Epilogue #2
Cassius dismounted, grinning up. “You told me that you wanted to take the vow a few months ago. Seemed like a good enough time to do it.”
Thalia huffed out a laugh as Cassius helped her down, his fingers twining through hers. They moved toward the trio, a few petals falling from the trees, brushing against Thalia’s cheeks as though to caress her.
“You all knew about this?” Thalia said as they stopped before Keegan, Camilla, and Lord Damien.
The shifter rolled her eyes. “Of course. Who do you think suggested it?” Thalia laughed as Cassius faced her, still holding her hand.
“Are you ready?” Cassius asked. “Do you still want to do this?”
He looked nervous, as if he was afraid Thalia would suddenly refuse him. She softened, stepping into him, and planted a kiss on his lips. “I’m always ready for you.”
Cassius seemed to sag in relief, his lips firm against hers.
Keegan cleared his throat loudly and Thalia pulled away, laughing even as Cassius growled at him.
“Then step into the water,” Lord Damien said, the red-eyed Vampyr gesturing toward the pool before them.
Cassius’s fingers tightened on hers as they both stepped into the pool, the water surprisingly warm and light. She glanced around, her eyes lingering on a spot that stood out from the environment around them.
Just like the blooms in the trees, a bunch of flowers seemed to have sprouted from the ground in only one particular spot.
Thalia’s eyes burned, her throat tightening.
“Thalia?” Cassius’s words were soft.
She turned back to him, reading the concern in his eyes, but also the understanding … the love that not even the taint of the creature or the actions of her mother could dim.
“Let’s do this.”
He offered a small smile as Keegan stepped forward, wrapping their bound hands in a length of shimmering white ribbon.
“As your hands are bound together by this ribbon, may your souls be bound as one,” Keegan said, tying a knot. “May you share your lives as one, both bound in love and loyalty until the end.”
Camilla stepped forward with a jar of golden liquid.
“May these hands always hold each other. May they have the strength to endure whatever darkness awaits them, or whatever light dares to shine upon them.” She tipped the jar, its contents spilling out over their joined hands, coating them with sticky residue.
“May their love be as sweet as this honey, and their hands remain tender and gentle as they carry each other through this world.”
Thalia didn’t realize she was crying until her tears splashed onto their bound hands, Cassius’s own eyes bright.
“Iron may kill us,” Lord Damien said, stepping forward and holding two bands of iron in his pale palms. “But by wearing it, we defy its power to destroy. Instead, this iron is a symbol of a new beginning. Of the hope that you both carry for each other into the years to come.”
Cassius grabbed the smaller band with his free hand. He met Thalia’s gaze. “I have loved you since the moment I first laid eyes on you,” he said lowly, his words just for her. “And no matter what darkness comes, no matter if we become darkness itself, that love will never fade.”
He slipped the band on her ring finger, nestling it below the one already there.
Thalia grabbed his ring, holding his fingers tightly. “There is no one I would rather face this world with. No matter what darkness we have to face, no matter who we have to become, I choose you.”
She slipped the ring onto his finger, and the whole forest seemed to hold its breath as Lord Damien stepped forward once more, her jeweled dagger in his hands.
“You are bound by earth.” He nodded to the pool that they stood in. Then he grabbed their joined hands.
Thalia didn’t even flinch as he slid the dagger, cutting through the ribbon and honey and into the flesh of their palms.
Cassius cradled her cut hand, his eyes near glowing. “I love you,” he whispered, then brought his palm to his lips. Thalia shuddered as his tongue lapped up the blood along her heart line.
Then Thalia raised his hand to her face, his blood bright against her lips and sticky with honey.
“You are bound by blood,” Lord Damien finished. “Your souls are bound through darkness and light. May you never forsake the other.”
The whole forest seemed to let out a sigh as the words rang out, settling into every hollow corner of Chaménos.
Thalia twisted, looking around at her court—her council—her friends. “Thank you.”
The three nodded, their smiles brighter than the stars beginning to peek through the leaves.
“What happens now?” Thalia looked at Cassius.
His eyes seemed to glow brighter, and he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her flush against him. “Now we have to consummate this union.”
“Wait, right now?” Thalia gasped.
Cassius smirked, and the trio all seemed to disappear, leaving them alone. “Would you rather wait, Princess?”
Thalia grinned as he gently laid her on the soft earth, flowers raining down around them. “I’m done waiting for you.”
“Good.” He pressed his lips against hers. “Because I plan to do this all night.”