wane. “Nic, it is not within my duties or powers to band you. Dari, this right belongs to you and only you. If it is your wish to become Nic’s band-mate, then place this band on his ankle if he agrees.”
Hands trembling, barely breathing, Dari took the crystal band and felt its cool perfection. “I join you to me,” she murmured, still unable to speak louder than the softest of breezes. “Tell me your heart. Do you agree?”
“Now and always.” Nic extended his right ankle.
Doing her best not to pitch forward, Dari knelt and placed the crystal against the top of Nic’s bare foot. Iko knelt with her, and took the stone from her shaking fingers. She sensed the heat and motion of energy as he used his Sabor mind-talents to shape the stone, then join the ends into a seamless, flawless whole, resting against Nic’s ankle.
Dari gazed at the beautiful crystal ring, tried to breathe, tried not to cry, and failed at both. When she stood, she had to wipe the tears from her cheeks. She was grateful for the yelling and laughing and celebration from the crowd, as it gave her moments to gather her composure before Lord Baldric turned his attention to Nic.
“Dari, it is not within my duties or powers to band you. Nic, this right belongs to you and only you. If it is your wish to become Dari’s band-mate, then place this band on her ankle if she agrees.”
To Dari’s ears, Nic’s voice sounded like sweet music as he said, “I join you to me. Tell me your heart. Do you agree?”
“Now and always,” Dari said, extending her right ankle. If she didn’t breathe soon, she would faint, and she was certainly not the fainting kind.
Nic knelt slowly, obviously with difficulty, but without help from Aron or Lord Cobb or Stormbreaker. He pressed the crystal band into Dari’s skin, and kept his hand in place over the cool, firm rock as Iko worked with its energy.
When Nic rose, Dari couldn’t stop looking at her ankle, or at his.
Joined.
By the bands.
Two crystal chevilles, born of the same fire, forever linking them together.
She knew she was smiling as the crowd shouted its approval, but she could scarcely feel her own body as Nic took a drink from the wooden cup Zed held out to him, then offered it to her.
She took it, somehow managed not to drop it, and sipped the clear, lightly sweetened water within it. She put the cup down, ate a bite of the crusty, delicious bread, then offered Nic his bite.
He accepted, and gave her fingers a gentle kiss as she moved her hand away from his mouth.
The shouts from the crowd seemed even louder now, and Dari could feel their anticipation expanding with her own.
“I witness this joining,” Lord Baldric boomed, spreading his arms. “As do we all.”
“As do we all!” shouted Lord Ross, Snakekiller, Blath, Aron, Stormbreaker, Lord Cobb, and seemingly everyone in Triune.
Nic pulled Dari to him and held her close as the rector dutifully recorded their names on Triune’s register, making their joining official.
Dari didn’t care how official their marriage was. Nic was hers, and she was his. She pressed her face into his neck and let go her emotions. Her tears flowed, some happy, for herself and Nic, and some sad, for Kate’s absence from this blissful moment.
Below the platform, onlookers were tossing hats and shoes and cloaks into the air, then scrambling to reclaim them and toss them again.
Nic allowed Dari the time she needed, then kissed her ear and whispered, “We’ll find Kate, Dari.” He pulled back from her and gazed at her with the bright blue eyes she had come to love, then tapped his newly banded ankle against hers. “I know it seems impossible, but we’ll find her, just like we found each other. Nothing is impossible—and I’d say we’re walking, talking proof of that.”
CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
DARI
The dawn banding ceremony at Triune’s eastern wall was indeed the perfect method of making their presence public and dramatic enough to be discussed by every resident of Triune, not to mention the crowds that had swelled in for Judgment Day. Dozens of Sabor increased the pageantry by flying in formation above the castle walls. All morning and even throughout Judgment Day, they traveled, passing above Brailing villages and into Dyn Altar, swinging wide to make certain they passed over the edges of Dyn Cobb and Dyn Ross as well.
It was a spectacle that couldn’t be ignored, and