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The haunting bells rang, the pauses between each sound a gasping breath. My white slippers padded gently on the flagstones as Ander’s boots tapped in sync with my steps. I was very aware of my hips, my bottom, and more, as I glided down the path. The satin of my dress was like water, a white cascade that fell to my ankles. The style was a replica of the strapless knotted tunics the women here wore, with silver embroidered stars and moons that bordered the hem and seams. The front, only tied with the knot, was left loosely closed—only gravity held it in place. At any moment, a peek of my stomach, my sex, my thighs could reveal my body to all. Luckily, I would be standing through this ceremony. Sitting would be a different story, I thought dryly.
The path turned. Up ahead, Lucius stood with his hands folded in front of him, booted feet in a wide stance. He looked… gods, he looked like the Lord of Dawn. His brocade tunic matched my dress—snow white with silver threading of icy filigree. A silver belt cinched his waist above dove-gray leather breeches. His sable hair was parted in the middle, its length an inch or two past the top of his muscular shoulders. But it was his eyes that entranced me. Their silver depths shone like the very bells that rang in the air—eternal sterling that haunted.
The invisible power coming from him was arresting.
His full mouth lifted slightly at the corners as he drank me in, his expression too intense to look happy. Instead, he looked like a man possessed by desire, by the need to consume. When I realized it was me who was the intended subject of said consumption, I swallowed the primal urge to flee, before my heart caught up, remembering that Lucius had become my soul’s mate.
And just like that, all my pre-wedding nerves disappeared.
It was only me and Lucius.
Us.
Ander kissed my cheek, but the act was a passing thought as I took the steps up the dais to stand at Lucius’ side, as we both turned to face the other.
The bells’ final call echoed, dying slowly, inviting the silence that filled its place.
“Chieftain Lucius Dega and Lady Sierra of Providence,” someone said beside us. I had been so focused on Lucius that I hadn’t even spied the Ongahri elder who would marry us.
With teardrop shaped tattoos on his cheeks, and dark skin the color of wet mahogany, the shirtless Ongahri male smiled kindly at us. In his hands he held a scroll, the paper black as coal, chalky and thick.
“Tonight, we celebrate the eternal union of Alpha and Omega, Woman and Man, Ongahri and his Beloved.” His voice carried in the room, spreading cold chills on my arms. “Let us honor this couple as they add a chapter to the story of the Ongahri, of Ongar and his Consort.”
Another bell rang, this one a deeper tone.
“Please join hands,” the elder said.
Farah and I had practiced this part just last night, but now as I stood here, I forgot who and how to release my bouquet. But Ander came to the rescue, taking the flowers from me.
My eyes were on Lucius as I placed my trembling hands in his warm ones. My claiming mark pulsed at his touch. I saw him swallow, saw his chest rise and fall. He was just as nervous as I was, and the thought had me stepping just a bit closer as I looked up at him.
“Do you, Alpha Lucius Dega of House Dega, take Omega Sierra Linden of Providence, to be your mate in life and in death?”
“I do,” Lucius said with feeling.
“And do you, Omega Sierra Linden of Providence, take Alpha Lucius Dega to be your mate in life and in death?”
“I do.” My eyes were watering with happiness.
“Do you both swear to one another and to all gathered here that you will honor these vows that are made today?”
“Yes,” we said as one.
“Chieftain?” the elder asked with expectation.
Lucius cleared his throat and took a breath.
He was nervous.
“I, Lucius Dega, swear to protect you, Sierra, with my body, my heart, and all that I have. I swear to honor you all my days and nights. Will you accept me as your husband?”
A whoosh of emotion swept over me with the force of a storm, and I slowly breathed in through my nose. I wanted to take in the moment as those words ribboned themselves around us. He had spoken with such solemnity, such profound truth, that my knees shook.
Finally, I made my own vow. “I accept you as my husband. I swear to give myself to you, Lucius Dega, all that I am, both in body and soul, until death.”
Through the bond, I felt his joy like a rush of ocean coming home to its shore.
“And now,” the elder joined in, “the presentation of the token.”
