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“May all your thoughts and decisions always be turned towards brightening the future of Braxia and not just your own,” Ravik said, then repeated the gesture on Keran’s lips. “May every word spoken be founded in wisdom. May they rout your enemies, rally your allies, and uplift the people in both good and dark times.” He then wetted his thumb again in the blood around the gash, then rubbed a streak with his thumb over Keran’s chest. “And so long as it beats, may your heart always remain true in its undivided devotion to Braxia and to its people. May it be filled with unrelenting rage for those who would threaten our world, and may it overflow with compassion for those who would seek our protection.”
Once again, the Braxian males in the audience shouted “Ah-hoo.”
Ravik then looked over his shoulder at Mercy and gave her a discreet nod. She quietly approached, extending to her husband the embroidered cushion upon which sat what I could now make out to be two highly ornate bejeweled bracers.
He picked up the biggest one and raised it for all to see.
“These bracers have been forged by the best Braxian artisans with an alloy of the finest metals harvested by our mining clans and adorned with the rarest gems and stones on this planet,” Ravik said before clasping it around the wrist of Keran’s bloodied hand. “With this embodiment of the heart, soul, and passion of our people, I bind you to Braxia as its ruler and protector.”
Another “Ah-hoo” resounded through the room.
My stomach fluttered when Ravik’s dark eyes turned towards me. His fearsome face softened as he smiled and extended a hand towards me. My knees felt wobbly as I came to stand next to Keran.
“Keran Xeldar, is this the woman you have chosen to rule by your side?” Ravik asked.
“She is,” Keran said, the possessive pride in his voice making me even weaker in the knees.
“Dawn Merrick, daughter of Clan Leader Raylor Caldes, is it your wish to become Keran Xeldar’s wife and to reign by his side as his Dagna?” Ravik asked.
“Yes, it is,” I said, proud that my voice didn’t betray what a nervous wreck I was.
“Will you swear a blood oath of loyalty and devotion, to this man and to the people of Braxia?”
“I will,” I said without hesitation.
Once again, he picked the dagger from Ganek’s cushion and gently sliced my palm. The blade was so sharp I barely even felt the sting. Ravik didn’t smear blood on me but placed my bloody palm face down on Keran’s.
“Through this exchange of blood, I bind you, man and wife, before Braxia and the Ancestors,” Ravik said. Taking the smaller bracer from Mercy’s cushion, he clasped it around my bloodied hand. “And with this bracer, I bind you, Dawn Xeldar, to this world and to its people.”
Keran and I turned to face each other. My stupid eyes started pricking with emotion seeing him gaze upon me with complete adoration. I barely registered Ravik placing his hands above and below Keran’s and my clasped hands.
“With the sunset of my reign, all hail the dawn of your new ruler,” Ravik said. “All hail Magnar Keran! All hail Dagna Dawn!”
The crowd repeated his words in a chant between cheer and applause. But it was all background noise to me as I drowned in the stormy depths of my husband’s eyes. Whatever hurdles the future would throw our way, we would face it together, with our family, with our friends, and our allies. Woe onto any who would stand in our way.
“I love you, my Dagna,” Keran whispered.
“I love you, too, Magnar,” I whispered back seconds before he reclaimed my lips.
THE END
