sash. With his white hair brushed neatly back, he appeared regal and holy, certainly looking like a man qualified by Heaven itself to perform the wedding ceremonies.
As Enoch lifted his hands, the crowd quieted. Speaking with a deep, resonant voice, he said, “I assume you are wondering why the young ladies have broken tradition and not taken their places as attendants.” He flashed a coy smile. “I made this agreement with them earlier, so they are following my instructions. Through special arrangement by the Majesty on High, we have two replacements, one whose purity is unquestioned and another whose virtue has been restored.”
He stepped away from the rift in the gate and looked at it expectantly. A young woman’s head came through the opening, her hair red and shining. As if frightened by what she might find, she set her foot down timidly on the garden’s soft turf and looked around, her eyes wide. When her body fully appeared, a shining aura surrounded her sky blue gown, making her look like a radiant angel.
Bonnie bit her lip. She wanted to squeal, “Karen!” but it wouldn’t be right. This was a moment reserved for Karen and Ashley.
Lifting a hand to her mouth, Ashley let out a gasp. As Karen’s gaze locked on her, Ashley’s knees buckled. Walter grasped her arm and held her up, his smile trembling. “It’s okay,” he said. “It’s just Karen. She’s—”
Walter swallowed his words. Karen, every step touching the ground as if set there by a princess, glided toward him. She knelt at her position and looked up at him with sparkling eyes. With a voice like a strummed harp, she said, “She’s what, Walter?”
“She’s …” As he looked at Ashley, his jaw firmed. “She’s amazing!”
Another woman, raven-haired and petite, stepped through the rift in Heaven’s Gate, wearing a gown every bit as blue and shining as Karen’s. Even more timid, she glanced around as if wondering if she would be unwelcome. When her gaze fixed on Elam, she bowed her head.
“Who is that?” Bonnie whispered to Billy.
“I remember Elam’s description. She has to be Naamah.”
Bonnie mouthed her name. Naamah. Sapphira had told stories about her evil mistress, Morgan’s seductive minion. After all she had done, how had she gone to Heaven? What would Sapphira think about this wicked woman kneeling in the place of a virtuous attendant? What did Elam think?
Keeping her head low, Naamah took short, quick steps to her spot in front of Elam and knelt. Sapphira looked at him, her expression asking the questions Bonnie had already raised in her mind.
Suddenly, Heaven’s Gate flashed. The transparent wall grew opaque, and a grassy meadow took shape. A woman with dark hair knelt in the field, her body so low she seemed curled in a trembling ball. As she shook, a song emerged, a lament that drifted across the wedding party like a gentle wind.
O who will wash the stains I bear
The harlot’s mark of sin I wear?
Exposed and shorn of all I prized,
And now I beg for mercy’s eyes.
O Jesus, look upon my strife
And spare this foolish harlot’s life.
I bow, surrender, pour my tears;
Forgive my sins and draw me near.
The scene shifted abruptly. Elam stood at the crest of a rise looking out over the expanse. Naamah, wearing an oversized cloak, stared at her hand, standing, waiting, hoping. Elam extended his own hand, grass-stained and bloodied.
She ran to him and dropped to her knees. Grabbing his hand, she kissed his palm, her tears flowing. “You won’t regret this, Elam,” she said. “I promise, you won’t regret your mercy.”
He pulled her to her feet and spoke softly. “To be wanted and not lusted for. To be loved and not pitied. To be asked and not commanded.” He pushed his hand through her tangled hair, then slipped it into hers, touching their palms together. “Is that right?”
As Naamah’s cheeks flushed, she smiled. “And to be believed, even after all my lies.”
The scene faded away, and the gate reverted to transparency. Sapphira leaned over and took Naamah’s hands. Letting out a little gasp, Naamah looked up at Sapphira and allowed her to raise her to her feet.
Bonnie bit her lip again, trying not to cry. The sight was such a contrast! Although both women stood no taller than five feet, they seemed like giants, one with snowy white hair, pure and undefiled, the other with the shadow of Morgan hanging over her, a raven dressing her locks with memories of darkness, torture, and abuse. Did Naamah’s mocking songs still ring in Sapphira’s ears? Did the whip and briar nettles still sting like angry hornets up and down her back? Could Sapphira forget all the years of humiliation she suffered at the hands of this servant to a sorceress?
Sapphira lowered herself to her knees and looked up at Naamah. “Will you forgive me?” Sapphira asked.
