Page 37 of Dueling the Suitors

Astoria switched between staring at her bouquet and the officiant throughout the ceremony, feeling the heat of Silas’ gaze on her. When it was time to exchange the rings and vows, she passed the bouquet to one of her cousins.

After exchanging the rings, Astoria crossed her hands and joined them with Silas’, her right with his right and her left with his left. Then she channeled power to her hands, just as he did to his. Her golden threads burst forth and circled up to Silas’ elbows. His lavender-grey threads did the same to hers.

Annoyance clawed at her chest seeing that colour, but Astoria got a hold of herself and met his gaze as he gave his vow.

“Before the eyes of the Creator, I, Silas Feraxus Aurelian, pledge myself to honor and protect you, to cherish and respect you, and only you. Your trials, joys, burdens, and your triumphs will be mine. As long as I live, no harm will befall you. With the magic binding us, I swear to never use my powers against you but only for you, and I bind my heart to yours, forsaking all others, from this day forward, till death do us part.”

Intense energy buzzed through Astoria’s arms. For a moment, she gaped at him, at the additional and self-written lines he spoke. Then, she composed herself and spoke her vow.

“Under the grace of the heavens, I, Astoria Yovella Seraphina, pledge myself to honor and protect you, to cherish and respect you. I pledge to stand by your side through all trials and joys, to share in your burdens, and to celebrate your triumphs. With the magic binding us, I swear to never use mypowers against you but for you, and I bind my heart to yours, forsaking all others, from this day forward, till death do us part.”

Silas smiled down at her. “You do realize that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever spoken to me?”

Astoria glared and matched his undertone with a hiss. “Shut up and try not to ruin this.” She glanced at their hands. They began to glow as the magical threads changed from gold and lavender-grey to pure white, just before they began to fade, leaving a glittering effect on their skin.

“By the power vested in me by the Divine Grace and the sacred laws of our kingdom, and in the presence of these witnesses, I now declare you husband and wife. May your union be filled with joy, prosperity, and love, and be the hope of our continent from the hands of the Emperor. You may now kiss the bride.”

Astoria’s heart jumped to her throat. She turned to the officiant with a horrified look. “Surely, that’s not necessary.”

The older man frowned apologetically. “I’m afraid it’s required to seal the ritual with a kiss to complete the magnification.”

“I promise I won’t bite,” Silas’ voice crooned. Astoria nearly jumped away at his closeness, but he placed his hands on her waist and held her in place. “Let’s not make a scene, alright, darling?”

Astoria stared at his nearing, smirking face and narrowed her eyes threateningly. “Just a peck. If you linger…”

She let the threat hang in the air.

“As you wish, my wife.”

One of his hands came to rest at the back of her neck, beneath her veil. Astoria stiffened. Before she could even think of protesting, he dipped her backwards.

Astoria let out a sharp gasp, but it was cut off by his lips as they pressed against hers. Her hands, which fumbled to griphim for balance, froze. Her eyes fluttered closed. Her heart did a double backflip. She stopped thinking.

It was just her and him, and his surprisingly soft lips on hers.

Then, he pulled away, slower than a snail. Astoria opened her eyes and met his gaze. She lost her breath again.

His eyes… She hadn’t seen them up this close before. Now, as they filled her vision, she noticed they were the colour of the midnight sky.

The darkest eyes she had ever seen on anyone.

And they twinkled, like the star-studded midnight sky itself.

How a man as infuriating as him had such a breathtaking pair of eyes was beyond her.

Cheers erupted around them, pulling Astoria out of her daze. Silas raised her back, his eyes suddenly intense but unreadable. They didn’t look away from her even as she did, heat coating her cheeks.

She glanced at the attendees and saw Emmett glaring at Silas, and Silas—her brother—watching them with pursed lips. Her gaze moved on to her father who shot her a pointed look.

Astoria’s eyebrows furrowed for a moment. What now? Didn’t she just marry a powerful Mage to—

Oh.

Oh…

Astoria’s gaze snapped to Silas. “The magnification. It didn’t—”

“I never cared about the magnification, to begin with,” he cut off her words calmly. “I only wanted you.”

---