CHAPTER 49 #2
Sienna walked in first, then Alys, both wearing the crimson of his house, both smiling knowingly at him. And then she was there. The hall, the banners, the sea of faces all faded away – he could only see her.
Kara.
She was beautiful. Devastatingly beautiful.
He’d seen her fierce in battle, bloodied, unyielding. He’d seen her broken, clinging to him in the dark.
But this–
This stole the air from his lungs. The dress was stunning on her, her hair falling in dark waves around her face. But it was her smile that caught him. She looked so happy.
Happy to be his bride. His. He noticed with a rush that she had crimson and emerald flowers stitched across the dress, Hale and Thorne entwined.
Just like us.
The bond flared bright and sure as she stepped towards him, and his nerves disappeared.
She didn’t look at the crowd as she walked, arm in arm with her mother.
Didn’t look at her father’s empty seat. Only at him.
His heart raced as the absurdity of the moment struck him; he’d never thought he would stand here, waiting for Kara Hale, as his bride.
At one time he didn’t think he’d have a future at all.
Almost didn’t, if it hadn’t been for her.
She chose me. She really chose me.
He almost took a step towards her, aching to close the distance faster, but forced himself to stay rooted. Clasped his hands behind his back. His throat tightened.
Do not cry in front of half your men. Do not. Do not.
His vision blurred.
Well, fuck.
Kara kissed her mother on the cheek and came to stand by his side.
“Kara, I–” He broke off. Tried again. “You look–” The words failed him. He was breathing like he’d just run miles. “I mean–”
Kara chuckled softly. “I hope the ends of these sentences are good.”
A strangled laugh escaped him, half-choked, half-helpless. He bowed his head closer so only she could hear. “They’re good. Better than good. You’re–You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
She beamed at him. “You don’t look too bad yourself, for a Thorne,” she answered cheekily, slipping her hand in his, gold erupting at the touch.
“Mind how you say that,” he smirked. “You’re about to be one.”
Her eyes sparkled. “So, shall we get on with it?”
He grinned down at her. “Yes. Let’s get married.”
The officiant’s voice rang out across the hall. “We are gathered here on this day, at the beginning of the 77th Year of Earth, to witness the union of Sebastian Thorne and Karalynna Hale.”
They went through the rites – Tobias lifting the Thorne goblet for them to drink, Eliyana setting the Hale bowl between their palms until the water shimmered gold.
The officiant spoke of fire, earth, air, water.
Of unity. Of sacrifice. The words blurred into rhythm, the ceremony older than any of them, but all Sebastian could hear was Kara’s voice, so sure, so proud as she said Thorne’s creed. His creed.
“For peace we sacrifice,” she said.
“Through blood we stand,” he answered, and though the hall roared it back, he looked only at her. He reached for the crimson cloak folded neatly on the table beside him, and in one smooth motion, draped it around her shoulders.
There.
A Thorne tradition – a ceremonial acceptance into his House.
She’s even more beautiful in crimson.
Then came the vows.
“Do you, Sebastian Thorne, swear to keep this marriage vow? To guard it with your heart, your life, your blood, in battle and in peace?”
He answered before the man had finished speaking. “I do,” he said quickly and laughter rippled through the hall at his impatience.
“Do you, Karalynna Hale, swear to keep this marriage vow? To guard it with your heart, your life, your blood, in battle and in peace?”
“I do,” she said firmly, her voice ringing clear.
The officiant placed two simple silver bands on a delicate crimson cushion. Smooth and unadorned. As was Thorne custom. Hale usually wore gold, and Sebastian had offered it, but Kara had been firm. She wanted Thorne silver.
Sebastian took hers with trembling hands and slid it onto her finger, so it nestled snugly with the emerald ring he’d given her only a few nights ago. “You’re mine.”
Kara took his with steadier hands, though tears ran down her cheeks, and did the same. “Always,” she answered. “In this and every life, Sebastian Thorne.”
His eyes burned again. “Every life.”
From the front row, Eliyana’s quiet sob sounded in the hush – joy, relief, love – and Sebastian felt Kara’s hand tighten in his as their bond blazed.
The officiant raised his hands. “Before your kin and Houses, before the Arcanth and the Four Gods, let this marriage be witnessed. I give you, Lord and Lady Thorne.”
Sebastian crushed her to him, kissing her with everything he had. Golden light erupted around them as the hall roared – cheers, gasps and applause all mingling together. Somewhere, Saffra whooped loudest of all, but he barely heard it. The world was just him and Kara.
