Page 60 of Blood Ties (City of Blood #1)

Less than twenty-four hours later, I am in a small room in the chapel with Sarah, Vespera, Grand-mere, and Bash’s four cousins.

Sarah is holding up a stunning black wedding dress and I am ready to pledge myself and my future to this man.

I marvel at the timeless workmanship of the stitches, beadwork, and lace.

I had never really thought much about what I would get married in, I never even seriously considered the possibility that I would get married.

Now, I am preparing to take a vow that will tie me to Sebastien for all of eternity.

My hair is pinned up at my temples, clips that look like delicate black moths braided and looped through the curls that cascade down my back.

Gia and Lessa take turns working on my makeup, meticulously applying heavy black eyeliner and creating a decadent smokey eye with just a hint of blue shimmer.

Knee high stockings with red beading down the back and black sky-high stilettos adorn my legs.

“To the future Corvo Queen!” Everyone raises their glass, clinking them delicately. A tiara studded with black diamonds and onyx is set upon my head.

“How did you manage to pull this together so quickly?” I ask the room.

“We knew, when you came home, that this was your destiny. You’re one of us now,” Vespera tells me, moving a lock of hair behind my ear.

“Bash told us that you like black and Sarah helped design the dress. We hired a seamstress and had it ready for you. We never doubted that you were coming back,” Minnie adds.

I look over at Grand-mere and see tears shining in her eyes. We aren’t all fixed yet—there are still a lot of cracks—but she has been the only person to ever hold me up and support me, and I need her here today.

Kneeling in front of the chair I’m seated in, Sarah looks up at me.

“Let’s get you into your dress, sister. I’m so freaking happy I could cry.

I can’t believe we are going to be a family now.

” Throwing her arms around me for a quick hug before she stands, she whispers, “Bash is perfect for you and I am so happy that you’re finally choosing you. ”

Standing, I step into the dress.

Walking into the cathedral, with the women of our family, feels surreal.

The large space is filled with people—everyone I’ve met while becoming such a central part of this family, and the Blood Ravens, are here to watch Bash and I bind our souls together for eternity.

The council is seated together to one side, the allies Bash told me he won during my captivity once again intermingled with the rest of the governaturno of Ville de Sang.

Darius and Victor stand behind Bash, and Jack stands by his side. The look of love and longing in Bash’s face floors me and I have to hold on to Celeste’s arm in order to continue my forward progress and resist the urge to run straight to him.

It’s not a typical wedding, in that there isn’t an aisle I walk down and bridesmaids and groomsmen.

All of these people, except Marcus, are here as our witnesses—the official witnesses to the binding.

Bash is dressed in his signature head-to-toe black, looking slightly more refined than normal in a pair of tuxedo pants, obviously custom as they hug every lean line and muscle of his legs, a tailored shirt that hides his tattoos but shows off the taut muscles of his abdomen and biceps, and a buttoned vest over it.

A blood red tie and a rose in his pocket are the only color on him.

I can see the pride reflected in his face and my heart swells.

I am in the right place, at the right time.

Bash’s cousins take seats nearby, relaxing to watch our vows.

As I approach Bash and Marcus, Sarah takes her spot next to me, Vespera and Celeste stand behind me.

The shimmering black of their dresses coordinate perfectly with Bash’s uncles, our family looking every bit the night kingdom we are.

Creatures who dwell in darkness and live by the light of the moon.

There are no overhead lights on, the only light in the cathedral being provided by the silvery glow coming in through the windows, casting an eerie quality across the entire place.

Raising my head to take in the men standing opposite me, Jack gives me a sassy wink before I slide my eyes to Sebastien. As the bells toll midnight, Marcus clears his throat.

“Elina. Sebastien. Welcome to your Legame di Sangue. This is a sacred rite that you must both enter into willingly. This is a rite that can not be taken from you and lasts for eternity. Even if, at some point, you find yourself without your partner, the bond remains.” Bash takes my hands in his and squeezes, I return the gesture, a large smile on my face.

He mouths, silently, “Are you sure?”

I give an emphatic nod of my head.

“Tonight, you will vow to love and protect one another forever, even until your own death. You will be bound, not only soul to soul, heart to heart, but also body to body. Are you ready?”

“Yes,” we answer in unison.

“Who are your witnesses?”

I was told what to expect during the ceremony and know that the witnesses will answer, not us.

“We are.” The room answers together, in perfect synchronization, in a way only vampires could achieve.

“Please repeat after me—

In the presence of la luna and these witnesses,

I freely enter into this vow.

With this vow, I bind my soul to yours.

With this blood, I bind my life to yours.

With this kiss, I bind my body to yours.

I pledge the shelter of my soul

I pledge the eternity of my life

I pledge the protection of my body

Tonight, I spill my blood in willing sacrifice that

I will love you.

Repeating after Marcus, together, like we practiced, when we reach the end we both add “In eterno.”

Standing side-by-side, we extend our forearms to Marcus.

From a hidden pocket in his coat, he produces a dagger, the blade gleaming in the light of the moon.

Engraved on it are the words, “Un cuore, un’anima, un’eternità”.

One heart, one soul, one eternity. My breathing becomes labored as I try and control the emotions welling up inside me.

First grabbing Bash’s arm, Marcus orders, “I, Sebastien Enrique Malvani, vow,” which Bash repeats as Marcus draws the blade from elbow to wrist, the blood immediately pooling and spilling onto the floor.

Repeating the same with me “I, Elianore Celeste Girard, vow,” before making a smooth cut, almost identical to the one I endured while imprisoned, down the entire inside of my arm.

Bash grabs my arm, looping his under it and entwines his fingers with mine.

I can feel his blood flowing into my body from the point we are joined.

I can feel his heart pushing the blood into me, the way mine is.

The flesh begins slowly knitting back together, severing the flowing blood little by little until it’s just our bare arms pressed together, coated in each other’s blood.

My heart suddenly beats faster, feeling more whole and complete.

And inside my head, there is an extra thread of happiness.

The greatest joy and pleasure I have ever felt, pushing into me from Bash’s blood flowing through my body.

I send a wave of happiness back to see if he can feel it.

The tips of his lips tilt up and he gives me a squeeze in acknowledgement.

This is the single greatest moment of my life.

I thought I knew what it felt like to be happy, but I had no idea what it could truly feel like.

I feel the contentment and perfection that was radiating from my mother and father’s faces at their binding ceremony.

Throwing my arms around Bash, I smash my lips to his as he lifts my feet off the ground and holds me close, deepening our kiss as the room erupts in whistles and claps.