Josiah sat on the bed, watching as she examined the clothes that were before her.

She was calm. There was no noticeable sign to show that just the other day she had been throwing up, to the point that he had wondered if he should ask the physician to come see her.

He continued to watch her.

She had chosen something. He could tell by the way an unconscious smile was on her face. The slight tilt of her head as she looked back to meet his eyes, her hand on top of the dress she had selected.

He gave a silent nod, not knowing what she had really picked. He had no idea what she and the seamstress had created. They had been holed up together for weeks in preparation for just these handful of days.

The first time he had seen her emerge in her shimmering violet dress- the one that she had worn in preparation to greet the King and his new Queen- Josiah had felt his heart drop in the realization that she would be seen by all. All eyes would be on her, and he wondered if she did such a thing on purpose- and if those eyes unconsciously went to something so painfully beautiful.

He had felt pride leading her down the steps to the carriage. He had seen the Winter Queen as she watched them- taking them in. In his mind, he had laughed. Laughed at the fools who had let her go. Laughed at the ones who had pushed aside something of such great value.

They had not even realized what they let escape.

Her eyes may be on you, Winter King, but I am the one who is holding her hand.

He watched in silence, his chin resting on his folded hands that were posited on his knees as she began to undress. She was comfortable around him now. She never really had been one for modesty.

Her back became exposed as the dress she had been wearing fell to the floor. She bent to pick it up, his breath hitching slightly as the curve to her spine aligned with the movement.

The light hit her skin, her arms showing the full richness of color and the muscles that were usually hidden in layers of silk and finery. Her neck arched, going down to examine her choice closer as the side of her breast showed itself to him.

She was holding the dress now, and he could not even register the color or what the design was as his eyes traveled down her legs, watching as they stepped into the material- watching as it slid up their length, grazing the skin and the sound that was made against it.

She turned fully to him then, half of her body in, while the dress hung loosely down the side, leaving her top exposed. She walked to the other side of the room, grabbing an object. He could not tell. His eyes were unable to leave her. Slowly, she pulled the rest of it up, her hands reaching to pull her long braided hair out, letting the stands show and fall down her back.

She sat beside him, and Josiah felt a whisper of a groan escape him when he realized the object she had grabbed was a thin material that she was now rolling up her legs. It was a black see through web that clung to her skin, darkness against darkness, creating beauty he could not look away from as her nails scraped against her own flesh, pulling up the stockings to mid thigh. What followed were boots of equal length, making Josiah lose all capability to breathe as she pulled the long length of the black shoes over her legs.

She looked up at him then, as if just realizing he was next to her.

"What do you think?" She asked.

Josiah ripped his eyes away from her legs, to meet her questioning gaze. She seemed to see the lost expression he wore. She smiled and asked again, clarifying, "my dress? Do you think this will be suitable for the wedding?"

There was a long silence between them. He continued to stare at her. Continued to take her in. She watched, concern coming now as the quiet stretched.

He moved closer, their faces becoming only inches apart.

"Take off the dress."

"Why? You don't-,"

His lips cut her off as he moved forward, finally losing his patience.

"Take off the damn dress, Lumi."

She was grinning at him, a teasing tone coming to her voice, "Now?"

"Now."

* * *

Macy stood to the side, watching as the future Queen walked around the dress she had been working on for nearly six months.

Lady Elowen stopped in front of it and Macy felt her heart fall.

She was disappointed.

Anyone could easily tell by the way the woman looked at the material. How she frowned at the sight of it and the way she softly touched the dress.

Macy, though she had her moments also when she thought the dress a pain, still had grown to love it. It was beautiful. Elegant. Simple.

She thought it was all things that suited Lady Elowen. All things that she would desire and want to wear and feature on her wedding day.

There was no going back. There was no time to take back what had already been done.

Macy had added last minute detailing upon the Lady's request of a slight blue coming down the middle, but that request had been quickly taken away. The dress was and still remained pure white.

Macy felt some confusion. All the other times' Lady Elowen had visited to see it, she had been satisfied. But there was something now that Macy could not put her finger upon. Something in the way Lady Elowen looked at the dress that made Macy think it was not really the dresses fault that such an expression was worn.

"Do you think it suits me?'

Macy started at the sudden question. She was always nervous when she had to talk to Lady Elowen. She never knew what the correct answer was.

"You will look beautiful in it Lady-,"

"But does it suit me?"

Macy felt panic come to her. Did she want it to suit her?

She risked a look at the Lady and winced when she saw that she was staring directly at her.

"It's the...the design that you requested, my Lady..."

Lady Elowen frowned.

Macy became even more startled when the Lady suddenly asked, "What is Queen Lumikki wearing?"

"I-...I don't know, my Lady...?"

"You were her dressmaker previously, tell me, would she have worn this?"

Macy felt her jaw go slack at the obviousness to that answer.

No? Her eyes fell upon the dress as she thought. Maybe? Macy had no way of explaining to Lady Elowen that even though she had been Princ- Queen Lumi's dress maker for those months, the woman was still a spontaneous, uncalculating mystery to her.

