The land was healing. They all were.
Twyla caught his eye from the front row and gave him an exaggerated thumbs up. Beside her, Diana dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief while Rowan pretended not to notice. Maeve sat with the Cross pride, looking uncomfortable in something other than tavern clothes, her sharp eyes scanning the crowd like she expected trouble even now.
Emmett and Katniss occupied seats near the aisle, their daughter balanced on Katniss's lap. Lucien and Moira sat behind them, Lucien's perpetual scowl softened into something almost pleasant. Freya was already crying, and Kieran was pretending he wasn't affected while holding her hand tight enough to turn his knuckles white.
His family. All of them. Not by blood, but by choice. Then the music shifted and everyone turned.
Chloe appeared at the end of the aisle, her arm linked through Wendy's, and Corin forgot how to breathe.
The dress was simple, ivory and lace, but she glowed in it. Her pale blonde hair was loose around her shoulders, woven through with tiny flowers that Freya must have added that morning. The emerald ring caught the light as she walked, and the mate mark on her hip pulsed warm beneath his own skin.
But it was her smile that undid him. Bright and fierce and full of everything she'd fought to claim. Joy. Belonging. Home.
She reached the arch, and Wendy kissed her cheek before stepping back. Chloe turned to face him, her green eyes shining.
"Hi," she said.
"Hi." His voice came out rough. "You're late."
"Wendy had opinions about my hair."
"It looks perfect."
"I know." She grinned. "Worth being late for."
A silver-haired witch named Helena cleared her throat gently. "Shall we begin?"
The ceremony was simple. Traditional vows spoken beneath the arch, witnessed by the town that had become their family. Corin's hands shook as he slipped the wedding band onto Chloe's finger, but his voice was steady when it mattered.
"I take you as my mate, my partner, my wife. In this life and whatever comes after."
"I take you as my mate, my partner, my husband." Chloe's voice rang clear across the orchard. "In this life and whatever comes after."
Helena smiled. "And the addition?"
Chloe turned slightly, addressing the crowd as much as Corin. "When I came to Hollow Oak, I was running. From my past, from my power, from everything I was afraid to be. I thought I'd never belong anywhere." Her eyes found his again. "I was wrong. I belong here. With you. With all of you. And I promise to spend the rest of my life protecting this place and everyone in it. This is my…ourvow, to always protect our home. Our family.”
"By the power vested in me by the Council and the old ways," Helena said, "I pronounce you bonded in all senses. You may kiss your bride."
He did. Thoroughly. The crowd erupted into cheers and wolf whistles, and somewhere near the hives, the bees rose in a humming cloud that might have been celebration.
The reception flowed seamlessly from ceremony. Tables laden with food appeared as if by magic, though Corin suspected it was mostly Twyla's organizational skills. Music drifted from speakers hidden among the trees, and lanterns flickered to life as the sun began to set.
"Congratulations." Emmett clasped his hand, pulling him into a brief embrace. "You deserve this."
Katniss appeared at Emmett's elbow, their daughter squirming in her arms. "Stop being serious. It's a party."She kissed Corin's cheek. "Welcome to the married club. It's exhausting and wonderful."
"Sounds about right."
Elias found him near the drink table, pressing a glass of mead into his hand. "How does it feel?"
"Like I'm dreaming."
"You're not. I checked." Elias clinked his glass against Corin's. "Kaia sends her congratulations. She's having one of her moments near the beehives."
"Good moment or concerning moment?"
"She said something about honey, spring and new beginnings. I think it's good."
