Page 34 of Hymn of Breath and Bone

“The vows, Majesty,” Hesperus murmured, reminding me that I ought to be paying attention and not thinking lewd thoughts about my mate.

Hesperus tied a white ribbon around our joined hands as I sang the words that would seal our handfasting.

Let all who hear bear witness now,

As my song rises in thisvow.

In sea and sky, in breath and bone,

Through storm and calm make our bond known

“Now you, Highness,” Hesperus said, turning to Marina as the last of my baritone drifted over the gathered crowd.

“She doesn’t—”

Let all who hear bear witness now,

Marina’s clear mezzo-soprano rang out, clear and untrained and lovely as the first stars of night began to emerge over our heads.

As my song rises in this vow.

She met my gaze, expression both proud and a little terrified as she sang. I couldn’t take my eyes from her as she finished the vows, Hesperus making the final pass of the ribbon as she finished.

In sea and sky, in ,

Through storm and calm make our bond known

I grinned, thrilled that she had taken the time to learn the vows and that she was brave enough to sing before all my people. If I hadn’t already loved her desperately, the moment we lifted our voices together to repeat the vows as one would have sealed it.

In deepest depths, our souls entwined,

In starlit skies, our hearts aligned.

The bond complete, two halves now whole,

Forever joined one single soul.

The final note rang out, the crowd silent and probably a little surprised that their new selkie queen could sing.

My chest felt tight with emotion as I looked down at her, fierce and determined and completely self-satisfied.

“Told you,” she whispered.

“I should never have doubted you, Urchin,” I said, faintly dazed by her performance. “Beautiful.”

She blushed prettily as Hesperus announced, “The handfasting is complete. Long live the King and Queen.”

“The King and Queen,” the crowd repeated as I pulled Marina to me, careful not to break our joined hands as I brushed a kiss to her lips. My heart pounded against my chest as she returned the kiss, light and teasing and far too chaste.

The sudden crash of the sea against the cliff and stirring of wind around us made the crowd gasp and applaud as we broke apart.

“The gods bless us,” I murmured, smiling down at my mate. Almost completely mine but for one final step. “Mate.”

I bent and kissed her again, properly this time. The wind tugged at my wings and pulled at her skirts as the sea crashed louder and people cheered.

“What now?” she asked a little breathlessly when we broke apart, our right hands still joined by the ribbon. “Nordhavn?”

I smirked, scooping her into my arms with my unbound arm and launching into the skies amid cheers. The stars wheeled overhead as if joining in the celebration, and I swooped low over the cliffs as I gave Zephyr time to set my plans in motion.