Page 59 of Sobek’s Joy

Sobek gathered the children close, wrapping his power around all five of them. The living room dissolved, replaced by warm golden light and the scent of lotus blossoms. They materialized in the heart of the Egyptian realm, and Rudy wasn’t the only one who gasped.

The ceremony space stretched before them, nestled between towering palms and flowering acacias. White silk draped from the branches, billowing gently in a breeze that smelled of honeysuckle and river water. Golden lanterns hung suspended in midair, casting soft light over the assembled guests. Long tables laden with food lined one side of the clearing, and at the center, beneath an arch woven from lotus flowers and papyrus, stood Ra.

The Father of Everything was not the imposing figure most people assumed when they thought of the ruler of the Egyptian pantheon. He was taller on the realm when he was in his godly form, but he still looked young. Sobek, who’d seen him in passing many times on Earth, always thought Ra looked like an out-of-work college student. On his right stood Kirill, the vampire, beautiful and deadly in black silk. On his left, Arvyn, the wolf shifter, grinned at them while holding three-year-old Aziza on his hip.

Rudy froze. “Sobek. What...”

“Marry me.” Sobek turned, catching both of Rudy’s hands in his. “Properly. I know we’re already claimed, already bonded, but I wanted to give you this. A ceremony. A proper celebration. I wanted you to have a day where everyone knows you’re mine and I’m yours.”

Rudy’s eyes filled with tears. “You sneaky, wonderful, impossible man.”

“Is that a yes? Apparently, I need to hear a yes.”

“That’s a yes, you ridiculous crocodile.” Rudy laughed loudly. “Of course that’s a yes.”

Sobek barely had time to register the agreement before Rudy threw his arms around his neck, kissing him hard. Behind them, someone whistled. Someone else - probably Seth - laughed.

When they finally broke apart, Sobek turned to find their children staring at them with wide eyes.

“Papa’s marrying Daddy?” Timothy asked, his voice small and uncertain.

“Yes.” Sobek crouched, meeting the hatchling’s gaze. “If that’s alright with you.”

Timothy launched himself forward, wrapping his small arms around Sobek’s neck. “Yes, yes, yes, yes.”

Rose joined the hug, followed quickly by Jack. Sobek held them close, feeling Rudy’s hand on his shoulder, anchoring him.

“Come on then.” Ra’s voice carried across the clearing, warm with amusement. “Let’s make this official before someone decides to object.”

The children scattered, racing toward where Bastet stood with outstretched arms. The goddess scooped Rose up with a laugh, while Luka - Seth’s mate - knelt to greet Jack and Timothy with a gentle smile. Near them, Anubis bounced twin babies on his knees while Loki lounged against his mate’s side, looking thoroughly entertained. Sobek had considered asking gods from other pantheons - the ones with kids - but he didn’t want Rudy overwhelmed. For now, it was enough that Rudy would meet the people he still spoke to in his pantheon.

Sobek offered Rudy his arm. Together they walked toward the flower arch, and with each step, Sobek felt the rightness of it settle deeper into his bones. This was home. This was family. This was everything he’d never let himself hope for.

They stopped before Ra, and the Father of Everything smiled. “Sobek. Rudy. You stand here today already bound by the Fates, already claimed by love. What we do now is simply... acknowledgment. Celebration.” His gaze shifted to Rudy. “Do you understand what it means to be married to a god?”

Rudy’s chin lifted. “It means I get to love him forever. It means our kids get to grow up safe. It means I don’t have to be alone anymore.” He glanced at Sobek, his eyes shining. “It means I get him.”

Ra’s smile widened. “And you, Sobek. Do you understand what it means to be married to this man?”

“It means I have a home.” Sobek’s voice came out rougher than intended. “It means I have a family. It means I get to wake up every morning and know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

“Then let’s not waste time.” Ra gestured, and golden rings appeared hovering between them. “These were forged in divine fire, blessed by the Fates themselves. They cannot be lost or damaged, and they will mark you as bound for all eternity.”

Sobek plucked one ring from the air - the smaller one - sized perfectly for Rudy’s hand. The band gleamed warm gold, but when the light hit it right, hieroglyphs shimmered across the surface. Beloved. Mate. Forever.

Rudy’s breath caught as Sobek slid the ring onto his finger.

“With this ring, I claim you.” Sobek’s voice dropped low, meant only for Rudy. “Not just as my mate, but as my husband, my partner, and the center of everything I am.”

Rudy fumbled for the second ring, his hands shaking. When he finally grasped it, he held Sobek’s hand and slid the band home. “With this ring, I claim you right back. As my husband, my family, and my everything.”

The rings flared with light, sealing the bond between them even tighter than before. Through their connection, Sobek felt Rudy’s overwhelming joy, his disbelief that the ceremony was real, and his fierce determination to never let go.

Ra raised both hands. “Then by the power vested in me as Father of Everything, I declare you married. Bound not just by fate, but by choice. Not just by magic, but by love.” He grinned. “Now kiss before Loki makes an inappropriate comment.”

“Too late,” Loki called from across the clearing. “I’ve got at least three hovering there on the tip of my tongue. I’m just conscious that there are children present.”

Laughter rippled through the assembled gods and their mates. Sobek ignored them all, cupping Rudy’s face and kissing him deeply. The world narrowed to just Rudy’s lips against his, Rudy’s hands fisted in his shirt, Rudy’s heart beating in perfect time with his own.