A grin stretched across my face, and I ducked out of my tent to greet my father. He pulled me in for a hearty hug, clapping me on the back. This was his village once, but when another village was attacked and left in pieces, he and a fair few of the older generation went to help. Eventually, he chose to stay. My motherliked it there, too. I visited them, and they came to see me and Godr as well, but it had been a while since our last visit.
“Hello, Father. I’m glad you could make it.”
He scoffed, throwing his arm around my shoulders as we headed toward the village center. “Like I would miss my own son’s bonding ceremony. So where is he? I thought he would be with you. I wouldn’t have been so polite otherwise when coming to fetch you.”
Barking out a laugh, I shook my head. “He was kidnapped by the females to help him get ready. They like his company. He is gentle and less rowdy than we are.”
“Mm. Sounds like he suits you, then. You’ve always been fond of the sweet things in life.”
I fought off a grin because he wasn’t wrong, but I was unwilling to admit it. He’d only tease me more. His personality was reflected in Godr. I got my mother’s more calm nature.
My mother was speaking with Orthorr, her expression fierce when we came to join them. I worried for a moment until we approached them and I heard what they were discussing.
“How dare he? Insulting his own kin on his bonding day and trying to force him to leave. That poor boy. Is he even well enough to do this today? We can delay until he’s had time to process.”
Orthorr chuckled, shaking his head. “Finn is a gentle soul, but he stood his ground against his brother today. It was he who claimed the clan, not the other way around. He will make an excellent addition to our people.”
Pride lit me up inside, and I couldn’t help but smile. Finn would always be gentle, it was just his way, and I liked that about him. But when it came to the things he cared most about, he was as fiercely protective as I was. He’d go against his instincts to protect his family. His clan.
I greeted my mother with a hug, listening to her coo over my hair. Finn had stolen me away at one point to try his hand at braiding it. He was better than he let on, and I told him to leave it for the ceremony. He was so pleased, he nearly cried again. My sweet, gentle Finn.
The sun was beginning to set when the ceremony began. My breath caught in my chest when Finn finally joined me. His hair had been partially shaved on one side, leaving most of his curls intact while embracing the ways of the clan. He wore a white tunic and legwear, as well as thick fur on his shoulders. But it was his smile that stole my breath away. Gone was the terrified and trembling man I’d pulled out of the receiving tent. In his place was a man full of happiness and pride, his cheeks pink from all the attention on him. Zoya and the others had talked him through the ceremony so he’d know what to expect, but he still cuddled up against my chest the moment he was close enough, making the crowd chuckle. He blushed and ducked his head, but he was smiling, knowing here he was truly accepted as he was.
Orthorr’s smile was patient, and he waited for Finn to get his cuddles in before starting the ceremony, speaking loudly so the entire clan could hear him.
“We gather today to celebrate this couple. To bask in their love and commitment, both to each other and to our clan. Bondmates are more than just lovers. They are partners in all things. Each challenge they face, they will face together. A fate only the bravest and strongest can endure.”
He turned to Finn, his expression kind. “We know not what the future brings. Fate brought you to us because you were needed here. Not only as a tribute but as a staunch defender of our way of life. We are honored to call you brother.”
Tears spilled over Finn’s cheeks, which I’d expected. With his hands in mine, he had no choice but to let them fall. Instead ofembarrassment over his display, he only smiled and murmured a quiet thank you to Orthorr, his voice trembling with emotion.
With a nod, Orthorr turned to me, pride on his face. “Your clan saw your heartache, brother. I was prepared to send you to another clan to find your other half. Fate saw fit to bless us with this man so we could keep you here. Honor the blessing she gifted you so that we all can bask in her grace.”
Dipping my chin, I turned to where Godr waited, the necklace I carved for Finn in his hand. Finn looked curious when I showed it to him, his brow furrowed.
“Isn’t that… Didn’t you start working on that right after I came here?”
He didn’t realize the implication of that, but the rest of the clan did. Some laughed, others smiled, and a few called out a cheer. Finn looked around in startled confusion before tipping his head at me.
Fighting back a grin, I nodded. “I did. I knew when I first saw you that I had found my match. But since we didn’t speak the same language, it took me a while to express that to you.” The crowd chuckled and Finn smiled, shaking his head a little. Tipping my head toward the necklace, I explained, “In our clan, when a man finds his bondmate, he offers them a gift. Something to show his claim to the world. It would honor me if you wore this, so everyone can see that you are mine and I am yours. And no force can tear us apart.”
His brow furrowed barely banked hope in his eyes. “Do you promise?”
My smile broke free, and I nodded. “I promise, kolrav. You are my Finn. I will protect our bond for the rest of my days.”
With a tear-filled smile, he accepted my gift, his eyes full of love as I slipped it over his head. It took some guesswork—I couldn’t make it the same size as mine—but thankfully, it rested perfectly over his heart. He ran his fingers over it, more tearsspilling over his cheek, but his smile faltered and a hint of panic overtook him when he looked up at me with wide eyes.
“Was I supposed to make something for you? I didn't know that. I didn't ruin everything, did I? I don’t actually know how to carve, but?—”
Chuckling, I silenced his rambles with a quick kiss. “Relax, kolrav. You are my gift. Not any trinket. It is the clan member who supplies the necklace.”
He slumped with relief, resting his forehead against me for a moment. Laughter rippled through the crowd, but I was not bothered. My Finn was emotional by nature. He cared deeply. Had it been required, I knew he would’ve done everything he could to make me something with his own hands. If he figured it out, he might still.
Orthorr cleared his throat, drawing attention to him once more. “Finn has accepted his bondmate and taken his place in our clan. As such, we welcome them both home.”
Turning, I urged Finn to face the crowd. He looked curious, but no longer frightened like he had been the day he arrived. He squeezed my hand, resting his head against my arm, and smiled brightly as the clan chanted together to welcome us. When they were through, I surprised him by scooping him up like I had that first day, and kissing him senseless, until the cheers of the crowd fell away, and it felt like we were the only two who existed in the world.
A barbarian weddingwas much more fun than any that I’d ever been to. Once the ceremony itself was over, Rath and I sat in big fancy chairs on top of a platform, where we were greeted by each and every member of the clan. It took quite some time since thisclan was big, and by the time we got close to the end, people had been drinking for a while, and the greetings were starting to slur. I couldn’t stop laughing when Godr came up for his turn and fell right back off the platform, too drunk to stay on his feet. Rath watched with wry amusement, shaking his head, and threw out a comment about his brother being a lightweight.
