eyes seemed to glow in the light of the slowly rising sun. His ruby-red breeches and tunic bore the dragon of Mab stitched in a white so bright it would be blinding in the full light of day. Where he obtained such a garment for this wedding, Dari had no idea, but she suspected the many towers and storage buildings at Triune held secrets and surprises far greater than ceremonial dynast garb.
She smiled at Nic, and he smiled at her. The tight lines of his face told her he was in pain, that he had refused elixir, intent on joining with her with his senses completely intact, no matter how brutal that might be for him. She wanted to throw her arms around his neck and hold him, take away every hurt and bit of agony, but she knew that these things were part of Nic now. He had learned to survive suffering no living creature should be asked to bear, and that agony was part of what had shaped him into the man she chose to marry.
She quickly got lost in his eyes, in the cut of his jaw and the stooped line of his shoulders, so much so that she barely heard Lord Baldric ask the ever-swelling crowd for silence. Onlookers were still murmuring when Triune’s bells rang again, long and sweet and lovely, the perfect opening to any wedding, as far as Dari was concerned.
“Today we join together to celebrate a band-mating between Dari and Nic,” Lord Baldric announced, his voice almost as loud as Stone’s bells. Dari noted that he deliberately omitted both her family name and Nic’s. The presence of Lord Ross, Lord Cobb, and Blath would say much, not to mention Nic’s appearance, and his obviously Mab clothing. It would be too great a risk to announce Nic’s identity outright, even to an unarmed group of onlookers at a Judgment Day wedding.
As the procession torches were extinguished, the onlookers cheered nonetheless. Weddings were weddings, and most people took joy from them. Dozens upon dozens of eager faces stared at the platform, awaiting the next step in the pageant, and Dari tried not to remember that these same faces would be eagerly awaiting combat in the Judgment Arena later this day.
The whistling and shouting died away, and Lord Baldric clapped his hands.
Through the crowd came Zed, carrying a wooden tray with a wooden cup and a loaf of bread. Beside him walked Iko, carrying another wooden tray, this one adorned with two crystal chevilles, as yet just open bars of polished rock. The dawn light caught the bright lines in the clear rock, so bright it brought tears to Dari’s eyes.
Zed climbed the steps on Dari’s side, while Iko carried his treasures to Nic’s side of the platform.
Once more, the crowd below shouted and cheered, welcoming these obvious symbols of Fae joining. Thankfully, they were too far away to hear the private words that would be spoken, which bore little resemblance to Fae vows.
“Darielle Ross,” Lord Baldric said, his voice quiet and gentle, “have you come this day of your own will and wish, to take this man as your true and honorable band-mate, until fate cleaves the chevilles that will bind you together?”
Dari reached forward and took Nic’s hands in her own. Her heart lurched against her ribs, then seemed to grow three sizes too big for her chest. “I have,” she whispered, unable to speak any louder.
“Who stands Strong for you, to take your band-mate’s fate as their own, to defend him and support him, and to recognize him as your husband, and a member of your family?”
“We do,” Lord Ross and Snakekiller said from behind Dari.
Dari’s head swam.
Nic’s smile grew broader, and she felt the pressure of his fingers as he shifted his grip to hold her hands in his.
You are half of my heart and soul, his gaze told her. Mine now, and always.
When Lord Baldric asked Nic about his will and wishes, he answered, “I have,” in a voice much stronger than his body. Stormbreaker and Lord Cobb stood Strong for him, each offering Dari a slight bow when they spoke their vows.
Lord Baldric began to beam, and the expression was so unusual for him that Dari almost moved backward. “By rock and leaf, by stone and thorn, may your love carry you high on the most powerful wings.” He reached toward Iko’s tray, selected one of the two crystal bands, lifted it, and waited for the crowd’s cheering to