Page 46 of Fated Unkindness
“Kait.” I smile, brushing my hand up to the scars that now paint her face. I stop before I make contact, as I notice her flinching away. Every time I see them, I want to rip Cano's face off for what he's done to my best friend. The family of my choosing.
“Raelle better know what she's getting into, huh? Sorry asshole like you. She must be a strong bitch.” Kait has always been crass; it's something I love about her. I’ve seen much less of it since she’s returned with her face torn up. “Though, I guess we all know now that she is. The way she tore Vi a new one this morning?” Her eyes spark with amusement as she recalls the memory, and I cover my smile with my hand.
“She’s definitely got a fighting side to her. It seems I like to surround myself with strong women.” I squeeze her,placing a kiss on the top of her head. She squeezes me back, then moves to rejoin Ella and Miles in the chairs.
Maki clears his throat, bringing my attention to him. “Your mate has arrived, Dax, and she is stunning. Join me on the dais.” I step forward, knowing that I can’t look at Raelle until Maki tells me to turn. The anticipation of seeing her building in my chest and my heart races so fast that it feels like it may take flight.
Maki nods to me, my indication that I can turn to see my mate. As I do, her beauty steals the breath from my lungs. My throat bobs with the emotion I swallow, and a beaming smile slowly forms at my mouth, matching Raelle’s. She is always beautiful, but tonight... The dress, the glow of the sunset reflecting in her eyes, the bronze and silver in the dress playing with the light, her radiant smile. She’s utterly glowing—an angel among men. My Queen.
Trent walks with her down the aisle, made up of pink peonies spread in the grass on either side. Raelle’s choice, as she said, reminds her of her mother, also symbolizing unity, strength, and passion. My magic pulses, always seeking hers as she reaches me. Tonight it is a frantic buzzing under my skin, anticipating what is to come. I take her hand in mine, guiding her up the couple steps to the dais. We kneel facing each other at Maki’s feet, and we hold our hands together between us.
“Thank you for being here to witness the bonding ceremony of Dax Fornax-Ravendene and Raelle Aberra-Apus.” There is a beat of silence before I hear a collective gasp echo out behind me as Maki speaks Raelle’s birth surname. A smirk plays at his lips as he looks past Raelle and me toward our guests. I can’t see their faces, but I imagine that they are all shocked by the realization of what that name means. I see it written on Maki’s features as his eyeswiden as he reads the words from the parchment. “Their union blessed by the gods, the mark of bonding rings placed upon their arms signifying strength and the unbreakable bond forged by their magic and the gods. Today, we strengthen that even deeper.”
I rub my thumb back and forth across the backs of Raelle's hands, and she smiles, biting that damn bottom lip of hers. I narrow my eyes, shifting my gaze from her eyes to her lips and back again. Her smile widens, forcing her teeth to release her lip. I squeeze her hands gently telling her what she is doing to me. Pink spreads into her cheeks as she looks at me through her lashes.
“Dax and Raelle have chosen to bring themselves together in marriage as well, so we will be including rings in the ceremony.” I reach into the pocket of my breeches and hand them to him. He places the rings into the center of the three stone bowls lined on a carved wooden altar.
“Please stand and join me at the altar.” Maki motions for us to stand on either side of the small altar; the only other thing on the surface is a blade that lies in front of the center bowl.
“Raelle, use the blade to bring forth the blood in Dax’s right palm.” Raelle pauses, then leans forward to Maki.
“Can we use a different blade?” My brows stitch together as I look at Maki, who also looks unsure. “I'd like to use a blade that is special to both Dax and me. Forged by his hand and wielded by mine for protection and for saving his life.” Surprising me, she reaches into the slit of her dress, extends her leg, and kneels down. She unsheathes the moonstone dagger, meeting my eyes. “Meraki,” she says, naming the blade. The metal shines brilliantly in the low light of dusk, the name is powerful. I beam my approval at her.
“Of course.” Maki reaches down and takes the small blade from the altar, placing it in his belt. I bring my right hand forward, and she holds it steady with her left as she makes a cut across the center of my palm with the moonstone dagger. My magic swells as the blood pools in my hand. A deep blue-black glow illuminates my hand, where the blood pools before it settles.
“Raelle, spill Dax’s blood into the bowl which he stands before.” As my blood hits the bowl, there is a sizzle, and a blue-black flame ignites in the bowl. The flame ripples steadily.
“Dax, please take the blade now to Raelle’s right palm, call her blood forth, and spill it into the bowl before her.”
