"Tee-hee, now you can consummate your love!" Collin said with a flourish. "Consummate?" The question thundered from the god's mouth. Hikari felt a blush rising from her cheeks. No sooner had he said it the little sprites all giggled and disappeared.

Great way to leave me hanging, guys, Hikari thought to herself. She looked warily over to her recently-betrothed. Her knees were jelly. His first kiss had been brief, but his strong, soft lips had met hers tenderly. Even if it was half-assed on his part to please the sprites, it left her feeling as giddy as a schoolgirl. Now the issue of such an intimate act had already come into the foreground, she fretted over what he might say to her.

He was blazing, seemingly lost in thought. If he noticed her, he didn't pay any heed, refusing to meet her gaze for a few agonizing minutes. Finally he turned to her, alight with what Hikari perceived as irritation. He said nothing, but vanished as quickly as his sprites had into nothing.

She stood still for a few moments. Her heart dropped, but she tried to hold herself together. What did you expect, you stupid girl? He's a god. You already knew he wasn't going to sweep you off your damn feet. She brought a hand to her furrowed brow in frustration. Tears gathered in her eyes and fell in large beads in front of her.

All that I've worked for... No, it was never promised to me that I would get anything more from Ignis than he stated. He had been honest in suggesting that marriage with him would not be like that of mortal men. It was true. Still hot globules of water rained from her face at the altar, HIS alter! She wished someone would slap her, help snap her out of this moment of self-pity.

After what moments seemed like eternity in the silent disharmony of her heart, she pulled herself together and wiped the remaining tears from her face and turned to leave. She took a few steps forward, then turned back to look. She didn't expect to see anything, but still felt a clutching at her chest when she looked back and nothing was there. A small breeze swept past her and she turned back around to carefully make her way down the steps.

At the base, she took some of the warm water of the spring and washed her face. She only wished she could get out of the bridal gown sooner. She took a quick look at her reflection, bleary eyes met her own. The sun was setting over the horizon; she didn't want to be here after dark. She nodded to herself as if in determination and stepped into the portal that would take her to town.

She was glad most of the stores were closed at this hour; it meant she didn't have to meet anyone's stare or provide any awkward explanations as to her downtrodden appearance. Everyone in town knew she was getting married, but to whom the marriage was with was kept secret, except from her closest friend, Kotomi. It was an awkward thing to tell someone: "I'm marrying an immortal being." Every time she was given the opportunity to say it, her voice caught in her throat.

She laughed bitterly now at her naive excitement at the prospect. The reality wore down on her quickly, but she refused to be angry with him. She iterated to herself that it was she who had pursued him, not the other way around. Regardless, it didn't stop her from feeling betrayed.

She trudged through her yard slowly, and stopped to look back toward the mountain that held him. The evening air was cool on her arms and she crossed them over her chest protectively. The peak seemed far removed from her now, the wedding seemed surreal. She grabbed the doorknob, and let her body weight push the door open.