CHAPTER 274: FIRST WIFE

Two days had passed since the council’s decision on Elder Míngzhì.

The disgraced elder had returned to his duties under strict supervision, while preparations for Grim and Ruxi’s wedding ceremony had reached their final stages.

The sacred grove where the ceremony would take place had changed slightly. Ancient stones formed a perfect circle around the clearing, each one carved with symbols representing different aspects of fox spirit culture.

Luminous crystals hung from the surrounding trees. Creating soft light for the evening sun.

Grim stood at the center of the circle, wearing ceremonial robes. The fabric was deep blue silk with silver threading and an ornate collar.

Princess Ruxi approached from the opposite side of the circle, her own robes a brilliant white with gold embroidery.

The assembled guests formed concentric circles around the central clearing. The inner ring consisted of the royal family and council members, while outer rings held nobles, court officials, and representatives from allied realms.

Even Húxiān had taken a position among the honored guests.

Elder Tiānkōng stepped forward to officiate.

"We gather under the light of the sacred crystals to witness the joining of two souls," he intoned. "Princess Ruxi of the Fox Realm and Lord Ambrose of the Human Realm seek to bind their lives together."

"Do you, Princess Ruxi, pledge to honor this union with loyalty, wisdom, and commitment to the welfare of both realms?"

"I do," Ruxi replied, her voice carrying clearly across the grove. "I pledge my heart, my wisdom, and my dedication to building a future that honors both our peoples."

"Do you, Lord Ambrose, pledge to honor this union with loyalty, protection, and commitment to the welfare of both realms?"

"I do," Grim said firmly. "I pledge my strength, my loyalty, and my dedication to protecting what we build together."

Elder Tiānkōng nodded with satisfaction. "The ancestors witness your words. The realm accepts your commitment. By the authority granted to me by ancient tradition and royal decree, I pronounce you joined in marriage."

Grim and Ruxi moved toward each other, meeting at the exact center of the circle.

When their eyes met, everything else seemed to fade away. The assembled guests, the political implications, the month of careful negotiation—all of it disappeared in the space between heartbeats.

Ruxi’s hand found his cheek, her touch warm against his skin. "Ready for this?" she whispered.

"More than ready," he replied, his voice sounded rough.

Their kiss began gentle, almost hesitant. But as their lips moved together, they both flund a release.

Ruxi’s free hand gripped the front of his chest while Grim’s arms grabbed her waist, pulling her closer.

The kiss deepened. Everything else turned black. Only they existed in this moment.

When they finally broke apart, both were breathing heavily, their faces flushed.

The moment their lips had first touched, the crystals hanging from the trees began to pulse brighter.

The assembled guests started a harmonious humming that created vibrations throughout the grove, and wisps of luminescent mist began rising from the sacred spring that fed the nearby waterfall.

But as the celebration began, something unexpected happened.

A presence touched Grim’s back, sending a chill through his body. The touch was gentle but unmistakably spiritual, carrying with it a sense of profound sadness.

When the presence spoke, its voice resonated within his mind rather than through his ears. The tone was feminine, carrying depths of emotion that suggested intimate knowledge of his character and history.

The voice whispered, "you have traveled so far from home."

The voice carried an familiar quality that made his heart race. He couldn’t quite place where he knew the voice from.

"The path you walk is darker than any child should traverse," the presence continued. "Yet I sense strength in you that gives me hope."

The spirit’s words were cryptic, but the emotional resonance was overwhelming. Grim felt tears forming in his eyes as memories he had buried for years began to surface.

"Remember that love can survive even death," the presence said softly. "And that some bonds transcend the boundaries between worlds."

"Who are you?" Grim asked silently, though part of him already suspected the answer.

"Someone who watches over you still," came the reply. "Someone who hopes you will find peace despite the shadows that follow your steps."

The presence began to fade, but its final words carried a warning that sent ice through Grim’s veins.

"Be careful who you trust ahead. Not all who smile at you wish you well, and some who oppose you may prove more loyal than expected."

As the spiritual contact ended, Grim realized that tears were flowing down his cheeks. The assembled guests had noticed his emotional state, though none could have heard the conversation that had just occurred.

Princess Ruxi stepped closer, her expression showing concern. "Grim? What’s wrong?"

"Nothing," he said, wiping away the tears. "Just... overwhelmed by the ceremony."

But Elder Tiānkōng was studying him with interest. As the spiritual expert among the council, he had clearly sensed something unusual.

"Did you experience spiritual contact?" the elder asked quietly.

"Yes," Grim admitted. "Someone spoke to me. Someone who... knew me."

"The sacred grove sometimes allows communication across great distances," Tiānkōng explained carefully. "Even between realms. What did this presence tell you?"

"To be careful who I trust," Grim replied, choosing not to mention the more personal aspects of the encounter. "And that some alliances might not be what they appear."

Elder Tiānkōng nodded thoughtfully. "Wisdom worth considering, especially given recent events."

The celebration continued around them, but Grim found himself distracted by the spiritual encounter. The presence had felt so familiar, so connected to his deepest memories, that it was impossible to dismiss as random spiritual contact.

Húxiān approached as the formal ceremony concluded and the reception began.

"Interesting wedding gift," she observed with divine insight. "Spiritual contact from beyond the veil isn’t common during marriage ceremonies."

"You sensed it too?"

"I sense all spiritual activity in my vicinity," she confirmed. "This presence traveled a great distance to reach you. The effort required suggests deep personal connection."

"Any idea who it might have been?"

"Someone with strong emotional ties to your wellbeing," Húxiān replied diplomatically. "Someone who cares enough about your future to expend considerable spiritual energy making contact."

As the evening progressed with music, dancing, and celebration, Grim found himself constantly thinking about the mysterious presence. The warning about trust was particularly troubling given the recent betrayal by Elder Míngzhì.

When he and Ruxi finally retired to their shared quarters for the first time as married couple, she noticed his continued distraction.

"You’ve been quiet since the ceremony," she observed. "The spiritual contact really affected you, didn’t it?"

"More than I expected," Grim admitted. "The presence seemed to know me personally. Not just my reputation or my current situation, but who I really am."

"That suggests someone from your past," Ruxi said thoughtfully. "Family, perhaps?"

Grim considered the possibility. His father had been consumed by his family’s enemy, and his mother had died when he was a baby. But the emotional resonance of the contact, it resonated with him.

"Maybe," he said finally. "Though I thought all those connections were severed long ago."

"Love doesn’t die just because someone does," Ruxi said gently. "If this presence cared enough to reach across realms to contact you, then whatever connection you shared was stronger than death itself."