Page 64 of Claimed By Stone
She looked up at me, cautious but open. “You mean… the handfasting?”
I nodded and set down my mug. “I want that with you. If you’ll have it, it’s not just tradition—it’s a vow. A choice. I know everything still feels uncertain, but…” I reached across the table and took her hand. “I would be honored to stand with you, Seraphina. As my chosen. My future. My mate.”
Without a moment's hesitation, she said, "Yes. I want that more than anything."
I kissed her hand, not because I had to, but because it felt like the only thing that made sense. She was royalty in that moment—mine to protect, mine to love.
Later that day, I found Khuldruk in the armory, where he always went when he needed to think with his hands. The clang of steel echoed as he sharpened one of the ceremonial axes, even though it hadn’t seen use in decades.
“I need a word,” I said.
He glanced up. “You always do when I’ve just started to focus.”
I ignored the jab and leaned against the stone wall. “I asked her to handfast.”
The whetstone paused mid-stroke. Then, with maddening calm, he said, “And?”
“She said yes.”
That earned me a grin and a slap on the back that nearly knocked the air from my lungs. “About damn time. You’ve been circling each other like skittish deer.”
I couldn’t help my smile. “I want this to be real. Not just for me—for all of us.”
Khuldruk nodded. “Then let’s make it a celebration. The clan needs this. When I was bonded with Callie, we were in such a hurry to save our magic that we didn't do it properly. I think this one needs to be done in such a way to celebrate the return of the old magic.”
"Yes, brother. I couldn't agree more."
We found Callie and Seraphina in one of the side courtyards. Callie was animatedly describing the spring rituals she used to attend in the human realm, while Seraphina listened, wide-eyed and laughing.
As they approached, Thavros watched as Callie's head tilted as if scenting something. Immediately, her eyes from Khuldrukand her face lit up even more, and she stood and almost ran to him. Khuldruk pulled her close and kissed her forehead.
It was the draw of the mate bond. He wanted that, and the fact that while Seraphina didn't run to him, she still came to him with the same certainty warmed his heart.
"Thavros and Seraphina are to be handfast," Khuldruk said.
When we told them the news, Callie shrieked. Seraphina blushed a deep red, but her smile was radiant.
"I'm so excited!" Callie said, clapping her hands. "We must get a new gown made. Oh, and the hall, it will still be January, let's try to make it look like a winter wonderland.”
"That will be a nice contrast to the fire dancers that are usually part of a handfasting ceremony," Khuldruk said.
"Fire dancers!" they both said. While Callie's face held excitement, the overwhelm on Seraphina's was not lost on him, but her smile was genuine.
Within seconds, the two of them had locked arms and started rambling about flowers and dresses and where exactly a handfasting should take place inside a mountain fortress.
Khuldruk leaned over. “We’ve lost them.”
“I don’t mind,” I said, watching Seraphina’s eyes light up. “Not one bit.”
The mountain changed almost immediately.
It started as whispers—quiet congratulations from passing warriors, nods of approval from elders, soft smiles from healers and artisans. Then came the offers. Someone had a cousin who made ceremonial garb. A baker offered to craft the handfasting loaf shaped like entwined hands. And Callie, saints preserve her, was organizing it all with Seraphina at her side like a whirlwind of joy and soft chaos.
I hadn’t seen the halls this alive in years. Not since before the skirmishes. Not since before the crystal went dark. But even the crystal seemed to glow brighter these days.
I’d always been the quiet one, the serious one. The one buried in scrolls and strategy. But now? Now I spend more time talking about color schemes and ceremonial dances than reviewing battle plans. I caught myself smiling for no reason. I started leaving the war room early. Hell, some days I didn’t go at all.
Instead, I started working on something else, something just for her. My quarters had always been functional, but now, I found myself adding warmth. Carvings. Soft things. I even went into the market to commission a pair of carved chairs for two.
