Page 31 of D’Vaire or Nothing (D’Vaire #44)

Brinley laughed, and Heathcliff rolled his eyes as he took in the rings of flowers the talented gardeners had selected. They were beautiful blue-and-orange flaming freesias. Although the wreaths were pretty, the scent still annoyed Heathcliff.

But he made no complaint as he bent to allow Ellery to put one of the stinky things on his head. The colors immediately deepened the blue of Brinley’s eyes, and the mage had never been so gorgeous.

“Gentlemen, will you please raise your left hands?” Aleksander asked.

With alacrity, Heathcliff did as he was told, and he loved the happiness in Brinley’s gaze.

Kieran approached Heathcliff with an athame crafted by Madeline.

Its hilt was silver, the blade purple, and there were flames engraved throughout.

At the top of the handle was an enormous sphalerite, and the stone glimmered like a living flame in the bright sunshine.

Heathcliff ignored the pain as his brother sliced his palm.

Kieran handed the blade to Scheredin, who did the same to Brinley.

Carefully, Heathcliff settled his hand against Brinley’s.

Their souls twisted around each other, but the bond wouldn’t be complete until Heathcliff bit Brinley.

Thanks to his elven blood, a searing pain in his ear told him his earring was piercing through.

There was also a burn on his left jawline and up his cheek.

Across from him, he watched as a scrollwork of silver and blue appeared on Brinley’s face. The earring in his lobe matched. Heathcliff ignored the wave of desire that rolled through him as he thought about the second hoop they’d get later when he was buried in Brinley’s hole.

“Brynewielm Duke to Brynewielm Duke-mate. D’Vairefenix to ignis mage,” Rafe said. “Their souls are now tied, and their lives are now linked. May their hearts always stay united so they will never want another.”

“Shifters bite each other to seal their bond, yet it leaves behind nothing visible. Many centuries ago, dragons introduced the practice of wearing rings to ensure no one missed their bond,” Aleksander said.

“Today Heath and Brinley will honor that tradition by exchanging bands designed by the exceptional Madeline D’Vairedraconis. ”

The creators of the sanctuary that had allowed Heathcliff to stay—Dra’Kaedan and the single full-blood necromancer in their household, Blodwen D’Vaire—joined them.

They held beautiful bands that shined with purple and blue stones set in a flame pattern in silver metal.

Like their athame, a gleaming sphalerite took center stage and glittered brighter than any diamond.

Every piece of jewelry made for Heathcliff was enchanted so he wouldn’t have to remove them to shift into his phoenix.

Heathcliff took the ring from Dra’Kaedan and carefully slid it into place as he kept his eyes locked on Brinley. He hoped all the love in his soul was visible to his other half.

“Chosen by Bétea and Fate, and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as my v’airsell nioll and mate,” Heathcliff stated solemnly.

With his gaze wet with tears, Brinley was handed a band by Blodwen, and he pushed it onto Heathcliff’s finger. “Chosen by Bétea and Fate, and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as my v’airsell nioll and mate.”

“Heath and Brinley will now exchange collars—or necklaces, as they’re called outside the Vampyr Clutch,” Rafe said.

“Although they won’t use the sacred words of vampires, they’ll honor their bond by binding the locks with blood.

Aeris Superus Lawson Arturus and Aqua Superus Joshua D’Vaire-Arturus will present Brinley and Heath with their necklaces, while Terra Superus Riker Arturus and Ignis Superus Reece Arturus will assist with the cuts. ”

Heathcliff was glad Josh was helping Brinley because the tiny lockmage was only a few inches above five feet and it was a struggle for him to get the silver chain around the mage’s neck.

Since Heathcliff was taller than Brinley, it would’ve made the lockmage’s challenge even harder.

As it was, Heathcliff had to bend his knees to allow Lawson to do his part.

Riker cut Heathcliff’s finger, and he ignored the pain as he smeared his blood on the locks.

The necklaces were stamped with the D’Vaire crest and done in a metal that shifted from purple to blue in the sunlight.

Once Heathcliff was finished, Brinley mirrored his actions, and the necklaces were locked.

To remove them, the couple would have to repeat the process of spreading their blood on the unique locks.

“By the tradition of the Draconis High Court of D’Vaire, you are now v’airsell niolls and mates,” Rafe said. “You’ve honored everyone present by allowing us to bear witness to your joining.”

Ready for the final step of their ceremony, Heathcliff peeled off his heavy cloak and handed it to the mate of Lochlan and Riker, Alpha Artair Ursus Arctos. Artair took Brinley’s cloak too and moved out of the way so Brexton and Jena could slice their hands yet again.

This time, Heathcliff eagerly thrust his palm forward, and Brinley did the same. It made a loud slapping noise that forced chuckles from the crowd.

“Brynewielm Duke to Brynewielm Duke-mate. D’Vairefenix to ignis mage. Our blood has spilled, and our spirits have bonded. We ask Fate to grant us a mark from left shoulder to elbow so the world may bear witness we belong only to each other,” Heathcliff stated.

A horrible pain bit through the skin of his arm, but he grinned as his phoenix appeared on Brinley’s bicep. Heathcliff quickly glanced at his own artwork and found his beautiful mage wearing his crown along with the cloak he’d handed the ruler of the brown bears a minute ago.

“You won my heart,” Heathcliff told Brinley as he dragged him close. “I love you.”

“You pretty much stole mine. I love you too.”

Their lips met in a hard kiss as the crowd burst into applause. Although Heathcliff wanted to escape to his bedroom with Brinley immediately, they had a meal and dessert to get through first. Not that it would be a bad thing. Their family was wonderful, and the mood was festive.

“Everyone, thank you for being here with Brinley and I today,” Heathcliff said to their family as he kept Brinley in the circle of his arms. “Fate knew exactly what Brinley and I needed. That’s each other.

But we’re thrilled that we’ll spend eternity with our beloved family.

We appreciate how special you made today. ”

“Yeah, the freesia was a nice surprise,” Brinley added with a chuckle.

“Fucking shit stinks.”

“Anyway, steak time?” Dra’Kaedan asked.

“Fuck that, it’s my day,” Brinley responded. “It’s cake first.”

Dra’Kaedan’s mouth dropped open, and he waited for someone—probably his mother—to object, but no one could tell Brinley how to celebrate his matebond, and Heathcliff was all for enjoying the sweet, then the savory.

“Yep, Brinley was born to be a D’Vaire,” Rafe remarked with a grin.

“So was Heath,” Kieran added. “And me.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Let’s go cut the fucking cake!” Dra’Kaedan exclaimed.

“Damn right, someone give me a knife,” Brinley replied with a kiss for Heathcliff. The mage charged toward the house with the Grand Warlock hot on his heels.

Delighted with everything, Heathcliff laughed and chased after the man he loved.