Page 176 of Court of the Fae Princes

For a minute I don’t think he’s going to answer, and then his lips part. “My body will heal. And as for this, I’m happy as long as you’re happy to marry me.”

My heart aches. “As long as my family will always be cared for.”

“Always,” he promises. “But you’re my concern. I want you to be happy, too.”

I grin. “Then don’t eat snacks in bed, don’t chew with your mouth open, don’t flirt with other women, and don’t stand in my way when there’s something I need to do.”

“Agreed,” he says easily.

“It’s that easy?” I ask, lifting a brow.

“It’s that easy,” he repeats.

Shaking my head, I pull back from my men. The fae from the House of Death are still watching, although the music covered most of our words. Still, I feel my cheeks heat. I’d forgotten they were here for a minute.

“Are you ready?” Lady Grave asks, and my gaze goes to her.

Nodding, I stand taller. I’ve never been to a fae wedding, or one at the House of Death. I have no idea how this is going to go down. Hopefully, without a lot of nakedness and dancing. The fae love their naked dancing.

Sulien and Frost move to my left and Cobar and Forrest remain on my right, seeming to understand how this should go, even if I don’t. We form a half circle around Lady Grave, who stands at an intricate carved lectern. The throne room is bathed in soft, silver light, as if the night sky expanded around us. The vast ceiling’s paint resembles the starlit sky.

I wouldn’t have ever imagined I’d be getting married to four princes, much less here in the House of Death, but it’s perfect. Perfect, except for that my grandmother and father aren’t here. But I know they’ll be there and healthy for all celebrations moving forward, so that has to be enough to keep me smiling now.

I look around at my four princes–the future kings of the four courts–making eye contact and smiling at each one. Damn, they’re handsome. Why the hell was I fighting this so hard?

Lady Grave looks out over the small crowd and begins speaking in a voice that sounds like a gentle breeze. “Under the watchful gaze of the moon and stars, above the graves of the fallen, we’re gathered here today to witness a transcendent bond between these five fae. The fates have decided that they should be together, and nothing, not even death, can stand in their way.”

She’s right. Nothing could keep us apart, even though many have tried. We’ve been through so much in our short time together, but we chose each other in the end. I know we’ll do the same thing in our marriage. Before, I couldn’t see it. There was too much going on. But my mind is clear now, and my heart is open.

“Each prince has prepared vows. We will begin with Prince Sulien.” Lady Grave points to Sulien, and he steps forward to face me, taking my hand in his.

“As children, I knew there was something about you, though I didn’t know what, until we met again. When you came back into my life, my world transformed. You filled it with warmth and richness, softening the edges, replacing shades of gray with color. Without you, I would’ve never discovered these things, and although I could live without them, I can't survive without you. I love you. I vow to be your protector and your confidant. I will cherish you in times of joy and comfort you in times of sorrow. I promise to prioritize you above all else and dedicate myself to you, our love, and our life together. And I promise that we will have a different marriage than any I’ve seen before, a better marriage. No one and nothing will stand in the way of that commitment. I am yours, now and forever.”

He places the gentlest kiss on my hand before letting it go and stepping back.

Zane steps forwards next. His voice is steady, but filled with emotion. “You are the fire that melts my ice, giving warmth to my life. Not just warmth, but love and compassion. Two things I never knew how badly I needed before you. With you, I know I’ll have a family that cares. That watches out for each other. And I know that we’ll bring children into this world who will feel loved and valued, the way they deserve to feel. I will be your unwavering support, your comfort at the end of a long day, and your companion. I will be your partner in every sense of the word. I am yours, now and forever.”

He gives my hand a squeeze before returning to his place. I gulp down the emotions bubbling up inside of me. There’s two more to go, and I have to keep it together. A steadying deep breath calms me down enough to take Cobar’s hand next.

He grins at me with his beautiful full lips and flicks a rogue golden curl out of his face before beginning. “You are the sunshine in my life. I promise to try to shine for you as brightly as you shine for me. I’ll share my dreams...” he pauses and winks at me, “and my fears. I’ll share my bed with you… and these other three lugs, but no one else.” There’s laughter from us and the crowd. “I’ll be the kind of husband you can be yourself with, and you will always be enough for me. More than enough. My everything. My heart is yours to keep. Forever will I be your sanctuary. I am yours, now and forever.” He bows and returns to his place and claps Forrest on the back.

Forrest’s green eyes sparkle as he stands in front of me. He doesn’t take my hand. Instead, he reaches out and caresses my cheek, keeping his hand there. “Cassia, all I’ve ever wanted was someone to love and care for, and someone to love and care for me in return. To find a person I could truly know to the core and to be known in return. To have a connection that goes beyond the surface to our deepest selves that we keep hidden from all others. I know I have that with you, and I vow to cherish every moment we share, to cherish you and the unbreakable bond we share. I’ve never loved before, but I’ll learn. I'll learn all there is to love you completely to be everything you need. I am yours, now and forever.”

He lets his hand fall back to his side, and he steps back in line. All eyes turn to me, and my nerves kick in. I take a deep breath and step back to face all four of the princes.

“I ran from you, afraid. Afraid of being hurt, of loving but not being loved in return. Afraid of the intensity of our bond, but not understanding it. When we were apart, I felt an empty ache in my chest. It only eased when we were together, but still I ran. Without you, I was alone, afraid. With you, I am whole, I am fearless. Being with you… With all of you feels right, it feels like home.”

I stop a moment just to gaze at each prince, each so different, each mine. Nerves that had been fluttering through me vanish. I know exactly what it is I need to do next. I go first to Sulien. “Sulien, I promise to make our home a place filled with love, laughter, and color. I am yours, now and forever.”

I face Zane, desperately holding back my tears that threaten to spill. “Zane, I promise to fill our home with warmth, to never let the flame of our love die out. I am yours, now and forever.”

I see the mischievousness on Cobar’s face, but sense the hidden emotions running deep. “Cobar, I promise our home will always be bathed in warmth, and my heart filled with love for you and our family. I promise to cherish your heart and…” I laugh, “and our dreams. I am yours, now and forever.”

"Forrest," I say, tears streaming down my cheeks, “I promise to see you for you, for the incredible man you are. To always want you in my life and in my heart. I promise that our home will be a place full of love, a place that’s safe and good. I am yours, now and forever.”

I take a step back so I can take in all four princes. “I love all of you, and to each of you, I promise to help you rule and to be the queen each of your courts deserve.” I sigh. I feel the power of my words, but I feel lighter…happy even.

We turn to Lady Grave. “Let these five mates become one united soul, married, bonded by an unbreakable force of love that will remain, even in death.”

---