Page 18 of Dark Witch: Entangled Fates

Annani smiled. "Cassandra and Onegus. You have each made sacrifices to support those you care about and have proven that love can conquer all. Love knows no boundaries, it can overcome any obstacle, weather any storm, and emerge victorious on the other side."

She paused, signaling to their guests that it was okay to clap, cheer, and hoot, and when she lifted her arms, everyone quieted again. "Before I bless your union and pronounce you bonded for life, would you like to recite your vows to each other?"

"Yes, we would," Cassandra said.

12

CASSANDRA

Cassandra had never considered herself overly emotional. She'd prided herself on being pragmatic, assertive, and as far from a softie as could be. And yet as she stood at the altar with her hand clasped firmly in Onegus's, she was overwhelmed, and not just because she was officially marrying the male she loved above all.

So much had happened since that first meeting at the gala. She had discovered that her forgetful mother, whom she had been taking care of since she was a young girl, was a demigoddess who had suffered a traumatic brain injury that would have killed even an immortal. She also discovered that she had an older sister, a grown-up nephew who was a gifted hacker, an uncle who was a demigod who had been helping her and her mother since day one, and, to top it all, her grandfather was a god.

It was all so unbelievable that she often expected to wake up one morning and realize that it had all been a dream because stuff like that just didn't happen to normal people. But then, Cassandra had always known that she was different. Normal people couldn't blow things up with a thought or stop someone's heart, but she could, and she had done both.

Oh boy. Talk about inappropriate thoughts at a time like this.

Turning to her groom, her mate, the love of her life, she saw the same emotions reflected in his smiling, blue eyes.

"Onegus, my love. When I first met you, I thought I had you all figured out. I thought I knew exactly who you were—just another rich, charming playboy looking for his next conquest."

A ripple of laughter went through the crowd, and Onegus's lips twitched with amusement, his eyes sparkling with mirth.

"But you are so much more than that. You are kind and generous and so unbelievably patient. When you decided that I was the one for you, you took the time to get to know me, to understand me, and to love me for all that I am, flaws and punch bowls blowing up and all."

She paused as another wave of laughter swept through the crowd. "You have become my sanctuary and my home. You believe in me, support me, and you love me with a fierceness that takes my breath away."

Onegus's hand tightened around hers, his eyes shining with love.

"And so, today, I vow to be your partner in life, to stand by your side through every triumph and every challenge, to love you with every fiber of my being, and to cherish every moment we have together. You are my heart, my soul, and my forever. And I promise to spend every day of our forever showing you just how much you mean to me." She pulled her hand out of his and extended it to her sister, who handed her a ring. "I, Cassandra, daughter of Geraldine, granddaughter of Toven, take thee, Onegus, son of Martha, as my forever mate, to love and to hold in this world and the next." She slipped the simple gold circle on his finger. "I'm never letting you go."

As she finished, a single tear escaped down her cheek.

Onegus reached up with his free hand to brush it away. "Cassandra, my love, my light. From the moment I first saw you, I knew that you were unlike anyone else I've ever encountered, and given how old I am, that's saying something." A few chuckles sounded from the crowd, but he continued. "I knew that you were a force to be reckoned with, a woman of strength, intelligence, and incredible beauty, inside and out."

Cassandra smiled as she felt her heart swell with love and gratitude for this incredible male who had swept into her life and changed everything.

"Winning your heart has been the greatest adventure of my life. Our love was explosive from the very start." He paused to let the crowd clap and cheer. "You've brought so much excitement to my life, and given what I deal with day in and day out, that's saying something as well." He cast a sidelong glance at the crowd. "Being with you is a joy and a blessing that I thank the Fates for every day." He lifted their joined hands to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "And so, today, I vow to be your husband, your mate, and your best friend. I vow to support you in all your endeavors, to catch you when you stumble, and to celebrate every victory by your side. I vow to love you fiercely, passionately, and unconditionally for all the days of our lives."

Cassandra's vision blurred with tears, her heart so full she thought it might explode.

Oh boy. Don't think about explosions.

"You are my everything, Cassandra. My reason for being, my guiding star, and my home. And I promise to spend every moment of forever cherishing you, honoring you, and loving you with every beat of my heart." He pulled a ring out of his pocket. "I, Onegus, son of Martha, take thee, Cassandra, daughter of Geraldine, granddaughter of Toven, as my forever mate, to love and to hold in this world and beyond." He slipped the ring on her finger.

As he finished, Annani stepped forward once more. "By the power vested in me by the Fates and in the presence of your loved ones, I pronounce you bonded mates, partners in life, in love, and in all things. You may now kiss."

As Onegus pulled Cassandra into his arms, his lips meeting hers in a passionate kiss, she hooked her arms around his neck and kissed him back.

13

PETER

Peter cast a sidelong glance at Jay, who was clapping, whooping, and whistling, enthusiastically adding noise to the ruckus the Guardians were making in honor of their chief's nuptials.

Not wishing to be outdone, Peter stuck two fingers in his mouth and emitted a whistle loud enough to rouse a firehouse.

The cheering went on during the kiss that the newlywed couple performed for their audience, and it didn't quiet down until Onegus took Cassandra's hand and led her to the dance floor for the first dance of the evening.

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