Page 79 of D'Vaire or Nothing
To Heathcliff’s surprise, Brogan stepped forward with a large box that he opened. Inside was a stunning crown of gold and silver. Blue flames danced around it, but Heathcliff’s phoenix was the focal point.
“On behalf of the nobility of the High Draconis Court of D’Vaire, please accept this crown and matching ring as acknowledgement of your title of Brynewielm Duke-mate,” Brogan stated.
“His doesn’t match mine,” Heathcliff blurted. Every D’Vaire couple had matching coronets, and he admitted to himself that Madeline D’Vairedraconis had outdone herself with Brinley’s crown—he liked it better than his own.
“No worries,” Madeline called out. “I made one for you too. You can give me your old one later so I can melt it down for future projects.”
“Thanks, Madeline,” Heathcliff replied.
“Do I wear this now or…?” Brinley asked.
Brogan handed him the ring. “Put this on. I’ll hold on to the crown. Madeline will put a glass box in your room so it can be displayed, and if you ever talk Heathcliff into going to anything fancy, you’ll get a chance to actually wear it.”
With a chuckle, Brinley shoved the band on. “Thanks everybody, and especially Madeline, for making this beautiful shit.”
“Ready for more presents?” Aleksander asked. “Heath and Brinley have requested the inclusion of every D’Vaire tradition, and no culture is older or revered as much as the one that was nearly lost to us all. The ancient and beloved Fae don’t use the word mate. In their language,v’airsell niolltranslatestoeternal soul, a poetic and meaningful way to properly honor the person chosen for them. Today, the leaders of the Fae, Noble Protector Drekkoril and Valiant Defender Daravius, will present Heath and Brinley with a statue they created with pure sorcery.”
Brinley gasped, and Heathcliff nearly did the same as the rulers of the Fae approached them with a gorgeous statue. It was Heathcliff’s phoenix. Brinley was on his back, wearing his crown and casting flames.
“On behalf of the Fae, we offer you joy and happiness,” Drekkoril said.
“Thanks so much, this is outrageously beautiful,” Brinley responded. The pair took the present with them as they took their seats in the front row.
“For elves, no matebond ceremony is complete without a wreath worn by both ready to commit themselves to each other and honor Fate. This is a custom close to Heath’s heart, given the elven ancestors who gave him his pointed ears,” Rafe commented. “Emperor Ellery Draconis of the tribe D’Vaire and Magus Superus Lochlan Arturus will present Heath and Brinley with unique blooms created by Killian the Dwyer and Drindyr Duke Dravyn D’Vairedraconis.”
Brinley laughed, and Heathcliff rolled his eyes as he took in the rings of flowers the talented gardeners had selected. They were beautiful blue-and-orange flaming freesias. Although the wreaths were pretty, the scent still annoyed Heathcliff.
But he made no complaint as he bent to allow Ellery to put one of the stinky things on his head. The colors immediately deepened the blue of Brinley’s eyes, and the mage had never been so gorgeous.
“Gentlemen, will you please raise your left hands?” Aleksander asked.
With alacrity, Heathcliff did as he was told, and he loved the happiness in Brinley’s gaze. Kieran approached Heathcliffwith an athame crafted by Madeline. Its hilt was silver, the blade purple, and there were flames engraved throughout. At the top of the handle was an enormous sphalerite, and the stone glimmered like a living flame in the bright sunshine. Heathcliff ignored the pain as his brother sliced his palm. Kieran handed the blade to Scheredin, who did the same to Brinley.
Carefully, Heathcliff settled his hand against Brinley’s. Their souls twisted around each other, but the bond wouldn’t be complete until Heathcliff bit Brinley. Thanks to his elven blood, a searing pain in his ear told him his earring was piercing through. There was also a burn on his left jawline and up his cheek.
Across from him, he watched as a scrollwork of silver and blue appeared on Brinley’s face. The earring in his lobe matched. Heathcliff ignored the wave of desire that rolled through him as he thought about the second hoop they’d get later when he was buried in Brinley’s hole.
“Brynewielm Duke to Brynewielm Duke-mate. D’Vairefenix to ignis mage,” Rafe said. “Their souls are now tied, and their lives are now linked. May their hearts always stay united so they will never want another.”
“Shifters bite each other to seal their bond, yet it leaves behind nothing visible. Many centuries ago, dragons introduced the practice of wearing rings to ensure no one missed their bond,” Aleksander said. “Today Heath and Brinley will honor that tradition by exchanging bands designed by the exceptional Madeline D’Vairedraconis.”
The creators of the sanctuary that had allowed Heathcliff to stay—Dra’Kaedan and the single full-blood necromancer in their household, Blodwen D’Vaire—joined them. They held beautiful bands that shined with purple and blue stones set in a flame pattern in silver metal. Like their athame, a gleaming sphalerite took center stage and glittered brighter than anydiamond. Every piece of jewelry made for Heathcliff was enchanted so he wouldn’t have to remove them to shift into his phoenix.
Heathcliff took the ring from Dra’Kaedan and carefully slid it into place as he kept his eyes locked on Brinley. He hoped all the love in his soul was visible to his other half.
“Chosen by Bétea and Fate, and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as myv’airsell niolland mate,” Heathcliff stated solemnly.
With his gaze wet with tears, Brinley was handed a band by Blodwen, and he pushed it onto Heathcliff’s finger. “Chosen by Bétea and Fate, and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as myv’airsell niolland mate.”
“Heath and Brinley will now exchange collars—or necklaces, as they’re called outside the Vampyr Clutch,” Rafe said. “Although they won’t use the sacred words of vampires, they’ll honor their bond by binding the locks with blood. Aeris Superus Lawson Arturus and Aqua Superus Joshua D’Vaire-Arturus will present Brinley and Heath with their necklaces, while Terra Superus Riker Arturus and Ignis Superus Reece Arturus will assist with the cuts.”
Heathcliff was glad Josh was helping Brinley because the tiny lockmage was only a few inches above five feet and it was a struggle for him to get the silver chain around the mage’s neck. Since Heathcliff was taller than Brinley, it would’ve made the lockmage’s challenge even harder. As it was, Heathcliff had to bend his knees to allow Lawson to do his part.
Riker cut Heathcliff’s finger, and he ignored the pain as he smeared his blood on the locks. The necklaces were stamped with the D’Vaire crest and done in a metal that shifted from purple to blue in the sunlight. Once Heathcliff was finished, Brinley mirrored his actions, and the necklaces were locked. Toremove them, the couple would have to repeat the process of spreading their blood on the unique locks.
“By the tradition of the Draconis High Court of D’Vaire, you are nowv’airsell niollsand mates,” Rafe said. “You’ve honored everyone present by allowing us to bear witness to your joining.”
Ready for the final step of their ceremony, Heathcliff peeled off his heavy cloak and handed it to the mate of Lochlan and Riker, Alpha Artair Ursus Arctos. Artair took Brinley’s cloak too and moved out of the way so Brexton and Jena could slice their hands yet again.
