Page 163 of To Ashes and Dust
“There, how does that feel?” he asked, finishing the ties in the back of my gown and stepping back.
“Perfect,” I said, looking over myself in the mirror, at the intricate braids he’d so carefully woven into my hair. “How did you get so good at this?”
He smiled, and it was so warm, his eyes lowering as he touched the braids. “My mother taught me when I was little. She hoped that one day I could braid my future mate’s hair. They’re important to our culture, representing unity and strength,” he paused a moment, and a wave of emotions surged across my skin—happiness, adoration, pride… sorrow. “I wish she could have seen us mated…”
My chest swelled in both happiness that he had that piece of her, that in some way she was still with him, and sorrow for the pain her felt knowing he’d lost her so long ago. God, I wish I could have met her, or at least… remembered any times I might’ve shared with her as Moira. I couldn’t help but let my mind wander, imagining a young Damien braiding his mother’s hair.
“You ready?” he asked.
I drew a deep breath, my heart fluttered at the question, and the nerves I’d felt all evening resurfaced. “Yes… more than ready.”
He took my hand, his fingers lacing with mine as he lifted my hand to brush a kiss against my knuckles. “You look stunning,mea luna.”
My cheeks warmed, and my eyes burned. His smile softened, and his other hand lifted to brush the tears from my eyes.
“I love you,” he breathed, his voice like a calm before the storm, unwavering and powerful.
My lips quivered, and I wrapped my arms around him, trying not to cry and ruin the makeup I’d worked so hard on.
“I love you too,mea sol.”
Blue light fell from the sconces mounted high on the pillars, mixing with the pale glow of the dimós trees, the light cool yet warm at the same time. Stars glittered in the night sky, trapped within the ceiling of Selene’s chambers above us, the delicate scent of night blooming jasmine filling my lungs with each breath.
I stood at the foot of the dais, nerves dancing through my fingertips as my eyes locked with Selene standing before us. She was radiant, her silver hair cascading around her in waves until it pooled at her feet, her silken white gown barely brushing the floor. Damien gave my hand a reassuring squeeze, and I drew a deep breath, steeling my nerves.
We were really doing this.
The marble was cold against my bare feet, which was oddly soothing. I’d been surprised when Damien had told me to leave my shoes off, explaining it was part of the mating ritual, something about an uninterrupted connection with the magic of the land. It was a relief, honestly, as my feet had been so swollen that only my boots fit me, and I didn’t think black boots would go with the silver gown I wore.
We came to a stop at the top of the dais, my heart thundering in my ears as we stood before Selene, her head held high, opalescent eyes drifting over me before turning to Damien.
“You stand before me this day to exchange vows, to bind yourselves to one another.”
“We do,” we said in unison, and I’d barely managed to get the words out. Damien smiled to the side at me, and it was infectious enough to help ease my racing heart, my lips reflecting the smile he shared with me.
“Lift your hands,” she said, and Damien did as she asked, our fingers still interlaced, my hand atop his.
Her delicate hand lifted to meet ours, and a thread of pure starlight stretched out from her fingertips, climbing around our joined hands like a ribbon. The magic tingled against my skin as it slid up our arms, and then I stiffened as it sank into our skin, the starlight fading, but the magic humming just beneath the surface.
“Damien Archonis, son of Darius Archonis and Cora Archonis, I bind you to Moira, from this day until her last day,” Selene said, her words reaching to every corner of the chamber.
The magic in her voice glided over my skin, echoed in my ears, as if her words shifted the very fabric of reality. Her pale eyes nearly glowed as she turned her gaze to me, the sparkling constellation freckles dancing over her face.
“Moira, daughter of mine, I bind you to Damien, from this day, until his last day.”
Damien turned to me, and I followed his lead, my mind failing to remember the steps Damien had tried to teach me in the short amount of time we had to prepare.
“I will remove your coat, warrior,” Selene said, and my gaze snapped back to her. He hadn’t mentioned anything like this.
Damien allowed Selene the room to remove the black robe he wore, revealing the rest of his tattoo—the crescent moon on his right pectoral, the runes and shadows stretching out until they spiraled and twisted down his arm.
Damien took my hand and lifted it to the crescent moon inked into his chest, pressing my palm to his skin.
“What are yo—”
He pressed his finger to his lips, that crooked smile I loved so much tugging at the corners.
“From this day, until my last, I vow to remain at your side.” My heart fluttered as his intense gaze pierced through me, his hand bracing mine to his chest. “To help carry your burdens and soothe your sorrows.” I drew a sharp breath as the skin beneath my palm grew warm, and my eyes fell to his chest.
