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Sixth: To be independent and yet to ask for help when you need it, to give support to each other when needed.
Seventh: To continue against all odds when you know what needs to be done, to persevere in the face of adversity, to unite to overcome problems rather than letting them divide you.
Eighth: To let passion fill your lives, to embrace the intensity of your relationship, to celebrate the joys of your bodies together without shame or exploitation.
Ninth: To embrace knowledge and the will to learn and to use wisdom in applying that knowledge.
“These are the nine pledges to life. Do you so vow to uphold them?”
“I do so vow and make oath,” I said, gazing into Killian’s eyes.
“And so I also vow and make oath,” he said.
“January, do you have personal vows to make? If so, make them now.” Rowan’s eyes were shining in the silver night. The light from the battery-operated candles that surrounded the altar were bright enough to reflect her tears.
It was now or never. This was it.
“Killian, when I first met you, I knew there was something special about you. I could feel it. It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with you, but it was difficult. I lived a nightmare in my former marriage. Now, I’m living in what feels like a dream—very real, and not without its bumps, but a dream, nonetheless. I vow to you my love and my partnership through good times and hard. I vow to support your dreams, to trust you, to be your lover and your partner, for as long as love shall last. And I vow to share my magic with you, wherever it should take us.”
Killian cleared his throat. “January, you are the woman of my dreams. You are all I need, in my heart, in my home, in my bed, in my life. I vow to protect you as much as I can, yet to stand back when you want to fight your battles by yourself. I vow to be at your side, to stand up for you, to support your dreams, to trust you, and to be your lover and partner, for as long as love shall last.”
The snow swirled around us, growing thicker, the flakes dancing as if to a silent tune.
Rowan put her hand on our wrists, on the handfasting cord. “You have made your vows and oaths on the holy cord that signifies binding your lives together. This ceremony is witnessed beneath the sight of your friends, your families, and the gods. Killian, will you take this woman to be your lawful wife, for as long as love shall last?”
“I do,” he said, placing my wedding ring on my finger.
“January, will you take Killian to be your lawful husband, for as long as love shall last?” Rowan asked.
“I do,” I said, sliding his wedding ring onto his finger.
“Then, under the guidance of the gods, under the laws of the land, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride,” Rowan said.
Our hands still bound together, Killian fastened his lips to mine and we kissed under the snowfall as we sealed our lives together. As I turned to look at our loved ones, I took a breath. There, standing behind them, were Esmara—my Lady—and my mother’s spirit. The look on her face was so beautiful that I burst into tears.
* * *
After the ceremony,Rowan removed the handfasting cord and coiled it, tucking it into a velvet bag so that we could put it on our family altar. Killian’s mother was crying as she hugged me, and his father looked proud as punch.
Tally gathered me into a hug. “Sisters-in-law at last!” She stood back, her smile fading. “I was so worried today—I thought we were going to lose you.”
“I thought I was going to lose me, too,” I confessed. “Okay, this is beautiful, but it’s cold. Let’s go inside and party.” Honestly, I was so close to a migraine that I didn’t want to do anything but fall asleep, but I didn’t want to disappoint anybody.
I broke off from Killian for a moment and walked to the side, where my mother and Esmara stood. “Mom…Mom…I’m so happy you’re here.” I was crying for real, now, all the emotions of the day sweeping over me in one overwhelming wave.
I’ve wanted to talk to you every day since I died, but I couldn’t. Now, though, I can come visit now and then. I’m so proud of you, January. And I’m so sorry…about the magic, about not letting you go to the Aseer. I thought I was protecting you, but I guess I ended up binding you to a life of pain. I’m so sorry.She was glowing, like Esmara, under the winter night.
“I know you were doing what you thought best. I understand why you did what you did. It’s okay, though. The curse is broken and won’t ever hit any member of our family again. I miss you so much. Thank you.” I turned to Esmara. “And thank you for bringing her to see my wedding.”
As long as you’re happy. Killian is a good man,Esmara said.He’ll watch over you. He’ll be there for you.
“I need to go inside now, but please, drop by soon. I want to talk to both of you about what happened tonight. I love you both.” I raised a hand as they faded away, and—my heart so full I could barely stand it—I headed inside.
* * *
Two months later,Ellison was sentenced to twenty-five years in jail for attempted murder in the first degree, with an additional sentence of five years for escaping his house arrest, and an additional twenty years for arson with the intent to injure both me and Killian in the process. The judge was well known as a “hanging judge” and ordered his sentences to run consecutively rather than concurrently, so Ellison was headed toward fifty years in prison without possibility of parole. Given that he was human, and already forty-five, chances were he would never see free daylight again.
Ari and Meagan welcomed their adoptees into their home, and Emily and LaKirk were adorable. Less than a month later, the renovations were finished on the house and—thanks to my insurance—the damage was fixed without a problem. Ari opened her salon in February at the new location and I loved that we were neighbors of a sort, and could see each other more often.