"She never refused to wear a dress I made her...she never told me designs either...I just...made them..." Macy wondered if her words were the right ones to say. She wondered if Lady Elowen would catch onto the fact that all of Queen Lumi's dresses had been bright and exotic- full of color and life while the Lady's were...not.

But it seemed she was already aware of this fact. Macy felt an unexplainable sadness fill her heart as she watched the woman's internal struggle.

"May I speak freely, Lady Elowen?"

She watched the small surprise filter on the woman's face before she nodded her permission.

"I made this dress...It's a beautiful dress, and you are b-beautiful so you will complete it, my Lady," Macy felt herself blush as she nervously continued, "it is your wedding day, so...so I think everyone will be looking at you...anyway..." her voice faded out at the last word, a hush coming over the both of them as Lady Elowen's eyes narrowed down at her.

"I'm aware it is my wedding day."

Whatever weakness that had suddenly come over Lady Elowen, quickly vanished at Macy's words. She watched as Lady Elowen nodded her approval at the dress, "thank you. This will do."

Macy bowed, her eyes following the lady as she walked out the door.

She felt all the air leave her in a deep exhale the moment it closed.

She knew the Lady had a right to be insecure. There were times when Macy wanted the room to be in awe of Queen Lumi, therefore she had made it her mission to do so. She knew the power she held in making people pay attention to her. But Lady Elowen held that power in a different way. It was similar. There was an elegance. A grace that Queen Lumi would never be able to have because of her wild, and savage heritage. But both, in Macy's mind, were beautiful in their own way. She felt a sadness come over as it occurred to her that neither one seemed to fully realize this.

* * *

Marcos watched from his position as the guests were seated.

The wedding was outside, and he was cold.

He knew his King had done so on purpose. Rumors about the various reasons for why had spread around the castle. Some claimed he was a sadistic bastard who just wanted to see those beneath him shivering in the cold during the long ceremony. Others thought it a power move, making the other counties aware of the might behind winter and the power that their Kingdom held.

Marcos really couldn't think of a good reason, but if his King said it to be done, then it was done.

He watched idly, his eyes scanning every so often to make sure nothing was amiss. There were more than enough guards. Spring, Summer, and Fall- even Galexious. All guards of each kingdom were here to watch over their own leaders. This was the event of the year.

From the distance, Marcos saw Queen Lumi arrive. As usual, her husband was wearing black. Marcos tilted his head in exasperation at the male. He had no other color of clothing?

Queen Lumi no longer had that sudden startling effect that she once did on Marcos. He already anticipated that she would shock him no matter what. Not even the sight of the front of her dress opening at a midthigh length and splitting down either side of her showing...boots? Marcos squinted his eyes as he took in the ridiculously long black boots that went past her knees.

Even with such an exposing dress, there was not much skin displayed. At least she was aware of the fact that it was outside. For once, Marcos noted that she was even wearing long sleeves, the black lace on grey background suiting her.

It was subtle. Not a style he would expect. He had to let out a sigh of relief when he thought of the wild possibilities the guards had been betting on her showing up in.

They gambled based on color. The tie so far was on either a red or white dress. Marcos had been horrified at the thought. Surely she would have more common sense than to show up in a white dress?

And red.

He winced at the money he lost since she did not come in that color.

No one had won actually. There had been no bet on the colors of grey and black.

Marcos watched as her husband held out her hand, helping her to sit before he took his seat beside her. A sudden cold wind picked up, causing several of the guests to gasp.

A small smile unconsciously came to Marcos' face when the Galexious King opened the side of his long black coat and tucked her into it with him. At the same time, something in Marcos' chest clenched. The music for the ceremony was starting. The sight of her sitting and not standing was making his chest hurt more than he would realize.

He had not actually thought she would ever be the one to walk down the snowy path, but somehow Marcos had let his thoughts run away from him.

All of them had.

* * *

Unfortunately, the meal after the ceremony was inside. Lumi frowned at that, her eyes watching the setting sun hit the reflection of the snow. She loved the snow. She had not even realized how much she had missed it until now.

"That was painfully long," Josiah sighed next to her, his eyes searching for the servers who would bring their food.

Lumi only smiled at him in agreement.

Painfully long, indeed.

The Winter King and Queen sat at the front of the room, seated at a table that faced the crowd. Lumi recognized only a handful of the males that were along side them- council members who had played a part in sending her away.

Her eyes went unconsciously to Elowen and him.

Elowen was whispering something to the male that was next to her. It seemed to be a light conversation as she nodded and conversed.

But Theros. Lumi watched as he continued to stare down, not looking up, not speaking to anyone. The ceremony had been the first Winter Wedding she had attended. The process had not been beautiful. Lumi wondered why they still stuck to tradition and continued with the drawn out rambling of the male in front. Why everyone had to stand when Elowen made her way slowly down the path to Theros. Why the couple then had to put their backs to all and face forward stiffly, standing in the cold while repeating words back that had been said.

They had not been lovely words, nor had they been words that sounded from the heart.

She felt Josiah's hand brush her cheek.

Slowly Lumi turned to him.

"Are you sad?"

She tilted her head, leaning it into his hand. "I suppose I am."

He looked sad also. He leaned towards her and softly brushed his lips against hers.

