Seal of the King (17 page)

“We went down to the lake to sit while Aurora
was eating.” David said.

"I see,"
said Jasmine “we should get over there as soon as possible. Leave these things. We can put them away when we return.”

The three of them hurried off towards a building in the back. David thought it looked more like a barn than a meeting hall
, and as they entered he saw that he was right. They had benches, and some tables arranged with chairs, but it was clear that it was used as a barn under normal circumstances.

David turned to Jasmine
, and said, “Can you please excuse us for a minute”, and he and Aurora went straight to Aaron.

Aaron saw them coming
, and said, “Good, we can get started now.”

David
asked, “Can we please see you in private for a moment first?”

Aaron looking a little unsure
said, “Yes, we can talk over here.”

The three of them walked off to a stable area
, where some horses were enjoying an evening feeding.

“Aaron, I was considering what we discussed earlier about how our bond gave Aurora certain protections when we were close. When Aurora
and I talked about it, I remembered something you said ‘what God has brought together let no man tear asunder.’ Then I recalled that phrase is part of the wedding vows. It occurred to me that if we were to wed it would strengthen our bond, and she might be better protected.”

Aaron looked at him thoughtfully then
said, “That may well be true, but a marriage of convenience is not the same, and would not have the strong bond you seek. Now if you two loved each other that would come from God.”

David looked at him
, and without hesitation said, “I do love her, I’ve always loved her.” He felt Aurora sway a little holding onto him; he only hoped it was for the right reason, and he dared not look at her.

Aurora stood there hit with a wave of emotions so strong she
could hardly stand. Hearing him say it out loud like that without doubt, with such certainty shook her to her core. She had felt it, but tried to deny it in case it wasn’t true, and at his words she knew that she was just as much in love with him.

Aaron looked at her uncertainly “Aurora, do you feel the same way?”

David couldn’t look at her; he was paralyzed with fear at the prospect of her saying no.

Aurora struggled to find her voice then blurted out with such force it startled Aaron
and David “yes, oh yes, I do.” She began to cry, but they were tears of joy. Then she threw herself into David’s arms with such force it knocked him back a step.

Aaron
, smiling said, “Then it’s settled, you shall be wed. And as fortune would have it I have been ordained, and can perform the ceremony if you would allow it.”

David looking at him over Aurora’s shoulder
said, “That would be perfect.”

They made their way back to the group
, and David and Aurora sat with Miles and Jasmine. Aaron went over to the apparent leaders of the council, and they moved close to hear what he was saying. David and Aurora sat holding hands unsure of what was going to happen. After a few moments, Aaron stood to address the group.

“
As most, if not all of you already know we have gathered tonight because the time of the prophecy is at hand. We approach the final hour that will decide our fates. Aurora was sent to the temple to retrieve the scroll that detailed the prophecy so that we would be able to work towards its fulfillment. Her journey back was most difficult, but by the grace of Our Father, she was delivered into the hands of this man David. David whose lineage is that of King David himself is the one about which the prophecy speaks.” He paused briefly, as some members whispered to each other. “As it turns out the other person the prophecy refers to is none other than Aurora.” This time there was even more chatter amongst the group. “These two have shared a remarkable bond their entire lives that only a few have known about. This is no ordinary bond; it has linked them between two worlds. It is the strength of this bond that allows them the ability to stand before the Dark One with any hope of victory. I’m pleased to say, to strengthen their bond even more, they have decided to marry this very night.” This time there was no holding back. The group burst into conversation. Jasmine almost leapt out of her seat, to hug Aurora, who was thoroughly embarrassed. “Please everyone, I’m almost finished.” The group quieted down. “Thank you, yes, this is excellent news, and more importantly they are to marry, not out of obligation, but because they love each other. I have known Aurora for many years, and in the brief time I have spent with David today, I have come to believe with certainty that they are two halves of the whole. I also believe that together they will be much more formidable than either one alone. Now, since time is working against us, unless there are any objections I will marry them.”

Aaron stood looking around the room to see if anyone offered their dissent, but there was none given.

“As we are all in agreement, I would ask David and Aurora to come forward, and kneel before me.”

David looked at Aurora
, and she smiled encouragingly. They walked forward, knelt facing Aaron holding hands, and looked up at his kind expression.

Aaron began speaking the moment they were still. “David
and Aurora, as a servant of the most high God it is my honor to affirm your bond of marriage today. He has brought you together at this place and time, and as such his blessing will be upon you. I will ask you now to acknowledge the covenants of this union. Do you two take each other to be husband and wife in sickness, and in health?”

Together they
said, “We do.”

“In feast or famine?”

“We do.”

“That you will not allow anyone to come between you?”

“We won’t.”

“That you will remain joined together until death do you part?”

“We will.”

“Please rise, that we may all give you our blessing.” They all spoke in unison saying
, “Lord, please bestow your blessings on these two humble servants. Lord we lift them up to you that their life together brings glory to your kingdom.”

“In the name of the Lord our Father I bind you together as man
and wife. What God has brought together let no one tear asunder.”

They stood facing each other. David looked at her
, mesmerized at how radiant she was.

“
You may now kiss the bride.”

