Page 74 of Claws for Celebration
And he was going to make sure their mating ceremony was the most beautiful thing Hollow Oak had ever seen.
44
MOIRA
The ceremonial gown Twyla had helped her choose was simpler than Moira had expected, but somehow that made it more perfect. Deep forest green silk that matched Lucien's eyes flowed from her shoulders to her feet, the fabric seeming to catch and hold moonlight in its folds. Silver embroidery traced protective symbols along the hem and sleeves, each thread blessed by the town's magical residents. Her hair fell loose around her shoulders in the traditional style for mating ceremonies, crowned with a circlet of mountain laurel and silver that Elena had crafted specifically for the occasion.
"You look like a forest goddess," Cordelia said with satisfaction, making final adjustments to the draping while other women of the community bustled around them in the small cabin that served as the traditional preparation space. "Lucien's going to forget how to speak when he sees you."
"That's the idea," Moira replied, though her stomach fluttered with anticipation with the magnitude of what she was about to undertake.
Through the cabin's windows, she could see the ceremonial clearing where dozens of candles flickered like earthbound starsaround the ancient stone circle that had witnessed supernatural unions for generations. The full moon hung directly overhead, casting silver light that made everything look touched by magic.
"Time to go, honey," Twyla said gently, offering her arm in the traditional escort role. "Your mate's waiting."
The short walk to the clearing felt both eternal and instantaneous. One moment she was standing at the forest's edge, and the next she was approaching the stone circle where Lucien waited beneath the moon's silver gaze.
He wore ceremonial clothing that transformed him from the gentle bookstore owner she knew into something primal and magnificent. Black leather pants that clung to his powerful frame, paired with a vest of the same material that left his arms and chest partially bare. Silver bracers on his wrists bore the same protective symbols that adorned her gown, and a torque of twisted silver around his throat marked him as an unmated shifter seeking his true bond.
When their eyes met across the sacred space, Moira felt their mate bond surge with recognition and anticipation. His dark green gaze held promises that made her breath catch and her skin warm despite the cool mountain air.
Elder Varric stepped forward in his role as ceremony officiant, his long silver braids adorned with moonstone beads that caught the light as he moved. "We gather tonight under the full moon to witness the joining of two souls who have chosen to bind themselves beyond the reach of time or death."
The assembled community formed a protective circle around them, familiar faces glowing in the candlelight. She could see Callum and his mate holding hands, and Maeve standing stoically, but happily.
"Lucien Vale," Varric continued, "do you come before this community freely, seeking to claim your chosen mate?"
"I do," Lucien replied, his voice steady and sure as he stepped forward to take her hands in his larger ones.
"Moira Marsh," Varric said, turning his pale gaze to her, "do you come before this community freely, seeking to accept the bond your mate offers?"
"I do," she said, surprised by how strong her voice sounded despite the emotional weight of the moment.
"Then speak your vows beneath the moon's witness, that all may hear the promises that will bind you for eternity."
They had written their vows separately, choosing words that felt true to both their individual natures and their shared connection. Lucien spoke first, his hands warm and steady as they held hers.
"Moira, you came into my life like dawn breaking over the mountains, bringing light to places I didn't even know were dark," he said, his voice carrying clearly through the sacred space. "You've shown me that strength and gentleness can exist in the same heart, that loving someone completely doesn't mean losing yourself in the process."
The mate bond showed her the deep emotion behind his words.
"I promise to be your anchor when the world tries to pull you away from yourself," he continued. "I promise to trust your judgment even when my protective instincts want to keep you safe from everything, including your own choices. I promise to love you not just as my mate, but as the brilliant, brave, stubborn woman who chose to save the world rather than let fear decide her fate."
Tears gathered in her eyes as she felt the truth of his promises settling into the magical bond they shared. When it was her turn to speak, the words flowed from her heart without hesitation.
"Lucien, you taught me that home isn't a place but a person," she said, her voice growing stronger with each word. "You've shown me what it means to be valued not for what I can do, but for who I am when all the magic and responsibility are stripped away."
Around them, the candles burned brighter as their vows awakened the ceremonial magic that would seal their bond permanently.
"I promise to trust you with my heart even when trust feels scary," she continued. "I promise to let you protect me without losing my independence, to accept your strength without abandoning my own. I promise to love you not just as my mate, but as the man who saw something worth saving in a confused academic who stumbled into his bookstore looking for answers she didn't know she needed."
"By moon and star, by earth and flame," Varric intoned, raising his hands as silver light began to dance between them, "let these vows be sealed in magic that transcends mortal understanding."
The ceremonial magic wrapped around them like visible affection, binding their promises into the very fabric of their shared existence. With the claiming marks combined with this, now the bond was truly permanent.
The assembled community erupted in celebration as the magical bonding completed itself, but Moira was only aware of Lucien's arms around her and the profound sense of belonging that filled every empty space in her heart.
"Mrs. Vale," he murmured against her ear, his voice rough with emotion and barely contained desire.
