Page 121 of Magic's Dawn

Mel lifts the cords, now formed into a single thick rope, and ties the end to the beginning. “I bind your cords as you bind yourselves to each other. Let this cord represent your unity in mind, heart, and soul, in this world and the next. Live true to your promises, and may your ties never be sundered.”

As she weaves the last of the ends together, creating a complete circle, the bonds within me ring with magic.

Haut’s and Tris’s hands squeeze mine in answer, and the love that spreads through me echoes back fourfold.

Blinking away tears, Mel steps forward and holds out the circle. “Who wants to take it.”

I release the hands I hold and leap forward at the same time Tris tries to snatch it, but Ros keeps hold of Tris’s other hand, and his fingers just brush the circlet before he’s pulled back.

Triumphant, I take the thick cord and then stare down at it with uncertainty. It’s too big to be a bracelet and too small to be a necklace.

I look back up at Mel. “What do we do with it?”

She shrugs. “My moms displayed theirs on our mantel.”

I cast a dubious stare toward the living room. “Above the fire?”

She laughs. “Some put it under the stairs to the house.”

“No way.” I shake my head. “We just had those fixed.”

“Hang it from your bedpost,” Tris suggests, waggling his eyebrows.

“My bed doesn’t have posts,” I remind him.

“There’s no rule about what you do with it,” Mel says. “Just keep it somewhere safe so the knots can’t be cut.”

My hand tightens on the circle. “Got it.”

Haut claps his hands together. “Now that we’re married, the next natural step is—”

“Babies!” Tris thrusts his arms in the air. “Let’s get started!”

“Not happening.” And having just gone in for my check-up, where Dr. Lopez confirmed my IUD is still in place, it’s not happening any time soon. “Next option.”

“Let’s grab the pie from the fridge and watch the sunrise on the back porch,” Ros suggests.

I stare at him in awe. “I knew there was a reason you’re my favorite.”

“Hey!” Tris straightens with alarm. “Aren’t I your favorite?”

“He who offers pie is always the favorite.” Ros uses their linked hands to pull Tris toward the kitchen. “But he who has the forks probably comes in second.”

Owen steps toward Mel, his hand outstretched. “Thank you.”

“Hey, this is my first time performing one of these bonding ceremonies, so it was fun.” Mel shakes his hand before grabbing her coat from the coat rack near the door. “I’m going to head down to the beach to watch the sunrise.”

“With Aspen?” Tris yells from the kitchen.

Red creeps into her cheeks. “Shut up! You know nothing!”

Kissing noises come back in answer, and Mel stomps out of the house.

Haut touches my back and gestures toward the hall that leads to the covered porch. “Shall we?”

The cords weigh heavy in my hand. “Give me a second, and then I’ll join you.”

He frowns. “Where are you going?”

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