But he’d relented.
Damn tradition.
He’d tied his dark hair neatly back, his face now clean-shaven. So different from the fugitive she’d chased through forests and camped beside in mud and abandoned barns. He almost looked like a lord again. Kara had been right, it seemed like half the realm had turned up. Even Hale healers had come. Sebastian had caught sight of them that morning, slipping quietly into the Keep. They’d defied Alaric’s decree. Come for Kara anyway. It was more than he’d dared hope for. They stood hidden at the back of the hall, their green cloaks a quiet rebellion, though they hadn’t said a word to him. Kara had no idea they were here. He was looking forward to the moment she saw them, when she realised not all of Hale had abandoned her.
Tobias clapped a hand to his shoulder. “Your mother would be proud.” Sebastian turned, startled, meeting his father’s gaze. There was unmistakable pride there. Then he added, gruff as ever, “Now stand tall, boy. Face her like a Thorne.”
And Godsdamnit, he straightened at the words.
The doors opened.
Sienna walked in first, then Alys, both wearing the crimson of his house, both smiling knowingly at him. And then she was there. The hall, the banners, the sea of faces all faded away – he could only see her.
Kara.
She was beautiful. Devastatingly beautiful.
He’d seen her fierce in battle, bloodied, unyielding. He’d seen her broken, clinging to him in the dark.
But this–
This stole the air from his lungs. The dress was stunning on her, her hair falling in dark waves around her face. But it was her smile that caught him. She looked sohappy.
Happy to be his bride.His. He noticed with a rush that she had crimson and emerald flowers stitched across the dress, Hale and Thorne entwined.
Just like us.
The bond flared bright and sure as she stepped towards him, and his nerves disappeared. She didn’t look at the crowd as she walked, arm in arm with her mother. Didn’t look at her father’s empty seat. Only at him. His heart raced as the absurdity of the moment struck him; he’d never thought he would stand here, waiting for Kara Hale, as his bride. At one time he didn’t think he’d have a future at all. Almost didn’t, if it hadn’t been for her.
She chose me. She really chose me.
He almost took a step towards her, aching to close the distance faster, but forced himself to stay rooted. Clasped his hands behind his back. His throat tightened.
Do not cry in front of half your men. Do not. Do not.
His vision blurred.
Well, fuck.
Kara kissed her mother on the cheek and came to stand by his side.
“Kara, I–” He broke off. Tried again. “You look–” The words failed him. He was breathing like he’d just run miles. “I mean–”
Kara chuckled softly. “I hope the ends of these sentences are good.”
A strangled laugh escaped him, half-choked, half-helpless. He bowed his head closer so only she could hear. “They’re good. Better than good. You’re–You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
She beamed at him. “You don’t look too bad yourself, for a Thorne,” she answered cheekily, slipping her hand in his, gold erupting at the touch.
“Mind how you say that,” he smirked. “You’re about to be one.”
Her eyes sparkled. “So, shall we get on with it?”
He grinned down at her. “Yes. Let’s get married.”
The officiant’s voice rang out across the hall. “We are gathered here on this day, at the beginning of the 77thYear of Earth, to witness the union of Sebastian Thorne and Karalynna Hale.”
They went through the rites – Tobias lifting the Thorne goblet for them to drink, Eliyana setting the Hale bowl between their palms until the water shimmered gold. The officiant spoke of fire, earth, air, water.Of unity. Of sacrifice. The words blurred into rhythm, the ceremony older than any of them, but all Sebastian could hear was Kara’s voice, so sure, so proud as she said Thorne’s creed. His creed.
