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“Marriage? Right now?” The king’s forehead wrinkled. “Here?”
“If it pleases Your Excellency, yes.” Adelaide tapped her toes, impatience restoring some of her drained energy. They could find a priest or lord or someone if the king said no, but she was ready now.
A slow smile spread over the king’s face. He stood. “Very well.” He looked around the room. “I shall send for a unity cord.”
She untied the thin midnight blue cloth belt from her waist. “We can use this, Your Excellency.”
The king took the belt. “Face each other and take each other’s right hand.”
They did as instructed, and Adelaide could no longer stop her wide smile. Regulus grinned until the skin wrinkled around his scar. She fixed her gaze on his sparkling gray eyes and her pulse quickened in eager anticipation.
“Lord Regulus Hargreaves, Lady Adelaide Belanger.” The king began looping the belt over and around their clasped hands. “Today you declare before Etiros, before man, and before your king, that you shall henceforth be united. As we now bind your hands, may this cord symbolize that you shall be bound to each other, heart, mind, body, and soul.” The king tied the ends of the cords together and rested the knot on top of their hands. “Let this knot never be undone, nor the bond between this man and woman severed.”
The traditional Monparthian marriage blessing placed a dull ache in her heart. Her gaze drifted down to Regulus’ right sleeve. He squeezed her hand. When she met his eyes again, they were brimming with joy and not a hint of doubt. The ache abated and she waited impatiently for the king to finish the blessing.
“May love and joy mark your days.” The king clasped his hands. “When darkness falls, may you be each other’s light. When light abounds, may you increase each other’s joy. When storms come, may you be each other’s strength. When you disagree, may you remember you started this journey hand in hand. And when tensions arise,” the king tugged on the sides of the knot and tightened it further, “may they serve only to bring you closer together.” He looked at Regulus. “Would you like to add your own vows?”
Regulus nodded. “I...” His voice broke and he cleared his throat. “I promise to respect you, honor you, love you, and protect you so long as I live. I will stand by your side as you stand by mine. I will love you and you only, wholly and completely. You are my home, my life—mareh piahre. I choose you to be mine and give myself to you. I would not change you, but I cherish you as you are, my mage, my shiraa.” He rubbed her hand with his thumb, sending a spark dancing over her skin. “The bond that exists between us, connecting us heart to heart and soul to soul, shall never be broken.”
The king looked to her, but she had to try several times to speak as she blinked away tears. The bond that exists. Not existed. Exists. They didn’t need magic to bind them any more than her parents did. I wish Father were here. She swallowed back her sorrow as her mind drifted to the vows Mother had written for her wedding and framed in their cottage in the woods. A combination of Monparthian and Khastallander tradition. She adapted what she could remember of them now.
“From this day forward, I walk beside you.” Her voice strengthened as she continued, echoing the resolve in her heart. “We will walk together, we will share our strength, our happiness, and our trials. I will walk beside you in love and sacrifice. What is mine is yours, and what is yours is mine.” She paused, remembering his full acceptance of every part of her. “Naem vishodah rohpe ahpek sanerpat hohn, aor haem ahp mareh kusheh.” Regulus’ brows drew together, but his smile didn’t fade nor did the sparkle in his eyes. She repeated herself in Monparthian. “I am purely devoted to you, and you are my joy.”
The king waited a moment to ensure she was done, then spoke. “Lord Hargreaves, do you take this woman to be your wedded wife, to serve and protect and cherish her, from this day until you breathe your last?”
“I do.” Regulus responded almost before the king had finished speaking.
“Lady Adelaide, do you take this man to be your wedded husband, to serve and respect and cherish him, from this day until you breathe your last?”
“I do.” She bounced on the balls of her feet.
“Then by the power we hold as king of Monparth, we solemnly charge you to keep these vows, and we pronounce you husband and wife. From this day forward, you will be known as Lord and Lady Hargreaves of Arrano. Lord Hargreaves, you may kiss your bride.”
Adelaide grabbed the back of Regulus’ head as he placed his hand on her waist and they kissed, their hands still clasped between them with her belt loosely tying them together. She could tell Regulus wanted to pull her closer, but instead he let his lips leave hers.
“May Etiros bless you and your marriage.” The king gathered up the top of the belt and they slipped their hands out. He handed the tied belt to Regulus.
Regulus bowed and looped the belt over his arm. “Thank you, Your Excellency.”
The king sat back down on his throne but did not dismiss them. Regulus slid his arm around her waist as they waited.
“We would recognize you in front of all our people,” the king said. “Tomorrow night, we will host a banquet in your honor.” He smiled. “After that, you are free to return to Arrano.”
Adelaide curtsied and Regulus bowed as they murmured their thanks. The king rose and left the room. Regulus turned and swept her off her feet and kissed her with all the passion he had held back in front of the king. “My wife.”
“My husband.” She took his hand and they exited the way they had come in. A servant escorted them out of the palace, casting incredulous looks over his shoulder as they giggled like children and once nearly walked into a display of armor because they were too busy staring into each other’s eyes. The servant left them in the rear courtyard in a hurry. They were so busy hanging onto each other, she didn’t notice Dresden running toward them until he skidded to a stop in front of the entrance to the servant’s wing.
“What did the king say?” Dresden demanded as they straightened and pulled apart slightly, heat rushing to Adelaide’s face. “No shackles, so is everything...” His eyes narrowed at Regulus’ arm and he pointed. “What—wait. Is that...a unity cord?” He staggered back, jaw hanging open and brow pinched over wounded eyes. “Regulus Daveth Hargreaves, did you get married without me?”
Adelaide blushed and looked away, hoping she looked less awkward than she felt.
“Ah... We, I mean...” Regulus cleared his throat. “The king released us from the guard and then he...we were...Drez—”
“Oh, I see.” Dresden threw his hands up. “I get you two together and I’m not invited to the wedding!” He rolled his eyes. “It’s fine, I’m just waiting, mad with worry, while you’re getting married without me, not even thinking about me, headed to your room clinging to each other like a couple of...” His eyes widened. “Oh great Etiros above and all the world below. I—I should go...” He edged away from the door into the courtyard. “Totally forgot, I need to...uh, see a man about, um...a goat?” He gave Regulus an exaggerated wink and left.
Regulus and Adelaide looked at each other, then doubled over laughing. Regulus looped his arm around her waist and drew her close as they made their way inside. At their door, Regulus stopped.
“Ah, wait. I’ve always wanted to do this.” He pushed the door open then swept her into his arms. Her head bumped the doorframe and her boot caught on the wall. He stumbled into the room, both of them shaking with laughter.
“Well, that went differently in my head.” He set her down on the bed and caressed her cheek. “How are you feeling? You looked drained after breaking the staff. Do you...need food? Water?” He hesitated. “Sleep?”
“Are you joking?” She grabbed his shirt and pulled him down to kiss him. Her heart danced as they tumbled onto the bed, tangled in each other’s arms. “Right now?” she whispered, breathless. “I just need my husband.”
