Page 115 of Between Soul and Vessel
“Because this is how it should be when a husband commits himself to his wife. Bending the knee is how you show honor, respect, humility. This is how I want to enter our marriage, by surrendering all that I am, all I possess, and everything I will be to you.”
Air escaped me as I looked at the strong, proud god. A king among kings. Ripe with dark, unimaginable power. And he was bending the knee to me.
My beautiful, dark villain who had become the hero I desperately needed.
With his eyes holding mine, he spoke in his velvety-rich, deep tone, “I surrender to you, Little Goddess. From this day forth, I vow to be your protector—your sword and yourshield. I vow to be steadfast—my loyalty unwavering and true. I vow that my body will be a sanctuary to yours—my arms a safe fortress, my chest your place to rest. I vow toalwayshold space for your dreams, to honor you, our bond. I vow to be agoodhusband. I vow to beyours.”
My soul danced to the song of his words as tears spilled from my eyes.
Lowering to the floor, I knelt in front of him, taking his free hand in mine. I brought it to my lips, kissing his tanned skin, before I met his gaze. Utilizing every cell of my being, I pledged to him, “I vow to love you through the bad and the good. I vow to give you my life, my love, and all of myself, every piece of my heart. Completely and irrevocably. I vow to be a good wife to you. I vow to be yours, Von, beyond the end of time.”
I had never seen him look so happy.
He asked in a voice that was barely audible, but so very him, “So we have a deal, Little Goddess?”
“We do,” I said, my cheeks starting to hurt because I couldn’t stop smiling.
And as it would seem, neither could he.
Creator above, he was beautiful. Heartbreakingly so.
Smoothly, he slid the ring onto my finger, where it would forever remain. The ring was a perfect fit. Of course it was. Because he had made it for me.
I marveled at it. Athim.
Shadows pooled down his arm, encircling his ring finger, conjuring another ring—the masculine version to my own, marked with white and black diamonds. Our colors.
“You made us matching wedding bands,” I whispered, unable to pull my gaze away from the wedding band on his finger. I brushed my fingers over it, getting to know it.
“Of course I did,” he said, his fingers intertwining with mine. He slid his free hand to my jaw, gently tipping my face upwards. Then he kissed me with claiming need. He lengthened it, deepened it, until I felt like I was dancing amongst the clouds with him. Until I was certain that the remainder of the world had disappeared and all that remained was us.
Thatkiss was one I would remember for the rest of my life.
Because in it, there was only one language to be found—love.
Sweet, beautifullove.
Smiling like a fool, his lips released mine, and we both glanced down.
The moon shone brightly across our hands, illuminating our rings. Illuminating our vows to one another. Under its silver, watchful glow, we were wed.
Husband and wife.
At last.
I watched in awe as the tattoo he spoke of earlier began to form. It was even more beautiful than I could have imagined. I lifted my hand, tracing the delicate design, stopping on the crescent-shaped moon above my breasts.
“What do you think?” he asked, standing, and taking me with him. He wiped away my happy tears.
“I love it,” I answeredwholeheartedly. I missed the other tattoos he had given to me, because through them, it had always felt like I had a piece of him with me.
In truth, I was honored to wear his ink once more, to see it marking my skin.
Relievedeven.
I looked at his chest, hidden beneath his tunic. “Do you wear the matching one to mine?”
“Sort of, but mine is a bit simpler.”
