Page 94 of Crimson Skies

Morgan swallowed. Despite the sheen in his eyes, his voice was clear and strong when he articulated his pledge. “Come prosperity and adversity, I vow to stand as your pillar of strength. When tempests rage and storms cloud our path, I will be your beacon, leading you through the darkest nights. No challenge, in any realm, shall quell the flame that burns within us. I promise to be your unwavering support, forever at your side.”

Their voices merged again. “With this binding vow, we pledge our everlasting fidelity. May our love be a guiding light of hope and inspiration, touching all who witness its divine radiance.”

Soft crying filled the throne room. Someone blew their nose noisily.

“Menippe, stop that!” Thetis berated her sister in a loud whisper. “Oh. Sorry, I didn’t realize that was you, Archon.”

Cassius’s mouth twitched. Morgan’s shoulders quaked slightly.

Atropos waited until the entire audience had recovered their composure before continuing. “As I join your hands, uniting your souls, I invoke the blessings of the cosmos upon you.” The air glowed with her divine power. She smiled at them. “May the stars illuminate your path. May the wind carry tales of your extraordinary deeds to the farthest corners of the universe. May your union be blessed with unwavering devotion, profound joy, and infinite love.” The Moira bound their wrists with a cord of black, gold, and white. “With the power vested in me as a Goddess of Fate, I now pronounce you united in eternal matrimony.”

King Roald stepped forward and cast Dryad magic along their marriage ties. “Go forth, dear ones, as partners, as lovers. May your love continue to inspire and transform the world around you.”

Cassius and Morgan leaned down so Atropos could kiss their brows. She took hold of their twined hands and looked upon their witnesses.

Her voice rang across the throne room. “With the blessings of the Goddess, I present to you a love that shall endure eternally!”

The chamber erupted in rapturous claps, delighted laughter, and a flurry of wolf whistles.

“Kiss him! Kiss him!” Menippe chanted. “Kiss—ouch!”

Thetis had whacked her on the back of the head.

Atropos sighed. “You may kiss the—”

But Morgan was one step ahead of her.

The throne room practically swooned as he took Cassius in his arms, bent him backward at the waist, and kissed him with a passion that burned the air. The world faded around Cassius until all that existed was his husband’s scorching touch and searing lips and a bond that would bind their souls forevermore.

40

Gauzy drapes flutteredat the external doors of the throne room. Theo stepped outside one of them with Victor, a glass of champagne in his hand.

He gazed out over the terrace and the beautiful gardens beyond, where the wedding guests sat under will-o'-the-wisp lanterns strung between poles and gossamer canopies wreathed with flowers. A veritable army of Dryad servants manned the tables bearing giant, crystal candelabras and the remains of the spectacular feast the visitors to their realm had just indulged in, deftly filling glasses with wine and champagne and removing plates and cutlery. The distant sound of revelry and exploding fireworks came from the valley beyond the palace grounds as the capital’s citizens celebrated the wedding of the two demigods.

Theo’s gaze found Cassius and Morgan. They were sitting at the main table chatting with their guests. His face softened at their dazzling expressions.

“Marriage suits them,” Victor said quietly.

Theo’s fingers tightened a little on the stem of his glass. He wondered if it was envy he heard in his lover’s voice. He berated himself for thinking such callous thoughts on his brother’s wedding day and took a sip of his champagne to mask his guilt.

“Want to get hitched?” Victor asked.

Theo swallowed his drink down the wrong pipe. Victor patted his back as he coughed and spluttered. He passed him a handkerchief.

Theo wiped his mouth and stared at the demigod, his pulse racing. “What?!”

“I said, do you want to get married?” Victor took his glass, placed it on a passing waiter’s tray, and grasped his hands. “Before we go to the Nether?”

“I—” Theo paused and swallowed as he stared into Victor’s piercing blue eyes. “To be honest, I’ve never given marriage much thought.”

Victor watched him steadily for a moment. “Okay.” He pulled him close and kissed his temple. “Tell me when you’re ready to talk about it.”

Theo blinked.Does this mean he was thinking about getting married even before Cassius and Morgan announced their wedding?!

“I still intend to get you a ring for your next birthday, though,” Victor declared in a tone that would not be brooked.

“Huh?”

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