Page 79 of Grounded (Convergence #1)

“Here, within a circle of ash from the hearth of this house and feathers donated by loved ones, these two will become joined by the Source of Magic. The feathers enclose them within the support of their dear ones, while the ash represents the death of their single lives. When they cross the circle again, they will live one life, together.”

There were a few sighs from the gathering, and then the wind whispered through the trees, as if even nature were touched.

“Now, I must ask if you are both certain that you wish to endure this rite.”

“Endure?” Liria whispered to Thax. “You said this wouldn't hurt.”

“I am certain.” Thax widened his eyes at her.

“Uh, I'm certain,” she said, sounding the opposite.

“Very well.” The Speaker waved a hand toward his son. “First, the Unveiling of the Heart.”

Thax opened his shirt and spread the sides apart, baring his chest to her.

To the gathering, the Speaker explained. “Thaxvarien exposes not only his flesh but also his spirit to his destra. It is an act of vulnerability to convey his complete trust in her.”

Then Thax spoke. “I offer you what no sky can hold and no wing can carry—my soul. You are my horizon and haven—the one who steadies my flight and calls me home. Before my people and the Source of Magic, I vow to guard your life with mine, to share every breath, every burden, and every joy with you. You are my destra, the eternal mark upon my heart, the magic in my blood. Now and evermore, I am your destru.”

Liria thought she'd been prepared for Thax's vow, but he hadn't told her what he'd be saying. They only went over where they'd stand and what she'd do and say. Thax wanted her to hear the words fresh on this day. And what an impact they made.

She blinked rapidly to keep from crying.

Thax beamed at her.

Grinning back, she shook her head at him. He was gonna hear about this later—as she gave him the best sex of his life.

Liria set her hand on his chest, over his heart.

“I accept your offering and declare you are mine, not by chance but by destiny and the truth I see in you. Your strength is my shelter, your spirit my guide, your heart my home. Before sky and shadows, before wind and flame, and before the Source of Magic, I vow to walk beside you. From this breath to my last, I will not turn from you. You are my destru and I am your destra—bound, eternal, and chosen.”

Then Thax joined her to vow in unison, “We are two made whole, flesh and spirit, source and sky. What has been sealed here cannot be broken. By heart, breath, and bond we are one.”

There was no cheering or applause as often came at the end of Medean vows. Because this rite wasn't over.

“The vows have been offered and accepted,” the Speaker said.

“Now, we shall have the Breath of Bonding.” He lifted his hand, and as he did, his eyes started to glow.

The light spread downward, over his arm.

By the time Thax's father touched Liria's lips with two fingers, those fingers were glowing.

The glow spread into Liria as Thax's father spoke, “I offer my blessing upon your breath.”

Liria closed her eyes, the tingling filling her mouth and calming her racing heart. Turning to face Thax again, she opened her eyes and inhaled.

Then she breathed over his heart.

Gasps came from the Medeans as the breath leaving Liria's lips sparkled through the air and sank into Thax's skin.

As quickly as Source had come upon the Speaker, it withdrew—the glow leaving his eyes and skin even as he said, “Liria has transferred Source's blessing to her destru, her very breath carrying the magic into him.

Now, for the final part of the rite. Beloved family and friends, this has never been done with an Aethari and a Medean.

You are witnessing the first Star's Kiss made upon the surface of Para between our two races.” He had to pause to compose himself. “Liria, it is time.”

Liria leaned forward and, with her tingling lips, pressed a kiss to the spot she had blessed.

This was the part she had worried over. It would only work if she were truly Thaxvarien's destra.

But as Liria's lips touched his warm skin, she felt no concern, only the magic inside her.

It filled her lips and met the magic in his skin.

But then she felt Thax go tense.

Jerking upright, Liria's stare went to Thax's face. It was tight—his lips pressed together and his eyes closed. She was about to say something when his father laid his hand on her shoulder.

“Be at ease, Daughter. All is well,” the Speaker said. “Look what you have given your destru.”

Even as the Speaker spoke, Thax took a breath and opened his eyes. He looked down before looking at her, as if he were too anxious to see it for himself.

There, upon Thax's chest, was a star glowing pale blue.

Liria laid her hand upon it. It wasn't raised. Not a scar. The mark lay beneath his skin. As she watched, the glow faded into a subtle shimmer that made the mark appear to sparkle like a real star.

