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“I can’t help it,” he quietly wailed. “I’ve always wanted to walk you down the aisle on your wedding day, and I thought I’d lost my chance. It’s a very special moment for a father.” He gave a sniffle as he whispered, “My little girl is all grown up, and marrying some Duskwalker I barely know. It’s all too much.”

Linh rolled her eyes to the side. “You’re the one who demanded this.”

“I knooow, and it’s so beautiful. I hope May’s wedding is just as wonderful.” He sniffled again. “But with more music.”

When Linh was brought to Nathair’s side, her father forced the Duskwalker to give him a handshake. Her mother and sister came to her side, whereas Nathair had no groomsmen. Her father had offered to fill that space so Nathair didn’t feel alone, and had pouted to Linh when he’d been coldly rejected.

Kai placed his left hand on their combined hold. “Take care of my daughter for me,” her father demanded with a firm handshake.

Nathair gave him an unnervingly quiet snarl.Oops, you offended him, dad.

Her father just chuckled and waved as he stepped away into the crowd to be a front-row spectator. The head Priestess began the ceremony – most of it in another language no one understood. They had their own gods that they asked for prosperity, health, and love from, even when being a wedding celebrant.

“I think you look lovely,” Linh whispered as she brushed the back of her knuckles against Nathair’s.

Her heart fluttered when the knuckle of his index finger brushed against hers in a way that showed he wanted to hold herhand. She bet he had his own compliment, and she let herself imagine what lay within his mind.

Perhaps... you are stunning, little nightingale?she thought as she smiled at the Priestess.Yeah, that sounds like something he’d say.

“You realise all of this is pointless?” Nathair signed, tilting his head at her. “This human bond is weak and barely a fraction of what it means for a Mavka to obtain their bride. We are bonded forever, Linh. In this life, and in the next.”

“I know,” she whispered.

“Then why are we doing this? I would rather go to our new home.”

Linh gave a wary glance to the masked woman before them. They weren’t supposed to talk during the ceremony, but the Priestess nodded in approval. Linh licked her lips nervously and cast her gaze to the crowd.

She kept her voice low as she said, “I know it’s silly, but a lot was taken from me, my family, and my people. This is new for me, and something many girls dream about when they’re little. As much as my father pushed for this, I think he did so on my behalf.” Nathair’s shoulders stiffened, and she gave him a sad, but reassuring smile; one that crinkled her eyes and made her head tip to the side. “Even if you don’t understand it, I’m really happy I’m doing this with you, Nathair.”

Nathair’s head reared back a little, and his orange orbs darkened in their hue. He looked at the Priestess, as if he couldn’t look at Linh under the weight of his own apparent guilt. This day was special for many humans, but she didn’t blame him for not understanding the emotional weight of it.

He circled his chest. “Sorry.” His skull tilted back towards her a little. “If this is what you want, then okay.”

Seeming to come to a decision, he turned. He darted to her father, who gasped in surprise at his speed, before Nathair stolehis flower crown. He placed it, lopsided, on his head before returning.

The Priestess eventually switched over to English so she could tell them to put their rings on. Nathair gave her one from his treasures – of course she’d picked it – and she gave him one that her village had helped make. Something that would handle being in the water and wouldn’t erode if he took care of it.

Then they were allowed to give their vows.

Linh went first, and kept it simple. “I found you when I needed you most, and I’ve been so thankful ever since that day. Your embrace fills me with so much love, while your heart makes me feel so safe and nourished. You mean the absolute world to me. Thank you, Nathair, for choosing me.”

Her damn father blubbered in the background, and she almost palmed her face in disbelief.

Then it was Nathair’s turn.

When he lifted his hands, she noticed how steady they were. Instead of nervously shaking, he signed with confidence, as if he meant every word – which surprised her considering he likely made it up on the spot.

“I find comfort in your embrace, as much as you do mine, and I will cherish this life with you.” His lithe fingers and strong hands slowed as if he wanted to highlight his next words, and his orbs shifted to bright pink. “You are the heart that beats outside of my chest, my little nightingale.”

Then he made the gesture for ‘I love you,’ but extended his middle finger to cross it with his index finger, changing it to ‘I love you very much.’

Tears welled in her eyes as her bottom lip trembled from the overwhelming love that crashed over her.

A small purr started. “Was that good?”

Linh leapt forward while nodding. She threw her arms around his thick, corded neck, and pressed her lips to the seam of his bony maw.

“I guess you may kiss each other now,” the Priestess said, a small and deep chuckle falling from her.