“You don’t need to say anything. Tonight, we get to be together.”
“I’ve spent too much time not saying what I need to,” he said. “I was living half in the darkness, the decay of these lands consuming me, until the stars led me straight to you. Every flower you’ve brought to life, every tree you’ve embraced, not only revived these lands, but it restored me. My love for you runs deeper than the roots of the trees. It vibrates through Lythira’s core and mine.” His fingers trailed my cheek, until he pulled me in toward him, his lips heavy on mine. “We belong here, together—in our home. I choose you, Aelira, for all the days we can be together. I want to bond with you forever—live the life we imagined.”
“Lioran…” My voice quaked through the tears.
His shoulders went rigid, as if he was bracing himself for me to say no. “Will you marry me tonight beneath the stars?”
My lips parted, ready to say yes, but I couldn’t. “What of your promise to your parents, to the High Court?”
“I promised I will marry—I am delivering on my promise, binding myself to the only fae I could spend my life with. The stars insisted our paths cross, tested us, left us to fall apart, but we will rise above it and stand together.”
“If they find out…” I shuddered.
“I will be the one to tell them. It is my choice—I choose you.” He exhaled. “Will you bond with me, Aelira?” he asked again.
“I thought you’d never ask,” I whispered with a smile. “Yes, Lioran—I am yours always.”
I pulled him closer, kissing him deeply.
Joy glimmered in his eyes, bolder and brighter than before. His smile spread.
He removed a wooden box from his tunic, engraved with leaves. “You are my future.” He pried open the box, revealing a dazzling emerald hugged by silver leaves.
Lioran slid the ring on my finger.
A quiet warmth flooded me.
Chapter 32
Starlight trickled in through the open ballroom. Lush vines danced up the columns framing the sky. My hand settled into Lioran’s as he led me down a rose-lined walkway. Candlelight glimmered in the distance, rivaling the stars’ glow.
Strewn rose petals encircled the center of the room—Cora and Fyn stood at the perimeter. The celestial rays illuminated his unwavering gaze as we settled in the middle.
“Prince Lioran and Princess Aelira’s union will be recognized by Lythira and the stars tonight. Bonded in this life until one takes their last breath.” Lord Orion read from a small black leather book.
My head lowered. Lioran slid his fingers under my chin.
“They have chosen to love and honor each other always—to serve each other as equal partners and to jointly serve Lythira.”
“Jointly?” My breathing hitched as I whispered to him.
“As long as I remain Guardian, as my wife, you are aprotector of these lands, too.” My hands pressed into his, our bodies drew breath in unison. I nodded.
“If anyone believes these two should not be bonded, please speak your peace now,” Lord Orion spoke.
The song of crickets filled the night. A soft breeze blew over us, without any sound, as if Lythira agreed to our bond.
“Prince Lioran, do you bind yourself to Princess Aelira, to take her as your wife?”
“I, Prince Lioran, bond myself to you…in every lifetime.” He twisted the ring on my finger until the emerald illuminated in the moonlight.
I blinked back the tears, but they refused to hold. He added the words for me—in case I didn’t survive.
“Princess Aelira, will you bond yourself with Lioran, to take him as your husband?” Lord Orion turned toward me and bowed his head.
“I, Princess Aelira, bond myself to you…” The words caught in my throat, even though I knew I meant them. “In every lifetime.”
Lioran kissed me as if he was claiming me all over again.
