Page 65 of To Sway a Prince
There was one matter more that needed our attention. With the mate bond completed, we needed to commemorate our sacred bond. It only seemed right that we do it today. After all, who knew what tomorrow would bring? We had spent enough time apart.
I wore a flowing pink gown similar to the one I wore to dinner. Except this one was sleeveless. Some of the scar remained as not all of my wounds had fully healed, but the mate bond was now clearly visible. A simple mark that showed my connection to the other half of my heart and soul.
It was almost sunset by the time we were ready. Not a trace of a storm cloud on the horizon. The sun's brilliant gold blazed across the horizon, a masterpiece painted in strokes of fire. Crimson and gold streaked the sky, burning against the deep blue canvas that stretched above us. The Chasm caught the light in its purple mist, transforming it into a river of roiling amethyst.
"I never thought I'd see another sunset like this," I whispered as I stood in the doorway, waiting for the signal.
"I pray you are able to see many more," Caein responded.
I glanced back up at the ceiling. "Are you sure that you don't want us to find some way to bring you down to the bridge for the ceremony?"
"I can see from here. I promise I will grant you the full delight of my presence on many other occasions." The air shimmered, and a rough call sounded. "They're ready for you, little knotweaver. Go on."
Heart beating fast and palms sweating, I stepped out and made my way forward. Ten of the dragons lined up, five on each side in a path leading to the end of the bridge. Thalorion and Zephyrus sat positioned at the head in front of a pedestal table that had been carved from part of a grey stone pillar.
On top of that table sat three jars, one with the blue sand, one with the inscription, and one empty. Next to that were two large crystal formations, one of rose quartz that was larger than the ball my brothers played with as children and one turquoise that was about the size of my fist.
What stole my attention was Ramiel, my mate, my groom, my love, my heart. He waited for me by the pedestal, flanked by the dragons. His eyes widened when he saw me, and my heart quickened to see his response.
His amethyst eyes darkened as they locked with mine, and the hunger and need in them made my core tighten. I could drown in those eyes. The smile that split my face in response almost hurt. He stood tall and regal, shoulders squared beneath his formal attire, silver hair shimmering in the fading light. He wore a rich blue-violet surcoat, more luxurious than his usual and yet familiar. Runes had been stitched into the lapels, interconnecting and woven with iridescent thread. He held out his hand to me, only the faintest tremor in his fingers indicating his nerves.
My cheeks warmed at the intensity of his gaze, but I lifted my chin and accepted, sliding my hand to his. His touch sent sparksof delight and desire searing through me, and as he drew me closer, his wonderful scent filled my lungs.
"Astraia," he said, his voice low and rough. "When a Sentinel takes a spouse, they make vows to one another and combine the essence of their magic into a single vessel to honor the bond." He placed his hand over the jar that was half filled with blue sand. "This is mine, created from the first runes I carved into stone and refined with the remnants of the energy of the ones I marked in the air. You may, if you wish, create yours. I brought stones that reminded me of you." He picked up the rose quartz and the turquoise and placed them in my hands.
Smiling, I stacked the two stones over one another and set them above the empty jar. My magic flared against the stones. Gold veins appeared in both like threads. Closing my eyes, I drew into my mind's eyes images of my family. My father. My mother. Sona. Loam. Elim. Not of their deaths but of the life we shared. Of baking peace loaves and weaving runic talismans. Of taking turns telling stories line by line. Of arguing passionately and intensely over the proper ordering of toys, books, plants, and food.
I would never forget them. And nothing would bring them back from the great expanse of eternity. If they could see me, I prayed they shared my happiness and were themselves at peace.
Then I saw Zephyrus. Remembering how he found me at the base of that hill under a sycamore tree, a scared girl grieving and broken. How he'd curled around me and kept me warm. How he'd taught me to hold fast as he flew and rolled. How he'd stood by me through the Resistance and led to my coming here. Our bond was profound, and I was grateful for it. Had he perhaps known of my connection to Ramiel? Or had he simply trusted?
My thoughts shifted then to Ramiel. My impossible, stubborn, powerful, gentle prince and the last of Sentinels. For now. The man who had become my heart.
I remembered his face when he'd first caught me in his trap, that arrogant smirk that had made me want to punch him when all the while he knew what we were to one another. The fierce determination in his eyes as he battled to protect the Chasm. The tenderness in his touch as he'd tended my wounds. The vulnerability when he'd told me about his curse and how he had accepted my help. The passion and affection when he spoke to me of "his mate" and what he would tell her. The selflessness as he had tried to put my future and wellness above his own.
Falling in love—finding a family—all of that had seemed out of my reach. When I scourged myself, I had not believed I could ever heal. Not truly. At best, I could protect him. But now—now even though part of the scar remained, the bond had formed.
No longer was I the broken, scared child who cowered beneath the tree, nor was I the vengeful, petty woman who'd broken into his tower. And he wasn't the cold, isolated Sentinel he'd pretended to be.
I sent a silent prayer of gratitude to the Creator of All. Life had taken so much from me—my family, my kingdom, my innocence. The path had been cruel and hard. But standing here with Ramiel, with Zephyrus and his dragon kin watching over us and Caein with his support and wisdom, I felt only gratitude and hope.
The stones finished dissolving within my hands, turning into shimmering sand. Opening my eyes, I blinked away the tears, then smiled.
When I opened my eyes, I gasped. The stones had completely transformed, crumbling into fine, shimmering sand. Rose-gold and turquoise grains swirled together, glowing softly now and filling half the empty jar.
He took my hand in his and brought it to my heart. "Where your soul goes, mine follows. From this day to final silence and into all that lies beyond, I am yours. And even if your light fallsdark, I will love you still. For if you fall, I will catch you. When you rise, I will guard you. You are mine through all that is and all that will yet be, and I am forever yours."
I gazed up into his eyes as I made my pledge to him, his heart beating against my palm. The words came to my mind easily, a blend of crimson and rune fae vows. "In fury and in joy, in passion and stillness. My blood bears the truth: I am yours and you are mine, and no force will tear our souls from the other. When your rage burns, I will be your calm. When your calm breaks, I will be your shield. I will fight for you, bleed for you, live for you, and you will never go alone."
Together we then poured each of our individual jars of sand into the empty jar with the inscription. They melded together, shifting in layers, creating purple and streaks of pink and blue with hints of violet and turquoise. Once they were filled, he took my hand and placed it with his over the mouth. He put his other hand over my heart. I mirrored this pose.
"Natoumai ahme vahre, Astraia," he whispered.
"Natoumai ahme vahre, Ramiel," I responded.
Our magic twined together, sparking between our palms and fingertips, gold and silver.
Our magic swirled between us, gold and silver light intertwining as the sand in the jar shimmered with our combined colors. Ramiel's eyes darkened to deep violet as he gazed down at me. His expression filled with such tenderness it made my very being ache.
