The Crown's Fire - Chapter 302

Chapter 302: In Motion
Apollo gradually returned to his old self, though the presence of the green dragon’s spirit and power still lingered within him. It was a strange sensation, like a part of him had been completely transformed, but he was slowly adjusting to it. Despite the changes, the essence of who he was, his core, remained unchanged.

When he awoke from the deep slumber that had followed his near-death experience, it was as though time had reset. The trauma, the struggle, all of it seemed to fade away, leaving him with a renewed sense of purpose. But there was one thing he knew for certain: he needed to make a commitment, to solidify his bond with Cora.

The first thing he did, still in the quiet moments of recovery, was request a formal wedding ceremony between him and Cora. The idea had been floating in his mind for a while, but now, after everything he had been through, it felt more necessary than ever.

He wanted it to be official, to stand before their people, and honor the love he and Cora shared. The request wasn’t just for the ceremony; it was a symbol of his resolve to start anew, to face whatever came with the strength and unity of the green dragon spirit and the love of his partner by his side.

Cora was not just his fiancee, she was his anchor and he would honor her with all that he had.

“Have you thought of a name yet?” Ezekiel suddenly asked, his fingers deftly tying Apollo’s cravat. Today was his special wedding day. Apollo raised an eyebrow, glancing at his cousin in amusement.

“I can’t believe I’m officiating three weddings in a row,” Ezekiel muttered with a sigh. “Yesterday, I did the ceremony for Asura and Master Kasper. And today, it’s you and Cora. You really made us rush this!”

Apollo chuckled. “Ah, it took everything I had to get Elijah to swap his schedule with mine,” he teased.

Ezekiel smiled wryly, shaking his head. Despite his position as king, he couldn’t find it in himself to complain about his men. “I suppose I can’t blame you. After all, Elijah’s wedding with Greta is tomorrow, and I can’t deny that having a wedding first before facing the great fight ahead makes sense. But you’ve got a point, this battle in three days will be dangerous. I’d want a celebration before the storm too.”

Apollo’s smile faded slightly as he thought about the battle ahead. It was a heavy burden, and with the green dragon’s power still settling inside him, he wasn’t sure how he would fare. But today wasn’t the day to worry about that. Today was a celebration, a day of joy. He turned his attention back to Ezekiel, his expression softening.

“I’m glad we could have this day,” Apollo said, his voice quieter now. “Cora… she’s everything to me. I want her to feel safe with me, especially with what’s coming.”

Ezekiel gave him a reassuring smile. “She knows what you’re capable of, Apollo. And together, you’ll face whatever comes next. Now, let’s get you to your bride before she has a panic attack.”

Apollo nodded, straightening his jacket. He had never imagined that a green dragon’s spirit would live inside him, but he had also never imagined standing here with Cora, about to marry her. Today, it felt like all the pieces were falling into place, his strength, his purpose, his future.

As they stepped toward the door, Ezekiel smirked. “By the way,” he said, “You still haven’t decided on a name, huh?”

Apollo glanced at him, eyes twinkling with mischief. “I think I’ll leave that to Cora. She has better taste than I do.”

“Smart move,” Ezekiel laughed as they walked toward the ceremony.

The wedding ceremony soon began, and Katelina sat gracefully beside her in-laws and Levi, a serene smile gracing her lips. The air was filled with anticipation as they all awaited Cora’s grand entrance into the chapel.

The ornate hall was decorated with lush greenery and soft, glowing lights, a reflection of Apollo’s connection to the green dragon spirit and the deep love he shared with Cora.

Katelina’s heart swelled with joy as she glanced around at the gathered family and friends, their faces lit with excitement and happiness. It was another day of celebration, a moment of reprieve amidst the chaos that had consumed their lives. Today, love triumphed over all else.

She chuckled softly to herself, marveling at how eager these men seemed to be tied down by the bonds of matrimony. First Kasper and now Apollo, tomorrow would be Elijah and Greta.

It seemed as if the weight of recent events had given them all a renewed appreciation for the fleeting nature of life and the importance of solidifying the connections that mattered most.

Levi, sitting beside her, leaned in and whispered, “It’s nice seeing everyone so happy, isn’t it?”

Katelina nodded, placing a gentle hand on his. “Yes, Levi. Moments like these remind us why we fight so hard to protect this happiness.”

The music shifted, signaling Cora’s arrival. The chapel doors opened, and everyone turned, their breaths catching at the sight of the bride. Cora entered, radiant in a gown of flowing emerald green with a touch of gold. Her steps were steady, her smile unwavering as she made her way down the aisle toward the man who waited for her with unwavering devotion.

Katelina felt a warmth spread through her chest. Today was indeed a happy day, and she silently prayed that this joy would carry them through whatever challenges lay ahead. The ceremony didn’t take long. After Apollo exchanged vows and rings, Ezekiel officially pronounced them as husband and wife.

The celebratory atmosphere was shattered in an instant when Atlas crashed into the chapel, his breath ragged and urgency in his eyes. “There’s an attack at Zion!” he announced, his voice echoing in the shocked silence that followed.

Katelina’s body immediately tensed, her mind racing. The joy she had felt only moments before vanished in an instant, replaced by a deep sense of dread.

“Sis, it could be today, just like in the vision, when I saw Lady Asura bathing in her own blood!” she gasped, her voice barely a whisper, but the fear in her eyes spoke volumes.

Ezekiel was quick to react, his grip firm as he stopped her from making any sudden moves. “Stay here,” he said with unwavering determination. “Kasper is there with her. He’ll make sure she’s protected. No need to worry.”

“But-” Katelina began to protest, but Ezekiel’s stern gaze silenced her.

“We planned for this,” he reassured her, his voice steady but laced with urgency. “Levi foresaw this happening, so we already have a plan in place. We’ll proceed as scheduled. Go with Ezme now.”

Katelina hesitated for only a moment, then nodded in understanding. The responsibility of keeping her family safe weighed heavily on her, but she trusted in the plans they had already set in motion.

As she turned to leave, Bella, the head of the mages, approached with a serious expression. “Your Majesty, please, let’s go.” Bella’s voice was firm.

Katelina took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come. She turned back to Ezekiel, offering him a final, lingering glance. He nodded, his jaw set, before turning his attention to Apollo.

“Apollo,” Ezekiel said, his voice filled with resolve, “Cora, you two need to head to Zion immediately. Help Luis and Atlas take down Devon’s followers. I will follow shortly after to deal with Devon personally.”