He softened. “She didn’t know it then, but by the time of the Fire Trial, I was already lost. Not to the flames, though they nearly had me – but to her.”
Kara’s cheeks heated, and the laughter turned into a collective sigh from half the women in the hall.
“Kara also, like some of you here, thought that Hales and Thornes don’t mix. I think she’d agree she was wrong about that.” He gestured to the tables, the banners, the very bond between them. “And I’ve never been more grateful.”
He sobered slightly, his voice lowering. “It wasn’t an easy road to get here. I came very close to losing her. Before the battle, when we didn’t know if we would survive, it was Fatàn who gave us shelter. A place where the outside world couldn’t touch us. To Veyra, who presided over our Soulbond, who gave us the chance to train together under the power of the Arcanth – we are here because of you.”
Veyra inclined her head, her eyes shining in the candlelight.
From one of the tables, a voice rang out: “The Heroes of Vallenna!”
The words were repeated at once. At first by dozens – then hundreds of people – until the great hall shook with cheers. Sebastian’s face burned scarlet and he dipped his head, embarrassed. But Kara’s chest filled with pride. Let them call it. Let them shout it. He’d earned every syllable. Yet her wonderful, ridiculous husband had almost been more comfortable being called a traitor than a hero. When the noise died away, he carried on, though it was clear it had shaken him.
He raised his goblet in gratitude. “Thank you. Since so many of you have travelled so far to be here with us, we’ll make sure there’s enough wine tonight to make the journey worthwhile.”
A burst of laughter and appreciative cheers swept the room.
“So, if you will, please raise your cups with me. To my wife. My bondmate. My everything. To Karalynna Thorne.”
Her name rang back at her from hundreds of voices, echoing like a battle cry, though one of joy.
Karalynna Thorne.
Sebastian’s eyes never left her. They were filled with emotion as he watched her claim his name as her own. The hall exploded. Thunderous applause, goblets raised high, voices roaring their approval. In that moment, Kara didn’t care about her father’s empty seat. Or old grudges. Not even the scars that marked their magic. All she cared about was Sebastian. Herhusband.The life they’d chosen together.
“I love you,” she called over the chaos.
“I love you too.” And their bond burned with the truth of it.
It wasn’t long after that the party started in earnest. The tables were pushed back as the music played louder. Guests danced and the wine flowed freely. Kara even managed to get Sebastian to give her a couple of dances, although he grumbled the entire time. Something about Thorne Commanders not being trained for this, having two left feet, and if he made a fool of himself, it was entirely her fault. But he did it. And, she was sure, secretly loved it.
A little later, Sebastian nudged her with his elbow, gesturing to one of the benches by the wall. “Look there.”
Kara followed his gaze – and blinked once, then twice. Mia, her friend from Hale, sat shoulder-to-shoulder with a young Thorne lieutenant. Heads bent close. Laughter spilling between them like they’d known each other for years.
Kara’s mouth fell open. “No...”
“Oh yes.” Sebastian grinned. “I think we’ve started a trend.”
She elbowed him back. “A trend? Really?”
“Think about it,” he said, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “Healer and Warrior. Stolen moments. Forbidden romance.” He glanced at her. “Sounds oddly familiar, don’t you think?”
Kara tried to scowl but failed utterly, laughter bubbling up instead. “Don’t you dare take credit for this.”
“Too late,” he said smugly, pulling her closer. “If half the Keep pairs off before the week’s out, I’ll expect wedding invitations addressed to us.”
She gave him a mock groan. “And there it is – the dreaded Thorne arrogance. Infectious as wildfire. Soon all of Vallenna will be strutting about like you.”
He laughed, unrepentant. “I can only hope. The realm would be a far better place.”
Kara rolled her eyes but leaned into him anyway. “Or unbearable,” she shot back.
“Unbearably charming,” he corrected smoothly, and kissed her quick so she couldn’t argue.
But it seemed Mia wasn’t the only Hale that was falling for the Thorne charm. When she and Sebastian snuck out into the gardens towards the end of the evening, they spotted Alys and another Thorne lieutenant walking arm in arm, talking with bright eyes and soft glances. Worry bloomed in Kara’s stomach at the sight.
Sebastian followed her gaze, chuckling at her. “Gods, Kara, they’re not stealing Shards and plotting an escape. They’re just talking.”