His wife.
Kara didn’t have time to even think. They were surrounded the moment they reached the gardens.
Loved ones and well-wishers – so many voices rising into a chorus of congratulations.
She was enveloped in hugs, hands reached to clasp hers, swift kisses on her cheeks.
Sebastian was clapped on the back so many times she was surprised he hadn’t growled at someone yet.
He’s going to have bruises. I’ll be healing him before the night is out.
Laughter rang out under the clear blue sky as guests showered them in petals.
Kara hardly knew where to look first. Her cheeks were aching from smiling, and she kept her fingers laced tight with Sebastian’s – otherwise the crowd would sweep her away.
Every time she noticed his wedding band against her skin a thrill coursed through her.
We’re married.
Her mother pulled her close and whispered a Lyran blessing through her tears.
Rowan and Saffra swooped in with wicked grins, teasing Sebastian so mercilessly for crying that he looked half-tempted to retreat back inside.
Alys just beamed at her. Sienna slipped a stray flower back into her hair with a wink, whispering, “Perfect.” Even Tobias pulled her into a hug and murmured, “Lady Thorne,” as he released her.
Amongst the flood of guests, Kara caught sight of familiar figures from the Council.
Lord Galen had come with his wife, offering Kara a courteous bow and a smile warmer than she expected.
But neither of their sons were anywhere to be seen.
Kara was nothing but relieved at Henry’s absence, for both him and herself.
Lord Elias was close behind, his family in tow, along with Lady Evelyn, who said nothing, just inclined her head once.
“I’m so happy for you both,” Elias said, taking Kara’s hand gently. Sebastian stiffened. She didn’t think he’d ever be comfortable in the Council’s presence. But he did manage a somewhat polite nod.
Well done, she sent over the bond.
That’s all they’re getting, he grumbled. I’m still not convinced I won’t throw them out.
I know, she replied. But we can’t live the rest of our lives at war with the Council. Let’s try peace. Just for today.
Silence. Then–
Fine, he growled.
Kara laughed. Sebastian was so adorably grumpy. As she turned, emerald green cloaks caught her eye. Several of them. Half-hidden, hanging back at the edge of the crowd. Her friends. Healers from Hale’s infirmary.
I can’t believe it–
They’d defied her father, crossed half the realm, to stand here for her.
She let go of Sebastian’s hand without a thought, running across the grass into a dozen waiting arms that crushed her between them.
Her bouquet bent awkwardly against someone’s shoulder, but she didn’t care, she buried her face against the familiar scent of herbs and clean linen as the reality of it overwhelmed her.
“You came,” she managed. “You all came.”
Her friend Mia moved to see her better. “Of course we did. We all wanted to. As soon as we saw your mother leave Hale we followed as quickly as we could.”
Tears of happiness fell down Kara’s cheeks. She’d feared being cast out, accepted it even, but now she saw, she still had family in Hale.
“Healers in Thorne,” Sebastian drawled as he joined them. “Didn’t think I’d live to see the day.”
The atmosphere shifted immediately – rippling through the group. Lucille, the youngest, took a step back, looking nervously to Sebastian, then to his empty hip, as though he might conjure a sword and start running people through.
Ridiculous.
“Lucy,” Kara said firmly. “You don’t need to be afraid of him.” She reached for Sebastian’s hand as she spoke, lacing her fingers with his. Golden magic danced around their joined hands. “He’s my husband.”
Sebastian softened at her words, and glanced back at Lucille. “Don’t worry,” he said wryly, “I didn’t even bring a sword today, you’re safe.”
A few of them laughed nervously, but Lucille flushed and stammered out, “S-sorry I didn’t mean–”
“It’s fine,” he said politely. And then he continued quietly, stripped of swagger, “Thank you. For standing with my wife.”
A few of them looked startled. Courtesy from the infamous Thorne Commander.
Not what you expected, is he?
But Mia nodded at him fiercely. “There’s nowhere else we’d rather be.”
Her friends let them go back into the crowd, and at once they were swept up again.
Most guests were gracious and kind, even thanking them as the Heroes of Vallenna.
But Kara noticed Lucille wasn’t the only one who kept her distance, whose eyes lingered on Sebastian with suspicion, or worse, fear.
Refused to look him in the eye even as they bowed to her.
It made her anger burn red-hot. But before she could speak, reassurance pulsed through the bond, his voice sounding in her mind:
It’s okay, Kara. I expected it.