Sunshine
Two Months Later
Our mating ceremony is taking place in the garden under a blue moon. Ember insisted on it. The funeral home has always been a place for endings. Rows of carefully grown flowers meant for wreaths, bouquets, and final goodbyes.
Tonight, lanterns hang from the trellis and cast a warm golden light over the entire garden, reminding me of ourdisastrously amazing first date. The night air is filled with the smell of jasmine, courtesy of the new vines Ember planted a month ago.
Finally, for the first time since I inherited the funeral home, this garden feels like it’s meant for something other than grief-filled goodbyes.
It feels like a beginning. The start of something amazing, or the continuation of it at least.
We decided not to have family present because we were warned by Ember’s parents that the mating ceremony could set off my heat and his rut. Our parents were obviously very understanding, and my brothers didn’t care enough to answer the phone when I called to tell them about my mating. Not that I’m surprised.
Now, I stand barefoot in the grass, fidgeting with the hem of my shirt as I wait for my mate. My heart is pounding in my chest, so hard that I’m fairly certain Ember can hear it from inside.
The phoenix in question swings open the patio doors, his black hair rustling in the breeze he created. His tan skin is glowing with happiness as he walks toward me with steady grace. His eyes are golden, made even brighter than usual by the warm light spilling from the lanterns.
Ember steps in front of me, the quiet heat of his phoenix seeps into the air around us, creating a bubble-like effect. It feels like we’re the only two people in the world right now.
“Are you nervous?” Ember asks, his voice warm and gentle.
“Of course I’m nervous,” I babble, wiping my sweaty palms on the thighs of my slacks. “I’m about to bind my soul foreternity to a man I’ve known for less than a year. If you had told me when we first met that we would be bonded within the year, I would have laughed at you and then called the nice men with the white outfits and butterfly nets to take you to a padded room with a tight jacket.”
Ember laughs at that visual, still as relaxed as ever.
The ceremony itself is simple. Phoenix magic is old. Older than temples. Older than kingdoms. It didn’t require elaborate rituals or a big fanfare. All it needed was honesty and a bit of fire.
Ember reaches into the lantern beside us and lifts the small ceremonial flame. The fire doesn’t burn him; instead, it curls around his fingers playfully, almost reminding me of a puppy with the zoomies greeting its owner after a long day.
“Give me your hand,” Ember says, the alpha bark strong in his words.
The second our palms touch, the heat rushes through me. It’s not painful, just really intense. It feels kind of like standing too close to a bonfire on a hot summer night.
The small flame flits around our joined hands, creating a rope-like effect with its fleeting light.
“Phoenix fire witness our vow,” he states. “Two lives become one. Two soul pieces connect. You will live as long as I live. When I die my final death, you will follow.”
The flame flickers brighter, moving faster. I swallow hard at the emotions clogging my throat.
“Thousands of years,” I whisper. “You’re really stuck with me now.”
“That has always been the plan, Habibi,” Ember smiles faintly, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.
The fire around our joined hands flares bright, almost blinding in its intensity.
I feel it then, the moment the magic moved. Not through our hands, but in his soul. Something strong and ancient settling deep inside of him.
“Your turn,” Ember murmurs.
“Okay. Right. My ancient magical vows,” I jabber, clearing my throat loudly. “I, Sunshine, agree to be with you for the rest of eternity. I will live when you live. When you die your final death, I will gladly follow you.”
The flame blazes bright blue as it sinks into our joined hands, sealing the ancient magic. I feel it settling inside of me, warm and rhythmic, like a second heartbeat fueled by the sun.
“It’s done,” Ember breathes, exhaling in relief.
“That was easy,” I say, blinking up at him in surprise. “I was expecting more theatrics.”
“The ceremony may be over, but I think you forgot about one tiny detail,” Ember laughs.
