I looked at the faces of my family. They were surprised. Shocked even. But beneath the shock lay a spark. A spark of hope. Emabelle in particular seemed to be doing her best to hold back a smile.
“Under the Soul Laws of the Accords, the claim stands,” the Judges intoned, their merged gazes sweeping the chamber. “The marriage union will be performed today and bound under Veil Law. All other matters are closed. This council is dismissed.”
I felt Thayden’s gaze on me but I refused to look at him.
Instead, I looked at Wolfe.
And his attention stayed right on me.
Chapter 36
Elariya
“A Bond of Destiny”
Istood opposite Wolfe in the castle garden beneath the open sky.
Roses and lilies bloomed around us, and the afternoon sun burned with the promise of new life.
The Hall of Sovereigns loomed behind us. A memory now. One that no longer mattered.
There was no Prince Maelor. No Thayden. No Mattieu. No ostentatious guests who wished us ill.
Surrounding us were my family and the people Wolfe had brought from the magical realm. The Bloodsworn stood together with Arielle and Sirril, while the warriors formed a quiet perimeter. Dragons perched along the castle parapets, vast and still. The Judges waited near the reflecting pool.
All were witnesses to the first union in the mortal realm between a Fae prince and a half human, half mage.
Out here, we were free from pretense, and those who truly wished us well could smile without restraint.
Magic, too, was permitted for the day under diplomatic allowance.
Our union would be sealed by handfast, following Fae custom. And Kaem would perform the ceremony.
He stood before us, looking like a proud father.
I might not remember meeting him at the festival, and our interaction on the ship had been brief, but I could see how happy he was for Wolfe.
I understood now that this—our marriage—had been part of Wolfe’s plan all along. Everyone here had come to bear witness.
I was so nervous I could barely think.
But I was here.
Fate had chosen a different path for me. One I’d gladly accepted.
There were parts that still felt like I was walking around with my eyes closed.
But I washere.
We’d had one hour from the time the meeting ended to prepare for the ceremony.
I’d taken the time to do some soul searching.
I thought about how I’d gotten to this point and how I nearly didn’t make it. It was days ago that I’d escaped and got caught in the demon’s lair.
Wolfe had made the ultimate sacrifice. And that was just one thing.
Wolfe had done more for me than anyone else had in a long time, and when he made decisions, he didn’t just think about me or himself. He thought of my family too.
