Page 122 of Secrets of Avalon

My love. My heart. You are breathtaking. His words of praise come flowing through our bond.

As I make my way, I'm acutely aware of the hundreds of eyes upon me. Whispers ripple through the crowd like a gentle breeze, but I barely hear them. All I hear are Hawke’s words. All I feel is his love and adoration. My gaze is locked with his, and in his eyes, I see a universe of love and promise that makes everything else fade away.

When I reach him, Hawke extends his hand. As our fingers intertwine, a spark of our soul bond flares to life, warm and reassuring. "My love." His words are quiet. Just for me.

His father steps forward, his silver cloak matching Hawke’s. "We gather today,” his voice rings out, clear and strong, "to witness the union of not just two individuals, but two souls destined for each other. This is a blessing many of us thought we’d never see again. Today my son has found his other half and the rest of our world finds hope for their children’s futures."

Theon goes on to speak of love, duty, and the ancient magick that binds soulmates, I find myself lost in Hawke's eyes and not paying attention.

I love you so much, I say silently through our bond.

He smiles and gives my hands a gentle squeeze.

"The vows you speak today," King Theon continues, "are more than mere words. They are a covenant, bound by the very essence of Yggdrasil itself."

A small siren woman steps toward us from beside Theon with a long shimmering silver length of fabric. Hawke takes my hands in his and lifts them toward her. She wraps the silk cloth around our joined hands in a figure eight pattern.

“Speak your vows, Prince Stormblood.”

"Melinda Mayweather," Hawke begins, his voice carrying easily through the hushed hall, "As Yggdrasil, the World Tree, stands eternal, so shall my love for you endure through all of time. From the first sunrise to the last sunset, through fire and frost, famine and feast, I pledge my heart, my sword, and my destiny to you. May the Fates weave our life strings as one and may the souls of all those before us bless our union. In this life and beyond, I am yours.”

Tears blur my vision as I take a shaky breath and repeat the same vow to him. I’d practiced it all morning while Lydia and Elen dressed me until it had become part of me. This was my life. He was my life. Forever.

The siren nods her approval, a small smile playing at her lips. "Now, we seal these vows." She produces a small, ornate dagger, its blade etched with writing I can’t read. "This blade will bind your vows with the power of Yggdrasil before witnesses. To break your vows would shatter your souls. Do you accept this binding and offer your blood?”

Hawke speaks first. “I do.”

“I do,” I echo.

She slips across each of our palms, making a small cut, and presses our hands together along with the binding. As our blood stains the fabric and mixes together, a surge of warmth and power flows between us. The air around us shimmers, and threads of golden light weave around our joined hands, blossoming outward, knitting a sort of ethereal net around our whole bodies. The magickal threads glow intensely before fading away.

"Yggdrasil accepts your offering."

With those words the hall erupts in cheers and applause. Hawke turns us both to face the crowd. I should be nervous. I should be worried about what comes next for us. But his overwhelming happiness fills my heart with joy. And I let it fill me. And I let myself be happy too.

CHAPTER 48

Time For A Crown & A Disaster

Hawke Stormblood

As the last echoes of applause from our wedding vows fade away, my father stands from his throne. "Honored guests, you have witnessed the joining of souls and now I ask you to witness the end of an era and the beginning of a new for the Fae people."

The two royal seats dominate the dais, ancient and majestic. Carved from trees from the island where Camelot used to reside on Earth. The swirling patterns in the wood moves subtly in the light as if alive.

My mother, Queen Isolde, stands from her throne as well and moves to the opposite side of hers. Both seats they’ve occupied for centuries are empty and waiting for us. The sight sends a jolt of nervous energy through me. This is happening. I'm about to become king of the Fae, responsible for leading and protecting our people.

For countless nights, I had dreamed of this moment, imagining the weight of the crown, the responsibility it represented. But never, in all those fantasies, had I pictured a partner by my side. As my father beckons, I give Melinda's hand a gentle squeeze before releasing it.

We move in perfect synchronicity, as if we've rehearsed this a thousand times. Melinda glides towards my mother, while I approach my father with measured steps. The soft whisper of fabric and the collective intake of breath from the crowd are the only sounds in the cavernous hall.

As we turn to face the sea of expectant faces, the gravity of the moment crashes over me like a tidal wave. My heart thunders in my chest, a primal drum beat echoing the significance of what's about to transpire. I steal a glance at Melinda, finding strength in the love and determination shining in her eyes and through our bond.

My father's voice rings out, clear and strong, carrying centuries of tradition in every word. "Hawke Stormblood, you stand before us today to step into your birthright and accept the sacred duty of kingship." The words wash over me, each one a mantle of responsibility settling on my shoulders. "Do you swear to uphold our values and traditions, to protect the Fae people, and to rule with justice and wisdom?"

I draw in a deep breath, feeling the weight of every gaze in the room. The air itself seems charged with anticipation, tingling against my skin. In this heartbeat, I'm acutely aware of everything—the ornate carvings on the throne behind me, the slight tremor in my hands, the proud gleam in my father's eye.

"I swear all these things before mortals and gods alike." My voice carries, strong and unwavering, belying the whirlwind of emotions surging within me. As the words leave my lips, memories flood my mind—grueling training sessions under the merciless sun, battles fought and won or lost, nights spent poring over ancient texts of law and lore. Each sacrifice, each hardship, has led to this moment.

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