Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CEDRIC
It took some time for everyone to get settled enough to even consider a bonding ceremony for me and Orthorr.
I didn’t mind the wait, we were bonded in every other way we could be and the ceremony was just some fancy words and a necklace.
I could admit I was excited though. I never in my entire lifetime thought I’d get to be married.
I’d spent most of my life fighting for enough freedom not to be persecuted for falling in love.
That was all I ever hoped for. I’d been prepared to love in secret, to maybe share a home, but never a name with my lover.
And while the barbarians didn't have surnames, once I was bonded to Orthorr, I would be Cedric of the Northern Clan instead. I figured it was the same thing, and I was amazed that I’d be able to share that with him.
But it wasn’t just that. In the barbarian clan, I could hold Orthorr’s hand and kiss him whenever I wished to.
We could have a sneaky tryst while bathing as long as we remained out of sight.
I could sit in his lap if I wanted, and no one would even bat an eye.
Not once since I arrived did I have to fear being caught or hurt for who I was or who I loved.
I was truly free for the first time in my life and living a lifestyle beyond anything I could have hoped or dreamed of.
On the day of our bonding ceremony, I woke up practically bouncing.
It wasn’t a whole day event, the ceremony itself wouldn’t be until the evening but that didn’t make me any less excited.
I couldn’t sit still through Finn’s lessons, even as he talked about barbarian bonding ceremonies and what would happen to invite me fully into the clan.
And I was absolutely hopeless in Amina’s language lessons.
The tent where we took our lessons was next to the community fire, and thanks to the hot weather, the sides were open to allow in a breeze.
I kept getting distracted watching them set up for the ceremony, and when she tried to get my attention to answer her questions, I answered her in the barbarian language instead.
She eventually shooed me off with a laugh and told me I could come back after I was properly bonded and could focus for longer than a few minutes at a time.
I gave her a sheepish smile but didn’t argue with her.
I wasn’t taking in anything she was saying anyway.
Finn found me trying to look like I wasn’t watching what they were doing while hovering near the edge of the community fire. He snickered and dragged me away to join him and a few of the other male bondmates to keep me distracted.
“Am I not supposed to see it?”
“Normally, I’d say it’s fine, but Orthorr mentioned doing something special. He’d expected you to be in lessons but asked me to distract you when he noticed you hovering about.”
I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment. I hadn’t even seen him. I’d been so thoroughly distracted, imagining sitting in those big chairs next to him, or standing on the platform promising him forever, that I hadn’t looked around at who else was nearby.
The other male bondmates were near a fire that blazed despite the heat in the air.
I realized why when I saw a few pots being fired.
Simon was lounging nearby, hands tucked behind his head as he spoke to an older woman working at a pottery wheel.
The rest were all scattered in the area, chatting or just enjoying the quiet of the afternoon.
They only looked in our direction when Finn called out, “Look who I found.”
All the greetings I received were warm and friendly, so unlike how I was received in the town I grew up in.
Most were only polite because they had to be in order for me to listen to their petitions.
They didn’t care about me as a person. I think a few suspected my interests but most just ignored me.
The towns weren’t like the clans. There was very little community despite living near each other.
Everyone was out for themselves and would see their own neighbors starve before giving up their comforts.
I was so glad I found the courage to leave.
Being here, with these people, was a gift I hadn’t expected.
I didn’t just get Orthorr. I got a family.
Zakai, who had gotten better at speaking the common tongue in his time traveling with Simon, looked me over curiously. “Is that what you will wear to the ceremony?”
I frowned, glancing down at my clothes. “Um… I hadn’t asked. Should I have something different?”
Finn waved off my worry before it could fully form.
“Don’t worry. They make the outfits for you.
Briar worked on yours.” He pointed at the man nearby who had a toddler with black curly hair in his lap, making the baby’s hands clap as he sang him a little song.
Two women beside him clapped and sang too, making the little one laugh.
Briar was one of the men who’d gone along with Uttin on his journey to free the townspeople.
He hadn’t helped much with mine, since we were waiting when they arrived, but he was friendly, and I liked seeing him happy with his little family.
