Page 149 of A Throne of Blood & Vengeance

I tore my gaze away from the beautiful garden my charming prince had created just for me and drank in his appearance. My eyes stayed locked on his. “I love it.”

“I love it too.” He smiled.

“Yes, you’re both gorgeous and sickeningly in love.” Zander let go of my wrist and gently nudged me towards Draven. “Save the fireworks for the main event, yeah?”

Draven extended his arm, and I looped mine around his before we approached the large crowd, all wearing happy and wistful expressions. Above us, petals of soft yellow and purple rained down from those spectating in the buildings.

The crowd parted at our approach, and more petals were tossed onto the soft grass as we made our way forward.

They’re so happy, Talis said.I don’t remember the last time I was around this many people and they were all so excited and joyous.

Just wait until they get a few bottles of wine in them, Draven joked.Then you can add delightfully drunk and rambunctious.

Amusement danced across my mind before Talis pulled back. We were still figuring out how their magic had changed. Talis had sacrificed the ability to control souls but could still see them in their own way. They relayed what they saw to us, making us walking lie detectors. But we’d also discovered that, while Talis was actively in our minds, we could hear each other’s thoughts.

Which was sometimes handy . . . and other times not so much. Because Vail was still Vail, and nobody—myself included—wanted to listen to his grumpy thoughts all the time.

Plus, Kieran had told me I looked beautiful one morning when in fact he was thinking the shade of my dress was hideous and that I’d done my hair strangely.

Talis was getting better about limiting what thoughts we heard. They were also never pushy through our connection, seeming perfectly content to just soak it all in most of the time.

The crowd finally parted, and I got to see the rest of my mates as well as Roth’s family. Vail and Alaric were dressed similarly to Draven in fitted black pants and dark burgundy shirts. Vail had even pulled his hair back into a bun and trimmed his beard,which had become rather unruly lately. Roth’s brothers were on either side of them. Both still wore fighting leathers, but the ones they had on today were perfectly clean and a shiny black—not a hint of brain matter or blood in sight. Taivan’s hair had been braided neatly back, and Desmond’s head was freshly cut.

Standing several feet in front of them were Severen and Celestina. They wore matching beaming smiles. I briefly spotted Cali, Rynn, and Nyx standing off to my right, but it was Roth who commanded all my attention.

I was only vaguely aware of Draven kissing me on the cheek before going to stand between Alaric and Vail.

I practically floated forward, closing the distance between me and Roth. “You look stunning.”

Most of the time, Roth wore baggy clothing, which was often smeared with ink. Today, they wore formfitting black pants and a matching button-up shirt, plus a vest that perfectly complemented the purple of my dress.

“Don’t get used to it.” They grinned wryly.

“Tease.” I tried to pout but was smiling too hard for it to work, and based on the snort Rynn let out, my face had contorted into something ridiculous.

“Thank you all so much for joining us today to celebrate the union of our youngest, Astaroth Devereux, to Samara Harker,” Celestina announced loudly.

Instantly, my eyes started to tear up, and I had to blink them back. Moons damn it all, why was I such an easy crier? We’d barely even started, for fuck’s sake.

“It is the hope of every parent that their child will find someone who loves and respects them. Who makes them happy.” Celestina smiled at me and Roth. “I needed only to spend a few minutes with the two of you to know how much you love each other.”

A few tears fought their way free and raced down my cheek.It’s okay. You’re okay. It’s okay.I chanted over and over in my head.Your makeup is still fine. You’re definitely not leaving blurry black tracks down your cheeks right now.

Umm . . . is it normal to think to yourself like this?

Not now, Talis!

Roth’s lips twitched, as if they could hear every one of my thoughts.

Celestina turned to Roth. “Do you, my sweet and brilliant child, swear to love, protect, and honor Samara Harker for the rest of your days?”

Orange fractures lit up against Roth’s hazel eyes. “I do.”

“And do you, Samara Harker”—Celestina’s intense gaze fell onto me—“swear to cut down any enemy who comes for your beloved, dote on them like the treasure they are, and above all else, love and cherish them for the rest of your life?”

“I do,” I croaked as tears streamed down my face, not giving a single shit about my makeup any longer. How could I when Roth was looking at me like I was their entire world?

“Then we welcome you, Samara Harker, into our family as you welcome Roth into yours.” Severus stepped forward to join his wife, a long, thin dagger in his hand. “Two souls and two Houses, united to stand strong through the good times and the bad, because there can be no happiness without pain.”

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