Naamah’s chest heaved. Tears streamed. She swallowed and choked out her words. “Me? Forgive you? I … I don’t understand. I need you to forgive me.”
Sapphira kissed Naamah’s fingers. “I hated you for centuries. I cursed your name both in whispers and shouts. I wanted you to die.” Her voice pitched higher. “But then I watched Bonnie Silver. Even though her father treated her with contempt over and over again, she never cursed his name. She never stopped loving him, even after he betrayed her mother and caused her death as well as Bonnie’s suffering in foster homes. And when he asked for forgiveness, she gave it, showing the kind of love I needed to learn.”
Bonnie looked at her father and gave him an “I love you” sign with her fingers. He returned the sign, his eyes glistening. Her mother took his hand and clenched it tightly, nodding at Bonnie with trembling lips.
“So,” Sapphira continued, “that’s why I ask you to forgive me. Because of Bonnie, I learned about the same Jesus you sang about, and that’s when my hatred for you just melted away. But I have ached for your forgiveness ever since, and now that you’re here …” She kissed Naamah’s hand again and looked up at her. “Will you please forgive me?”
“Oh, yes! Yes!” Naamah pulled Sapphira to her feet and wrapped her arms around the white-haired bride. “And please do not withhold your forgiveness. My wickedness toward you was not in response to anything evil you did. It sprouted from the depths of my black soul.”
“And now your soul is clean,” Sapphira said. “As white as snow.”
They kissed each other’s cheeks, smearing the tear tracks. Naamah withdrew a handkerchief from her dress and dabbed Sapphira’s face. “Enoch said I would probably need this,” Naamah said. “He was right.”
Enoch clapped his hands. “Now if everyone will take your places …”
Her smile as broad as an ocean, Naamah knelt at Sapphira’s right, glancing back and forth between her and Elam.
Bonnie’s father stood at her left. Makaidos shuffled forward and sat next to Ashley. The fathers of two brides were now ready to give away their daughters.
Bonnie looked at Sapphira. She had no father, no one to give her away. They had already wept together, knowing she would need a surrogate, but the one she chose certainly stood head and shoulders above any father. Yereq, dressed in a tailored Earth-style suit, walked up and took his place at her side. Being a brother, of sorts, spawned from the same genetic code and the same soil as her own origin, surely he had the right to offer her to the groom.
Smiling, she reached up and held his hand, barely able to wrap her fingers around three of his.
Heaven’s Gate shimmered. Now, instead of a window to the other side of the garden, it became a window to another world. Dozens of people lined up on the other side, watching the ceremony.
Bonnie let her gaze linger on each face. She spotted Acacia, Dorian, Brogan, Joseph of Arimathea, and many other souls who had passed away during her many adventures, a band of heavenly witnesses who would be watching over all of them for years to come. She tried to find Professor Hamilton, but with people lined up at least five deep, he was probably hidden from sight.
“Now,” Enoch said, “in order to make sure each union receives its proper recognition, we will perform the ceremonies one at a time.”
Bonnie grinned. Enoch didn’t mention the fact that the best-man situation made it impossible to perform all three at once, but that would become obvious very soon.
Enoch walked to Walter’s side. “You seemed surprised to see Karen,” Enoch said.
“Shocked would be a better word. I didn’t know you could just pop out of Heaven and into Second Eden like that.”
“Well, be prepared for another shock. Now that some of the portals have been restored, I sent a certain pair of couriers to collect other special guests from the cave in the Valley of Shadows.” Enoch lifted a hand to his ear. “And if those are hoofbeats, they are right on time.”
Everyone turned toward the village. Dikaios and Ember trotted across the field, Dikaios carrying Walter’s parents, Carl and Catherine Foley, and Ember carrying Shelly, Walter’s sister. All three were dressed in sharp riding outfits. When they arrived, the three Foleys took places in the front row, Carl using a cane to walk. Catherine blew Walter a kiss as she sat down.
Walter grinned and gave them a thumbs-up. “About time you got here!”
When the laughter subsided and Billy took his place at Walter’s side as his best man, Enoch looked over Ashley’s shoulder at the sea of onlookers. “Who gives this maiden to be wed to this warrior?”
Makaidos nodded at Thigocia, then at Enoch as he laid a wing over Ashley. “Her mother and I do.”
Enoch bowed. “So be it.”
Ashley pressed her veiled cheek against Makaidos’s. “Thank you …” She paused, her voice spiking. “Daddy.”
