Page 107 of Marked By Moonlight
I’m dressed in a long, curve-hugging, black lace dress next to Ambrose and his black suit. Golden crowns adorn both our heads. I’ve never felt so powerful, even if I’ve never physically been weaker. The blood flowing through my veins is just enough to keep me standing, to keep me walking. Ambrose, despite putting on a brave front, hasn’t fully recovered yet, either. But he squeezes my hand as if he has enough strength for both of us.
When we reach the top of the hill, silence falls through the crowd as all eyes track us. Together, we start to descend the stairs hand in hand.
I was sure the crowns were too much, but as we walk, several pack members and even nonpack members bow to us. They seem to understand and respect the sacrifice we are about to make.
I spot Isolde at the bottom of the stairs where the stage is and stumble. I knew she was the witch that would conduct the ceremony, but I still don’t like her.
“I’ve got you. You’re safe. I won’t let Isolde hurt you,”Ambrose says in my head.
“I know. I trust you.”
His lips curl up just a touch, and the warmth and assurance in his eyes tell me any doubt from earlier is long gone. He truly believes that we can do this. I know we can.
We only briefly discussed what Thalia said to us about the prophecy. But it was enough to give us both confidence that we can break the curse and survive. We avoid speaking about his kiss with Rowena.
Once we hit the stage, Ambrose turns to face the crowd. “Tonight, my mate and I will complete the marking ceremony confirming that we are mates. We will break the curse. And my queen and I will take our places as alphas of the Moonlight wolves.”
Cheers break out, but Ambrose and I just stare everyone down. I scan every one of their faces until I find who I’m looking for. Nyx is standing next to Kael in the front row. Nyx raises his eyebrow at me as if to call my bluff. But I’m not backing down. I quickly scan Kael. He doesn’t seem hurt, but I can’t read much about his condition beyond any obvious outward injuries. There is nothing I can do to help him at the moment, even if he is injured.
So, for now, I push Kael out of my mind and then sweep my attention to Emeric and Rowena, who are on the other side of the aisle in the front row. Emeric is grinning wildly at us with all the faith in the world that we are going to do this. Rowena, however, looks like she’s chewed her nails completely off at this point and doesn’t know what to do with her hands now.
“It’s going to be okay. We can do this,” I mouth to her as much for my own sake.
She nods but doesn’t look too assured. Shame still marks her face. She tried to speak with me before the ceremony, but I brushed her off. When we break the curse, and everything can be spoken about, then we’ll talk.
Ambrose and I both turn to face Isolde. Ambrose warned me that this ceremony will probably be a bit different than what we saw before. He said Isolde has been doing a lot of research, but he didn’t tell me more than that. It’s probably because, based on how fast his heart is beating next to me, he doesn’t know what Isolde has planned either.
“As Ambrose has said, we are gathered here to conduct the marking ceremony and break the curse. Thank you to everyone who came to ensure that the ceremony goes off smoothly. I know how desperate we all are to end this.” She flicks her hand in a signal, and suddenly, the stage is surrounded by witches.
The crowd gasps.
Ambrose and I are both stone-faced. We expected this, but it’s still shocking to see an entire coven of witches surrounding us. There is no turning back now.
They all hold their hands up at the same time, and I watch as golden threads flow from their fingers up toward the sky. The threads begin to weave together in an intricate pattern that I would call beautiful if it wasn’t for the fact that it was forming a cage around us.
Ambrose and I continue to hold hands while keeping our expressions neutral. We are either leaving this cage as true mates, having broken the curse, or we die.
Isolde turns to us with a calculated smirk and a cold, piercing stare that screams she’ll be happy either way.
“She better hope we die. I plan on killing her after we break the curse.”
Ambrose chuckles under his breath.“Nothing less than what she deserves, my queen.”
My queen—I love it when he calls me that. It has nothing to do with the crown on my head or the role he expects me to play. He calls me that because of how he feels about me.
“The moon will soon be at its peak. It’s time to start.” Isolde holds up her hands. “Do you, Lumi, accept Ambrose as your mate?”
“Yes.”
“Do you, Ambrose, accept Lumi as your mate?”
“Yes.”
“Very well, we shall see if you both chose correctly. There are two parts to the ceremony. Part one is to join as your human selves. Part two is to shift into your wolf forms and for Ambrose to mark Lumi’s upper shoulder. If you both survive, then the mating bond should make itself known.”
I’m listening, but still focused on the first part.“What does she mean about joining as our human selves?”
“I’m not—”
