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“Marriage is a promise,” Cassian continued. “A vow to stand beside another person through joy and sorrow, through certainty and doubt, through all the moments that make up a life, whatever they be.” He looked at Tristan. “Tristan, make your vows to Destiny now.”

Tristan turned to face me, taking both of my hands in his. His thumbs brushed over my knuckles. “Destiny, before you, love was an ideal I strove for. It meant suffering and sacrifice. But you showed me that love isn't something you can plan, and suffering is something it eases, not creates. You taught me what real love is and waited patiently—” He paused and his expression went considering. “Well, mostly patiently for me to accept the truth.”

The guests laughed, especially my family, who knew how true his words were.

“And when I accepted what love could be between us, you accepted me.” Tristan paused. “All of me. Without reservation. Unconditionally. And through your acceptance, you taught me to accept myself. Your love has changed me, it's made me a better man, and I vow to strive every day to be an even better man for you.” He took a breath. “I promise to spend the rest of our lives honoring the rare connection we've found. To stand beside you and build a life with you both ordinary and extraordinary. I vow to face whatever comes with you, to place you and your needs higher than my own, and to always remember that our love is the most important thing in my life. It's you and me forever.”

I blinked hard, trying not to cry and ruin my makeup. “You're going to make me a mess before I even get to say my vows.”

Another round of laughter rippled through the guests, warm and affectionate.

Cassian beamed at us. “Destiny, your vows.”

I took a breath and looked into Tristan's eyes. “Tristan, when we met, I had nearly lost hope of finding love. I had the best examples of it in my life, and I refused to settle for less. I believed in the idea that there was a person made for me. But I couldn't find him and so I faced the possibility of being alone.”

I squeezed his hands.

“Then you walked into my lab, and you didn't complete me or even understand me. In fact, I think I baffled you.”

Tristan laughed and nodded.

“But you did something more important than all of that. You showed me who you were and impressed me with your resilience, humanity, and compassion. But you also showed me your flaws, trusted me with the darker parts of you, and it was through your flaws, not your virtues, that I formed a connection with you. You are more than a soulmate. You're my destiny.”

“Aww,” came from the gathering.

“I didn't make you a better man. All I did was help you see yourself as you are. I vow to you to always love everything you are, to treasure your flaws as much as your virtues, and to help you treasure them too.”

Tristan's eyes were bright with tears.

“I promise to be on your side and by your side for as long as we both hold breath. I promise to hold your hand and your heart above all others. We know that love is not just the opposite of Heartbreak, but its other half. Life won't be without sadness for us, but the sorrow will be bittersweet because we'll know it only enhances the joy. That is what I vow to you—heart and Heartbreak.”

“Heart and Heartbreak,” he echoed, his voice rough.

Cassian raised his hands. “The rings.”

Edmund stood up from his seat in the front row and stepped forward, carrying a small velvet box. He opened it to reveal two gold bands, simple and elegant.

Tristan took the smaller band and slid it onto my finger, next to the engagement ring. “With this ring, I thee wed.”

I took the larger band and slid it onto his finger, my hands trembling. “With this ring, I thee wed.”

“By the authority vested in me,” Cassian said, “I pronounce you married. Tristan, you may kiss your wife.”

Tristan cupped my face in his hands and kissed me to the roar of applause and cheers. Despite the volume, it faded into the background for me. All I could focus on was Tristan's mouth on mine and the quiet pulse of Heartbreak between us—content, balanced, and at peace.

When we broke apart, Tristan rested his forehead against mine. “Hello, Mrs. Bane.”

“Hello, husband.”

We turned to face our guests, and the applause grew louder. My mother was crying openly now as she smiled, and my father had his arm around her shoulders as he beamed at us. The Conclave members were smiling too—even Seraphel, whose expression had softened into something almost warm.

Tristan and I walked down the aisle together, hand in hand, and stepped outside into the back gardens where the reception tent waited, sides down, but with translucent windows in the panels. A path defined by rose petals led the way, and the wedding party came out behind us, Hannah giggling in response to something her groomsman said.

Tristan and I let the rest of our party head to our table while we waited to greet our guests. At the far left, a DJ put on some music, and it drowned out the sound of the heaters, spaced out around the tent. The receiving line took a while, but I enjoyed meeting Tristan's friends.

The sun had set by the time dinner was served, and the tiny lights in the trees transformed the grounds into something out of a fairy tale. Long tables covered in white linens held platters of food, while a full bar provided drinks. Our wedding cake stood on a round table near our table, sugarwork flowers swirling around the three tiers. The guests mingled, even during dinner, their laughter rising above the music.

We ate and then gathered the ladies for the bouquet toss. In the center of the dance floor, I faced away from the women with Tristan in front of me, guiding me subtly with his eyes. I aimed in the direction he suggested and flung the flowers. Tanvi caught the bouquet and blushed furiously when my cousins started teasing her about being the next to marry.