Avni walks out of the dressing room, attempting to appear nonchalant as she fixes the straps of her dark purple gown, "I think this looks better Everly, what do you think?"

Everly smiles sadly at Avni, her warm amber eyes swimming with spots of black, "You look beautiful, Avni. How much of that conversation did you hear, by the way?"

Avni swallows and looks away, "All of it? Though it didn't make much sense in the end, just that he's hiding something from Vadarius. Anyway, I never thought he could be such a thoughtful or caring person before now, I always imagined his emotional capacity flickered between anger, cruelty, sarcasm and perhaps, protectiveness. It was strange hearing him say all that about your bonding."

"He's a lot more than what he portrays, Avni. I haven't known him personally for long, but even I can tell you that what you perceive of him is just a figment of his personality, you see what he wants you to see. He's our King, so he has to act the part, even if it means suppressing the gentle Volzite in him. He's Vadarius and Precious' sibling after all, I can't imagine why he'll be much different to them in true temperament."

"Perhaps. I don't know what to think of him anymore."

"Just keep an open mind. Anyway, let's begin to get ready yeah? I'll call the helpers to help us with our hair and makeup, while the costume designer can get the accessories arranged for our shortlisted dresses, you know, gloves, sandals, jewelry and all, I'll also need a veil and a train."

"Alright, lets get started then."

________

Fourteen hours before finale

"You look so beautiful, Everly, I can guarantee Vadarius won't be able to take his eyes off you all night", Avni says as she fixes her veil one final time.

"That's the point, right?" She smirks at her human friend who looks as beautiful as her, if not more.

"Absolutely. Come on, let's go now, we don't want him waiting too long after all", Avni grins mischievously as she pulls her towards the door so they can finally go to the royal ballroom where the party is already in full swing.

"Wait! I haven't put on my gloves yet!", Everly frees her hand from Avni's as she picks up her matching red gloves from the dresser and begins to put them on.

"If you don't mind me asking, why do all Volzites wear gloves? I don't think I've ever seen anyone without them ever, except maybe Precious a couple times when she's playing in the garden."

"Oh, you don't know? It's another one of our customs. Volzites consider their touch very sacred, so they refrain from touching worthless, mundane things or unknown, unimportant people. We only touch things that we consider pious or people we consider pure, or our own. Only who deserve our love and respect, receive our unfiltered touch; it's quite powerful, the essence of a sacred touch. When the bonding ritual occurs tonight, the participants will get rid of their gloves. You'll see what I mean then."

Avni nods in understanding. Her interest is definitely piqued, she cannot wait to attend the royal Volzite wedding and find out more about their strange and intriguing rituals.

______

Vadarius paces his room in excitement and anticipation as he waits for Albatross to arrive with the royal red wedding cloak, passed down from generation to generation on every wedding, as well as the ritual dagger to be used during the ceremony.

The door to his room opens abruptly and Vadarius beams, "There you are, brother. Pin up the cloak quickly so we can get to the ballroom, I just can't wait to see her."

Albatross rolls his eyes and stifles a smirk as he nods, motioning for his brother to turn around so he can help him with the cloak.

"Vadarius, I hope you know that I'm very proud of you. You are an intelligent, kind young man, and Everly is very lucky to have someone as amazing as you as a life partner. You've always done right by all your duties, and I'm positive your marital life will be no exception. I wish you lots of happiness brother, and I'm sure if our parents were here, they'd be very proud of the man you've become."

He pats his brother's shoulder as the cloak is done, and Vadarius immediately turns around and hugs his older brother.

"Thanks, brother. I'm sure they'd be proud of you too, despite your recent questionable choices", Vadarius jests which makes Albatross huff in amusement.

"Sure young man, come along now. I'd hate to be you if your soulmate arrives before you and realizes you took more time than her to get ready."

Vadarius chuckles and nods, before muttering "Impossible" under his breath. They both leave the room together to entertain their guests in the ballroom and wait until Everly arrives to start the ceremony.

Several introductions, pleasantries and smiles later, Albatross and Vadarius watch as two beautiful women descend the stairs of the ballroom.

Dressed in a stunning, blood red, sleeveless tulle ball gown, with a sweetheart neckline and an elaborate neck ensemble extending into a beautiful, long train trailing behind her, Everly descends gracefully into the room amidst applause and cheers by Volzites. Her hair is done in a high updo, with several tufts of curls hanging around her radiant face, which is hidden from the envious gaze of hundreds of elite women by a translucent blood red veil. Her neck is adorned with an intricate necklace of diamonds and rubies under her cloak, with matching long earrings dangling from her ears. She is a breathtaking sight to behold as all eyes fixate on the new royal family member ready to take oath tonight.

