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I knew they would take part in the ceremony. I just didn’t expect it to be in the middle of the street. We bow deeply to his mother and father. I remain with my head down until his parents grab both my hands. Then I am allowed to look at them. That signifies their acceptance of me into their family.
They fall into step directly behind us.
“You’re shaking.”
Renxel puts his hand on top of mine to steady it. I was nervous. We could mate without his parents’ approval, but the whole village would have seen us humiliated. We didn’t need their blessing, but it’s nice to have it.
When we reach the cottage, Renxel and I stand in front of the step. Trish knocks on the door. My soon to be father-in-law makes the offering for the service. It’s all performative. We met with her holiness three times, once together and one time for each of us separately, in preparation for the ceremony.
She gets right down to business and has us say our vows.
“Renxel is the love I never expected to find. I came to this town because the mountains called me. I thought it would be a nice place to be alone, since I’ve always been alone. But now I know I was wrong. I was sent here to find him, my fated mate.””
The priestess nods and holds out her hand. I hand the flowers to Trish and extend my arm to take his hand.
Renxel gives his own speech, a sanitized version of how nervous he was at the prospect of having a fated mate. He doesn’t badmouth his parents, of course, not wanting to embarrass anyone, but instead focuses on how grateful he is that fate and the Divine Ones knew better.
He wraps his arms around me, dipping me low. I can’t wait to kiss him, so I grab his shoulder and pull myself up. The crowd starts cheering but, when his lips brush mine, they seem to disappear. We are the only two people in the world, in the universe. The familiar thrill rushes through me, but there is something else now too. I feel complete.
All my life I was walking around with a hole in me I didn’t even know existed. Then I met Renxel and I could feel it. It was agony and anticipation and hope all rolled into one. Now, the hole is gone.
“Are you alright?” he asks as the townspeople begin turning away and heading toward the reception.
“I am… fulfilled.”
“Mira, I know exactly what you mean. I think you fixed something in me. I don’t hurt as much anymore.”
“I’ll always be here for you.”
“I know.”
“Guys.”
We look at Trish. She looks down at her feet, uncomfortable at interrupting us.
“Sorry, we do have to get going.”
“Let’s go then.”
The Skylights are coming up as we make our way to the tent. We wait outside to be introduced with Renxel’s parents.
“It was a beautiful ceremony.”
Renxel’s mom dabs at her eyes. I pat her shoulder. She sweeps me into a hug.
“I can see how much you love each other. Don’t ever forget that. No matter what happens. Don’t let other things get in the way of that.”
“We won’t.”
Trish is waving frantically at me. “I think you have to go in,” I advise her.
I walk up to my new husband. No, my mate.
“My dad told me he was happy for me, for us.”
“That’s nice.”
“He said not to forget the love we have on this day.”
