Chapter 31

R oman's matebond ceremony had yet to start, but tears were already threatening as he stood across from Grant in the expansive D'Vaire backyard. They wore matching cloaks of black and silver designed by Larissa, and Dra'Kaedan had filled the air with the scent of lime popcorn. The entire extended D'Vaire family was seated in the memorial garden, which was decorated in giant swags of the ranunculus flowers designed for Grant and Roman.

It was a dream come true for a man who'd begged Fate to bring him his other half for years, and the gorgeous brunet a few feet away was everything he'd ever wanted in a partner. Desperate to touch him, Roman reached out and grabbed his hands.

"I love you," Roman said quietly.

Grant smiled and brushed their lips together. "I love you too."

"I guess I don't need to even bother mentioning that they're doing things in the wrong order," Dra'Kaedan called out from his chair in the front row. "Everyone does what they want without any desire to follow tradition anymore."

"The one tradition you strictly adhere to is demanding cake at every event, so stop criticizing people and let Grant and Roman enjoy their day," Grand Warlock Familiar Renny D'Vaire retorted, his navy gave narrowed on the man who'd summoned him.

"If you guys aren't ready to begin yet, that's cool, but this is a warning that the D'Vaires are going to spiral out of control soon," Aleksander remarked. "We aren't really known for our good behavior."

Roman chuckled. "We're ready, right, baby?"

"Oh yeah, we're ready. My soul is one hundred percent willing to be joined with Roman's."

Aleksander's brother, Duke Argent Worthington D'Vairedraconis, whistled loudly and earned the glares and stifled near-curses of everyone around him.

"We were already quiet," Dra'Kaedan told Worth.

"Just a moment ago, you were arguing with your familiar, as is your habit," Worth replied. "It was necessary to warn everyone to shut up and appreciate the solemnity of this occasion. Is that not right, Owliver?"

Worth's other half, Duke Argent-mate Oliver D'Vairescandiacus, closed his eyes and shook his head. "I adore you, but don't bring me into this."

Aleksander elbowed Rafe. "Start the ceremony or we're probably going to have to kick Worth off the property."

Whipping his head toward Aleksander, Rafe scowled. "What? You usually start them."

"Let's change things up today," Aleksander suggested, grinning at Rafe.

"Oh man, someone go inside and grab me some popcorn so I can enjoy this fight," Dra'Kaedan demanded.

"There isn't going to be a fight," Rafe commented with his dark gaze still fixed on Aleksander. "I'll begin, but this was not how I laid things out in my agenda."

Roman had to bite his lip to keep from laughing, and he refused to glance at Grant. From the corner of his eye, he could see Grant's shoulders shaking. His other half had already lost the battle to contain his hilarity.

"Are you guys ready?" Rafe finally asked Roman and Grant.

"Didn't they already do this part?" Dra'Kaedan called out.

"They're holding hands," Rafe pointed out. "They can't start like that, which is why I asked."

Roman reluctantly released his hold on Grant. "Please begin whenever you're ready, Your Highness."

Rafe's lips pursed, but he lifted his chin and smiled. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us today on this special day. Sander and I are thrilled to be officiating a matebond for Venerable Knight Roman Calixtus and Venerable Knight Grant Valerius and are grateful Fate brought them together."

Although many couples hyphenated their names, Grant and Roman had opted to keep their own—mostly to avoid the confusion of having two Venerable Knights with the same surname.

"In 1369, Arch Lich Chander Daray created the Order of the Fallen Knights to defend and protect our beloved Council," Rafe continued. "One of the first men resurrected was Roman. Since that day, he has been dedicated to justice and has enriched all our lives with his kindness and caring."

"This year, Chander added new recruits to the fallen knights," Aleksander said. "Among them was the second man to earn the vaunted title of Venerable Knight. At his desk next to his mate, Grant has already made his mark among his people and our entire Council. In a few weeks, we'll have the pleasure of attending a grand parade with a robust security detail designed by Grant. According to his committee, he has approached the project with zeal and unmatched professionalism."

"All of us aren't going to the parade," Rafe muttered.

"I'm going, and we can revisit this argument later," Aleksander whispered.

"No reason to cut short your conversation," Grant insisted. "I'm happy to send Dra'Kaedan into the house for some popcorn if you guys want to give us some fireworks."

Dra'Kaedan hopped to his feet, but he only made it about two steps. His mother, Lichpriestess Saura D'Vaire, teleported behind him and grabbed a handful of her eldest son's cloak.

"Sit down, Dra'Kaedan," Saura demanded.

His shoulders slumped, and he trudged to his chair. "Gonna have to ask someone else to get the snacks, Grant."

"This is the best matebond ceremony I've ever been to," Roman said through his chuckles.

"It should be the best for you anyway, it's yours," Arvandus commented. "Hey, Alaric, do you think you can add a romance class to the sentinel complex? These two dearly need it. Maybe our High Kings should sign up too."

"Relax," Chrysander stated. "No reason to fight about the parade. Elle and I have arranged for our High Kings to watch the entire thing on a secure balcony high above the street with an excellent vantage point, and Brogan can add whatever security he wants."