Albatross watches as his brother's face lights up at her arrival, an indulgent smile gracing his face at the sight of his beloved. He cannot help the smile that graces his own face at his brother's happiness.

As his eyes travel back towards the descending goddess that will officially become his sister in law tonight, he notices the other lady following his newest family member. His eyes widen slightly in surprise at the sight of peacemaker in a stunning, deep purple ball gown, the embellished bodice snug around her curves like second skin, while the skirt flares around her waist making her look extremely elegant and exquisite.

He cannot take his eyes off her, especially when that damned tattoo is partially peeking through her neckline, the beautiful pearl drop diamond pendant dancing on top of it. He feels the same magnetic pull towards it that he usually does, but his resolve to ignore it wavers every time she smiles at any of his own family members, like she smiles at Vadarius now.

His attention is ripped away from her abruptly, however, when a pair of small delicate arms embrace his left leg, and he cannot help but smile brightly at his little princess.

"Hey Precious, you look absolutely beautiful in that dress", he lifts her up and twirls her around in his arms, her lilac dress swaying in the air as she squeals in delight.

"You look handsome too, brother", she compliments through giggles.

"Come on now, it's almost time for the dance and the ceremony, Precious. Are you ready?"

"Yes, Everly will become family after tonight right?"

"Yes, my princess. Let's go meet her now."

Albatross tucks Precious into one of his arms and starts walking towards the bottom of the staircase where Vadarius is already talking excitedly to both Everly and Peacemaker. Albatross takes a deep breath and prepares himself for a bittersweet night of unmatchable bliss mixed with personal torture.

_________

As Avni descends the unending flight of stairs leading to the ball room, her eyes scan the crowd for familiar faces. Immediately her eyes land on the pair of royal Volzites that are both the boon and bane of her existence on Volzolks. Vadarius has a beaming smile on his face as he meets and greets several guests, and his friendly countenance brings a tiny smile to her own face. His golden robes glimmer in the dim party lighting, and the red cloak trailing behind him looks royal in every sense of the word. His eyes sparkle with unmistakable joy as he accepts compliments from his guests.

However, when her eyes scan the other brother beside him, she is in for another surprise. Mr. King is totally at ease in his golden and midnight blue warrior ensemble, the golden fighting suit fitting his physique snugly, and the midnight blue cloak covering his torso and his left side extending into a train behind him, while a silver dagger is tucked into the leather belt on the right side at his waist. His face has a relaxed smile on it, and his eyes are the biggest source of surprise for Avni. They aren't their usual cold icy grey, instead they are warm ambers, with an unmistakable sparkle in them. He is talking easily with his subjects, and looks so easygoing and approachable, Avni finds it hard to believe he's the same man who will unleash his wrath on humanity if she loses tomorrow.

She hasn't really ever seen him interacting with his own people before, but today he looks so friendly and caring towards them. Overall he just looks happy for the occasion, which makes sense too, because it's the wedding of his dear brother.

As they both reach the middle of the stairs, both brothers register their descent and Vadarius' face immediately breaks into a happy, breathtaking smile, which is equally mirrored on Everly's beautiful face. Mr. King notices them both and his lips curve into a wider smile, one that makes him look unbelievably handsome. Avni tries to ignore the inexplicable tug at her heart that coaxes her to forgive this cruel man even after all the suffering he caused her and focus on this new gentler side of him instead, but she hardens her resolve. She's done trying to understand him or looking at everything from his perspective, and unless he has a major change of heart now that can truly change her mind, she has no intentions to change her behavior towards him.

Her steeled resolve, however, begins to crumble immediately as she notices him twirling Precious around and smiling wide at her giggles. Avni cannot help the warmth that spreads through her heart at the sight, and for the hundredth time she wonders what it would have been like if they had all met in a parallel universe where they weren't destined to hate and possibly kill each other.

As she reaches the end of the staircase, she notices Vadarius greeting Everly with a kiss on her gloved hands. He whispers something in her ear, which makes her chuckle heartily and kiss him on the cheek in response. The sight warms Avni's heart, she's so happy they both found happiness in each other, no matter how much the suddenness of it seems awkward compared to her human standards. It's their Volzite custom, and everybody is happy for them, so who is she to judge?

When Vadarius notices Avni behind Everly, he steps towards her and takes her bare hand to kiss it as well. Considering what Everly told her about their touch related beliefs, it's a surprise to her, though not as unexpected, considering she knows Vadarius already treats her like a beloved close friend. The reassurance is welcome nonetheless.

"You look lovely, Avni. No match to my beloved Everly though", Vadarius jests as he pulls Everly into a half embrace.

Avni chuckles and shakes her head, "You both look perfect together. Please accept my heartiest congratulations and best wishes for a blissful future."