My eyes strayed to the toddler, and I felt a twinge in my chest. I’d always wanted a family.
“You know, they have orphanages in the capital,” Zakai pointed out, switching to his own language since it was easier on him. “They are better than what I saw in the towns, but there are still children who need homes. You and Orthorr could adopt like the others have.”
I sucked in a breath, turning to face him with wide eyes. “Do you… Do you think he’d want that?”
“Orthorr loves kids,” Finn replied when Zakai only shrugged. “I think if you told him you wanted to adopt, he wouldn’t be against the idea. Rath and I plan on adopting at least one more. Maybe two.” He wrinkled his nose sheepishly. “Erik is just so cute. I can’t help wanting more.”
“You’re brave with the babies,” Simon commented from where he was relaxing, his eyes now closed as he soaked in the sun. “I told Uttin I’m only adopting the ones old enough to speak to tell me what they need. I don’t do babies.”
Patrick nodded slowly. “I can see the merit to both. Verus and I are considering adopting soon. I wanted to wait since we’ve been so busy with the transition and the new people arriving at the clan, but I always thought he’d be a wonderful father. Once things are settled here, we’ll discuss it.”
Listening to them share stories about the children they planned to adopt, or the ones they already adopted, I felt my heart swell in my chest. Silently, I sent a thank you into the heavens for Orthorr’s first bondmate.
He said she was the reason he made the change for the tributes to be treated well.
It set into motion Finn being accepted as a tribute, then the other males, which led them to Al Nuzem and on their journey to help the rest of us escape.
Thanks to her, I could have everything I ever wanted.
Thanks to these people, I could have even more.
ORTHORR
By the time things were prepared for the ceremony, the sun was beginning to set in the horizon. I smiled at the colors stretching across the sky above us. It almost felt like Tessa arranged the timing herself so I knew I had her blessing as I claimed another.
While Uttin was technically now my clan leader, I had requested Bren to officiate my bonding ceremony.
We had been friends a long time, and Uttin was happy to hand the responsibility off so he could just enjoy himself for the night.
He was learning quickly just how much I really did for the clan on a daily basis, and the shock had yet to wear off entirely. A break for him was a blessing.
Bren stood next to me, giving me a friendly clap on the shoulder when the crowd parted and Cedric appeared, wearing the customary white tunic and legwear.
He was smiling so brightly, he lit up the entire village center, and when he stepped onto the platform with me and took my hands, it almost seemed as if his smile brightened even more.
I was dazzled by him and wished I could drag him into my arms. It was only Bren’s steady voice that reminded me where I was.
“We gather here today to recognize this couple. To celebrate new love, hope, and growth. To honor their connection and the connection to their people. Both have spent their life in service to others. Now, with the goddess’s blessing, they will spend the rest of their lives cherishing each other.”
His words faded as I gave my focus to Cedric.
My love looked close to tears, his smile unwavering, and when he locked eyes with me, I felt the world come to a stop as I took in the love and affection I could see written all over his face.
I reached for him without thought, cupping his cheek, and smiled as he leaned his face into my palm.
I’d long since accepted spending the rest of my life alone.
I had my clan, and the memories of Tessa in my heart.
I thought when she died that I buried my heart with her.
I never expected her to be so stubborn that she would send someone to me.
Someone who revived my heart. Who honored her memory without jealousy or anger.
Who made me his equal. Who cared for me as much as I cared for him.
My own tears filled my eyes as the last rays of the sun brushed over the soft planes of Cedric’s face.
A final reminder from Tessa that this was where I was meant to be.
“Honor your blessing, brother, and bring him into our clan, so that all will know he is where he belongs.”
That comment about belonging was Cedric’s breaking point.
The tears spilled freely, and his shoulders shook as I slipped the bonding necklace I’d made him over his head.
I drew him into my arms, holding him close so that he knew he wasn’t alone anymore.
He was mine as I was his. And we would spend the rest of our lives together.
All thanks to his bravery in leaving his home and a little magic from a love long passed.
“Welcome home, Cedric,” I murmured into his hair. “Thank you for your bravery and for choosing me. I am honored to call you my bondmate.”