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The world fell away as we uttered the last line simultaneously, reserved only for those who had been mated. “My soul is your soul.”
The High Priestess finished her weaving as we spoke, tying an intricate knot around our hands and tightening it to the point that my fingers went numb. With a nod of his head, Ruslan indicated we should begin. Tendrils of white magic slipped through the knot just as black fire arced into the sky, and all around us, our magics undulated together, blending into a brilliant gray that sparkled like the polished glass of the temple. For the first time, the crowd broke its silence, gasps of awe filling the room as they witnessed the force of our combined powers.
We let the magic dissipate on its own, reserving a wisp to settle over our hands and burn away the silk, officially uniting Ruslan and me. The fire that remained in his eyes made me weak at the knees, and I was grateful for his powerful hands grasping mine.
“Seal your union with an unbreakable kiss,” the High Priestess commanded, and my husband wasted no time in yanking me flush against his hard body and capturing my mouth in one of the most fervent kisses he had ever given me. Promises, vows, and emotions flowed between us as our lips and tongues tangled, and all around us, enthusiasm erupted from the crowd.
But their cheers melted away as there was only him – only us – in that infinite moment. Ruslan stole my breath as much as he had stolen my heart, my soul, and I let him, falling deeper into the safety of his arms. He kissed me as if I was his salvation and he would be damned without me, his grip tightening on my lower back, the heat from his hands burning my skin through the thin fabric of my dress.
“Now, forever, always, sprite.”
He broke our kiss, leaving my lips bruised and red and a bit less glossy than they had been. The triumphant smirk he wore as he gazed down at me was worth every bit of it.
“I love you, Ruslan.”
“I love you more, Izidora.”
Stepping away, he strode to the pedestal where a delicate black diadem encrusted with glittering red gemstones rested on a plush velvet pillow. Dropping to one knee before my mate, my husband, I bowed my head, heart hammering in my chest as the weight of my responsibility settled over me.
Was I ready for this? Could I be an empress after everything I’d been through? Would I be good enough to my people?
“Izidora Valynor Drakkar, do you swear to uphold the laws of the Északi Empire, to care for its people, and to make every effort to defend its sovereign territories?” Ruslan asked, his raspy voice taking on a serious and solemn air.
Dragging in a serrated breath, I swore my oath. “I do.” My voice managed to come out steady, and I braced myself for the moment Ruslan would place the diadem over my intricately woven braids. The piece was not as heavy as I’d anticipated, but the metaphor of it was.
“Rise,” he commanded, grasping my hand to assist me.
I lifted my gaze, the diadem thankfully remaining in place, and the High Priestess stepped forward once more. “Goddess, witness the union of Emperor Ruslan and Empress Izidora and know they serve you and all of your creation.”
The ground trembled beneath our feet, and the fires she had been fueling speared upward again before vanishing like they had never existed. Ruslan raised our joined hands overhead in celebration and victory, and I worried the glass temple would implode with the force of excitement reverberating within it.
Even outside the temple, our people celebrated, their cheers and cries adding to those bursting from those within. Lilianaswiped furiously at the tears spilling from her eyes, and Endre flashed us a triumphant grin. Drazen, Anton, Slavian, and the other Félvér clapped furiously, shouting at us, the two young High Lords tossing out obscene and highly suggestive ideas about what would happen after we left the temple. Ruslan growled in their direction, which only made them laugh harder. Xorrek and Gozzak slapped them on the shoulders and howled.
Queen Viktoria beamed up at me, Princess Gizela wrapped protectively in her arms, while King Consort Geza whooped and joined Anton and Slavian in their remarks. The queen of the Day Realm smacked her husband on the thigh, making me giggle.
The mosaic of sounds rose to a crescendo as the whole of Radence erupted with joy. In that moment, I knew that all the pain, all the trauma, was worth it, because not only was I a symbol for them, but also for all who had suffered.
And I planned on showing everyone else just how strong a survivor could be.
58
That evening
Ididn’t even wait for the formal dinner at Ryza Citadel to finish before I snatched Izidora and ferried her to our apartment at the top of the spire. The revelry around the city and in the citadel were loud enough to drown out any sounds she’d be making.
That fucking dress.
She glittered like a diamond mined only for me, and as I circled her in the middle of our bedroom, she lifted her chin and grinned deviously at me.
“Mate, emperor, husband,” she purred, batting her black-coated lashes at me.
I stopped behind her, forcing her to look at me over her shoulder. The black surrounding her eyes made them pop like gemstones, and the diadem resting in her braided hair squeezed my heart, making it pump harder and sending all that blood straight to my groin. I reached for the collar that held the jewels to her body, finding the latch and hesitating. Then I closed the distance between us, letting her feel just how fucking hard I was.“Mmm, I’m going to leave these jewels on while I fuck you,wife, but that means I’ll have to shred this.” My hand drifted to her skirt, bunching it between my fingers and revealing her legs.
Her breath hitched as I shifted one finger into a talon and skimmed it along her thigh. The sound of ripping fabric filled the air as I sank it into the dress, peeling it from her body piece by piece. First, the skirt fell away, and the scent that wafted from between her thighs nearly had me falling to my knees to worship the ethereal being before me. The sheer sleeves were next, leaving only the transparent bodice covered by gemstones. I circled around again, drinking in the sight of her dripping diamonds.
I shucked my jacket off and threw it to the side, not caring where it landed. Then, button by button, I removed my shirt, baring my tattooed torso to my wife. Her gaze raked across my muscles and down to my hardness, straining to break free of my black pants. I kicked off my shoes and then returned to my empress. Her hands hovered by her waist, and I separated them, then fell to my knees and gripped her thighs. Looking up at her, I smirked, then shoved them apart and sank my tongue into her core. Immediately, her fingers twined in my hair and dug into my scalp, pulling me closer to her. Throwing one leg over my shoulder, I deepened the angle, drinking from the most decadent liquid I had ever tasted.
“Ruslan,” she moaned, throwing her head back in ecstasy. The rubies glinted from the light streaming into the room, and an idea struck me that had my dick throbbing.
