Page 52 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

“Father, do you know what this symbol is? Who made it?”

Tonin glanced at the book. “This is the ancient symbol for the Trinity. The Trinity or one of their advisors wrote this. Why are you asking me about this old book?”

“I found a similar marking in a book in the library. But we couldn’t decipher the artists’ names. We think it may have something to do with the Trinity Wells.”

His father’s blue eyes grew wide. “A History of Moriana. I can’t even remember where we got this. It must have been in our family for generations.”

“I’m going to take it to the library and see if I can learn anything about it tomorrow.”

“Just bring it back.”

Caiden tucked the book away just as his mother came into the conservatory.

“It’s time,” she said, clasping her hands together in excitement. Her tight ringlets bounced as she took her place next to Tonin.

The band began to play, and Amolie appeared in the doorway dressed head to toe in red satin. Her hair was immaculately braided into a crown around her head, and her eyes sparkled in a way only a bride’s could. She held a bouquet of bloodred roses to complement her dress. Caiden’s eyes flitted to Roderick, whose normally stoic demeanor was now one of awe. He’d known his friend for sixty years and never once seen him look at anyone the way he was looking at Amolie now.

Caiden’s heart swelled, remembering his own binding ceremony with his wife, Cassandra. They were married at her family’s palace in the Court of Scales. She glowed just like Amolie did. He wiped a tear from his eye at the memory. Some days, he missed her terribly. On other days, the pain was easier to bear.

Lucius patted him on the shoulder. “It’s okay. We all miss her.”

Caiden nodded, putting his best smile forward for Amolie and Roderick.

Roderick extended a hand to his bride, and together they knelt before Tonin.

“Today, we are here to witness the binding of Amolie Hazelwood and Roderick Bonecleaver. Just a few decades ago, it would’ve been illegal for such a marriage to take place, but I am happy to see us moving forward and away from our prejudices. I have known Roderick since his days at the Academy. I will sayI never thought he’d settle down, but then I met Amolie, and I knew she was the one who would tame him.”

A chuckle from the crowd.

Tonin turned his piercing gaze to Amolie, who knelt with her head bowed. “Amolie, you are one of the strongest women I have ever met. Save for my wife, of course.” He winked at Tempestia, who blushed. “A binding is not to be taken lightly. I know both of you know this.”

Amolie and Roderick nodded. “We do.”

“And you promise to care for one another until the end of your days?”

“We do.”

Tonin pulled the ceremonial dagger from behind his back, the sigil of the Stormlands engraved into its hilt. “Let your blood flow through this dagger the way Illya intended.” He handed the blade to Roderick, who made a slit across his palm, letting the blood fill the engraving before handing it to Amolie, who did the same.

“Your blood has mixed on the sacred dagger. You are known to our goddess. Let your bodies and blood become one.”

Amolie and Roderick pressed their palms together, and Tonin wrapped them in the sacred cloth.

“Rise, my children, and be known as bonded.”

They rose to their feet, facing their friends, who clapped and cheered. Roderick beamed a white smile. Amolie’s cheeks flushed pink.

After the ceremony, they gathered in the formal dining room of the townhome. Delicate pastries lined the table, including several rose cakes, which were Caiden and Lucius’s favorite.

Amolie and Roderick stared at each other lovingly while the rest ate their dinner.

Caiden sipped his champagne, trying to fight the bittersweet feeling in his gut. He was happy for his friends, but the loss of hiswife loomed large at the table. He stood, clinking his fork against his champagne glass.

“A toast to the happy couple. May your days be long, your fights be short, and your womb be fertile. Amolie, you tamed the untamable. Roderick, you won the lottery with this one. Treasure each other, for you never know what day will be your last.” He mustered the best smile he could.

“Hear, hear!” the others said, clinking their glasses together and sipping their bubbly. Their eyes glittered with delight in the light of the chandelier.

Caiden took his seat next to Amolie.

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