***

David reached up, and tenderly cupping Aurora’s face pulled her slowly towards him. Her wet eyes reflecting the candlelight, her full lips enticing him to kiss her, he barely noticed her reaching up to place her hands on his arms. As their lips met, just as by the lake, he felt his heart pounding as they each wrapped their arms around one another. He became lost in her touch, and felt as though they were one. He couldn’t hear a sound. He only felt her presence, in him, through him, all around him. When their lips parted, he looked into her eyes, and could see she had felt the same. Suddenly they both realized where they were, and looked around as sound began to flood back into their ears. Everyone in the room was saying something, and as they looked at Aaron they saw the look of surprise on his face.

“What is it?” David asked, “Did we do something wrong?”

Aaron hesitated a moment
, and said, “I have never seen anything like it. None of us has.”

Aurora asked
, “What do you mean?” She was slightly embarrassed; perhaps it was their behavior that had shocked everyone.

“
Didn’t you notice anything?”

“
Well, I mean we were… our eyes were closed.” He said a little embarrassed.

“
When you kissed, sealing your vows, a bright light surrounded you both. It was beautiful as if we could see the light of your souls as they were joined in holy union. Truly God has blessed you both.”

Now
David and Aurora were even more embarrassed. Everyone there was coming up, and telling them how they had never seen anything like what had happened. They were encouraging them saying that surely God was with them, and they wished them their blessing on their journey.

Food had been brought into the room
, and the two of them were thankful for the distraction. More than anything right now, they just wanted to be alone, but they knew they would have to wait a while longer. They sat with Jasmine and Miles while they ate. David was entertained watching Jasmine interrogating Aurora for all the information about him she could get. Aurora kept flashing little smiles his way as he pretended not to hear any of what they were talking about. Jasmine was acting like a big sister, and Aurora was enjoying every moment of it.

As they sat there
, David began to get an uneasy feeling when he noticed a commotion at the door. Someone had arrived, and several others were busy greeting him including Aaron. David casually watched out of the corner of his eye, as they appeared to be telling him about the day’s events. Aurora looked at him with a sheepish grin after Jasmine said something about David, when she caught his look. With a slight flicker of his eyes, he directed her attention to the new arrival. She immediately recognized what he was telling her. Turning to Jasmine she excused herself and got up from the table. David watched her closely as she stealthily made her way around the perimeter of the room. Meanwhile, Aaron and the visitor made their way towards David.

David remained seated not wanting to alert the man to his suspicions. Jasmine had moved next to him
, and was talking to him about Aurora. She told him how she had begun to lose hope she would ever meet someone. It didn’t take long before Aaron, and the man where standing in front of him. David stood as Aaron said, “David, I would like you to meet Lucas. He was delayed in getting here, but has come to meet you and Aurora. He has been on our council for many years.”

“
It’s a pleasure to meet you Lucas. Thank you for coming, I’m humbled that so many council members have traveled so far just to meet me.”

In a jovial voice
, Lucas attempted to put David at ease, and said, “Oh no not at all. It is my honor to meet you. Where is Aurora? I haven’t seen her in years.”

David said casually “She’s around here somewhere.”

Lucas said with forced humor in his voice “just married, and you have lost track of her already?”

David grinned
, and said, “If you know Aurora then you know she can take care of herself.”

“
Yes I do young man, yes I do. I must say it’s quite something to meet a man that could tame her.”

Aaron was looking at David
, and getting the sense that something was wrong.

David could feel his anger rising
, but kept a tight hold on it so when the timing was right it would be at his fingertips. “Lucas I would never try to tame her. She is perfect just as she is.”

Aaron interrupted “Lucas, such talk on their wedding day.”

Before Lucas had a chance to answer, David spoke, “It’s alright Aaron, Lucas doesn’t mean to be disrespectful he’s only doing his masters’ bidding.”

Lucas stammered a little
, “I don’t know what you mean by that, but I certainly didn’t come all this way to be insulted.”

David said with absolute authority “Lucas, don’t try to pretend with me, you serve the Dark One
, and he sent you to spy on us, or worse. Now if you confess I will spare your life.”

Aaron aghast looked at the two of them not knowing what to do.

Lucas began looking around uncomfortably, unable to look David in the eyes, and said, “well I … I just don’t know what you are talking about... I …” Then he reached around his back for something, and a look of shock and terror appeared on his face.

Standing
behind him, Aurora said, “Looking for this?” She held up a large dagger.

Aaron finding his voice
said, “Lucas how could you?”

Lucas in full-fledged panic now raged at them “You fools
! You’re all doomed. You can’t win; these two will fail. You have no idea what you’re up against. He knows everything, and He will prevail. Join him or suffer for all eternity.” Then with a mixture of pain, and fury he turned to David, and lunged.

David almost effortlessly lifted his arm
and thrust it into the center of Lucas’s chest. On impact he released the rage into him like a controlled explosion. Lucas was thrown more than 20 feet, as if he was hit with a cannon and crashed into the wall. Before anyone else could react, David was standing over him with Aurora at his side.

As Lucas was gasping for breath, David stood over him
, and spoke “tell us why you came here tonight.”

Lucas coughing up blood managed to say
, “He wants to know your plans.”

David
said, “You can tell Him not to worry. I’m coming to face him. You can tell him that I will be there soon enough, and then we can finish it.”