People chuckled as Lena and Vor grinned at each other.
Tren went on, “But he also told me the battle was worth it, that he would have endured far more to claim Lena's heart. And when he did, he found that she had already claimed his. Now, they stand here before all of you who support them, and I ask Source to be here with them as well, as they commit themselvesto each other.” He smiled from Lena to Vor. “Vor, will you give your vows to Lena?”
Vor met Lena's gaze. “Lena, I never thought I could feel so much for one person, but you have opened my heart, my eyes, and my soul. You brought me to life, and then taught me how to live. I vow to you that I will never betray the love we share. I will love and protect you until the day I die. I am yours if you will have me.”
“I will,” Lena said as she lifted her hand.
Vor slid a gold band set with three sparkling sapphires on her finger and then looked at her expectantly.
“Vor, I once thought you were a monster, but you opened my heart, my eyes, and my soul. Through you, I learned the truth about Para and myself. I saw who the real monsters were, and I found beauty in what I once feared. You told me I would teach you how to love, but it's you who taught me. I vow to you that I will never betray our love. I will love and protect you until the day I die. I am yours if you will have me.”
“I will only have you.” Vor held his hand out.
Lena slipped a thick gold band onto his ring finger. As soon as it was on, Vor pulled her into an embrace, and they kissed. Lena meant to keep it chaste, but Vor refused, and as passion rose between them, so did another, even more powerful energy. The Source of Technology rushed through the trees, and then through the hearts of those gathered in the garden to swirl around Lena and Vor before diving into them.
Everyone gasped as Source sank into Lena with the feel of metal and magma. It wrapped around her heart before connecting with the energy that encased Vor's heart. When thetwo met, they merged, forming a bond stronger than metal that pulsed with the beat of two hearts.
Lena and Vor drew back from their kiss and locked wide eyes. Between them, the air shimmered, and then it settled. Vor cried out and clutched his chest. With his metal hand, he tugged open his shirt to show a glowing mark. Guided by Tech, Lena leaned forward and kissed the mark. As she straightened, the mark settled into a shimmer, revealing its shape—a stylized flame set into Vor's skin, over his heart.
Vor gaped from the flame, shimmering as if real, to Lena and whispered, “We are flame-kissed.”
Lena should have been shocked, but with the touch of Tech upon her, the bond felt natural. “I know, and you're my destru.”
“Holy shit,” Liria whispered from the vidco.
Which was quickly followed by Bena Drask saying, “Liria, watch your mouth!”
“Sorry, Mom.”
Lena chuckled as she glanced at the shocked faces of their guests and her family. She took her destru's hand and turned to face the gathering as Tech offered her words to speak on its behalf. “Behold the first destined couple blessed by Technology. Flame-kissed, they are now. Any who harms them, harms the Source of Technology.”
“Holy fuck,” Thaxvarien whispered.
“Thaxvarien!” Bena Drask hissed.
“Sorry, Mom,” he mumbled.
Lena swayed, and Vor steadied her. She looked at him and then the vidco as Tech left her. “Well, how's that for change?”
“My daughters are both blessed by the Sources!” Yaru Drask exclaimed. “This is the most magnificent day!”
“Congratulations to you both,” Lena's mom added.
“Thank you,” Lena looked from them to Tren's shocked face. Then she faced their guests again, this time without a god offering her words. “Thank you all for being here to support us. I know you felt Sources' blessing too, and I hope it guides you to finding your own flame-kissed love.”
“Great Tech,” Tren Ankeh shook himself as if coming awake. “Friends and family, here stands the first Nethren-Medean couple, blessed by the Source of Technology, and bonded by flame's kiss. I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Anakraes!”
Lena took her bouquet from Greis and then her husband's hand. The guests cheered as Vor escorted Lena through the garden and down to their home to celebrate all the gifts they'd received, not only from their guests, but also from the Source of Technology.
“My destra.” Vor kissed Lena's cheek.
“My destru.” She glanced back to find Greis behind her, still holding the vidco. Her family smiled at her, and Lena's world felt complete. Looking back at Vor, she teased, “Aren't you glad we had a ceremony?”
Vor burst into laughter. Seeing his face alight with joy and love, Lena had never been happier.
Chapter Fifty-Three
Lena