She threw her arms around his scaly neck and pulled him close, but only for a moment. When he took his place with Thigocia, Enoch folded his hands at his waist. “Since only one of you has dragon blood, we will proceed with the traditional vows of humans in your culture.”
After reciting the vows, saying “I do,” and exchanging rings Enoch provided, exquisite gold rings from Heaven’s forge, Walter and Ashley knelt in front of Enoch.
He laid a hand on each head. “Seeing that you have made this commitment to one another in the sight of God and these witnesses, by the authority vested in me as a prophet of the Most High God, I now pronounce you husband and wife, or as the Second Eden residents say, ‘Adam and Eve.’”
He gestured for them to rise and nodded at Walter. “You may now kiss your bride.”
Walter lifted Ashley’s veil with both hands. Karen smoothed the veil out behind Ashley’s hair, another Second Eden custom. He paused, staring at her lovely face as if hypnotized. Finally, Ashley laid a hand behind his head, pulled him close, and kissed him, a tender lip caress that lingered for several seconds.
Laughing, Enoch turned the couple around and announced to the crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen, dragons and dragonesses, I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Foley.”
“All right, Walter!” Billy shouted, clapping his hands. “You’re a married man!”
Walter pointed at him. “You’re coming up, buddy!”
“Indeed.” Enoch waved for Ashley and Walter to sit with their parents. As he walked toward Elam and Sapphira, he passed Bonnie, whispering as he breezed by. “You are radiant, my dear.”
Warmth rushing into her cheeks, Bonnie smiled. Having that wise old prophet performing their ceremony would be wonderful. He was so gentle and kind.
With Patrick as best man, Enoch performed a similar ceremony for Elam and Sapphira. When he asked them to repeat the vows, they spoke in Hebrew. Looking into each other’s eyes, Elam pressed his left hand against Sapphira’s right. Their fingers didn’t wiggle. That expression of longing for togetherness had ended. Now they had come together, their union as husband and wife only seconds away.
After Enoch repeated his pronouncement, declaring them a wedded couple, he turned them toward the audience and said, “These two have waited thousands of years for this blessed day. When the final ceremony is complete, we will have a celebratory feast to end all others.”
Everyone rose to their feet and cheered, most clapping while a few children leaped into the air.
“Now,” Enoch continued, turning to Elam, “you may kiss your bride.”
Elam pushed Sapphira’s veil up and paused for a moment while Naamah smoothed it out. Then, without another second’s hesitation, he kissed Sapphira, keeping his hand pressed against hers.
Standing on tiptoes, she wrapped her arms around him. A faint glow coated her body, and a ripple of flames ran from her head to her toes.
Elam pulled back and gazed at her. Sapphira’s eyes sparkled with a more radiant blue than ever. They both smiled, the two most beautiful smiles Bonnie had ever seen—pure joy, simply pure joy.
From under his robe, Enoch withdrew a journal and gave it to Elam. “A friend of Sapphira’s and Bonnie’s asked that I restore this to its owner. She said to tell you that ‘The Maid’ will pray for you both for as long as you live.”
Elam and Sapphira caressed the journal’s worn cover, their faces beaming. After they sat with Patrick and Ruth, Enoch turned toward Billy and Bonnie. Bonnie stiffened. Now it was their turn. Would Enoch have any surprises for them? Visitors from Earth? Other special guests?
As soon as Walter took his place as Billy’s best man, Enoch stood in front of them, his arms crossed and his expression somber. “I am afraid, my two wonderful anthrozils, that I will be unable to perform your ceremony.”
Billy drew his head back. “What? Why?”
“The Majesty on High has forbidden it, and someone has been chosen to take my place.”
Enoch stepped aside and joined Elam and Sapphira in the audience. The wall to Heaven split vertically again, and a tall, lanky man strode out. Dressed in a multicolored robe similar to Enoch’s, an aura shimmered around his body. He bowed, mussing his silvery white hair. “Greetings, my friends.”
Bonnie could barely breathe. Now it was her turn to shout out the name of their surprise visitor, but she couldn’t get her tongue to move.
Billy spoke his name for her. “Professor Hamilton?”
The professor smiled and dipped again. “William, Miss Silver, I am delighted to see you.”
Bonnie ached to embrace him, but would it be proper? He was a heavenly being, not the familiar teacher of years gone by.
As a tear slipped down the professor’s cheek, he stretched out his arms. “Come, my three friends. I cannot hold back my affection any longer.”