"Thanks Avni, I'm glad you decided to join. I'm sure you'd enjoy the festivities."

Before she can respond, Albatross and Precious join their group and while he meets and greets Everly, Precious rushes to Avni and hugs her legs tightly. Avni's smile stretches from ear to ear as she lifts her in an embrace and excuses herself aside to tend to Precious after a whole day of not seeing her.

_________

After spending a while with Precious in the balcony of the ball room, Avni finally returns to the party and settles on a couch on the sidelines of the party. She notices Vadarius and Everly on the dance floor, in each other's arms, swaying to soft music playing in the background. Everly's head is rested on Vadarius' chest, and his chin is rested on her head, and as their swirl around in tune with the music, Vadarius places soft kisses on her forehead every now and then.

The sight warms Avni's heart all over again, but also tugs at it a little as she is reminded that she'll never find such belongingness in her remaining short lifetime. Romance was never a priority in her life before, she was a woman on a mission to make Earth a better place, and now, she won't find peace in achieving either in her lifetime.

She sighs heavily, her eyes watering a little at what has become of her life and what kind of sorrow looms over the horizon for her and her kind. She'll be a fool to think she can win against an established and experienced warrior like Vadarius, who's not just Army Chief of Volzite Royal Army, but also their King's right hand man and brother. No matter how much her smile and confidence fools anyone else, she knows today could probably be the last day of her life. No amount of training can prepare a newbie to win against a veteran after all.

The thought of her impending fate in the morning makes her even more morose, as her heart wishes to spend her final night with her own family, instead of watching another family celebrate their happiness. She knows she shouldn't be envious of her friend's happiness, and she isn't, but she is no saint either. The shadow of death that awaits the sunrise has just made her bitter and emotional. 

She sighs and signals to a server nearby for a drink, who passes a goblet of red wine to her. She sips it speculatively, and when the taste burns and numbs her insides a little, she feels grateful for the temporary distraction from her pain. 

A voice pulls her out of her emotional reverie, "Everything alright, peacemaker?"

She looks up to find Mr. King looking at her with a raised eyebrow, the amber in his eyes a stark difference from his usual icy grey. Before she can reflect on the meaning of that, he settles down on the seat beside her on the couch, his eyes following her own line of sight towards the new couple.

She hardens her resolve as she remembers she has to keep her guard up against him at all times, especially after what he recently pulled with her at the last fight.

"I'm alright, Mr. King, just watching them so happy together made me a bit emotional," she wipes away her wet eyes and shrugs nonchalantly, "That's one of the reasons I didn't want to attend the celebration tonight. I have to fight against him tomorrow and this sight is going to make me lose my courage to ruin their happiness."

She expects a scathing remark in response, or his trademark sarcasm,  but to her utter surprise, he groans ungracefully, stares at her and then sighs audibly.

"Can you give up thinking about tomorrow for a little while? It's a happy occasion for your friend."

"Easy for you to say, the fate of a whole species doesn't hang in the balance over your actions."

"But that's tomorrow morning, worrying tonight isn't going to help anything."

"Perhaps."

Suddenly he stands up from the couch and offers her his hand.

"Come on, let's live a little tonight. I'd like to dance with you like there is no tomorrow, forget our differences and be friends for a night. Shall we?"

She raises a brow at him, "You want to dance with me? And be friends?"

He rolls his eyes and sighs.

"Yes, that's what I said. You're restating the obvious."

"I'd be a fool to be friends with you and trust you again. I've already learnt my lesson the hard way."

He groans again and sighs.

"You have my word, peacemaker. Nothing we talk about tonight will ever be used against you. You probably can't trust the King of Volzites, and that's understandable, but I'm just Vadarius' older brother tonight. I'm attending as his family, not his King, and it'll remain that way perhaps except during the ritual and oath. You can trust your friend's brother for a while, can you not? We won't be Mr. King or Peacemaker, just Albatross and Avni. Please?"

Avni looks at his face and his extended hand, as she wonders about his offer. She is definitely intrigued by the demarcation he seems to keep in his role as a brother and a King, and his carefree, warm demeanor tonight has already shown her that something's different about him. The please is a stark contrast to his earlier royal ruler demeanor, that's a given. Her brain is screaming at her to decline, but her heart is hammering in her chest at the prospect of finding out if Vadarius' brother is anything like him at heart. His earlier interaction with Everly today already showed her a different side of him, and she is now convinced he wears a facade of heartlessness when he deals matters as a King.

So, what lies beneath the masks and facades of this alien King?

There's only one way to find out.

She nods and places her bare hand in his gloved one, ready for a final adventure before she meets her fate after sunrise.