Karl was still in shock, his mouth half open as he tried to process everything. "Brother Kai? Marrying our wife?" he mumbled, still not believing what he had just heard. Julian and Adrian were just as stunned, staring at Kaelan like they were trying to make sense of the situation.
But deep down, even Karl could not deny one thing. Kaelan was still a better choice than that bully ghost Louis.
After a long pause, Karl finally clapped his hands together. "Alright then! Let’s get you ready, Brother Kai!" he said, pulling Kaelan toward the dressing room before the poor ghost could say a word.
Ruby watched, her heart pounding. She had prepared several robes long ago for special occasions, made by her own brand, one in every shade that matched her husbands’ styles. Karl opened the wardrobe and looked through the folded robes, mumbling to himself.
"Hmm... silver is too calm, blue looks boring... ah! This one!" He pulled out a deep crimson robe, embroidered with fine golden threads that shimred under the light. "Perfect. Red for the groom, since our wife wore red too!"
Kaelan smiled softly, a little nervous but calm. "If you say so."
"Of course I say so! I have great taste," Karl said proudly, already helping him slip into the robe.
Julian joined them soon after, bringing a box filled with accessories. "Here. These will match the robe." He opened it to reveal a thin gold chain, a ring, and a head ornant with small red stones that caught the light beautifully.
Kaelan hesitated. "Isn’t this too much?"
Julian shook his head gently. "No. Today, you are saving her life. You should look like a god, gorgeous and kind."
Karl grinned, adjusting the collar of Kaelan’s robe. "Ha! Look at you now, Brother Kai. You already look better than that bully Louis in every lifeti."
They both stepped back to admire their work, and when Kaelan finally turned toward the mirror, even he had to blink twice. The crimson robe wrapped him perfectly, the soft gold details tracing his broad shoulders and tall fra. His golden hair, neatly tied back, made his features stand out, those calm blue eyes, the faint scar near his temple, and the quiet confidence in his smile.
When they walked out together, the whole hall went silent again.
Even the guests who had been whispering stopped mid-sentence. The air shifted, the way everyone looked at Kaelan, it was as if an angel had walked through the temple doors.
Karl smirked proudly. "Told you he’d look great."
Julian nodded, smiling faintly. "He looks perfect."
And Ruby... Ruby forgot to breathe for a mont. Her red eyes widened as she saw him, the flas behind him glowing softly against the golden border of his robe. He looked breathtaking, almost unreal.
For a few seconds, she could not even speak.
Kaelan t her gaze and smiled slightly, his voice calm and steady. "So, do I look acceptable now?"
Ruby’s lips parted before she could stop herself. "You look more than that."
Karl grinned at her teasingly. "Wife, stop staring. You’ll make the new groom blush."
Ruby blinked, her face turning red, and Kaelan chuckled softly, the faintest warmth rising in his pale cheeks.
The holy hall shimred beneath the glow of the sacred flas. Every face turned toward Ruby and Kaelan as they stood together before the fire, one cloaked in red, the other in matching gold and crimson, both frad by a light that seed almost divine. The air was tense, alive, and silent enough that even the smallest breath could be heard.
The priestess raised her trembling hands. "The gods have accepted your union, but the vow must be completed through the sacred fire. Step forward, Ruby and Kaelan. Speak your hearts."
Ruby hesitated only a mont, her eyes flicking toward her husbands, Milo, Karl, Julian, and Adrian, who stood in the front row, watching her with pride and love. Karl gave her a small nod, his expression fierce but soft. Julian smiled faintly, and Adrian stood tall, calm but deeply moved. Their faith in her gave her strength.
Kaelan stepped closer, his robe brushing lightly against hers. He looked at her, steady and sure. "No fear," he whispered gently, and she felt her heart calm.
The priestess gestured toward the fla. "Place your hands together above the sacred fire and declare your vow."