I do as instructed and feel Raelle’s magic pulse; though she has not yet ascended, her magic still responds powerfully. A pure white glow illuminates her hand, where her blood is pooled. As her blood pours into the stone bowl, it mimics the same reaction as my blood did, but the flame that ignites with her blood looks like the glow of the moon, dark in the center and pure white flickering around the edges.
“Your blood and magic in these bowls are an offering, each of you contributing what is needed to bless the union. As we combine them into one over the rings, it signifies the joining of the lives you will live and the marriage you will nourish. Each of you, take the bowl of your essence and join them in the center.”
Raelle and I pick the bowls up with both hands and carefully pour the flaming blood into the center bowl with the rings. The clap of magic that occurs is powerful. My chest rises on a deep inhale, as the feel of it washing over me is heady. The flame in the center bowl sputters and then erupts into a powerful purple flame that slowly shrinks to the same size as the others. Raelle smiles, herface illuminated by the purple flame, making her eyes appear the brightest green I've seen, and my heart thunders in my chest as I gaze deeply into the depths of them.
“Please place the rings on the third finger of the left hand of your mate.” We do as he says. First Raelle places the ring on my finger, then I, hers. There is a crackle once more, and the rings glow like embers, circling the bands and sealing them to us, only to be removed upon our deaths. “Your souls are bonded by the gods, and you accept this fate by joining your blood and bringing a new bond of marriage,” Maki announces.
“You may rise, Bonded Mates, husband and wife, and Queen and King of Aldramani.”
I don’t hesitate to stand and pull Raelle up with me. I cup her face with my bloody hand and press her mouth to mine. The kiss, one of passion, my need for her skin touching mine growing by the second. Her tongue slides into my mouth, and I ravage hers, nipping playfully and then kissing her softly again. Our bodies need to claim each other after the joining of our essence. There is a keen buzz all over my skin, and everything around me falls from my thoughts.
Trent clears his throat. “Hey guys.” He waves mockingly as my gaze meets his. “Still here… and Dax… Ella.” A chuckle rolls through him as he lifts a brow at me.
“Take your mate and finish this,” Maki whispers before he smiles wide and invites the others to join him in the ballroom. Where the celebration will begin. This is also where we will announce our mating ceremony and marriage complete, and Raelle will claim her birthright. Officially claiming the kingdom as ours. We will be King and Queen to the people of Aldramani.
Our family, those by blood and choice, leave Raelle and me as my wings snap out. I scoop Raelle up, and she lets out an excited squeal. “I hope you’re ready for the bonding of our bodies now…” I say into her ear before sheathing the moonstone dagger at her thigh and pressing my mouth to hers. I bite down on her bottom lip and smooth over the hurt with my tongue. She hisses and writhes in my arms, telling me just how okay she is with the pain. I launch into the air, making a lap around the castle with the moon and stars lighting the sky. I take my mate, my wife, my Queen to our room the way of the Raven, through the sky.
Chapter forty-four
After the Bonding Ceremonyand Maki announcing our titles, Bonded, husband and wife, King and Queen, my skin is vibrating. The hum in my chest is on fire, and the power of it erupts all over my body. The need I feel for Dax’s body after the kiss we shared, marking the conclusion of the ceremony, is unreal.
Dax guides us to the balcony of our rooms. I feel his power reach out, igniting every candle he has placed around the space as well as the large hearth. The glow of the room illuminates his face, and his magic surfaces, lighting his eyes from behind into the molten copper I’ve come to recognize as hisRaven.
“I’m going to worship all of you now, My Queen.” The flames of the hearth dance in his eyes as he carries me before it, laying me down on the plush throws and pillows that have been laid out. His hands tremble as he guides them over the front of my dress. He brushes his fingertips along the neckline and brings the thin strap down, guiding it over my shoulder. I tilt my head, arching my back, pressing my body forward into his as he hovers over me. I need more. I need him. He continues his tortuously slow exploration of my body, easing my dress from me inch by inch.
I twist my hands into his shirt, urging it from his body and revealing the carved muscles of his chest and shoulders to me just as he slides the dress from my body. I lay before him in nothing but a thin white lace slip and the dagger sheathed at my thigh. With my knees raised, he guides his hand from my knee to my hip, brushing over the dagger, then scoring a line up the soft dip of my stomach and cups my full breast in his large palm. He teases the hardened bud of my breast between his finger and thumb, pinching hard, causing me to suck in a sharp breath as I arch for him again, and he brings his mouth down on the same peak, sucking hard, and then soothes the slight pain with his tongue, eliciting a moan from my lips.
“I want more, Dax.” My voice comes out breathy.
