The City of the Broken (Prince of the Broken) (24 page)

We dance to hit songs such as Miss Deranged
’ s ‘Bride to Darkness’, The Mourning Moans ‘Dye It Black’ and a selection of disco classics with Freddie acting as the DJ.

“
Its great that we can finally be allowed to be happy” I say, my arms around Calix’s neck.

“
Yes, it’s liberating but I’ll always be broken Seren, albeit with a hint of a smile on my face and a sense of security and love that I never had before” he says truthfully.

“
I wouldn’t want it any other way. I’m broken too now, remember” I say, softly kissing his lips as Hearse Driver For Beautiful’ s ‘I Will Find You At Midnight’ plays and we are surrounded by dancing couples, our fellow Broken citizens who have woken up to the fact it is okay to love.

Calix makes a speech at the rece
ption which I am all too eager to hear.

“
This girl, my wife, Seren, has opened my eyes and taught me truth .It wasn’t until I met her that I realized that I was living a lie, living in denial. I was denying nature, denying love, denying joy. We may be broken but that needn’t be a permanent state. We are fixable ,love is the glue that cements us together again and makes us whole. Seren has done just that for me. I am now complete. Every member of this city is worthy of love, please don’t live in denial of truth anymore. Thank you” he says, resuming his seat and receiving a loud applause. A tear runs down my cheek and its such a touching moment.

Epilogue

Calix and I spend our honeymoon in the City of the Broken, on my insistence. The deceased King’s refusal to let me enter the palace has led to my obsession with it and I couldn’t think of anywhere else in the world that I would prefer to be.

I see citizens all around me, holding hands with their loved ones, laughing with friends, Smiley
’s and Pro-Despair members conversing with each other. The city feels safe and free.

Most citizens still wear all black and embrace misery with both hands, but blotches of colour appear here and there and no one is afraid to laugh or smile anymore. They chose this life
, as I chose mine.

The old King is dead, but not entirely forgotten. A single band of troublemakers lurk stealthily in the city. A rumour persists of the Band of the Broken Brotherhood.