"Because he is gone from you?"

Lumi blinked in surprise at Josiah. "No...Not that... he was gone the moment I was given...It's because..." she found her eyes going back to the couple up front and froze as her gaze met blue.

He was looking at them. He had not once looked up, but now, in the expanse of the time and place that had passed he had raised his head to look at her.

"It's because they are sad," Lumi whispered, watching as those glacier eyes continued to cut into her. "I wish..."

She broke their connection, turning to look at Josiah. She still was resting her cheek in his hand, still leaning towards him, "I wish they could become like us."

Lumi was surprised to see that he looked close to tears. She laughed and shook her head at him.

He laughed with her, "everyone cries at weddings."

Lumi debated in her mind and looked at the guests that surrounded them. She saw in the distance her brother. She smiled at his bored expression. They always sent Dakarai to the formal events and functions of the surrounding Kingdoms, whether he wanted to or not.

Lumi leaned in closer. Josiah saw her movements and went towards her also as she confessed, "Theros...approached me...before the wedding...I'm sorry I did not tell you sooner, but nothing happened. We only talked for a few minutes."

Josiah let out a long sigh as he pulled back, "I know."

She blinked in surprise, "you know?"

He nodded, "Ramus told me. He guards the room after all."

Lumi felt shame come to her as Josiah smiled down and took her hand, kissing the palm. "It is already forgotten. Whether you like it or not, the one who will be taking you home, in the end, is me."

There was a hardness in his words as his grip upon her fingers tightened. Lumi would not call it a threat, but there was an edge of iron in his gaze that severed her on the spot, rooting her in place and taking her breath away. She had not seen this side to Josiah before- always a level headed intellect, who would look up from behind a book or invention. But his tone made it clear that she had stepped over a line once, and she should make sure not to do so again.

She was about to speak when a presenter at the front of the room interrupted. All talk scattered as the male continued on, proclaiming the gifts that had been given from each Kingdom to the new bride and groom of Winter. To the King of the North.

His military force alone had the counties who were in attendance come with a wealth of gifts to be displayed. Lumi inhaled sharply, knowing the Galexious Kingdom and others such as Summer, had none of this same richness to show.

"Josiah?"

She turned to see the stressed look that was now in his eyes.

"You should have told me sooner," Lumi shook her head as he looked at her in sadness. "We cannot afford to give so much."

"I know." His gaze swept across the room, always calculating. Lumi knew he had to. Knew that even if his gift had been more than they could ever give, it still was small in comparison to others. "We are still in the midst of a peace treaty, Lumi. I could not afford to cause offense."

Lumi watched as the Winter King and Queen listened to the announcer. They did not react to any of the items that had been presented. The Galexious Kingdom was coming up, and Lumi could feel the tightness in Josiah's grip at the anticipated humiliation the presentation was sure to bring.

"Let me help."

He gave an unsteady laugh, "there is no way to help this Lumi. It's why I did not bother to tell you in the first place."

She squeezed his hand back, causing his gaze to go to her, "they accepted me once in replacement for the debt of a whole country." She stood then, smiling down at him with a look of mischief and anticipation hiding there, "who are you to say they cannot accept what I have to offer now?"

His protest fell on deaf ears as she circled the room. She whispered in the ear of one of the Winter servants, watching as the male nodded before quickly approaching the announcer.

He paused, listening to what was said before his eyes flickered to hers and a slow grin came over his face. She grinned back at him. They both were people of entertainment who knew how to put on a display.

"My King! My Queen! The Galexious Kingdom has presented as their gift the jewels of their country, collected from deep in their tunnels- Rubies, emeralds, and diamonds for you." The King and Queen look unaffected. Many other gifts were of the same thing, except renowned artisans had finally crafted and designed the gems. The Galexious Kingdom had no such thing.

"But! And probably best of all! They also offer the voice of their own Queen for you to hear and be witness to!"

There was a stir around the room as Lumi stepped forward, grinning broadly and meeting Josiah's horrified gaze.

She turned to Theros and Elowen. Their faces had changed from impassive to equal expressions of shock.

"I hope you find contentment in your journey together," Lumi whispered. She could see anger in Elowen's eyes at her words. But it was Theros' shattered gaze that made her turn her back and face the crowd.

"This song is commonly performed in the Summer lands- my home country- it is tradition that we sing it at a wedding to ensure peace and love in the couple who have been married. I hope the Winter King and Queen enjoy it, and find inspiration from the melody."

Lumi saw the grin of her brother as he shook his head. She watched as he opened his mouth at the same time as her, and whispered the words alongside from where he sat.

Of course, none of the guests besides him could understand the language. But that did not change the fact that Lumi knew he would recognize it. It was one of the songs she would sing to him. Not their song of parting, but something more. Something that was full of hope. A brighter future.

A new future, the words sang, something that is what you make of it. Take the scattered parts you have collected and live with the beauty you can create from it.

It's what I did, she wanted to say to him, it's what I had to do. It's what you need to do now.

She turned to face them, still singing. Still stringing her foreign words together.

Elowen was looking at Lumi with a sad smile. As if the mission of the song had already failed.