Billy, Bonnie, and Walter eased into his embrace. Bonnie laid her head against the professor’s shoulder, but in the warmth and joy of his presence, no tears emerged, only the bliss of feeling those wonderful arms again and hearing his lovely voice.
After releasing them, Walter backed away, and the professor gestured for Billy and Bonnie to turn. When they looked out upon the audience, still standing in response to the previous wedding, he spoke with power. “These are the witnesses to your coming union, and since you both have dragon blood, we will create a covenant veil.”
The professor nodded at Walter. “If you would be so kind, Mr. Foley, please split them into two groups with an equal number of dragons and humans on each side.”
“You got it!”
While Walter waved for everyone to get together, and Ashley helped him count and separate them into two groups, the professor reached for Listener’s hand. “Are you ready to lead them through, my dear?”
Listener nodded. “Should I just do what you said in my dream?”
“Exactly.”
Smiling, she reached up and lifted Bonnie’s veil. “To pass through the covenant,” Listener said, “all other veils must be removed, for your soul is laid bare through your unfiltered eyes.”
When everyone assembled, Bonnie’s parents on the left, Billy’s on the right, and a host of others evenly divided on either side, Professor Hamilton again lifted his voice. “When I say the vows, I want everyone to repeat them by speaking through the gap in between the groups.”
The people and dragons on each side faced each other. When the rustling stopped, the professor spoke again, now with a more powerful voice than ever. “I, Billy Bannister, do take thee, Bonnie Silver, to be my wedded wife.”
With a joyous outburst of voices—men, women, children, and dragons—the words rocked across the garden in both directions. The gap in between the groups sparkled and began to glow, creating an arching aura. It looked like a shimmering membrane, thin and brilliant, nearly as tall as Yereq and wide enough for two people to pass through.
The professor finished Billy’s vows as well as Bonnie’s, waiting between each phrase for the witnesses to repeat them. With every utterance, the aura grew brighter, stronger. When the final words sounded forth, the arch pulsed with white energy.
He nodded at Listener. “Now, dear child, you may lead them through.”
She stepped in front of Billy and Bonnie. “Each of you lay a hand on my shoulder,” she said quietly.
As soon as they complied, Listener marched slowly forward, in step with the cadence of the professor’s voice.
“The covenant veil is established, and the bride and groom will be able to pass through only if the words of the vows are true in their hearts. They, too, will speak them as they walk, fulfilling the human tradition.”
Bonnie let the words pour from her lips. “I, Bonnie Silver, take thee, Billy Bannister, to be my wedded husband.”
Billy echoed with his vows. “I, Billy Bannister, take thee, Bonnie Silver, to be my wedded wife.”
As they spoke the final phrases, they reached the energy field. Not even slowing down, Listener led them into its light. Taking Billy’s hand, Bonnie looked at him as they finished their vows together with “Till death do us part.” They passed through—easily, as if gliding through a silk curtain. The radiance tickled Bonnie’s skin, forcing her to smile.
When they emerged on the other side, Bonnie blinked. Billy stood at her side, gazing at her as they held hands.
The veil dissipated. A fountain sprang up in its place. Shooting seven streams high into the air, it sprayed a fine mist over everyone within a few paces. While most of the crowd moved away from the water, Sapphira and Elam held hands and stayed under the mist, allowing the tiny droplets to dress their hair and clothes in sparkling raiment.
The professor waved for everyone to gather around in a circle. “William. Bonnie. I have desired to do this for a long time.” Setting his hands on their shoulders, he turned them toward each other. “By the authority vested in me as an emissary of Heaven, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
He paused. Bonnie looked at him, noting the gleam in his eye as he winked. When would he say those final, wonderful words?
Smiling, the professor took a deep breath and spoke with clarity and passion. “William, I will now dispense with formalities and call you by the name your bride cherishes.” He paused again, his smile broadening. “Billy Bannister, you may now kiss your bride.”
Billy set his hands on Bonnie’s cheeks. Tears welling, making his hazel eyes sparkle, he drew close. Then, Billy and Bonnie kissed, a slow, satisfying kiss—soft, tender lips touching for the first time.
A shiver ran down Bonnie’s spine. All the dangers, pain, deaths, and sorrows melted away. All the waiting, prayers, and lonely vigils had been worth it. She was now the virgin bride, spotless, unspoiled, and pure for her warrior husband, a noble knight, equally unblemished and holy.
When their lips parted, Professor Hamilton turned the newly married couple toward their parents. As Walter, Ashley, Elam, and Sapphira looked on, the professor called out, “I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Billy Bannister!”