Ruby lifted her hand, and Kaelan reached out, his palm eting hers. Their fingers intertwined. The golden fla flared higher, swirling upward like it recognized them.
Kaelan’s voice broke the silence first, deep, calm, and unwavering. "I, Kaelan Nightmare, accept this bond before the holy fire. I vow to stand by Ruby not as her savior, not as her master, but as her equal. Whatever storm or shadow cos, I will never turn my back on her."
The fla flickered stronger, reflecting in his eyes like a promise carved into eternity.
Ruby took a slow breath, her voice trembling at first but gaining strength. "And I, Ruby..." she paused, her gaze sweeping the hall before eting Kaelan’s eyes again. "I vow not to be chained by fear or poison anymore. I accept this bond as my choice, freely, with the strength I’ve built, with the life I reclaid."
The priestess smiled faintly and stepped back. "Now seal your vow."
Kaelan hesitated for a heartbeat, then leaned forward, his forehead gently touching Ruby’s. The fire between them blazed white for a mont, so bright everyone shielded their eyes.
When it dimd, the holy fla turned from gold to a soft crimson hue, a color that had never been seen before in any wedding. The crowd gasped.
"The fla has accepted!" the priestess cried, her voice trembling in awe. "The bond is complete. The heavens themselves bless this union!"
For a long mont, no one spoke. The fire burned steady and bright, and its warmth washed through the hall like a pulse of peace.
Then Karl could not hold it anymore. He threw his hands in the air, his face red with emotion. "Finally! The fat ghost lost! Wife is safe!" he shouted proudly, his voice echoing across the hall.
He turned to the crowd, his expression fiery. "You all saw it, right? No one, no one can steal our wife again! Even the holy fire agrees!"
Julian groaned softly, hiding a smile. "Brother Karl, you’re shouting again."
"I don’t care!" Karl barked, eyes still wide. "Let shout! I’m happy! My wife didn’t marry that atball, and she’s safe! Look at that fla, it’s glowing like our beautiful life!"
Milo ran to Ruby’s side, almost tripping over his robe as he hugged her, tears in his big brown eyes. "Wife! You’re safe! Holy fla really like you!"
Julian and Adrian stepped forward, both smiling at last, their composure finally breaking. Julian’s voice was soft. "It’s over now, really over."
Adrian nodded, resting a hand on Ruby’s shoulder. "You did it, wife. You fought through everything and didn’t give up."
Ruby’s eyes softened as she looked at all of them, her voice quiet but firm. "It’s over," she said. "We’re free."
Kaelan looked at her, a small smile curving his lips. "No," he said softly. "It’s the beginning."
The fire behind them roared once more, sending golden sparks flying into the air like falling stars.
Karl’s grin widened. "If this is the beginning, then I’m claiming the first hug, the first dinner, and the biggest slice of cake when we get ho!"
Ruby laughed through the tears that finally spilled from her eyes, and even the priestess couldn’t help but smile warmly at the sight.
The holy fla shimred down to a soft glow, its light wrapping the hall in peace.
And as Ruby, Kaelan, and her husbands stood together before it, the nightmare that once haunted them finally burned away, the fire’s reflection danced in their eyes, promising that their story, their bond, and their strange little family were only just beginning.
꧁[THE END]꧂
Hello, dear readers,
The story officially ends here. I’m both happy and a little sad—it’s such a strange mix of emotions.
But don’t worry, I’ll still be writing Chapters that follow Ruby, Kaelan, and the others in their daily lives, so this world isn’t completely closing yet.
I started this story back in 2024, and began posting regular updates around November that year. Since then, this book has grown with —it’s seen my worst days, my struggles, my small joys, and even my rise again.
In many ways, this story feels like a reflection of my old self—my hopes, my emotions, my healing.
Thank you to everyone who stayed, supported, and loved this journey till the very end. You’ve all beco a part of this story too.
I love you all so much. (◍•ᴗ•◍)♡
— Sunday, October 19, 2025
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