the middle of the twin walls of flame, with Selene and Kylene behind one flaming barrier and Hardane behind the other.
“Hardane, seventh son of Argone, born of Sharilyn and Kray here present, come forth.”
The beat of the drumming grew louder, and Kylene glanced around, wondering where the sound was coming from.
She stared through the blaze, gasping in horror as Hardane took a step forward. For a moment, he seemed to be engulfed in a sheet of white flame, and then he emerged through the wall of fire, apparently unharmed, to stand at the priest’s left hand.
“Selene, seventh daughter of Mouldour, rightful heir of Carrick and Joce, come forth.”
Selene stared at the flames. They were orange now and they danced and swayed before her, their rhythm almost hypnotic. She told herself there was nothing to fear. Hardane had walked through the wall of fire unscathed. So could she. Reminding herself of all she hoped to gain, of the reward that would be hers, she took a step forward, her hands clenched at her sides.
She could feel the heat against her skin; the smoke filled her nostrils; the crackle of the flames rang like thunder in her ears.
She gazed through the barrier of fire to where Hardane stood beside the priest.
“Selene, seventh daughter of Mouldour, come forth,” the priest repeated.
She couldn’t do it, Selene thought in despair, not for the throne of Argone, not for Hardane, not for all the wealth of the world.
There was a long pause. A low murmur rose from the crowd as they looked from Selene to Hardane, wondering at her hesitation.
The priest bowed his head a moment and then, in a loud voice, cried, “Kylene, seventh daughter of Mouldour, rightful heir of Carrick and Joce, come forth.”
Kylene glanced again at the mural of the woman engulfed in flames, at the blackened ground before the altar.
Don’t let your fear keep us apart. Once again she heard Hardane’s voice in her mind, strong and clear.
Taking a deep breath, she stared at him through the shimmering flames, surprised to see that the fire was no longer orange but a brilliant shade of white, and then, her gaze locked with Hardane’s, she took a step forward.
There was a sensation of warmth, of being engulfed in a bright silver haze. For a moment, her mind was filled with all the colors of the rainbow, and then she saw the image of a black wolf running through the forest. She concentrated on the face of the wolf. He seemed to be smiling at her, beckoning her. Fearlessly, she followed him, and then she was through the fire, facing Hardane.
His deep gray eyes were filled with love and pride as he stepped forward and took her hand in his.
“As heir of Argone, I accept this woman as my wife and declare that we are life-mated from this night forward.”
The priest began to chant again, and this time the voices of those who had been invited to the ceremony joined in, until the night was filled with song underscored by the low rumble of a drum. And while the anthem was still going strong, the priest placed his hands over theirs and spoke the ancient words that made them one.
As he blessed their union, the flames exploded in a burst of blinding white light and then disappeared.
Selene stared at Hardane and Kylene, her face a mask of hate and envy.
“You’ll rue this day, Hardane of Argone!” she shrieked. “A curse upon you and all your house!”
And then, before anyone could stop her, she ran out of the temple.
For a moment, no one moved, and then Lord Kray and Sharilyn came forward to welcome Kylene into the family.
Hardane’s brothers came next, each bearing a gift for the bride. A rope of exquisite blue pearls from Dubrey, a fine gold chain from Liam, a length of cloth of gold from Garth and Dirk, a jeweled dagger from Dace, a jewel-encrusted box from Morray.
After Hardane’s brothers had welcomed her, the others came forward, wishing her health and happiness, bearing gifts of herbs and spices and flagons of wine, all of which were symbols of fertility and felicity.
Dazed, Kylene accepted the gifts, the hugs, the good wishes. Later, she would worry about Selene’s vile threat, she would relive the fear and the magic of the flames, but for now she could think of nothing save the fact that she was Hardane’s wife for now and for always.
Chapter 25
“Come,” Hardane said, taking Kylene by the hand.
“Where are we going?” She