While the rest of my country celebrated this new holiday of Christmas, Kellen and I were wed. Our small cottage was dressed in winter greenery and I sprinkled it all with a touch of magic. If you walked through the front door, everything in the room began to sparkle and glow. Everyone marveled over it, though truly it was the simplest of spells. Kellen’s family traveled from all over the mountain and beyond, and when they arrived we refreshed them with a whiskey toddy brewed with herbs, lemon, and a touch of magic. I met his cousins and uncles, his beautiful grandmother and his sister. So many children ran underfoot that it was dangerous to walk through the house, so we set logs outside and built a bonfire to warm everyone.

Gifts were given and received. Isleen got several new dresses, Benen got a set of bow and arrows, Ambros got a sword made from this new metal, which I discovered was iron. My boys promised not to change into wolves while our guests were here, but they did anyway. Soon my new family and all the Guardians were laughing as my wolf children chased one another through the forest.

At first, everyone was frightened when our party was joined by a pack of real wolves. But once they heard the story of how these wolves had saved Isleen—told by none other than the pack leader himself, spoken in a fine, high Gaelic tongue—they accepted these beautiful creatures as friends.

Duine babes played with wolf cubs and no one was hurt, not by tooth or claw. One wolf grabbed a child by the collar and pulled him back when he got too close to the fire. Another wolf stole a plate of Isleen’s cookies, but once we realized they had a longing for sweet treats, we baked a cake just for them.

During our feast, one distinguished Duine elder came forward, a crest of roses on his tunic. He bowed to me and then took a knee.

“I am your eldest living Guardian, my queen,” he said. “It has been an honor to serve you.”

“Then you are my most trusted knight,” I told him. I took my sword, a weapon that had been forged by Faelan to kill me, and I laid it across my Guardian’s right shoulder. “You shall always be called the First Knight of the Roses.”

* * *

Then, when a slender moon rose and our guests had eaten and drunk their fill, Kellen took me by the hand and led me through the forest. Our guests followed us in a single file, each of them carrying a glowing candle. The women sang a wedding song, their voices a lovely harmony that made me wish Caer was here, and that she was singing along with them.

Be safe, be well, dear sister, I said in my heart.

I never expected an answer. Perhaps it was born of this magic night. Or perhaps it was a Christmas gift from Kellen’s God. However it happened, I heard my sister’s voice, as clear as if she stood beside me.

The enchantment is over and my spell has protected you, dear one. And now, you have the love I promised you. This is the man I told you about, so many centuries ago. I saw him in a vision that day in the cave and I made sure your sleep would last until the two of you met—

My heart swelled and I closed my eyes, remembering how she had stood between me and an eternal darkness, with only her love to protect me. I hoped she was safe and that I would see her again one day.

I also hoped that one day, she could be set free from Faelan, the evil one.

That was my vow to her. If it took all of eternity, one day, I would make sure that she could choose freedom.

* * *

We wended through the trees, following a curving path until we reached a place I had never been. It surprised me that there was a hidden hollow on the mountain I had known for so many thousands of years. As we approached, the ground grew warmer and the snow melted. Wildflowers, green grass, and trees with fresh, spring leaves greeted us. This was a magic as strong as any I’d ever seen.

Kellen smiled, that sparkle in his eyes telling me he was glad I hadn’t known about this place.

A spring of warm water fed this secret grotto, while tall rock walls sheltered it from the snows.

My two sons wore Tuatha de Danann skin and blue embroidered tunics that matched my own blue gown with a rabbit fur collar. Isleen wore a long dress of the same material as mine. Kellen wore the brilliant green of his Clan, and for the first time, I noticed a flash of green in his blue eyes. When we finally stopped, we were surrounded by white wildflowers and their fragrance was intoxicating.

There, in that hidden grotto, we pledged ourselves to one another.

As was the practice with Duine brides, I vowed to love Kellen and his God. I meant it with all my heart.

Kellen vowed to love me as a woman, instead of a god.

My heart skipped a beat when he said those words.

His eyes sparkled as his daughter Isleen approached, carrying something wrapped in fine linen. He carefully unwrapped it and lifted it from Isleen’s hands, a sweet fragrance rising. ‘Twas a crown made of tiny pink roses. He placed it upon my head.

“This is for you, Eire. Queen of my heart.”

I couldn’t speak, for my joy was overwhelming. Instead, I showered us with tiny golden stars. Everyone laughed and tried to catch them. I didn’t tell them, but for each star they caught, I granted them one wish.

When we had finished the Duine ceremony, Isleen led our family and trusted friends back to the cottage to wait for us. Meanwhile, Kellen and I went to an oak grove and pledged ourselves in the faery way.

There was no trickery and I made sure he understood what we were doing beforehand. This would not be like my wedding to my dead husband, Fethur, or my sister’s wedding to Faelan. No bride was kidnapped. No House would be made stronger by our union.

“When you call, I will come,” I said to him.

“When you call, I will come to you,” he said to me, but he pledged even more. “You will not be lost to me, Eire. No matter how far you wander, not even the ocean of eternity shall separate us.”

My eyes filled with tears, for I had tried to keep trickery at bay. But being a faery, there are always secrets I cannot tell.

My husband did not know that he would live almost as long I would. Our union would revive him, every single day. Just as he brought me love, I would bring him life.

But that would be my secret. He would figure it out himself, in time. I only hoped he would forgive me.

Then after our final vows were completed, we had one last thing to do before we could join the others back at our cottage. We walked together through the wood, hiding all the trails and paths that led to his home. With a spell here and there, this place would remain hidden. My children and I would be safe from Faelan and his Leanan Sidhe.

Then we paused for one more embrace, his arms wrapped around me, the heavens full of stars above us.

“You made me believe in love again,” I told him with a sigh.

He kissed me then and I vowed in my heart that I would never stop believing in something as wonderful as this again.

* * *