Once he was done, their father began speaking the words to bind them together. “It is through the night that we are—”
“Light,” Urian whispered loudly, interrupting him.
Her father’s face flushed a bit. “I’m sorry. I had to learn this rather hastily.” He cleared his throat and began again. “It is through the light that we are born and through … through …” Her father hesitated.
Amused by the fact that their human father was completely clueless, Urian came forward to whisper in his ear.
“Thank you,” Mr. Peters said. “This ceremony is nothing like ours.” Urian inclined his head and stepped back, but not before he gave Cassandra a wink to let her know he had her back.
“It is through the light that we are born and through the night that we travel. The light is the love of our parents who greet us and welcome us into this world, and it is with the love of our partner that we leave it.
“Wulf and Cassandra have chosen to be with each other, to ease their remaining journey and to comfort one another in the coming nights. And when the final night is upon them …” Her father stopped as he teared up again.
Ah, good grief. If this kept up, Cassandra’s baby would be born and graduate before they got to the end of it.
“I can’t,” he said quietly.
“Daddy?”
Her father stepped back as a tear fell down his cheek.
Phoebe rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him.
Cassandra started for him, but Phoebe stopped her. “Finish it, please, Uri.”
Phoebe escorted their father off to the side.
Great … he’d rather be denutted. Sighing, Urian moved to stand with them and marry his worst enemy to his wife’s sister.Someone kill me now.“When the final night is upon us, we vow to stand together and ease the one who travels first.
“Soul to soul we have breathed. Flesh to flesh we have touched. And it is alone that we must leave this existence, until the night comes that the Fates decree we are reunited in Ouranlie.”
Great, now Cassandra was starting to cry.
Urian stepped to the pedestal that had the same gold cup he’d used to marry Phoebe. He brought it over to Cassandra. “Normally this would be the blood of both of you combined, but since neither one of you is particularly gung ho for that, it’s wine.”
He handed the cup to Cassandra, who took a sip and then gave it to Wulf, who followed suit. Wulf handed the cup to Urian. As was the Apollite custom, Wulf bent down and kissed her so that the taste of wine was mingled with them.
Urian returned the cup to the pedestal and finished the ceremony. “Here stands the bride, Cassandra. She is unique in this world. Her beauty, grace, and charms are the legacy of those who have come before her and will be gifted to those who are born through her.
“This man, Wulf, on the other hand, stands before us a product of …” Frowning, Urian paused. “Well, he’s the product of a bitch who can’t stand the thought of Apollo’s children ruling the earth.”
“Urian, behave!” Phoebe snapped.
He bristled at her command. “Considering the fact that I just bound a member of my family to one of the people I have sworn to annihilate, I think I’m being remarkably good.”
Phoebe cast him a glare that loudly proclaimed he’d be sleeping alone for at least a week.
Maybe longer.
Urian curled his lip at Wulf.You utter Muppet bastard.“Fine. I’m glad I didn’t say what I really thought,” he muttered under his breath.
Louder, Urian returned to the ceremony. “It is your similarities that brought you together and your differences that add variety and spark to your life. May the gods bless and protect your union and may you be …” He paused again. “Well, you already are blessed with fertility so we’ll skip that.”
Phoebe growled low in her throat.
Urian cast another murderous glare at Wulf. “May the two of you enjoy every minute left to you.”
Then Urian tied the ribbons into a double knot, although he would rather have knotted them around Muppet’s throat.
