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A gold chain dangled from Presco’s hand. First, he wrapped it around Valeen’s wrist, then Hel’s, to symbolize the joining. He took out a knife, cut their palms and they clasped hands. They’d done this before in their first life. It was how their blood was bound through all time, it was the reason she was able to wake him in the tower.

Her lily mate mark on her arm began to pulse and throb. Like it was trying to tell her this was right.

Presco said in the celestial tongue, “Keeper of my heart, bound by blood and by soul,” and they repeated.

“Would either of you like to say anything further?” Presco said.

“I do,” Hel said, and his dark lashes fluttered. He glanced down a moment then looked straight into her eyes. “Valeen, I vow to cherish you for all time in any life and in any realm, to give you everything my body and mind can provide. Everything that is mine, is yours. I promise my heart and soul to you. To always be your friend and your lover. I vow to make your enemies my enemies, and to end anyone who stands against you. I promise to forsake all others. I will give you anything your heart truly desires, and if I should ever go back on these vows, may the Maker and the All Mother strike me down.”

A tear she hadn’t even realized was there rolled down her cheek. His words were everything she could have wanted and more. Now anything she said would seem wholly inadequate. She hadn’t prepared for this, so she went with what was in her heart. “Hel, our journey has not been easy, and fate has not been fair, but through this, I got to fall in love with you all over again. I vow to love you and only you with all my heart for all my days from now to the end of time. I promise to hold your heart and keep it safe, to love all that you are in the worst of times and the best. My soulmate, my heart, my husband, and my best friend.”

His throat bobbed and the luminor crickets’ light caught the glimmer in his eyes. Full of adoration and love.

“Now seal the marriage with a kiss.”

Hel slid his arms around her waist, tugging her in closer. Their lips were a breath away, “I told you I’d always want more.” Then their lips met, soft and gentle at first, then she threw her arms around his neck and their love spilled over into passion. He lifted her off the ground and the few chuckles only made Hel kiss her harder, his tongue sliding against hers. When he finally sether down and they pulled apart, his smile was gentle but full of true joy. This male who could be so cruel looked at her as if she were his whole world.

All mine. Forever,Hel whispered into her mind.I’ll never leave again, I’ll never let you leave. It doesn’t matter what happens. You’ll always be mine, love.

Chapter 45

VALEEN

Inside Nerium Oleander, bewitched wind and string instruments provided enchanting music. Aunt Evalyn’s human waitresses and cook had filled a table with the food they’d meant for the patrons that night. All the tables that usually took up most of the room had been moved to the outside edges leaving space to dance and mingle.

Valeen wrapped her hand around Hel’s elbow, smiling with a full heart. She was married to him again. He was all hers and no one could deny it. She leaned close to his ear. “You look good tonight. Very sexy, Mr. Black.”

He smiled and gently took her earlobe between his teeth. “Thank you, Mrs. Black.”

“Oh, look, someone made special seats for us,” Valeen said, excitedly.

Aunt Evalyn nodded at her from behind the bar. She must have had her staff do this while they were outside.

“So we do.” Hel led her to a seat decorated with flowers and ribbons, labeled “bride” and beside it was its counterpart labeled “groom”. They weren’t thrones or anything extravagant, but it was perfect, nonetheless. Once she took the seat, Hel kissed thetop of her hand. A tingle started where his lips lingered on her skin, then his magic seemed to flow into her veins, heating her from the inside, sending a trill of desire rippling down her spine.

Her breath caught as he smiled, then she pulled her hand back. “What was that?”

“I was just letting you feel what I do for you.”

With a flush, she stared into his eyes. “That was… intense.”

“It is. But I have something for you before we sneak off. Wait here.” He tilted his head in the direction of the door, and Thane rose up from the chair he’d taken. The two of them met near the exit and left.

She raised a brow and couldn’t hold back her smile.What are you up to?

Be patient,he said back.

The mystery of what he might have in store had her feet bouncing. Tif was stuffing her face full at the banquet table. It struck her that Tif had claimed she was bringing a date, and she hadn’t seen anyone new yet. Aunt Evalyn was sipping on a glass of whisky laughing at something Fennan said. Leif, Piper, and Katana started at the dessert table while Presco filled his plate with meat and vegetables.

Aunt Evalyn was the first to notice her sitting alone and rushed over, even though she’d already hugged and cried as soon as she finished kissing Hel at the end of the ceremony. “I hope you like the party we put together on short notice. The chairs were Katana’s idea.”

“It’s all very lovely. Thank you.”

“Lovely?” she laughed, crinkling the skin around her eyes. “You’ve gotten so proper lately. You even sit taller, as if you know nothing in this world could challenge you.”

She smiled and winked. “There are not many things thatcanchallenge me, Aunt Evalyn.”

“Well, despite what I said earlier, I’m happy if you are. I’ll do my best to get to know him rather than go off rumors.”