“Liri, it's your color. The star's color is always unique to the destra. It's a part of you in me.” Thaxvarien cupped her cheek. “Thank you.”

“You told me it wouldn't hurt!” she hissed.

Thax threw back his head and laughed as he pulled her into an embrace.

And that's when the cheering came. And the applause.

And the whooshing of wings. As Thax laughed, Liria stroked the star.

There it was—proof of their bond. Physical, visual, definite proof that they were destined to be together.

He was right. All along, Thax knew they would be incredible together.

Then Thaxvarien lowered his head and kissed her.

When the applause died down, and Thax eased out of their kiss to stare down at Liria in adoration, the Speaker spread his arms and wings and said, “Witness the mark upon Thaxvarien's chest!

He has accepted the Star's Kiss and chosen to be eternally marked by his destra. May all who meet him know they are blessed by Source and bound by love.”

More cheering came as Thax lifted his destra in his arms and carried her out of the circle.

Flower petals came again, this time tossed upon them as they went back down the aisle.

He continued to carry Liria into the house and through it, the group of Aethari and Medeans forming a procession down to the observatory-ballroom that would finally be used for its true purpose.

A buffet waited along one wall, and Thax set Liria down at its starting end.

But he made her plate for her, choosing the best portions for his destra before selecting for himself.

Dining areas were scattered around the perimeter of the room, but the freshly bonded couple had a table to themselves at the end of the room, before the wall of windows.

Thax escorted Liria to it, set their plates down, and pulled out her chair for her.

But before he could sit down, a strange sound came, growing louder and louder.

“Is that an erial?” Liria stood up and turned to search the sky through the window.

Rallorival came running into the ballroom. “My lord, there's an erial approaching out front.”

“Erials aren't allowed above Thennis,” Braxis said as he came over.

Thaxvarien's eyes narrowed.

Liria instantly remembered the terrible feeling she'd had earlier. Picking up her skirt, she ran for the door.

“Liri!” Thax shouted.

Liria made a stop at the storage closet they were using as a makeshift armory.

She grabbed a pulser and ran for the front door.

In seconds, she was outside, scanning the sky again.

Thax, who caught up with her in the armory, stood beside her, a pulser in his hand as well.

And out of the house came his soldiers—his and his father's.

Although Evellor had decided to stay on with them.

So, he was more Thax's soldier than the Speaker's.

And he was good to have around. He knew how to lead warriors.

It was Evellor who directed the soldiers to form a line to either side of Thax and Liria.

“There it is,” Thax said.

“Don't do anything yet!” Despite her warning, Liria lifted her pulser.

The erial landed on the road, using the incline to help slow its momentum. Nearly to the circle drive, it came to a stop. A redheaded Aethari immediately cast open the door and poked his head out.

“Don't pulse us!” Private Larocran Ader shouted. “It's me and Rinna.”

“Rinna?” Liria lowered her weapon.

“Stand down!” Thax shouted at the soldiers even as he ran forward. “Ader, what the fuck are you doing here?”

“I thought I'd crash your ceremony. Literally.” Ader smirked. “Are we too late?”

Rinna jumped out and ran over to them. “The fortress has been taken.” She smacked Ader. “This is not the time for jokes!”

“Sorry.” Ader grimaced. “It's been a rough day.”

“Wait, what?” Liria asked. “Did you say the fortress fell? You mean—”

“Nethren blasted the barrier apart and swarmed the fortress,” Ader cut her off. “It was over in minutes. There were hundreds of them. It was all I could do to get us out.”

“Dear Magic,” Evellor whispered.

“We warned Dubar and then Paradefense,” Rinna added. “They're sending reinforcements to secure the surrounding area.” She shook her head. “The fortress was on fire when we left.”

“Fuck!” Thax growled.

“We need to go back,” Liria said.

“No!” Thax grabbed her hand. “No, destra. Paradefense will handle it.”

“Thax, we can help.”

“Liri, I'm not taking you back there, and I know you won't let me go alone.”

“Look, I'm sorry we came here on such an important day for you,” Ader said. “I didn't know where else to take us. Commander Havers told me you were here, up on the peninsula. I thought it would be the safest place to bring Rinna.”

Liria lifted her eyebrows at Rinna.

Rinna shrugged. “I'll tell you about it later.”

“But you didn't just come here for sanctuary,” Liria said. “You must have come knowing we'd help.”