We collected water for spells in jars and lined them up along the bank before we climbed out of the river, soaked. I was pulled up by Dom’s hand, and he reached around me to help Essie and Faith out too. He was smiling so much that his cheeks had to hurt.
The rest wrapped blankets around themselves to walk back up the yard.
As his eyes skimmed back over my form, he took a step back. He gave a low whistle. My dress stuck to my chest and the dimples of my stomach. It swelled in a drape around the curl of my hips, leaving nothing to the imagination. Putting my crown back on my head, I must’ve looked like a drowned May Queen. But with the looks Dom was giving me, I was quickly heating back up.
“See something you like?”
Dom stepped back into me and pulled my form into his side as we followed the rest of them. “I’m starting to see why Ryan was so willing to take part in your holidays,” Dom murmured into my neck.
And the best was yet to come.
24
The sun crested at its peak, and the day went on. Ribbons swept around my arms as we danced and ran around our makeshift maypole from the tree. It felt like I was a child in a way I never had been. I held on, and I twisted, all of us slowly breaking off until we were just running and dancing to the sound of our own giggles and the hilarity of ourselves. It was magic in one of its first forms. Joy.
I caught the eyes sticking on me as I twisted around, feeling my dress drape and cling to my calves. Dom bit his bottom lip as he smiled, delight so plainly written, and the emotion between us couldn’t have been a joke anymore. We played with fire and words offor now. And now, we were dealing with the pleasure-filled consequences.
We danced.
Until only one was left standing.
Ryan rushed her. He whooped as he swung Lu into his arms, as if this was one of the biggest wins either of them ever had in their entire lives. Kissing and whispering in her ear, he twirled her. Gertie clapped them on. When he paused, Ryan appeared to be waiting for something. It was for something, and it was the roll of her eyes and a speedy nod that had us all standing around them under the pastel-draped tree, staring on as the two of them firmly clasped hands.
Ryan didn’t stop smiling. Teeth bared, even Lu couldn’t help herself as she scrunched her nose.
“Let’s do this,” she whispered.
Gertie slowly looped the thickest Barnett green ribbon around their forearms as they clasped hands.
“The tradition of handfasting is one most known for being done on Beltane. It is considered a blessed cosmic union during the year, giving luck and light for the connection going forward. Now, for both of you”—Gertie gestured between Ryan and Lu—“respond with, ‘We will.’ Ready?”
I swallowed, reaching for Dom’s hand, who was already on my wrist, gently squeezing, much like on graduation. I could feel his single touch in every nerve ending.
They nodded.
“I’ve been ready,” said Ryan.
“Look into each other’s eyes,” said Gertie, trying not to shake her head while she smiled.
Lu grinned as she pressed her lips together. Ryan and she were already far past that point.
“Good.” Our high priestess grinned, happiness shining through her voice. “Will you honor and respect one another and never seek to break that honor?”
“We will.”
Gertie draped the first piece of ribbon over their hands. “And so the binding is made. Will you share pain and seek to ease it?”
Lu and Ryan nodded, heads nearly touching the other. “We will.”
“And so the binding is made.” A second loop was made around their hands.
Lu made the smallest, giddiest sound I thought I’d ever heard from her, part terror and part pure joy.
“Will you seek to share burdens so each of your spirits may grow in this union?”
“We will.”
“Will you share each other’s laughter and brightness in life?”
