I take Verity’s hands, holding them tightly as I feel her tremble. Her eyes dart towards the crowd but I squeeze her fingers lightly. “It’s just you and me,” I murmur.
“Tell that to the thousands of people out there,” she whispers, but she smiles.
I cock a brow. “You ready?”
She nods tightly. “Yes.”
In Fae weddings, there is no priest, no officiant to guide beloveds through their vows. Such things are memorized before, and when they’re spoken beneath the arch, they become binding. I take a deep breath, butterflies fluttering in my stomach. From my pocket, I draw a thin, silver chain. I wrap it once around her wrist and then around mine. The chain flares with heat and Verity’s eyes widen.
“I offer to you my life, my soul, my very blood,” I say, raising my voice so it floats over the crowd. “From this day forward, I offer food from my table, wine from my cellars, coin from my pocket, and love from my heart. Until my body becomes one with the clay from whence it was born, I will be yours completely and wholly. Until the next life, my love, when we will meet again.”
Verity is quiet when my vows end, the last sentence echoing over the crowd. She inhales sharply and I feel her nails dig into my palms. I furrow my brows together, wondering if perhaps she’s forgotten the vows. But then she straightens, and I see her eyes shimmering. Verity takes the silver chain from my hand and loops it over our wrists one last time.
“I offer to you my life, my soul, my very blood. From this day forward I offer food from my table, wine from my cellars, coin from my pocket, and love from my heart.” A tear slips down her cheek. “Until my body becomes one with the clay from whence it was born, I will be yours completely and wholly. Until the next life, my love, when we will meet again.”
I break into a grin when the last word has left her lips and in bundle her in my arms. She kisses me, our chained hands clasped together. The crowd erupts behind us, and the golden sparks in the sky burst. I growl against her lips, and she giggles. When we part, the musicians strike up a merry tune. For the next three days, there will be feasting and entertainment for the people. Beyond the edge of the crowd, tents with fortune tellers, tricksters, food vendors have been erected, and many more have been erected. The majority of the crowd surges towards them now, and flames flare in the distance as entertainers begin their shows.
The ambassadors and royalty wait as we descend the steps. Hands chained together, we greet them one by one. Verity looks breathless, cheeks flushed with happiness. I hold her tightly, not bearing to have any distance between the two of us. Heat builds in my chest as I catch her eyes and I see a flash of desire in them. But duty comes first, and so we make our rounds, thanking new and old allies for attending. Surrounded by Fae women, Thal lifts his chin towards us with a grin and a wink. He turns back to the fawning nobility with one last look at Verity.
Erzur and Moritz approach, standing a step apart and looking hatefully at each other. I grin and shake Moritz’s hand. He offers me a rare smile above the cowl of his thick cloak. “Congratulations,” he says. “When I heard of Erzur’s generous offer to break the agreement, I couldn’t believe it. I had to send an emissary to her court to confirm it.”
“And they refused to leave for three days until they got a personal audience with me,” Erzur says, scowling.
“It’s nice to see you both are getting along as usual.” I grin.
“Yes, well.” Erzur rakes her eyes over Verity and then purses her lips. “Congratulations I suppose. Altair, when Verity dies in eighty years, perhaps we can discuss another arrangement.”
Verity’s jaw drops as Erzur smirks and glides away. “I cannot stand her,” she says, glowering at Erzur’s back.
“Don’t worry, Verity,” Moritz says. “With your Fae ancestry, you won’t be passing anytime soon.”
“Eighty years isn’t exactly soon,” Verity counters.
“It is for the Fae. You’ll see.” Moritz eyes the festivities in the distance with distaste. “Enjoy the rest of your celebrations.”
“Thanks for coming,” Verity calls as Moritz strides away, flanked by two elite soldiers.
A woman with blazing red hair approaches, her blood-red cloak fluttering as she walks. Nearby Fae take a step back as she passes, studying her with suspicion. Verity breaks into a smile, and I straighten my shoulders, flashing a confident smile. The new leader of the Bloodbane, Grinda, is a strong woman with family in Desmarais. She understands the need for peace between us and is powerful enough to make the Bloodbane listen to her. She reminds me of Cleo in some ways, but without the murderous gaze.
“Congratulations,” she says, lips quirked upwards. “And thank you for the invitation. It has been some time since a Bloodbane was invited to a public event by a Fae King.”
“It’s a new beginning. We’re glad you came.” I shake her hand, making sure others see it.
Grinda relaxes and nods towards Verity. “It is good to have a bridge between our people. We hope you will visit sometimes.”
“I don’t know if I’m quite ready to return to the mountain keep.” Verity shudders.
“Well, whenever you are, you’re welcome. You both are,” Grinda says with a nod of understanding.
“We hope to work together in the future,” I say.
Grinda smiles and begins to turn away. I notice her deadwood broom nearby. Verity steps forward. “Wait,” she calls. Grinda turns, brows raised,