Chapter 5

As her handmaids fussed about making her perfect, Rhiannon allowed her thoughts to be occupied by her dream. She had spent a lot of time thinking about it in the last 3 days. At first she had too many questions to answer. So she had started with the most basic of questions: Was it real? Yes. She was sure of that, through her knowledge of the goddess and past experience with such dreams.

Now, who was the man? He had been magnificent. She vividly remembered his golden skin that seemed to carry the sun's warmth and light into the night. It had seemed to warm her skin, though she hadn't noticed the cold before his arrival. His hair and eyes had been so deep in color she was fairly certain Ilunara had enhanced them so she would note the colors. He wore remarkably little, allowing a thorough appraisal of many of his physical assets. A broad, muscular chest had tapered to a narrower but much defined waist and a strip of well placed linen, hiding assets that may have killed her with embarrassment to see. Sandals had been all that had protected his feet. And he had been marked by Ilunara as a guardian.

"He is yours. I am giving you more than you can imagine, child." The Goddess had said exactly those words, but Rhiannon was sure she meant much more. She was considering her conclusion when she walked onto the stage overlooking the assembled guardians and spectators. A small tugging on her senses had her locking gazes with a familiar green gaze, startling them both. "Hers" meant her guardian, which she knew long before he was presented and sworn to her under a brilliant night sky.

♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪

Niall couldn't see her clearly through the veil but the instant their eyes met he knew with a certainty that this was the girl Ilunara had presented as his future. As futures went she didn't seem half bad. She too, seemed to recognize him with the same instant connection he had.

"Guardian Niall, step forward and accept your honor as Lady Rhiannon Draegon's shield. In life, death and honor, do you pledge all that you are to protecting all that she is and will be?" High Lord Commander Diabhalta opened the ceremony to bind him to the future the Goddess had already promised.

Niall had to concentrate to keep from leaping to the stage and shouting "YES!" so loudly that everyone in the city would be sure to hear. Her amethyst eyes seemed to sparkle with barely contained recognition. Once he had reached her, using the even steps he had been taught, he knelt on one knee and lowered his head in supplication before raising his gaze to hers again.

"I, Niall, chosen of Ilunara, offer myself, all that I am, and all that the Goddess blesses me to become to your service. I willingly sacrifice my will to you, let your will become my own. For you are my life, even beyond this one. In Ilunara's name, so mote it be."

He lowered his gaze again and felt her place a gentle hand softly on top of his head. In a sweet voice that was hardly more than a whisper she simply responded, "So mote it be." Her acceptance seemed hesitant. As the bells celebrated the pairing, Niall vowed to prove to her that he was a worthy guardian. Perhaps someday she might be proud to have him in service.