This is the end of the Eldritch portion of the service.
Efficiently, she blew out his candle and Lileth took them back, placing one on each side of the unity candle. She had tailored the service to omit all the awkward language about love and desire, which Thalia appreciated. It wouldn’t help the situation to force them to speak false vows.
Her part done, Lil made way for Janek on the dais. The elder wolf was soberly garbed and dignified in demeanor. “Friends, we are here to mark the joining of these two. Promises are ties that bind. Today, you have chosen one another. Raff, please turn, face your bride and offer her your hand.”
His quick compliance saved her pride. While everyone had to know that this wouldn’t be the first choice for either of them, nobody could gossip about the proprieties.
Janek stepped down and wrapped a thick cord around the wolf lord’s wrist and then he pulled the other end around Thalia’s. She hadn’t known that the wolves had this sort of tradition, but she didn’t object as Janek deftly fastened a loose knot. If she exerted the slightest pressure, it would fall off, probably a bad omen.
“The first, fragile link has been created. One may be conquered, but two can defend, back to back, joined in common cause. Likewise, a rope woven of many threads does not fray easily. Will you two pull it tight as a symbol of your union?”
“I will,” she said, in unison with the wolf lord.
They each drew on the rope until there was only a little slack and the knot was tight enough to hold. Normally, there were probably a lot more words about love and devotion, but the wolves had cut to the chase as well. This must be almost over, right? Janek misted them both lightly with water.
“The bond is made and blessed. House Talfayen is joined with the Pine Ridge pack. From this moment forward, we acknowledge your kith as our kin. Let these witnesses recognize the promises made today and let no man separate what we have joined. Friends, I give you our newlywed couple. Please support their union with your applause.”
At first, the response was lukewarm at best, but a few enthusiastic witnesses in back motivated the crowd to sufficient fervor. Once the clapping died down, Janek bowed and then raised their arms high. People started taking pictures, as if the occasion truly needed personal commemoration.
I got a rope instead of a ring. How…odd.
“When can we take this off?” Thalia demanded, about an hour later.
They had proceeded through the customary Eldritch fertility dance and the pack receiving line, which was short as hell, since most of Raff’s people were still at Pine Ridge. Now they were about to eat, so he could understand her aggravation.
This should be fun.
While it might be wrong to tease her, he still intended to wring every drop of satisfaction from imparting this info. “You didn’t know?”
“What?”
“We wear the handfast cord for twenty-four hours. It ensures we stay close, build intimacy, and enjoy a playful first night.”
“You can’t be serious.” Her eyes shot purple daggers, and her free hand balled up, the most temper she’d shown in his presence. It made a nice change from icy composure.
But…she wouldn’t really hit me?
Fortunately, Janek overheard the sharp tone and stepped up to offer moral support. “He’s not jesting, your highness. It’s a pack peculiarity. I suppose you’re free to disregard our traditions once you’re out of the public eye, but I would ask you to bear with us at least until you retire. Otherwise, Bibi will not waste time informing everyone upon her return.”
The seer was going to be a pain in Raff’s ass; he just knew it. While Thalia’s jaw clenched, her fingers relaxed, so the crisis must be past. She lowered her arm and stayed close to his side as he moved off. It seemed like there was an endless stream of Eldritch wanting a word, some impassive, others actively hostile.
“I don’t think I have many fans in your holding,” he said lightly.
“Do you want a candid reply or a tactful one?”
“That’s an answer already, Lady Silver. Or did you not realize I could read between the lines?”
“From the way you play Kingcross, I wouldn’t guess you could read at all.”
It was a joke—he knew it was—but the sting bit deep anyway, because that was so much like what he’d heard from his father, years ago. Only back then, it was more, and longer, and worse. Grim memories beckoned like a murky sea. If his contract bride started down that road, he might not even be able to stay for the promised three months.
“Ha,” he said.
Raff didn’t think he’d shown any outward sign that the quip bothered him, but her brow furrowed. If she was as adroit as Gavriel seemed to think, however, she might have a gift for reading nuances. “I’m sorry. I meant it as a gentle poke at your gamesmanship, but it didn’t come across, did it?”
“Forgotten already. Do I seem like the sensitive sort?” It was an offhand question, but she seemed to be considering seriously.
“Yes.”
When her gaze locked with his, the noise in the hall faded. He had the unnerving sensation that she could see through him, right down to his bones. It took Sky’s hand on his arm to pull his eyes away, and even then, he could still feel the princess next to him. What the hell?
“What is it, pup?”
“Don’t call me that,” she snapped. “Janek and Lileth say it’s time for you to lead the procession to the dining hall.”
“I hope there will be speeches and toasts to our health. You know how much I love that sort of flummery.”
Skylett shot him a dark look, but she stepped back so they could take their place at the head of the queue. Since he was still tied to Thalia, he let her set the pace. She solved his minor dilemma by setting her bound
