As her hands came apart, the crowd let out gasps of awe as plants sprouted in the air and began to twine themselves together into a thick vine. When it was finished, she held it, mirroring his stance. The oracle took hold of the ends and exchanged them. The vine was heavier than he had expected, though the skin was soft in his hand.
“It’s enchanted to never wither,” Keira whispered. “Not as long as I’m alive.”
The oracle offered a quiet smile before she carried on. “It is time for the tying of the knots, the reciting of the vows, and the laying of the seven promises.”
His mouth went dry as the oracle turned to him. Caspian cleared his throat, fearful he would not be able to speak. “I vow to be loyal to you as long as we walk this path together,” he uttered as he twisted the cords into the first knot.
“This I too vow,” Keira intoned, mimicking his gesture. “I vow to trust in you and be worthy of yours in return.”
Her green eyes flashed to him as the next knot was tied.
He responded in kind. “I vow to respect you, your body, and your holdings as if they were my own,” Another tied, the two cords now beginning to resemble the marriage braid.
“This I too vow. I vow to be your strength in your weakness.” Her gaze was hard as iron in her promise.
“This I too vow.” Caspian promised, voice softening into the next. “I vow to greet you with compassion in the darkest hours.”
Keira offered her agreement, their cords now tied so tightly they had each taken a step toward the other. “I vow to endure at your side through hardship and plenty.”
Caspian’s heart raced as she drew nearer, as they approached the final knots, the ones that would truly bind their fates forever. “Keira, I vow to love you until dying breath.” His fingers moved over the final tie, setting it tightly into place.
“I vow to love you to path’s end, Caspian.” Her eyes were swimming with tears as together they solidified the bond.
“May our fates be tied,” they said together. He was barely able to form the words as the ancient magic settled over them, their destinies twining as the cord now braided between them. The oracle took the braid in both hands and held it aloft as they turned to face the gathered crowd.
“Under the eye of the Fate,” the oracle announced. “These travelers have chosen each other to walk the path of destiny side by side. Let no force save the journey’s end come between them.”
The crowd applauded, and Keira beamed up at him with a teary smile. Caspian couldn’t wait another moment before he reached for her, pulling her in for a kiss. Something stirred inside him as their lips met, not the love that had lingered there for her for so long. It was certainty solidifying between them. It was the perfection of her skin beneath his touch. It was… destiny. Their fates were bound, their hearts, their futures. He was hers completely, happily. Being with her had always brought him joy and comfort, but now, it was like holding the other half of his soul. With her in his arms, he was whole.
Yvette
The great hall was filled to bursting with celebrants all gathered to wish the newlyweds their best, and to gorge themselves on the ample wedding feast. Though there was barely a quiet corner to be found, Yvette had found as unassuming a spot as possible amongst the crowd. Ordinarily, she did not care much for drink, but tonight she was finishing her third glass of wine. It had been an extraordinarily long and terrible day. She’d seen neither hide nor hair of Victor or Priscilla since the royal guard had escorted them away, but she could practically feel Victor’s fuming from where she sat. The sensation of his hands gripping her arms, his fist tight in her hair, lingered with her still. At times she ran her fingers over her skin as if to remind herself that they were truly gone.
Among the festive gathering, she was very much a pariah. Actively ignored by all but a few sour glances. It would be a lie to say it didn’t sting, but at least it offered her time to think, to process everything that had happened. Her circumstances had changed so much in only a matter of days, and she’d barely had a moment to allow it all to sink in. In all the commotion of the last days, it was jarring to find herself with nothing but time ahead of her. Now that Keira was safe, her penitent mission complete, what was to become of her? Yvette was so deep within her thoughts, it was startling when another joined her company for the first time all evening, and the bride no less.
“I wanted to thank you,” Keira said without preamble.
Yvette blinked up at her, not entirely sure that this wasn’t a mirage conjured by the alcohol.
“You didn’t have to go so far to save me. I still don’t understand why you were with Victor, but I think I can see how…” Keira shook her head, stopping herself. “What I’m trying to say is that I understand a little better now why you did what you did, and I can respect everything you risked to bring me back.”
“Did Florian-” The idea of him telling her what he’d seen earlier that day, of anyone knowing- Shame curled in her gut.
“He didn’t have to share much,” Keira explained, sensing her discomfort. “But he trusts you, and I trust him. I don’t know if he told you, but Florian was my first friend in the Blades. He was the first one to really welcome me, and… He has a way of seeing people, of understanding them.” Her green eyes continued to search her as if she were a puzzle to be decoded.
“You’re not like other mages I’ve met,” Yvette changed the subject.
Keira smirked. “I can imagine. Do you know many others?”
Yvette shook her head. “Not personally. Do you?”
“I did once,” she admitted. “My guardian had the gift.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
“He’s on another path now,” Keira sighed the familiar addage.
Yvette nodded. “You said that he was your guardian…”
