Summary: On Kenna and Raydan’s wedding day, Dom and Aurynn bond over their broken hearts.
Dom poured himself another glass of ale. All around him, people were celebrating, but he just wanted to numb the pain. The day he dreaded had finally arrived. When Jackson had asked if there were any objections, he had longed to exclaim “Yes! Kenna should be marrying me, not Raydan!” But he knew that objecting wouldn’t change anything, and it would upset Kenna. He didn’t want to make her angry.
He took a sip of his ale and looked around. Amongst all the happy people, he spotted someone that he knew would understand how he felt. Aurynn was standing next to Tevan, sipping her wine and staring at the ground. When Tevan walked away to talk to some of the guests, Dom made his way over to Aurynn.
“Hello, Princess Aurynn. How are you doing?”
Aurynn shrugged. “I’m all right…I guess. How are you, Dominic?”
“Probably about the same as you. Pretty rough day, isn’t it?”
She nodded. “Is it that obvious?”
“Well, I know how you feel.” Dom smiled at her. “Do you want to take a walk? It might do us good to get out of here for a bit.”
Aurynn smiled back. “I’d like that.”
They walked across the courtyard and then headed up the stairs to the castle ramparts. Dom took another sip of his ale. “I really needed a drink today. Well, drinks, actually. It was so hard to watch Kenna marry Raydan.”
“I know.” Aurynn drank from her wine goblet, then looked at Dom. “You’re in love with Kenna?”
“Yes. We’ve been friends since we were children. I wanted to be with her for so long. And then finally we were together.” He bit his lip. “It was everything I dreamed of. We were never officially together, but we got…closer. But while we were apart, she met Raydan. I didn’t know it, but she was getting close to him too. And when he came back to Stormholt, she decided that she wanted to be with him. I told her that I loved her, but she said she didn’t love me that way. She just loved me as a friend. Our friendship means everything to me, but I want more.”
“Oh Dom, that must be so hard for you. I know how you feel. When Raydan came to Fydoria, I was drawn to him right away. Nothing ever happened, but I thought about him. A lot.” Aurynn blushed. “I asked Kenna about him the night before the battle with Azura. I wanted to find out if he was with anyone. I figured she would know. I was shocked when she told me that she and Raydan were in love. I had no idea. I told her that I wished her the best…but I really wished that she wasn’t with him. She is so lucky.” Tears welled up in her eyes.
Dom patted her on the shoulder. “I wish that Raydan was with you, and I was with Kenna. I love her so much.” He frowned. “You know what else hurts? When I was growing up, I knew I would never be with Kenna, because she is royalty and I was just a commoner. Gabriel always tried to discourage us from getting close. I wasn’t seen as a suitable match for her. But I found out that my father was a Fydorian noble. I’m really not just a commoner after all. If Kenna and I got married, the nobles might approve. But no, she married that street rat! He’s good enough for her, but I’m not?”
Aurynn glared at Dom. “Don’t talk about Raydan like that!”
Dom lowered his head. “Sorry. Believe it or not, I actually like him. I’m jealous of him, but I owe him so much. He gave me a book from the library of Ennan. The story of my parents was in it. I never knew who they were, and I always wondered. Now I know. That means so much to me. After what he did for me, I just can’t hate him, even though he is with Kenna.”
Aurynn’s eyes widened. “I found that book! Raydan asked if he could borrow it. He said that a friend of his should know the story. That was you? And you’re their child?”
“Yes, I am. Thank you for finding it. I guess I owe you too.”
“You’re welcome.” Aurynn smiled at him.
“Do you think that you could help me find my family? I may still have relatives in Fydoria. Maybe they could tell me more about my parents. I’ve never really had any family.” He thought of Margaret, who had been like a mother to him. “Well, not family by blood, anyway. Maybe some of them would accept me. And my uncle Horas needs to have his ass kicked by a dragon. If he’s still alive.”
“I’d be happy to do that, Dom.”
“Thank you so much, Aurynn.” He moved closer to her, leaned in, and kissed her gently on the lips.
Aurynn looked down and blushed, then tentatively raised her head. Her eyes met his for a brief moment.
“You’re sweet, Dom. I…I’m not sure if I’m ready for this…I don’t know…” She looked away.
“It’s all right, Aurynn. We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. But I like you.”
“I like you too.” She smiled slightly. “Tevan is probably wondering where I went. I should probably go find him.”
“I don’t think I’m ready to face everyone yet. I’m going to stay here for now.” He took another sip of his ale. “Would it be all right if I came to Fydoria to visit you? Maybe you could show me around and help me learn more about where I came from.”
“That would be nice.” She started walking toward the stairs.
Dom moved towards her and gave her a hug. “It was good to see you, Aurynn.”
“You too, Dom.” She headed down the stairs and into the courtyard. Dom watched her walk away. Although his heart was still broken, he felt a little less alone.