Page 169 of City of Snakes
Her expression brightened again. “Well, good. You’d be a fool not to recognize what a catch I am.”
At that, I dropped my forehead to hers and let a chuckle rumble in my chest.
I would be a fool.
There were no witnesses, no carriage processions, no crowds or applause or pomp.
We stood before the Divine. Our vows were short and in Brennac, which meant she didn’t understand them. I opened my mind so that she could hear me translate as we recited them together.
“May the Origins honor our union.
When the sun breaks,this hand thou shall take.
Through both shadow and light,we shall together face future plights.
Let our roots grow deep in the soilfor when winds raise ocean shores,
The fire within me is forever yours.
And when the moon and stars rise,our love shall be written in dark skies.
Until death do us part,our love shall conquer all.
My heart is now thy heart.”
Her Brennac was sloppy and barely accurate, which made me smirk as we finished repeating our promises.
By the end of our vows, I felt her hands shaking in mine and realized I was trembling too. It was not with fear. It was from an end to fear—holding her there, knowing that I’d wake beside her for as many tomorrows as we were graced with.
Her eyes glistened like emerald pools as she looked up at me and squeezed my fingers. Her encouraging smile melted me; it would be all I saw in my dreams, replacing so many nightmares.
The Divine finally said, “You may seal your union with a kiss.”
She seemed to understand his words just fine because she pulled me down. When she kissed me, every muscle in my body relaxed and I lifted my hands to cup her face.
When we parted, the Divine held up two wooden rings, which were typically provided by the temple to those who could notafford metals. That tiny piece of smoothed wood would be my most priceless treasure.
As soon as she slid the ring onto my finger, my heart skipped a few beats as though readjusting. Now it matched the rhythm of hers.
“Let’s go prepare beasts to fight for our future,” she whispered into my ear.
Forever stubborn, forever efficient. Forever mine.
Chapter 55
Sybilla
Krait hadn’t given me trouble about immediately wanting to meet the beasts of Sahlmkar after we were wed. If anything, he regarded me with adoration for it.
We did not have the luxury of time. The scorching dust-coated air burned my lungs as we met the afternoon sun outside the Temple of Shadows. Not even the harsh climate and oppressive heat could shake the lightness in my step; not even the pain in my joints would ruin my wedding day.
I ignored the steady throb of pain in my ankles. I’d take my tonic when we got back to the flat before it got any worse.
I would be fine.
As though sensing my worry, Krait reached into the satchel to retrieve a green vial and handed it to me.
Sighing in relief, I said, “How did you know?”
