Page 139 of Of Blood and Garnet

His heart skipped when she lightly brushed the tattoo he’d gotten the night before that sat just below his first knuckle, her eyes wide as they met his.

It wasn’t much, just a simple sprig of lavender that wrapped around his finger. But its meaning was so much more. He’d been wrapped around her finger since they met, and now he’d carry her with him, always.

Her smile was watery, but as the priestess turned expectantly toward him, he cleared his throat and began.

“Auraelia Rose, my love and my life. I have seen thousands of stars in this realm, but none could ever compare to the bright light you’ve brought into my world. You’ve been ingrained into every fiber of my being from the moment you walked into my life. I’ve been enraptured with the fire in your eyes, your heart's softness, and your mind's stubbornness. You are strong and determined, and I am the luckiest man in all of Ixora to have the privilege of calling you mine. I never knew I could love someone as wholly as I do you.”

Auraelia’s hand trembled in his, her breaths coming in small hiccups as she tried to breathe through her tears.

With his free hand, he ran his thumb along her cheek. “Fate may have laid this path before us, but wechosethis. We chose to fight through the trials this world put in our way. And I will continue to choose you in every aspect of our lives, from this one to the next. You own my heart, Auraelia. My soul and magic call to you and yours and are yours to do with as you please. My beautiful star, I amyoursand yours alone. Forever, and always.”

As he finished, he slid her ring—a silver twin to his own—onto her finger until it nestled against the other. Running his finger across the bands, he watched as the last fragments of sunlight glittered in the oval, brilliant-blue sapphire in its center and burned within the emerald shards flanking either side.

A hush fell over the gathered crowd as Riona said, “If you would both, please place your free hands over the top of the knot and repeat after me.”

As his hand met Auraelia’s, he could feel her magic flutter to life, grazing along his own as she let it seep out around her. A shield of air bloomed around the space, thunder booming overhead as the rain began to fall over their joined hands, and they said their vows in unison.

When they finished, he raised a questioning brow.

“A wet knot is harder to untie,” she whispered with a shrug, a sly smile pulling on the corners of her lips.

In a hushed tone, the priestess said, “Your Majesties, if you would now, please remove your hands from the top and grab the ends of the rope.” Their eyes never strayed from each other as they did as she asked. “Now, slowly pull the ends as you slide your other hands out from the center.”

As the knot between them began to tighten, Daemon’s shadows wrapped around the rope in his hand, and Auraelia’s lightning followed suit, weaving together until their magic formed a knot of its own.

Auraelia’s eyes flicked to the cord between them, a broad smile spreading across her lips.

“May what was joined here today never be undone, and may the Goddesses of Arcelia bless you with love and light for all of your days,” Priestess Riona said loudly to everyone gathered.

Applause echoed through the sanctuary as the priestess addressed him in a tone low enough for only their ears. “King Daemon?” Reluctantly, he pulled his gaze from the love beaming in Auraelia’s eyes and turned toward the priestess. “Would you like to kiss your wife?”

Wife.

Auraelia is mywife.

His heart soared as he turned back to the love of his life, tears brimming in her eyes as they flicked from his down to his mouth. Daemon closed the distance between them, wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her to him. “I love you, Auraelia.”

Her hand cradled his cheek as he lowered his mouth toward hers. “I love you, too. Now, kiss me.”

The cheers and applause disappeared as his lips met hers. The world faded away until they were the only ones who existed.