Page 57

In the afterglow, we remain tangled, hearts racing in unison.

Sweat glistens on our skin, the torch’s flicker painting shifting patterns.

I stroke his mane lightly, lips brushing his temple as he breathes shakily.

A flood of fulfillment floods me, tears slipping free for what feels like the hundredth time today.

Not from sorrow, but from unbridled joy.

He presses a lazy kiss to my shoulder, voice husky. “I never believed such a ceremony could feel this… sacred. You are my lifemate, Mira.”

My chest tightens. “And you are mine, Remanos,” I whisper, letting that truth settle. Freed from illusions, chosen by each other.

We linger in that hush for long minutes, letting our breathing slow.

Freedmen’s distant cheers drift through the thin partition, presumably celebrating still.

At length, he eases up, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead, then helps me gather the scattered cloth.

I stifle a laugh at the colorful veils strewn around us.

His face lights with a warm grin, too—my once-stoic minotaur champion wearing a look of sheer contentment.

I cradle his cheek, exhaling. “We should present ourselves again. Freedmen might suspect we vanished.”

He nods, carefully shifting to find his leathers. “Yes, though a part of me craves to stay here forever,” he admits with a coy half-smile.

I laugh softly, pressing a final kiss to his mouth, the taste of him sending flutters through my belly.

Then we dress with slow, affectionate touches, mindful of each other’s bruises.

My body still hums with aftershocks, my mind reeling at how swiftly we overcame so many hardships to arrive at this vow.

Once clothed, I gather the veils in a neat bundle, deciding Freedmen can frame them as part of this new tradition.

My face heats, remembering the sensual unveiling.

He extends his arm, leaning on me for stability when his thigh protests.

I slip an arm around his waist, letting him rest against me.

Then, with hearts brimming, we step out from behind the curtain, returning to the improvised altar.

A hush claims the gathered Freedmen, crafters, and watchers as they behold us.

A single Freedman boy holds a small bowl of smoldering herbs near the brazier, a final fragrance drifting up.

The priestess nods at us, smiling warmly. “And so it is done. The goddess blesses your union. May you walk together, no rank overshadowing your bond.”

We exchange a glance, gratitude sparkling. Freedmen whoop and clap, crafters cheering, city watchers stomping in approval. My cheeks blaze, but my spirit soars. We have no reason to hide or apologize—this ceremony belongs to Freedmen as much as it belongs to us.

Remanos raises his voice, addressing the crowd. “Hear me, Freedmen. This rite stands for all of us, forging new paths free of illusions. Our bond is our choice, an example that none are spoils or lesser. We stand equal, mates in life, forging the city’s future side by side.”

The cheers intensify, orchard blossoms tossed into the air in celebration.

I can’t help laughing, leaning into Remanos’s warmth.

He wraps an arm around my waist, mindful of my veils.

The city once tried branding me a spoil.

Now Freedmen hail me as a rightful partner to the minotaur they once called champion.

My heart swells, tears tickling my lashes again, but they’re tears of joy.

Hands reach out to pat Remanos’s shoulders, to grasp my hands in congratulations.

Freedmen swarm around us, forging a living ring of acceptance.

Tila, face streaked with happy tears, envelops me in a tight hug.

Tiro slaps Remanos on the back, nearly toppling him in good-natured excitement.

Even a few crafters approach with small tokens—hand-crafted bracelets, earthenware cups.

We accept them with humility, the knowledge that Freedmen truly see me as an equal lifemate to Remanos.

Eventually, the crowd’s noise settles into laughter and meandering conversations.

A Freedman girl passes around a pitcher of spiced wine, pouring small cups for everyone.

Another Freedman boy plays a gentle tune on a reed flute.

The courtyard brims with warmth, a festival for the bond we’ve just sealed.

Remanos, swaying a bit from exhaustion, sips the spiced wine and trades jokes with Freedmen. My heart thrums with contentment.

At last, as the sun dips lower, painting the colosseum’s arches in gold, we slip away from the main cluster, needing a moment of calm.

Arm in arm, we stroll a short distance from the altar, orchard blossoms crunching underfoot.

He leans on me a little, thigh still sore, but I’m happy to be his support.

We pause near a low stone bench, letting the faint hush embrace us. Freedmen remain in sight, celebrating further. Remanos sighs, resting his forehead against mine. “Thank you,” he whispers, voice thick. “For standing with me, for forging this bond. I never knew a ceremony could feel so… real.”

I cradle his cheek, tears brimming yet again. “No illusions, no forced spoils. Just us.”

He kisses me, a lingering press of lips that sends a sweet ache coursing through me.

The city might stand beyond these orchard blossoms, Freedmen forging new laws, crafters preparing for tomorrow’s tasks.

But in this quiet moment, the magnitude of our vow settles deep into my soul.

We overcame conspiracies, orc raids, Senate manipulations, and emerged truly free to love each other on our own terms.

Pulling back, he sets his muzzle against my temple. “Lifemate,” he murmurs, voice unsteady with emotion. “I never thought I’d utter those words without shame or regret.”

A quiet laugh escapes me. “Neither did I. But here we are.”

He inhales, gaze drifting toward Freedmen in the distance. “Tomorrow we can plan if Freedmen need us to remain here or if we might travel for a while. But tonight, we’re lifemates, no champion’s obligations overshadowing us.”

My chest tightens at the mention of overshadow, but I let it pass, focusing on the warmth in his voice. I rest my palm on his chest, feeling his steady heartbeat. “Yes, no obligations overshadow us,” I say softly, correcting any slip. “We choose how to stand with Freedmen. Together.”

He laughs gently, pressing a final kiss to my lips. “Then let’s enjoy our night. Freedmen can handle the city for once.”

A wave of tender relief fills me. We’ll rejoin the crowd soon, share a toast, maybe dance or simply talk.

But for now, we hold each other in the hush, orchard flowers releasing sweet fragrance.

The day is ours, the vow sealed. Freedmen rejoice, and I stand here with my lifemate, finally free from the Senate’s chain.

I exhale, burying my face against his broad shoulder, letting the last rays of sunlight paint us in a golden hush.

The city sings in quiet triumph, the colosseum stands as a reminder of battles fought and won, Freedmen forging a new path.

And in the midst of it all, Remanos and I hold each other, every veil removed, hearts bared, souls united in a bond of choice and love.

Yes, we have truly begun anew.