Page 85 of Kingdom of Spirits

“I mean, he is a Seabreak,” Fara said.

Maiwenn wrinkled her nose. “I’d thought most of them were born on the eastern coast.”

It had to be odd to hear a very Northern pirate-type accent in one’s head. “Lija said because Marius and I chose the crystals for our ritual that even dragons would respect our bond. That we have accidentally mimicked the old dragon ways.”

Maiwenn’s eyes widened. “Do they bond in a version of marriage too?”

“Many of them used to,” Tahlia said, “but their traditions have changed over the centuries. It is seen as a very serious announcement of dedication now.”

“Fitting, I think,” Fara said. Then she glanced at the candle that marked the hours on the bronze shelf near the door. “Oh! We have to go now. You’re going to be late! Commander Marius will think you’re standing him up!”

“Everything is fine, Fara. Now, give me a solid hug, my old friend.”

Fara leaned down and wrapped Tahlia in her spindly arms. “I love you. If you need me to strangle your mate at any point for not pleasing you, just let me know.”

Maiwenn snorted. “I doubt you could complete that task, Healer. Also, is it odd being so aggressive and wanting to heal at the same time?”

“I don’t feel both ways at the same time. Plus,” Fara said with a slightly dangerous grin, “life and death go hand in hand.”

“Aye, they do,” Tahlia said. “But please don’t murder anyone today, all right?”

Fara stepped back and began straightening up the vanity table. “It’s up to everyone to behave properly,” she said in a cheery voice.

Tahlia exchanged a glance with Maiwenn, who mouthed,She’s scary.

Laughing, Tahlia stood and smoothed her blue-green skirts. The embroidered gold sigils—Tahlia’s chosen dragon’s tooth over an oak’s silhouette—ran in stripes down the cascading folds of fabric. The sigils sparkled in the window’s light. She wore a military-grade vest complete with draped mail and circles of bronze plating that hugged her shape. The capped and embroidered sleeves of a fine wool shirt peeked out at the shoulders. The outfit was exactly as she’d wanted it to be—reminiscent of the first riders’ vests, but still having that feminine beauty to it in the voluminous skirts. And her Weaver’s belt remained at her waist, the wool a bright red and humming with power.

Fara and Maiwenn rushed her out of the keep and down the narrow steps that led to the small mountain glen just beyond the courtyard. The wind from the cliff’s edge swept over them, stirring fabric and Maiwenn’s unbound hair. They hurried around the corner to find the other riders gathered alongside much of the castle staff, all the Healers—Fara’s new associates—and most of the Bloodworkers. Titus lifted his hand in a quick wave, his eyes shining. Tahlia winked at him.

At the rocky outcropping that butted against the keep, a jagged array of crystals in purple, gold, clear, pink, and sage green sparkled. Lija, Ragewing, and several other dragons perched above, scales glittering in the setting sun.

Morning, friend,Tahlia said to Lija.

Happy bonding, rider.

Tahlia smiled up at Lija, pride swelling at the sight of the dragon that claimed a big piece of her heart.

The mottled light through the pines flitted across the crystals’ varied surfaces as if in welcome. Courage, connection, and health energies flowed from the crystals. Before meeting Mother Twilight, Tahlia had only felt the crystals’ power once—when a tremor in the earth had jostled the rose-hued ones and sparked the natural attraction between Marius and her. It had been intense. But now, as she watched the threads twinkle in and out of view, she recognized the hum of encouragement from the purple crystals especially. Perhaps the magic somehow knew she was nervous. She smiled and welcomed that energy in, stepping forward. Marius walked out of the shadows of the pines to join her at the crystals.

Head crowned with a golden laurel circlet like Tahlia’s, Marius wore a draping dark blue cloak. His sigil showed on the bronze clasp at his throat—a partially coiled whip and a crystal cluster. A newly fashioned white leather military vest covered his broad chest and trim stomach. He wore riders’ leather trousers as well as typical rider boots. He looked every inch the powerful Fae leader he was now. Commander of the Order of Mist Knights.

But more lovely than any of his raiment was the look in Marius’s eyes. Love shimmered from their gray depths and Tahlia couldn’t wait to start her life with this male. Already she longed to whisk him away from the crowd and into their shared bedchamber. She wanted to trade whispers in the sunset light, feel his palms warming her belly and thighs, listen to his sighs of happiness and contentment…

“Your beauty is beyond any phrase I could utter, my lady,” he whispered in his deep and melodious voice. The breeze stirred his hair and ruffled his cloak.

Joy danced inside her. They had made it.

The ceremony went as planned. First, they burned a beeswax and sage candle for Gaius, asking those attending for a moment of quiet in respect. Then, together, Tahlia and Marius burned dragon lavender at the base of the crystals and detailed their gratitude for their dragons and for the mountains that housed them. Touching a fist to their temples each, they sealed their offering of herbs.

Next, they set their palms against the rose-colored crystal, and Healer Albus wrapped their hands in the braided handfasting cord. The old male spoke the holy words, and once Tahlia and Marius laced their fingers, faced each cardinal direction, and voiced their intent to mate, their bond was formed. Marius’s hands were so warm and comforting. Tahlia never wanted to let go.

With a rush of light, threads leapt around their joined hands. The ties of energy sparkled and undulated like waves on the sea.

“What is it?” Marius looked down at her, wonder in his gaze.

“The threads… We are united in deep blue and gold threads of energy. It’s amazing.”

“You are amazing, my love, my mate.”

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