Page 32 of Enduring Magic

Her gaze met his, and she giggled. “No. I was having fun at your expense.”

Leaning in to whisper into the shell of her ear, Coop said, “I plan to pay you back when you least expect it.”

With a laugh and a wicked sparkle in her eye, she sashayed back to where Damian stood. “Let’s get this show on the road, fellas. There’s a secluded island awaiting my arrival.”

The Aether lifted the Thorne family’s metal wedding bowl, twirled a finger, and released the fragrant herbs of lavender and thyme into the air around them. Next, he dipped first Summer’s ring, then Coop’s into the bowl and handed them off to each of them. “These represent enduring love, devotion to one another, and the strength of commitment to the mate you’ve chosen to spend your life with. Please, exchange your rings in honor of your pledge.”

After they were done and the rings were securely in place, Damian continued with a brief speech about upcoming trials and how they should face them together as a family. The white candles behind him flared high as if to emphasize his words as he encouraged them to honor their bond throughout time, with no exception. Next, he picked up the handfasting cloth.

“Summer, if you will?”

She placed her left hand in Damian’s.

“Cooper?”

He mimicked the action.

Damian took their wrists, placed their palms together, and wove the cloth around them, then tied it off. The sharp zap they felt when their hands connected caused them both to gasp and jump.

“That’s the merging of the Carlyle and Thorne lines through your bond,” Damian explained. Meeting Summer’s wide-eyed stare, he said, “Summer Thorne, I bind thee to Cooper Carlyle in this, a holy union. You shall honor and love him throughout all your days and beyond. Do you pledge to do so?”

“I do.” Her voice was firm and confident, and the last remaining fear Coop had that this was all going to go to hell in a handbasket disappeared.

Damian faced him. “Cooper Carlyle, I bind thee to Summer Thorne in this, a holy union. You shall honor and love her throughout all your days and beyond. Do you pledge to do so?”

“I do.”

The Aether covered their joined hands with his. “I ask the Goddess to bless this merging of souls. I ask her to protect and watch over them when they need it the most. And I ask her to grant them many years of wedded bliss.”

Radiant light illuminated the lawn, nearly blinding Coop, for the span of ten seconds.

As it faded, Damian closed his eyes and whispered, “Blessed be.”

“Blessed be,” they echoed.

Damian gripped his hand and gave a little shake. “Coop, I encourage you to kiss your bride.”

Cheers went up around them as they sealed their commitment with a passion-packed kiss that left Coop’s brain matter a bowl of mush.

Summer was the first to recover, and she hugged Damian with a joyful laugh. “Thank you!”

“Entirely my pleasure, my dear.”

Coop gathered what was left of his wits and addressed the Aether. “We’re obliged.”

“All any of us can ask is that you devote yourself to making her happy and raising your children in a loving environment.” They shook hands. “Now, please, face the crowd.”

They did as he directed.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Cooper Carlyle.”

* * *

The reception wasin full swing, and laughter floated around them as Coop held Summer close and danced to a soft, sultry tune. Her world felt complete. Not because she’d been longing to be married to Coop, although she had, but because in him, she’d found a partner to build a wonderful life with together. A man who was protective but understood she was self-sufficient and able to make her own decisions regarding her business and their child.

“What are you thinking about so hard?” he asked softly.

“You. Me. Us. How lucky I am.”

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