“I thought you were against humans bonding with faeries.”
I take both of his hands in mine. “I trust you.”
He brings my hands to his lips and kisses them each twice. “I vow to do everything in my power to give you a good life. To make you happy and protect you.”
* * *
Sebastian chose to do the bonding ceremony on the balcony outside his chambers at dusk, and my maids are giddy as they prepare me for the occasion, styling my ear-length mess of curls as best they can and taking extra time on my makeup.
When they bring out my dress, my breath catches.
“Sebastian gave us your sister’s muslin mockup, and we did our best from there. Is it what you wanted?”
“Yes.” I take in the thin emerald-colored velvet, and my vision goes blurry with tears. Only Sebastian would have thought to let me wear something designed by my sister on this special night. The dress isn’t a dress at all, but the outfit Jas had designed for me to wear to Faerie. The one she wasn’t able to finish because Madame V sold her.
“No crying now,” Tess says, wiping at her own eyes. “You’ll make me start.”
I step into the loose-legged pants, and the velvet feels decadent against my skin. Emmaline helps me into the fitted top with its deep V.
She places a matching emerald necklace around my neck. “Also from the prince,” she says.
I close my eyes. Has he been holding the muslin mockup of this dress all this time? Saving it for this occasion?
“Why are you so sad?” Emmaline asks. “You look stunning.”
“I’m not sad.” I draw in a ragged breath. “I’m ready.”
* * *
The view of the sunset from Sebastian’s balcony is breathtaking, but nothing compared with the man who stands in front of it.
Sebastian’s resplendent in a white tunic and pants of the finest linen. There are no weapons on him tonight, only a single day lily in his hand. His eyes fill with tenderness as he tucks the flower behind my ear. “You’re so beautiful.”
I duck my head, feeling inexplicably shy, and look up at him through my lashes. “Thank you for the dress. And the necklace.”
He offers me a glass of wine from a nearby table, and I take it, grateful to have something to ease my nerves.
“I had the staff hold back a bottle of solstice wine. Typically, it’s only served on Litha, but since you liked it so much . . .” He lifts his glass and taps it to mine. “Here’s to you, Abriella. I’ve only dreamed of being bonded to such an incredible woman.”
Tears prick at my eyes again. “And to you,” I whisper. “And a new beginning for both of us.”
We both drain our glasses, but my hands are still shaking when we return them to the table.
Sebastian summons a pile of runestones in his open palm and extends them to me.
I hesitate before reaching for one, all too aware of the magnitude of what we’re about to do. I’m ready for this lifelong bond, and yet—
No. No more doubts and no more secrets. I trust Sebastian, and I need to allow him this bond so he can protect me through whatever comes next.
Before I can change my mind, I reach for an oblong alabaster stone. The moment my fingers touch it, the rest disappear. I turn it in my palm to study the symbol. One long, thick line stretches from top to bottom of the longest side of the stone, another line angles off it to the right, and a swirl crosses the middle.
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper, stroking my thumb across the imprint. I flick my gaze up to Sebastian. His eyes are locked on the stone, and his face has fallen. “What’s wrong?”
He swallows and shakes his head. “Nothing. It’s fine.”
“What does it mean?”
“This symbol can mean sorrow and loss.” He clasps his hand over mine, pressing the stone tight between our palms. “But it can also mean rebirth after those things. New beginnings, like you said.” He bows his head and brushes his lips against mine, keeping our hands clasped. “Are you ready?”
I search his face. I love that he’s not rushing this, that he understands what it means to me. “I’m ready.”
“Abriella Kincaid, I bond my life to yours. I will feel your joy and know your pain. Near or far, we will always be close in heart, connected in spirit.”
“Prince Ronan Sebastian,” I say, repeating the vows as I was instructed. “I bond my life to yours. I will feel your joy and know your pain. Near or far, we will always be close in heart, connected in spirit.”