Pure Destiny (PureDark Ones #12) - Aja James Page 0,113

one in his whole existence has ever put him first, I think.”

“How can you know all this?” Dalair asked.

“When he was our…guest here. We had a lot of time to reflect and come to terms,” she answered.

“He loved you very much, Dalair. More than me. Which is why he also hated you more than me.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Wait here.”

Sophia left the bed and disappeared out of sight for a few moments. When she came back, she held a stack of letters in both hands.

“Read these. Ere left them for you. Do you want me to be here as you read?”

“Yes,” he answered immediately, pulling her close again, wrapping his arm around her as he picked up one letter and unfolded it.

She cuddled into him and closed her eyes, dozing in the comfort of his embrace.

In their joined minds, she could hear him begin to read:

Dear brother…

Chapter Nineteen

On the private rooftop garden above Ishtar and Tal’s apartment within the Shield, the Mating Ceremony took place.

Though the General and his “Star,” as well as their daughter Inanna and her Mate Gabriel, and Sophia’s favorite little person in the world—Benji—could not be present for Sophia and Dalair’s joining, the Pure Ones felt them in spirit. The comfortably cool breeze that rustled the crisply fragrant leaves and grass carried their blessing.

Ayelet officiated the ceremony as she always did, as the Pure Ones’ Guardian, and as Sophia’s personal guardian and surrogate mother.

Wearing a simple, flowing white dress, her dark hair loose in waves, Ayelet took each of Sophia and Dalair’s hands in both of her own.

Thus, she began the ancient vows:

In Darkness and Light, in Life and Death

Two souls will join to share One Path

With heart and mind, and every breath

You become each other’s present and past

What the future holds only the Goddess can see

Paved by the choices you both shall make

Step by step toward your Destiny

In Bond Eternal that none shall break

Ayelet looked to Dalair to recite his vows next.

He held Sophia’s warm, amber eyes with his own silvery gaze, fusing their consciousness, mingling their breaths and synchronizing their heartbeats.

This was only ceremony, he knew. They’d already Mated in truth, and no one could sever their Bond. But standing here, in front of all their comrades and friends, the family of their heart if not blood, he felt incredibly grateful, humbled and reverent.

Could this truly be happening? Could the son of a Persian slave, the King’s concubine, a no one…could he be standing before the most exquisite woman in the world, a being as beautiful, strong, brave and powerful as one of the Twin Goddesses herself…was Sophia truly his?

She looked into his eyes with tears shimmering in her own. They were tears of happiness, he knew. He could feel her effervescent, infinite joy. It radiated from her very soul. He could see it in her beaming smile and hear it in her galloping heart.

She loved him so.

He felt it in the marrow of his bones, so deeply he wondered how he could have ever thought otherwise.

But that was all in the past. This milestone would harken the start of their future.

Solemnly, he gave his pledge:

“My body, my blood, my life, are yours. My soul will only rest with you. Sophia. Take from me the Nourishment you crave. Let me become your strength, your protection, and fulfill your every need. I offer you all that I am, all that I was, all that I ever shall be.”

Without waiting for Ayelet’s signal, Sophia jumped in breathlessly to offer her own vows, as if she simply couldn’t keep them in any longer.

“I accept you as my Destined, Eternal Mate, Dalair. You have, always and forever, my heart, my body, my soul. I offer you Sustenance to keep you strong. For the rest of eternity, from this day on, I shall have no other. I accept you with everything I am, was, and ever shall be.”

“You may now—” Ayelet began.

But Sophia was already leaping into Dalair’s arms, her eager hands pulling his head down for a passionate, hungry kiss.

They barely heard the chuckles, cheers and clapping from their audience. Didn’t notice when the crowd began to disperse, since they weren’t separating from their kiss any time soon. Didn’t feel the claps on their backs or hear the words of well-wishers.

All they knew was each other.

Somehow, they made it back to their chamber without tearing each other’s clothes off and giving anyone who passed by an eyeful. And then, it was all greedy hands, hungry mouths, fervent kisses and skin