Page 33 of Forty Deaths Till Us Part

Rene shrugged. “Actually, it is Cassara who looks like a warrior. I modeled the death dealers after them.”

Cass grunted. “Remember when you wake up to snakes in your bed, that you practically called me a poser.”

Constantine put his hand on the small of Cassara’s back. It was a proprietary move, and I had to admire his lack of fear. “It is unseemly for a bride’s attendee to threaten the groom on the eve of their binding.”

Cass rolled her shoulder. “I will do a lot worse to my own groom.”

Constantine smiled. “I am certain you will.”

Cass stepped away from Constantine and moved to stand in front of me. “Are you ready?”

“Yes. What do I do?”

Cass took out a knife and held it in one hand. “I am going to take your wrist and recite the feminine half of the ceremony. Constantine will do the masculine half for Rene. When the time is right, you will place your palms together.”

I nodded as Constantine took hold of Rene’s wrist and held it up with his dagger in one hand.

There was no church or special building. Nature coursed around us as if it were a living stadium, waiting for our union, and I glanced at the full moon, trusting Cassara and Constantine.

Cass pointed her dagger to the moon. “It is time.”

Constantine pointed his dagger at the moon as both held our wrists. As I stared into Rene’s eyes, I glimpsed the loneliness of his life. Those windows to his soul were unending, and I looked forward to breaking the immortal cycle. Still, this ceremony would bond us for all time, and a shiver traced my spine as the breeze fluttered the tendrils of hair against my collarbone.

Rene’s presence was intoxicating, with a blend of danger and desire that had attracted me from the moment I saw him. Now we would undergo a connection that transcended time.

Constantine brought the tip of his dagger to Rene’s hand. “Rene, do you promise to honor Raven and put her needs before your own? Respect her in all aspects of clan life and treat her as an equal in all things.”

“It shall be done,” Rene said.

Cass put the tip of her dagger against my palm. “Raven, do you promise to be a partner worthy of Rene? To support him in the days to come and stand by his side no matter the circumstances.?”

“I do,” I said.

“Do you accept Raven for all her strengths and weaknesses?” Constantine asked.

“Yes,” Rene said.

“Raven, do you accept Rene for all his strengths and weaknesses?” Cass asked.

“Yes,” I said.

Constantine cut Rene’s palm, and the blood dripped down his wrist to Constantine’s arm. “I bind thee.”

Cass squeezed my wrist before she cut my palm. “I bind thee.”

They both let go of our wrists as Rene and I clasp fingers. The ceremony was simple, and I expected there to be some kind of blood exchange. While my palm tingled, there wasn’t an instant relief from the grogginess still plaguing my body.

Rene glanced at Constantine. “Thank you, my friend.”

He nodded. “She will heal in time, but she is weak in the magical sense and will remain so until your bodies stabilize.”

I leaned toward Cass. “What does that mean?”

Cass smiled. “All couples have an adjustment period. It takes time for your blood to fully mingle and your new abilities to emerge.”

My eyes narrowed on her. “How many of these ceremonies have you performed?”

Cass grunted. “Con has performed dozens, but this is my first one. I don’t get too close to most people.”