I smiled and, because I couldn’t help myself, rose on my tiptoes and kissed his lips.
He returned the kiss as if he’d been starving for a taste of me all day.
I faintly heard a few chuckles and one whistle that had to be Maz.
We broke off.
“Marry me,” I whispered.
“Forever,” Aiden promised.
We climbed the dais to face Librius, who gave us a fond smile. Everett grinned at us from his place with his Teacher brothers and sisters in their long hoods. One girl wore Nikella’s patched cloak—a gift we’d bestowed to a Teacher in need. Nikella would’ve appreciated that.
Librius lifted his hands and began a prayer to the Four, whose statues surrounded us.
I clung to Aiden’s hand, barely hearing the prayer. Rather, I listened to my heart drum in anticipation, fancying I could hear Aiden’s as well. Like the drums we’d danced to on Arduen’s Night.
Finished praying, Librius nodded to us. “You may speak your vows now.”
I took a deep breath and faced Aiden. “Aiden Falcryn,” I began, trying to ensure my voice carried through the Temple. “I vow to be your wife for as long as my soul inhabits my body.”
Aiden’s hands tightened around mine as emotion flared through his gaze.
“I will be a light when you can’t find your way in the shadows,” I continued, my voice growing stronger as I shared the unscripted words. “I will fight at your side against every enemy. I will be your truest ally, your honest friend, and your most loyal counsel. I vow to trust you even when I’m afraid and to tell the truth, even when it hurts.” I stared into Aiden’s deep green eyes, finding all the love and acceptance I’d been looking for shining within.
“I love you,” I whispered as a few tears escaped down my cheeks.
Aiden smiled softly and caught them with his thumbs, letting his own tears fall.
I swallowed hard and finished my vows. “We share our life as we share our breath. May the gods never find one without the other.”
The crowd murmured in unison. “May the gods never find one without the other.”
Aiden continued to hold my face in his hands. “Kiera Torvaine, I vow to be your husband as long as my soul inhabits my body.”
The words rumbled through me like a storm, shaking me with their raw power. More tears ran down my cheeks.
“I vow to find you in my heart and in my world every day. I swear you will never be alone. I will endeavor to never cause you pain or worry, only to vanquish it. I will give you the life you deserve, with all the happiness freedom can bring.” He rubbed his thumb over my cheek, his voice deepening further. “You will be mine, Kiera Falcryn, as I am yours.”
I shuddered again. Gods, he was going to reduce me to a puddle of joy and desire in front of all these people.
His smile flashed. “We share our life as we share our breath. May the gods never find one without the other.”
“May the gods never find one without the other,” the crowd intoned.
Librius beamed. “By the grace of Viridana, the might of Terraum, the love of Arduen, and the mercy of Mynastra, you are now?—”
I didn’t hear the rest because Aiden stole my lips in a victorious kiss that rippled through my body like a glorious wave.
I flung my arms around him and kissed him back. My husband.My husband!The words kept echoing through my mind like the cheers of the crowd echoed through the Temple.
Aiden bent me over backward, kissing me like he had forever. Which we did.
When Librius cleared his throat, Aiden reluctantly pulled away from my lips.
“I hope you’re not too attached to that dress, wife,” he whispered in my ear. “I’ll be tearing it off you the moment we get home.”
Wife. Home.Those words were music to my ears.
