31. Athena

31

ATHENA

I stand before the full-length mirror, morning light streaming through the stained glass windows and casting rainbow patterns across my white gown. The dress flows like water, crystals catching light at every movement. Koros's enchanted gems shift from pale blue to rose pink, betraying my joy.

"Stop fidgeting." Raven's deft fingers weave more crystals into my honey-blonde curls. "Though I must say, you're the calmest bride I've ever seen."

"Why would I be nervous?" The reflection shows my golden-green eyes bright with happiness. "This is exactly what I want."

Raven's violet eyes meet mine in the mirror as she adjusts the delicate lace along my neckline - a compromise between her daring tastes and my more modest preferences. Her dove-gray wings twitch with barely contained excitement.

"Most brides are a mess by now. Crying, second-guessing, wondering if they're making a mistake." She pins another crystal into my hair. "But here you are, grinning like you've already won."

"Because I have." I touch the fabric, marveling at how it shimmers. "For once, no one's trying to protect me or tell me what to do. This is my choice."

"And what a choice." Raven steps back to admire her work. The warrior's usual sharp edges have softened. "You look like something out of a dream. Uriel won't know what hit him."

The dress hugs my softer curves before flowing out like spun moonlight. White, as Koros suggested, but with hints of silver thread that catch the light. Simple, elegant, but with enough subtle details to make it uniquely mine.

"Perfect." Raven's angular face breaks into a rare, gentle smile. "You look absolutely perfect."

I touch one of the crystals in my hair, watching it shift from pink to a deep, joyful purple. "Thank you, Raven. For everything."

"Don't you dare cry." She dabs at her own eyes. "I spent too long on your face paint to let you ruin it now."

I pull it together just in time for Astrid to come knock at the door. She's been with us all morning and just went to check on the guys.

"You look so beautiful," she says, and I hug her tightly. "Are you ready?"

"More than."

Raven leads us downstairs and to a side entrance of the courtyard where no one will see us.

Through the glass doors, I glimpse the courtyard transformed. Blood-red roses twine with silver vines along black marble columns. Magic shimmers in the air, Koros's protective wards ensuring no uninvited guests disturb this day. The soft rays of the sun dapple across the gathered crowd, a small group of xaphan and a few demons.

Kissing my cheek, Astrid leaves to take her seat. My heart skips as I spot the rest of my family in the front row. Next to Astrid, V lounges with casual grace, his pale blue skin almost luminescent in the fading light. His eyes shift from stormy gray to electric blue as he whispers something that makes Astrid's lips twitch into an almost-smile.

Father sits on the other side of Astrid, his power rolling off him in waves that make the nearby flowers tremble. But there's something softer in his expression as he catches my eye.

The crowd parts and there's Uriel. My breath catches. He stands tall and proud, his light gray wings spread wide, catching the golden rays of sunset. His perfect features could be carved from marble, but his eyes - those cruel, beautiful golden eyes - are fixed on me with an intensity that makes my knees weak. The usual smirk is gone, replaced by something raw and honest that makes my heart race.

"Ready?" Raven squeezes my hand.

I nod, unable to speak. This moment - this choice - is mine

She walks down the aisle first and then I follow her. My eyes are only on Uriel, though as he drinks me in. I almost forget about everyone else when I stop before him.

The Nashai approaches, her white robes billowing in the enchanted breeze. Raven's hand tightens on mine as she steps back, taking her place as my witness. Her warrior's stance never falters despite her old injury, and pride radiates from her violet eyes. The usual sharp tongue that gives the men such grief is silent now, replaced by a rare, genuine smile.

Koros towers beside Uriel, his massive frame casting long shadows across the marble floor. His mismatched eyes gleam with emotion - even the black one. The scars across his face seem softer in the dying light, and his dark red hair stirs in the magical winds. For once, the intimidating weapons dealer looks almost gentle.

My heart pounds as the Nashai raises her hands. Magic crackles through the air, making my skin tingle. I can't help but stare at Uriel - my Uriel - his perfect features transformed by an expression I've never seen before. Gone is the cruel smile that first drew me to him, replaced by something raw and vulnerable that makes my breath catch.

"The soul bond is sacred," the Nashai's voice rings out. "It binds not just bodies, but essence. Two becoming one, forever intertwined in this life and the next."

Golden light blooms between her palms. I've dreamed of this moment since I first learned of the xaphan bonding ritual. To be joined so completely that we'll feel each other's presence, share each other's emotions. No more walls between us, no more doubts or fears. Just certainty, belonging, completion.

The magical tether extends from the Nashai's hands, weaving between Uriel and me like liquid sunlight. His massive wings flex, the light gray feathers catching the golden glow. The tether pulses once, twice, then sinks into our chests.

Warmth floods through me, and suddenly I feel him - not just his physical presence, but the essence of him. His strength, his passion, even that hint of cruelty that makes him who he is. The connection thrums between us like a living thing.

A mark blooms over my heart, matching the one appearing on his chest. Unique patterns swirl and interlock, marking us as one.

"You may pledge to one another." The vows were a request I made, but everyone seemed so happy about it. Even Uriel.

The Nashai's voice fades as Uriel steps forward, his golden eyes blazing with possession. "I claim you, little demon. Your soul, your heart, everything you are belongs to me now." His voice drops lower, meant only for me. "And I belong to you."

My fingers tremble as I reach for him. "I choose you, Uriel. Your darkness, your light, all of it. You're mine as much as I'm yours."

"Your two souls are bound. Your two lives entwined. No one will ever part you two." The Nashai looks to us. "You may claim her for all to see."

His massive wings sweep forward, enveloping us in a cocoon of soft gray feathers. The world narrows to just us - the scent of citrus and metal that clings to his skin, the way his perfect features soften as he looks down at me. I trace the line of his jaw, marveling at how someone so dangerous can feel so right.

"My Athena." He catches my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm that's more bite than tenderness. The bond pulses between us, new and raw and hungry.

I rise on my toes as he pulls me closer. His kiss is brutal, claiming, marking me as his in front of everyone. The crystals in my hair shatter, raining dust around us as his magic flares. I match his intensity, fingers tangling in those golden curls, letting him feel through our new bond exactly how much I want this - want him.

When we break apart, his cruel smile is back, but there's something else there too - a fierce joy that echoes my own. His wings spread wide again, displaying me to the cheering crowd. The mark over my heart burns pleasantly, synchronized with his heartbeat.

Raven whoops loudly, while Koros's deep laugh booms across the courtyard. Even Astrid has abandoned her vigilance to smile - actually smile - though she quickly hides it behind her usual glare.

I've never felt so complete, so perfectly where I belong. No more being the fragile human who needs protection. I'm his, and he's mine, and nothing else matters.