Page 102 of Soul of Fire

To be a shield against the other’s storm.

May the Hearthmother give us wisdom to navigate our path together.

May She bless our union with strength and courage, passion and love.

After each line, we repeated the vows, Arik’s eyes holding mine the entire time. The air of amusement was gone, and I knew that the words were as important and sacred to him as they were to me.

“With this cord, your fates are woven as one,” Freya announced. She glanced at Sigrid, who was motioning for her to go on, then sighed heavily. “I suppose you may kiss your bride.”

Amaya cheered, and Sigrid clapped, both throwing flower petals over us as Arik leaned down and placed a far too chaste kiss against my lips.

That’s it?I complained.

He chuckled, leaning down to kiss me again.Our hands are still bound. I’ll kiss you properly when they’re free, wife.

My core heated as Freya joined in the celebration, half-heartedly throwing petals as Amaya produced several glasses of sparkling liquid. “Cheers to the happy couple!”

Perhaps we should have insisted that Amaya perform the handfasting,Arik said, as she adjusted the binding around our hands so that my left was held in his right.

“It’s tradition for you to be bound by at least one hand until…um, that is…” Amaya blushed furiously.

“Until he beds you,” Sigrid shouted helpfully, making Amaya’s face turn a deep shade of crimson.

Arik laughed, the sound full and unrestrained. “In that case.”

He handed his glass back to Amaya and scooped me into his arms as he caught my lips in a proper kiss.

Chapter thirty-three

Eisa

Arikhadtokickin the door to our bedroom, and I immediately understood why I had been shuffled off to Amaya’s room to prepare.

It had been transformed. The same flowering vines from the sanctum climbed the cold, stone walls, and candles lit the path from the door to the bed, already burning low. The bed had been remade with fresh sheets and soft furs, and a selection of meats and cheeses and nuts had been laid out on a tray atop the dresser so there would be no need to leave for a meal.

But the real magic was the ceiling. Tiny pinpricks of light floated above us like stars, their light bobbing sedately as if the celestial heavens opened above us.

“Fireflies?”

“I wanted to take you under the stars, Kjære,” Arik murmured, pressing kisses against my throat. “Or do you prefer ‘wife’ now?”

“That depends.” My breathing was rather ragged with the effort to hold Idunn back from wrestling our mate to the floor and ravishing him among the burning candles. “Do you want me to call you ‘husband’?”

Arik growled in approval, striding toward the bed and kicking over several candles in his wake. They snuffed out against the stone with a hiss.

“I suppose that’s a yes,” I laughed, his beard scraping deliciously against my neck. “I’ll maybe save it for special occasions. Or when I’m very angry.”

“I accept your terms.” Arik sat on the bed, draping me across his lap as he attempted to toe off his boots. “This is a fucking challenge with our hands bound.”

“But tradition!” I mocked, reaching for the braided cord with my free hand. “Let me.”

Arik nipped my fingers as I attempted to loosen the braid. “Don’t you dare, Kjære. I intend to do this properly.” He grunted, one boot finally free as he worked on the other. “You deserve nothing less.”

I kissed him, making his task significantly more difficult as I caught his lower lip between my teeth.

“Plus,” he added, as the other boot came free. He met my eyes, silver swirling in their gray depths. “I don’t need Sigrid cursing me.”

I laughed as he rolled us, flipping us so that I lay on my back. “Do you think Revna and Arne are—“