Page 39 of D’Vaire or Nothing (D’Vaire #44)

“Thank you so much, this is incredible,” Ashby said, which Seltivare appreciated.

His own tongue was stuck to the roof of his mouth as he stared at the beautiful present.

Unfortunately for Seltivare, he couldn’t take in every detail.

Drekkoril and Daravius returned to their seats with the statue.

Seltivare supposed they’d get to admire it later.

“In elven culture, no matebond ceremony is complete without wreaths worn to show their families and friends they are ready to honor Fate and each other,” Aleksander said.

“Tonight, Emperor Ellery Draconis of the tribe D’Vaire and Mavizare Tristis-D’Vaire will present Ashby and Selti with wreaths.

At the request of Ashby, the flowers used are the lilies crafted by Killian the Dwyer and Drindyr Duke Dravyn D’Vairedraconis to represent the D’Vaire name.

They symbolize Ashby’s family and match the hair and eyes of his new mate. ”

Seltivare’s face flushed as Ashby smiled at him, but his blushes were soon forgotten as his twin and the enchanting dragon-elf Emperor approached them.

Even in the low light of the fading sunlight, Emperor Ellery was breathtaking with his glittery skin, jade-and-gold eyes, and two-toned black-and-white hair.

But thankfully, Seltivare wasn’t gawking at him like Mavizare was as the pair approached with the floral wreaths. His brother’s stare was so intense that he just stood there and watched as Ellery placed the wreath on Ashby’s blond hair.

“Mavi,” Seltivare whispered.

“Huh?”

“Stop drooling and put the flowers on my head,” Seltivare hissed.

Mavizare grinned like an idiot but did as he was told. “I love it here.”

“Go away, Mavi.”

“Selti. Ashby. Will you please raise your right hands?” Rafe asked.

Seltivare rolled his shoulders and did as he was told.

Their family had no athame. His parents had used one belonging to their ancient parents and hadn’t been able to take it with them when they left their tribe.

So, Madeline D’Vaire had crafted a beautiful dagger in the same blue and black as the flowers in Selti’s hair, and the blade was etched with sweet peas and azaleas.

Blodwen D’Vaire—who had helped create the idea of the sanctuary that had welcomed Ashby—carried the blade over and handed it to Seltivare’s mother. She cut Seltivare’s palm, which stung terribly, then passed the athame to Vateltir, who did the same to Ashby.

“Bard to Bard-mate. Druid-onca to Tristis elf,” Aleksander said. “Their souls are now tied, and their lives are now linked. May their hearts always stay united so they will never want another.”

Ashby’s hand settled against Seltivare’s, and as their blood mixed, a gorgeous vision of their souls wrapping tightly around one another filled the elf’s mind.

Nothing could deter him from the delight of knowing he had found his other half.

Not even the burning of his left cheek thanks to the blue-black scrollwork being added by Fate or the sting at the top of his ear as a matching earring was plunged through his skin.

Although Seltivare had thought little about what the marks of Fate would look like, he was glad the goddess had strayed from the plain blue his parents had.

It fit that he and Ashby were given the colors of D’Vaire.

Seltivare hoped to fit into the household as well as his mate had done since his arrival.

It was nearly as important a goal to him as building a strong relationship with Ashby.

“Ashby is a jaguar. His beast is dormant, and he lacks fangs, but he remains a shifter,” Rafe remarked.

“To the joy of everyone present, Ashby also calls this dragon court home. Our people hated that after their matebond ceremonies, there was nothing visible to show the world how much they honored their other halves. They weren’t lucky enough to be paired with elves, apparently.

Centuries ago, dragons started wearing rings to show off how much they loved being paired by Fate.

This evening, Selti and Ashby carry on a tradition shared by dragons and D’Vaires alike by exchanging bands created by the immensely talented Madeline D’Vairedraconis. ”

Ashby was handed a band by Brogan, and he kept his gaze locked on Seltivare’s as he pushed it into place and said, “Chosen by Bétea and Fate, and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as my v’airsell nioll and mate.”

Dravyn passed a ring that Seltivare noted was decorated exactly like their athame, and he carefully slid it onto Ashby’s finger as he concentrated on each word so he didn’t fumble them.

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

“The Vampyr Clutch has a glorious practice of wearing collars—or necklaces, as they are called outside vampire circles. Although Selti and Ashby will not use the words sacred to the vampires, they honor their tradition by binding the locks with blood,” Aleksander commented.

“Bard Sorrel Valonia and Kitchi D’Vaireāēhsepan will aid them while Duke Argent Worthington D’Vairedraconis and Duke Argent-mate Oliver D’Vaire assist them with placing the stunning necklaces. ”

Seltivare stood as still as he could so Oliver could place the floral blue-black chain around his neck.

Kitchi nicked his finger with the athame, and Seltivare rubbed his blood across the lock bearing the D’Vaire family crest on its face.

Once Ashby did the same, they sealed the locks, which could only be opened again if they repeated the process.

“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.”

There was a last step, but Ashby had explained that unlike many other couples, they wouldn’t remove their cloaks to honor the elven tradition of keeping their skin covered.

So, Seltivare waited patiently for Dra’Kaedan to walk over and cut his palm again.

Killian took the athame and repeated the process on Ashby’s skin.

Seltivare’s hand was resting against Ashby’s again, and the reward was pain.

“Bard to Bard-mate. Druid-onca to Tristis elf. 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,” Ashby said.

A fiery burn worked itself down Seltivare’s arm. It was unpleasant, but he’d get to wear a perfect depiction of Ashby for eternity, so he couldn’t complain.

“Could I have a hug?” Ashby asked.

Seltivare didn’t hesitate; he threw himself into Ashby’s embrace, and as he settled his cheek on the hybrid’s shoulder, he closed his eyes to breathe him in.

“Don’t let go,” Ashby whispered. “I have to thank everyone.”

“I’m staying here,” Seltivare assured Ashby as he snuggled closer.

“Thank you everyone for joining Selti and I tonight in the combining of our souls. Although Fate gave us each other and we value that gift, this evening would be far less special if we weren’t able to share it with our now-united family.”

“Now, let’s go eat some carrots or whatever,” Dra’Kaedan complained loudly, then darted away from his mother as she glared at him.

“Don’t worry about Dra’Kaedan; he’s bitter that I chose fruit and cupcakes for dessert,” Ashby explained. “He’s obsessed with cake. It’s weird, but we pride ourselves on the strange here at D’Vaire.”

“Okay, how long until we can explore the garden?”

Ashby laughed, and Seltivare pulled away so he wouldn’t miss the joy on his face. “Not too long, I promise.”

“I will hold you to every vow, Ashby,” Seltivare said formally, meaning every word.

“You won’t regret it, I promise.”

“Thank you for tonight.”

“No, thank you. This was the ceremony of my dreams.”

“It would’ve been mine too if I’d known a garden like this existed.”

“Okay, food. Then we escape the madness and lose ourselves in the flowers.”

“Deal.”