Nadia was speechless for a long moment, her fingers covering her mouth in surprise as her heart suddenly filled to near bursting with love and happiness. She stepped forward and gently touched the new tattoo over his heart, being as tender with it as possible lest she caused her husband pain since it was still fresh. And the image of their new brand, their new emblem that would be what represented their new kingdom, was burned into her brain like a marking all its own. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly, tears sparkling in her eyes from how touched she was with her present.
"Thank you, Dante...Thank you so much," she whispered, her voice thick with sincerity and happiness, "This is all I've ever wanted from you...just you. Just your everything; no amount of material wealth could ever take the place of the love I feel for you. I would immediately give it all away if it meant that I could be with you forever."
She kissed him again, in front of the priest, her father and cousins, his father and brothers, and God. Then, when she pulled away from him, she looked down bashfully and smiled; "I have a gift for you as well, my king," she said, stepping back and removing the veil from her head and handing it to one of her knights.
Then, turning around, she revealed the markings she had requested be added to her body the night before in respect to her husband, his people, and their new kingdom. On her left shoulder, right over her heart, was the Dragonheart coat of arms inked into her ebony skin. However, there was a small leafy trail that lead across her back, swirling a loop in the middle, and ended on her right hip where a dragon sat curled up while a woman an ominous woman in green, the spirit of the people of Evergreen, spread her arms over it protectively; the dip in her dress allowed for the tattoos to be shown and there was a collective gasp among the crowd. Nadia was proud of her markings, though, and smiled happily at her husband as she addressed the whole court.
"I am honored and proud to be the reigning queen of the people of Evergreen and Dragonheart!" she declared, her eyes never leaving Dante's, "I will carry their faith and trust in me with all the dignity and kindness and strength as the rulers before me. These markings on my back, the emblem of Dragonheart and the spirit of Evergreen, symbolize my devotion to my subjects! Evergreen will forever be in my heart and Dragonheart will forever be under my protection! This I promise!"
There was applause from her speech, Nadia quickly taking up Dante's hands in hers and leaning up to kiss him gently before whispering, "This I promise...to them and to you."
(I liked the dream sequence! It freaked me out at first because I was like 'Why is he being assassinated on their wedding day?! That's so not cool! What happened?!' Then it was revealed that it was just a dream and I thought, 'Oh wow, she's good', lol. Good job! Kudos! Oh sweet mother of God, you went out with Matt?! That's so cute! Was it just a mutual date or do you think something will come from it? Not that anything has to come from it, I'm just curious. See? It may be a day late, but you got your Valentine after all. ^.^ I'm rooting for you guys!)