“Admit it, Annora.” He smirks. “You cannot wait to be my wife.”
“Maybe.” I shrug. “Maybe not.” I strip off my nightdress, grab a cloth, dip it into the basin, and run it over my body.
After I finish washing, I reach for my clothes. The loose linen chemise slides over my head, the fabric soft against my skin. Over it, I pull on my surcoat.
Jasce waits until I complete my outfit with my veil and turn to face him before leading me into the corridor.
Anticipation tingles against my skin as we walk through the hall and stop at a door. He pushes it open, and we step into the room. High, arched ceilings tower above us, and stained-glass windows line every wall, the colored glass casting rainbow prisms across the marble floor.
The priestess, a woman with pale blonde hair, no wrinkles, and eyes the color of amethysts, waits for us near a stone altar.
Jude and Arian take their places beside the priestess. As I meet their gazes, they offer me a genuine smile that chases away the last of my nerves. Acceptance and support radiate from them, filling my chest with a comforting warmth. I know that if they harbored any doubts about my worthiness as Jasce’s chosen partner, they would not be standing here.
We stop before the priestess, and she inclines her head at us. “Welcome. Are you both ready?”
Jasce nods and takes my hand, and together we face the priestess.
She begins the ceremony, her melodic voice echoing through the sacred chamber. “We gather today under the all-seeing eyes of the gods to bind these two souls together.”
She turns first to me. “Annora of House Silver. You stand on the threshold of a new life. Are you prepared to leave behind all others and bind yourself to this man?”
I swallow hard, knowing this path leads me further away from my family and closer to Jasce. “I am prepared.”
She nods, then shifts her gaze to Jasce. “Jasce of House Crimson. You stand on the threshold of a new life. Are you prepared to leave behind all others and bind yourself to this woman?”
Jasce’s eyes never leave mine as he speaks in an even tone. “I am prepared.”
The priestess lifts her hands toward us. “In the presence of these witnesses, I bind Annora and Jasce together as husband and wife.”
From the altar, she picks up a shallow bowl. “Bring your hands over the vessel.”
Jasce brings our joined hands to hover over the bowl.
She uses a small dagger to prick each of our fingers and allows our blood to drip into the bowl. “Two houses, two magics, now flow as one.”
She swirls the bowl, blending our blood together. My heart hammers against my ribs. This is really happening.
“Bound by blood. Bound by magic. Bound by soul. You are now one,” she says as she places the bowl back on the altar.
The weight of what I’ve just done settles over me. I’m married, united with Jasce in the most consecrated way.
A wide smile lights up Jude’s face as he turns to me. “Welcome to the family, Ani.”
Emotions catch in my voice as I speak. “Thank you.”
Jasce slips his hand into mine, and together we walk back down the aisle. I glance over my shoulder for one last look at the sacred space where my life forever changed.
* * *
After the ceremony,I follow Jasce to the Great Hall, where the long oak table is laden with dishes that promise a royal feast: greens glistening with a light dressing, golden-crusted meat pies releasing savory aromas, and jewel-toned fruits piled high in polished bowls.
Jude and Arian follow us into their room and sit on the opposite side of the table.
I slide into the carved seat beside Jasce, and as I take in the sumptuous spread, I decide I will be happy. I’ll let go of my worries and focus only on the newness and excitement of being Jasce’s wife.
Jasce turns to me. “Happy?”
I nod. “Yes, very much so.”
