Page 73 of The Right to Bear Claws
The music began as they approached the glade's entrance—not traditional wedding march, but something older, wilder, played on instruments that sang with fae magic and shifter power combined. As Kaia stepped into the circle of light, every person in Hollow Oak rose to their feet, their faces glowing with genuine joy and affection.
But she only had eyes for Elias.
He stood beside the ancient stone altar, wearing a dark suit that emphasized his powerful frame and silver eyes that blazed with love and barely contained emotion. Magnus flanked him on one side, Thorin and Finn on the other, the entire Vane clan presenting a united front of protective family. But it was the expression on Elias's face—wonder and possessive tenderness and absolute certainty—that made her breath catch.
"There go the butterflies," she whispered to Miriam, who squeezed her arm in response.
Varric Thornwell stood behind the altar, his silver hair gleaming in the candlelight as he raised his hands for silence. "Friends, family, pack," he began, his ancient voice carrying clearly through the glade. "We gather tonight to witness the joining of two souls who have chosen to walk through life as one."
As Kaia processed down the aisle between the benches, she caught glimpses of beloved faces. Maeve Cross, looking uncharacteristically emotional. The Tansley brothers, beaming with pride. Lucien Vale, elegant and serene. Dozens of residents who had welcomed her as family, who had rallied to protect her, who now celebrated her joy as their own.
When she reached Elias's side, he took her hands in his with reverent care. "You're so beautiful," he said quietly. "I can barely believe you're real."
"I'm real," she whispered back. "And I'm yours."
"The bonds we forge tonight are older than memory," Varric continued. "They will connect these two souls across all realms—waking, sleeping, and dreaming. They will endure beyond death, beyond time, beyond the ending of all things."
The ceremony blended human traditions with supernatural rituals in ways that made Kaia's heart swell. They exchanged rings—simple bands of mountain silver that pulsed warm against their skin. They drank from a shared cup of ceremonial wine that tasted of earth and moonlight. And when Varric asked for their vows, they spoke words that came from the deepest parts of their hearts.
"Kaia," Elias began, his silver eyes never leaving hers, "not too long ago, I pulled a stranger from the lake and found my entire world. You were lost, hurt, running from nightmares you didn't understand. But you were also brave enough to trust a town full of supernatural beings, kind enough to see the good in people who had every reason to be suspicious, and strongenough to face your demons when running would have been easier."
His voice grew stronger, carrying across the silent glade. "You taught me that quiet strength is real strength. That love isn't about grand gestures or perfect timing, but about choosing someone every single day and building something beautiful together. I promise to be your anchor when dreams grow dark, your shelter when the world feels overwhelming, and your partner in every adventure life brings us."
Tears streamed down Kaia's cheeks as she found her own voice. "Elias, you saved my life in every way a person can be saved. You saw something worth protecting in a damaged dreamwalker who showed up on your doorstep, and you never once made me feel like a burden or a project to be fixed. You gave me a family, a community, a home, and most importantly, you showed me how to be loved completely."
She squeezed his hands, drawing strength from their connection. "I promise to stand with you against anything, to trust you with my fears and my dreams, to build a life worthy of the love you've given me. I promise to use my gifts to protect the people we care about, to be the partner you deserve, and to love you fiercely for all the days of my life and beyond."
"By the ancient laws that govern all supernatural beings," Varric intoned, "and by the bonds of love freely given, I pronounce you mated for all eternity. What has been joined tonight cannot be undone by any force in this world or any other."
The kiss that sealed their vows was gentle, reverent, full of promises and possibilities. But when they broke apart, the entire glade erupted in celebration—cheers and applause and the kind of joyful chaos that only came when an entire community celebrated together.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Magnus called out over the noise, his voice thick with paternal pride, "I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Elias Vane!"
The reception that followed was everything Kaia had never known she wanted. Dancing under the stars to music that made her soul sing. Toasts from family and friends that left her laughing and crying in equal measure. Food that tasted like love and belonging, shared with people who had chosen to claim her as their own.
But as the night wore on, she found herself growing restless, hyperaware of Elias beside her and the way his eyes promised private celebrations yet to come.
"Ready to slip away?" he murmured in her ear during a particularly enthusiastic folk dance led by Finn and Thorin.
"God, yes," she breathed, heat pooling low in her belly at the suggestion.
They made their excuses gradually, thanking everyone for making their day perfect while slowly making their way toward the glade's edge. Magnus caught them before they could disappear entirely, pulling them both into fierce hugs that smelled like sawdust and unconditional love.
"Welcome to the family, officially," he said to Kaia, his weathered face bright with joy. "Now go on, get out of here before someone decides to start making speeches again."
38
ELIAS
The cabin had been transformed into something magical while they were at the ceremony.
Elias paused in the doorway, taking in the rose petals scattered across their bed and the dozens of candles flickering on every surface, casting dancing shadows across the log walls. Someone—probably Twyla with help from Miriam—had draped gossamer fabric from the ceiling beams, creating an intimate bower that felt separate from the rest of the world.
But all of it faded into background when he looked at his wife.
Kaia stood silhouetted against the candlelight, her wedding dress pooling around her feet like spilled cream. The delicate silver embroidery caught the flickering flames, making her appear almost ethereal. But it was the expression on her face that stopped his breath—wonder and desire and absolute certainty that she was exactly where she belonged.
“Mrs. Vane,” he said, the name reverberating low and reverent in his throat.
