“Congratulations,” the Grand Master said, snagging a glass of champagne from a nearby waiter and pressing it into my hand. “Let us toast to you now, Sunaya—to the end of your apprenticeship, and the beginning of what is sure to be a glorious and fruitful magical career!”
“I can certainly drink to that,” I said, lifting my glass to him. I drained my drink as everyone else in the room did the same, doing my best to hide the grin on my face. I knew better than to think I’d won over every mage in the room, but I’d managed to impress the Grand Master, and that sure as hell was good enough for me.
24
“By the Ur-God,” Annia exclaimed as our six-horse carriage drew to a halt. “How the hell have I never known this temple was here? It’s not exactly tiny.”
I grinned, the ball of nerves in my stomach lessening in the face of Annia’s awe. “It’s a closely guarded secret amongst mages,” I said as she stared at Solantha Temple, which had just shimmered into view. Inside, hundreds of mages from all over the Northia Federation were waiting to witness the wedding of the decade—the scandalous wedding of a Chief Mage and a shifter hybrid.
And amongst them were my closest friends.
“Don’t worry,” Rylan called to Annia as he slipped out of one of the temple’s side doors. His eyes sparkled as he looked her up and down, admiring her outfit. “I had the same reaction when I first saw the place. Best kept secret in Solantha, eh?” He winked at me.
“And good morning to you too,” I said, my lips twitching as he offered me his arm. “You ready to give me away?” Rylan was the oldest male in my immediate family, so the duty fell to him despite the fact that he was so close in age to me.
“I was born ready,” my cousin said, leaning in to peck my cheek. “You look stunning, cousin. Classy and sexy at the same time, with all that black lace. You’re going to knock their socks off in that dress.”
Grinning, I looked down at myself one last time. The seamstress had been furious when she’d learned I’d lost even more weight during my time away, and I’d promised her I would gain it back in time for the wedding. Luckily, I’d been able to keep my word—I filled the gown out nicely, and she’d only had to take it in half an inch at the waist. Gaining back ten pounds in a week was no mean feat, but Cook had helped me out in that regard, serving all my favorite dishes day after day.
But in the end, appearances were unimportant. I was about to give my solemn, irrevocable pledge to the love of my life, and receive his in turn. That was important, not the dress, or the number and importance of our guests. Inside that gleaming temple, Iannis was waiting for me.
“I’ll go on ahead,” Annia said, smiling at me. She gave me a quick hug. “You’ve got this, Sunaya.”
I nodded, drawing in a deep breath through my nose as I watched Annia disappear through the doors. The scent of dew-covered grass and late-blooming flowers filled my lungs, calming me a little. Iannis and I had decided on an early morning wedding—to start our life together as husband and wife with the dawning sun, which was cresting over the horizon even now, painting the sky in gorgeous shades of gold and pink.
“Come on, hot stuff,” Rylan said, nudging me a little. “Let’s get you hitched.”
I tightened my grip on Rylan’s arm as we slowly walked through the doors and into the temple’s packed interior. All eyes turned toward me, and I straightened my spine and held my head high, gliding across the runner as if I had all the time in the world. So much attention was a little nerve-wracking, but I was determined not to show it. I was thankful that at least no journalists or cameras were allowed in this sacred place.
The wedding party was waiting ahead, directly in front of Resinah’s statue—Fenris stood proudly at Iannis’s side, and Annia was waiting for me near the priest’s elbow, looking gorgeous in the deep green sheath gown I’d commissioned for her. Iannis was dashingly handsome in his ivory wedding robes, his long hair falling loose around his shoulders. His eyes shone with loving pride as our gazes met across the aisle.
My own heart was in my throat as I finally reached the appointed space and Rylan handed me off to Iannis. I gripped his hand tightly as we turned to face the priest, and Iannis gave me a reassuring squeeze.
“You look good enough to eat,” he said in mindspeak. “I hope you’ve come prepared for a feast after this.”
I choked back a laugh at the blatant innuendo in his tone, and my nerves immediately evaporated. “Maybe I’ll eat you first,” I suggested, resisting the urge to stick my tongue out at him.
“I wouldn’t object to that in the slightest.”
“Family and friends of the bride and groom,” the priest intoned, his voice echoing through the dome as he addressed the crowd. “Welcome to Solantha Temple, where we have gathered today to witness the joining of these two souls in holy and eternal matrimony. In this sacred place, before the Creator and the First Mage, we are privileged to share this unique moment in the lives of Iannis and Sunaya, where the two finally become one.”
“Though you may not have known each other your entire lives,” he said, turning to address us next, “you have nevertheless been gravitating toward this day since you were born, and your union will last as long as you both shall live. As is our ancient custom, you pledge yourselves to each other and move forward into the future as one. Before you declare your vows, I want to hear you confirm that it is indeed your intention to marry today.”
“Sunaya, do you come here today, freely and of your own will, to give yourself to Iannis in marriage?”
“I do,” I managed to say over the swell of emotion in my throat. By Magorah, this was really happening. We were finally here together, beneath the eyes of the Creator and Resinah and whoever else was looking down at us. I wondered if my mother could see me now, and I blinked back tears at the thought of her. I hoped she would be proud of me today.
“Very good. And Iannis, do you too come here today, freely and of your own will, to give yourself to Sunaya in marriage?”
“I do,” Iannis said solemnly.
“Very good.” The priest smiled at us. “Iannis and Sunaya, now that you have declared your intentions to marry, please face each other and hold hands so that you may declare your marriage vows.”