Page 48 of Blood Lord

I swear he looks misty eyed, and I lean in to kiss him. "I love you, too."

27

Raziel

Istare after Selene, realizing once again, as I do every day, that I've never seen anyone more beautiful. Dressed in thin white robes that show off her excellent figure, Selene is a walking temptation for me. I have to clench my fists just to keep from ripping it to shreds.

We have to leave soon for the mating ceremony. The Council presides over all mating ceremonies, and while I am sticking to tradition, I wish that we could have had something more intimate—preferably not in a room with vrakken that have bitten and threatened the life of my mate.

"Ready?" Selene asks as she finishes pinning half of her hair up into a beautiful style.

I hold my hand out to her. "I've been ready since the first night I saw you."

The smile that spreads across her face is more than enough to take my breath away.

Hand in hand, we walk down the tunnels to the Council room, but I pause at the edge of the room, shocked by the amount of vrakken gathered here.

I know that Selene and I are the first vrakken-human pair to mate. Before, any human that fell in love with a vrakken would simply be Changed. That, combined with the way that most generations flock to any public appearance of mine, especially this one with my apathetic reputation, has brought out most of our population.

Selene tugs at me, and I follow her into the room. Where the Council's table usually sits, an altar has been erected. Brinda, who will be our officiant as the Matriarch always is, stands beneath it, holding a basin full of crystal clear water—an honor to our god. He presents through reflections, like he did with the First when he came to her through the surface of a river.

We both ascend the steps up to the altar, standing hand in hand in front of Brinda. I squeeze Selene's hands, and Brinda lifts her head to announce to the crowd. "Before the eyes of Akeldama and the blessings of the First, we will mate these two today." The guests fall silent. "First, they will pledge their intentions to each other and our coved to be judged by our god."

I nod to Selene. We both decided I would go first.

"Selene, I vow to be your mate, to be someone you can trust and confide in. I will always protect you and give you everything I have, in this lifetime and everything next. I will love you until time itself stops, even if I don't have you that long. You will always be the only one for me."

Her eyes are misty, and her fingers tug at mine as I continue. "To the Council, I pledge my life in devotion to your services. I will bring honor to our coven and do everything I can for my people.

"To my coven, I promise to put the needs of my people above my own. I will honor our traditions in my actions and bring glory to Akeldama and the First with the life I have been blessed with."

I squeeze Selene's hands, and she grins at me nervously. When she speaks, though, her voice is loud and clear, a performer always.

"Raziel, I vow to give you my heart. I will be there for you through everything, to bear your burdens and help you when you need it. I will be there by your side everyday until my body is no longer able, and even then, my soul will always be yours. There will never be anyone else for me. I love you."

She gulps, seemingly more nervous about the next to, but her gaze never leaves mine. "To the Council, I pledge my life to bringing the vrakken to glory. I will pour my soul into my new role, and I will do everything to bring honor to my newfound people.

"To my coven, I promise to do everything I can to improve the lives of my people. I will look to Akeldama and the First for guidance, and thank them for all that they have given us. Every day, I will strive to repay the new life I have been given amongst my people."

"With the pledges, we will ask Akeldama if this union is to be blessed."

I let go of one of Selene's hands, pulling an ornate blade from my waistband. I unsheathe it, slicing my palm, and hand it to her. She follows suit, and we clasp hands again, this time over the basin. I watch as our mixed blood hits the water, and my heart thuds in my chest.

"Akeldama, please let your favor be known."

The droplets of blood collect on the surface of the water, never mixing in, and as it spatters into the basin, the blood flows over the sides. The droplets splash onto the ground next to our feet, leaving the water crystal clear.

"The union has been blessed!" Brinda looks between the two of us. "With these pledges and the blessing of Akeldama and the First, you are pronounced mates. Raziel, you may claim your bride."

She raises her eyebrows at me, and I smirk, knowing I didn't tell her about this part. I reach up to cup her face, our sliced palms already healed. Mine healed on its own, and I gave Selene a soft bite before we came here to ease her nerves and enhance her healing.

And maybe I just wanted a taste, too.

I pull her in, pressing my lips to hers, and as they meet, I sweep her up in my arms. Without looking, I step off the raised platform, rushing from the Council room.

I race down the tunnels, eager to get back to our home, and as soon as I set her on her feet, I'm on my knees, eager to strip her. Selene helps me disrobe her, and I catch her in a kiss as her hands pull the fabric off my skin.

She stops me as I try to lift her, though. Instead, she pulls me toward the patch of moss she loves to lay on, tugging me onto the ground with her. "Raziel, you've given me so much, and I know I don't have anything to give you but my love."

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