"Wait." Astrid's voice cuts in, firm but oddly uncertain.
We all turn to her, surprised.
She steps forward, slower than usual, her posture less sure. She holds out a small cloth bundle.
"I forged these… just now," she says. "They're rough. No gems or fancy work. Just pure metal bands. But the runes—" she clears her throat, glancing away, "they mean eternity."
Her voice falters. She hands the rings over to Sage and turns before we can see her expression.
"Thank you, Astrid," Sage says gently.
The valkyrie just waves it off and sinks into the furthest seat, head down.
Maeve nods once. "Then place your rings, as nature bears witness and binds you into unity."
She presses her palms together. Opens them again.
The wind stirs.
Sage looks between us, seeking agreement. Kayden tilts his head toward me and mutters, "Older brother."
She nods, lips twitching in a tiny smile, and slides the first ring on my finger. Her fingers are soft and sure. She turns and places the second ring on Kayden's.
Then he glances at me. "You met her first." I allow my brother to put his band on her.
When it's my turn, I place it gently on her finger. She's trembling slightly, looking at her hand mesmerized. Two rings for two husbands is an unusual sight.
A breeze moves through the archway. The vines shimmer. A few petals lift, spiral down like rain slowed in time. The light bends and glows faintly green with nature's silent reply. Something tightens in my chest, like a connection snapping into place.
It's done.
Maeve steps back.
"You are now husbands and wife," she says. "Bound by choice. Bound by nature. You may seal the vow."
Sage looks between us, that spark alive in her eyes.
She reaches for Kayden first. Their kiss is soft, then deepens, inevitable and sure.
Then she turns to me. Her eyes hold steady. Her lips touch mine. There's nothing strategic in the contact, just an answer—a full-bodyyes.
Around us, the others clap, cheer and celebrate. It's joy. Loud, real, and for a fleeting moment, unshadowed.
But I already feel the shift in the air.
The sun pierces through the clouds for a brief flash of gold before lowering again. Dusk is coming. And so is he.
But he won't take her from us.
CHAPTER TEN
Sage
Once the ceremony ends and the others start closing in around us, Maeve leans in, a small smile playing at the corner of her lips. "I know time's short," she murmurs, "but consummation of a nature-bound marriage is… highly recommended."
I can't find the words to respond before Donna wraps me in a crushing hug. Jace appears out of nowhere with a flute of champagne—where the hell did they find champagne?—and Tomas offers a blessing in Lakota. His voice is deep and steady, and though I don't understand the words, they settle in my bones like something ancient and true. My throat tightens.
I hug them all, one by one, and everything starts blurring together—joy, gratitude, nerves, excitement.
