Page 271 of Primal Bonds

She wore one half of the heart next to her quartz, and he had the other on a leather cord around his neck.

“It’s time,” Suha murmured now. The two of them were alone in Adric’s den, dressing for the ceremony.

Marjani examined herself in the bathroom mirror. For the ceremony, she’d chosen a fire-engine red dress with a form-fitting bodice and a skirt that flared around her legs. On her feet she wore caged heels the same red as her dress.

She ran a hand over her cropped hair and smiled at herself. It felt good to be wearing a bright color, like a flower that had been deep underground and had once again emerged into the sunlight.

“You look amazing.” Suha gave Marjani’s bare upper arms a squeeze. “That man of yours is going to swallow his tongue.”

Their eyes met in the mirror. “So do you.” She smiled at Suha, who wore a matching lime green dress.

“Thanks.” Suha smoothed a hand down her skirt. “Beau likes me in this color.” Beau was a big, laid-back bear whom Suha had been dating for the past few months.

Marjani turned to face her friend. “You really do like Fane, don’t you?”

“Yeah. The man’s a charmer.”

Marjani chuckled. “He is, isn’t he?”

“And he worships the ground you walk on, which gives him major points in my book. You’re a lucky woman—but I think you already know that.”

Marjani nodded. “I do.” Her hand went to the gold half-heart next to her quartz.

Suha handed her a bouquet of bright, late-summer flowers, and together, they walked up the steps to the backyard.

Adric had closed off their street for the party and told the drug dealers to get lost for the evening. Evie and some of the other women had created a flowered arch of sunflowers, lavender, cosmos, zinnia and other flowers in the backyard.

As Suha and Marjani emerged from the den, the clan drummers beat out a slow, complicated rhythm. The small yard was full, the entire clan present.

Nerves jumped in her stomach. She knew some of them hadn’t come willingly. The old prejudices weren’t going to be swept aside that easily. But Adric had made it clear that she was going to remain his second, and they’d better support her and her mate—or else leave.

Dusk had fallen. A few fae lights wafted in air currents above the yard. All around her, earth fada eyes glowed in the fading light as an almost full moon rose above the rooftops. The five drummers sped up the rhythm.

Marjani bit her lower lip. If only her mom and dad could’ve been here—and Luc. But maybe her parents were here—in spirit, anyway—and she knew she had to let go of her guilt about Luc. He’d be okay. Adric would make sure of that.

The clan had formed a spiral for her to follow to the center of the yard where Fane waited along with Adric, who as clan alpha would perform the ritual, and Jace, who’d agreed to stand as Fane’s best man.

With a last hug and a whispered, “You got this, girl,” Suha started into the human labyrinth.

Stomach still tense, Marjani squared her shoulders and followed. Because even though Adric had laid down the law, that didn’t mean people had to do more than tolerate her mating. And this was the first time she’d seen most of them since leaving for Iceland six weeks ago. She felt like everyone was looking at her extra hard, wondering if she’d really recovered.

But nearly everyone was smiling—real, genuine smiles. Voices thanked her for all she’d done for the clan and murmured congratulations. “Blessings on you both.”

Marjani’s throat clogged. She hadn’t expected this show of support.

Then an old woman named Lily fastened a gnarled hand on her arm. “We’re proud of you, girl. And your mama and dad would’ve been, too. You beat that fae king at his own game.”

“Thank you, Lily.” Marjani kissed her papery cheek and moved on, smiling now, her nerves gone.

She was almost to the center when she saw Evie. The pretty blonde grinned and bounced a little on her toes, overjoyed that Marjani and her dad had mated. Nearby, Kyler stood with a couple of the younger soldiers, legs apart and skinny arms folded over his chest like the soldiers beside him.

The last person she passed was an impassive Zuri. She knew he was suspicious of Fane, unhappy to have a former ice fae envoy so close to both Marjani, and by extension, Adric. Fane would have to prove himself before Zuri accepted him. But he politely inclined his dark head to her.

And then she rounded the last curve and all she saw was Fane. Her tall, blond and gorgeous mate, his lower face covered with the trim beard he’d grown since leaving Iceland. He held out a hand, unsmiling—and yet inside, he was so happy she felt it warming her own chest.

She took his hand. He squeezed her fingers, and together, they faced her brother.

Adric gave her a formal nod as the drums fell silent. Suha took her place at Marjani’s side, and Jace stood next to Fane.

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