Page 60 of Ringmaster (The Kingdom of Shadow & Bone #1)

The most powerful kingdom within Hell serves Destiny. They’re right to gloat. It’s quite the win. Something the past version of myself allowed them to get away with for the sake of protecting the crown.

“Do you accept this crown?” they demand, echoing one another and interrupting my sulking.

“Always,” I snarl as the power flows into me.

The Present lays the crown on my head, and my shadows welcome their missing brothers back after centuries of being apart.

“Now for the mating bond and crowning your queen,” the Future instructs.

I drop the shield, allowing them access to Selestina. They glide over to her.

“Kneel,” they demand.

She does exactly as she’s told.

“Will you rule by his side, maintaining the balance and challenging him to always put the Kingdom and his duty to it above all else?

“Yes,” she answers.

The Past lays the crown on her head. Her crown is also carved from bone and wrapped in shadow to match mine. The bones are cut more intricately, with five runes lining the crown and one in the center glowing.

She looks ravenous wearing the crown with that dress.

I’m focused on her as the Fates announce the beginning of our reign and my brothers kneel to accept us.

When they finish their twisted, riddle-filled speech, I move to stand next to the throne and wait for Selestina to do the same.

Once she’s taken her place, I slip inside her mind. Sit and claim your throne, my love.

It would be inappropriate for me to sit on your lap right now, Azrael, She teases.

A rumble builds in my chest at the thought of her in my lap—my queen claiming me in front of everyone. It’s all I can think of as I watch her slowly take her seat. I must have forgotten to tell you during the mating ceremony I’m going to have you… while they watch.

She swallows so hard I can hear her gulp from where I’m sitting.

“Do you accept the King and Queen of Shadow and Bone?” the wraiths yell so loudly it interrupts our conversation.

They continue the ceremony. “Rise one by one to declare your Kingdom’s acceptance and allegiance.”

Beelzebub steps forward. “The Kingdom of Agony and Penance accepts, and I declare our allegiance.”

Abaddon is next to stand. “The Kingdom of Blood and Bonds accepts, and I declare our allegiance.”

Asmodeus stands ready to pledge. “The Kingdom of Desire and Deceit accepts, and I declare our allegiance.

Finally Mammon rises to his feet. “The Kingdom of Ash and Iron accepts and I promise our allegiance to the one true king Lucifer.”

“Do you, the Kings of the Infernal Realms, agree to bear witness to the consummation of the mating bond?”

“I do,” they answer in unison.

“Then so we shall begin,” The Present cackles.

The mage-lights flicker then extinguish as the wards around the thrones protecting Selestina and I shatter.

When the mage-lights burst once again, illuminating the throne room, the wraiths stand between our thrones. The Past holds a dagger, the Future holds a basin, and the Present smiles.

“Stand and join before us so that you may be properly bound,” they chant.

“Your threads have been spun together since the beginning of time. Once more, you’ve found each other.

We’ve watched as this new world forged you, making you stronger, challenging your strength, and most of all testing your individual resilience.

The scars you carry are a source of power as well as oaths yet unpaid,” The Past says, her tone heavy and serious.

The Present continues, “Before shadow and bone, you stand unmasked. Choose now to become bound, for what you make cannot be unmade.”

“The path you select tonight will echo beyond death, beyond time. You’re not promised happiness, you’re only promised each other.” the Future adds.

The Past holds up the dagger. “Azrael, step forward accept this dagger and make your vow.”

I do as she commands. I reach for the blade, but she yanks it back.

“Do you take Selestina—shadow-kissed and fallen, ruler of the dead—as your fate-bound mate? Do you vow to guard her even when she brings ruin to the realms, to love her even when love costs your soul?”

“I do,” I answer.

“Make your vow, and slice your palm.”

I accept the dagger, and gripping it in my hand, and turn to stare at my mate.

“I take Selestina as my mate. I vow to protect her in the name of shadow and in bone. Let my soul perish if ever I forsake her. If I betray her, Death deny me peace. She’s my light, my balance, my undoing, and I am hers now and forever, until the end of time. ”

I drag the dagger across my palm, watching as my jet-black blood trickles out.

“Good,” the Present says, motioning for me to pass the dagger to Selestina.

“Selestina,” the Present whispers, “Do you take Azrael, winged and cursed, ruler of Hell, as your fate-bound mate? Do you vow to rule with him, to love him even when love calls for blood?”

She takes the dagger from me, our fingers barely brushing, just enough to feel a zing.

“I accept him in all his darkness. In shadow and in bone. Let my crown turn to ash if ever I forsake him, and let the dead rise to curse me, rotting for an eternity should I ever betray him. He is mine, and I am his.”

“Now slice your palm,” the Present says anxiously.

The Future speaks next. “Do you seal this oath with blood, that the Fates may bind you, and with soul, that none may sever you?”

I look at Selestina, and she returns my stare. In unison, we answer, “We seal it with blood, with soul, and with shadow.”

When our palms touch, shadows explode, binding us together, pulling bits of soul from each of us to create one thread, one future for us both. The Fates collect the dripping blood in the basin, then light it on fire. We watch as it burns black as night, and the bond locks into place.