"Brilliant idea, but let's get back to this romance idea," Baxter remarked. "I don't think it's a sentinel problem. We're exceptional at it. Maybe some other race should plan it though. Chrys and Elf, should the dragons pay for it? Or you could coordinate it with the fallen knights?"

"What do you know about romance?" Benton asked as Roman laughed harder.

"Should I whistle again, Your Highnesses, or can you get this thing back on track?" Worth asked. Worth's pet, Asteria, sat on Oliver's shoulder and surveyed the audience as if helping Worth decide if another whistle was necessary.

"I'd apologize for the chaos, but you're clearly enjoying this," Rafe said to Roman and Grant. "Ladies and gentlemen, Roman and Grant have asked to include every tradition of this incredible and often-wacky family. The oldest of those dates to many thousands of years ago when the Fae created the custom of giving the v'airsell niolls a gift. Translated from Fae'is, v'airsell nioll means eternal soul. It encompasses exactly what two mates are—a pair of souls bound forever. Today, Noble Protector Drekkoril and Valiant Defender Daravius will present Roman and Grant a gift created by pure sorcery."

Dressed in a mixture of Faedrekanskin, velvet, and fine linen, the rulers of the Fae walked toward Roman and Grant with a gorgeous statue that depicted two crossed swords adorned with the special shield used solely by Venerable Knights. One sword had a lime-green gem encrusted in the hilt, and the other had a blue glittery stone.

"On behalf of the Fae, we offer you joy and happiness," Drekkoril said with a smile.

"Thank you, this is incredible," Roman replied.

"It's going right in the living room where everyone can see it," Grant enthused.

"We will be happy to hold on to it until after your ceremony," Daravius offered.

"Great job, guys, you picked the perfect thing to symbolize us," Roman remarked as the couple walked away.

"Wow," Grant mouthed to Roman.

"In elven culture, their matebond ceremonies begin by placing wreaths atop the heads of the lucky couple honoring Fate. Roman and Grant have asked the two men who created unique blooms for them, Killian the Dwyer and Drindyr Duke Dravyn D'Vairedraconis, to present the flowers to them today," Aleksander stated.

Resplendent in forest green velvet, Killian settled a ring of flowers on Roman's head while Dravyn did the same for Grant.

"Thanks for your hard work in creating these for us," Grant enthused. "We love them."

"Our pleasure," Killian replied. "Although Dragon Boy and I nearly came to blows over whether they were ready when you asked us to have them for your big date night."

"It wasn't just a date night, Killer," Dravyn argued. "Roman asked Grant to be his mate. The last thing I wanted to do was have him ask such an important question with flowers that weren't the right colors."

"What is in the air today?" Worth asked. "Everyone is so sassy."

"You're always sassy," Dra'Kaedan replied. "Maybe they learned it from you."

"If you are insinuating that you aren't sassy, Grand Warlock, you have some introspection to do," Worth retorted.

Rafe's mouth thinned, but he ignored the troublemakers Roman was secretly enjoying. "Grant and Roman, will you please raise your left hands?"

With a grin for Grant, Roman did as he was asked. After centuries of waiting for his other half, the moment of binding his soul had finally arrived. Every part of him was excited to be connected with Grant in such a beautiful way. He could not wait to share forever with his man.

Drystan and Conley joined them. Thanks to Chander's magic, there was a dark poison flowing around two blades—which was the only thing that allowed fallen knights to bleed. One was the black dagger Roman used to spar with sentinels, and the other belonged to Grant.

"Best wishes on a fantastic life together," Drystan whispered to Roman as he sliced his palm. The pain was intense, but Roman refused to pay it any mind. The sting was forgotten a second later when his bleeding cut was pressed to Grant's.

He was willingly bombarded with a crystal-clear image of his soul twisting around Grant's. Two halves of one whole. The moment was everything he'd dreamed of and more. Love for Grant overwhelmed him, and his lip quivered as his tears fell.

"Venerable Knight to Venerable Knight," Aleksander said. "Their souls are now tied, and their lives are now linked. May their hearts always stay united so they will never want another."

"Give me a second," Roman pleaded as he hauled Grant into his arms. He held him as Grant clutched at his cloak. Their guests were forgotten as Roman thanked Fate for the man in his embrace.

"I love you," Grant whispered.

"Oh, I love you too, baby. So very much."

Roman reminded himself he could have Grant to himself later, so he sucked in a deep breath as his heart overflowed with emotion. Pulling away, he offered Grant an apologetic smile as he straightened the wreath on his head.

"Okay, let's do the next part," Roman insisted.

"For shifters, an essential part of a matebond is the bite, but long ago they lamented that it left behind no mark. To proudly display their love and pride in their mate to the world, they started a practice of wearing rings. Today, every D'Vaire follows this tradition, and Roman and Grant are no exception," Rafe stated with a soft smile as he glanced at Aleksander. "The beautiful bands they will now exchange were designed and crafted by our extremely talented Madeline."

Albrecht and Brynnius joined Roman and Grant. They were each handed a wide band, which was a swirl of black, silver, blue, and the vivid green of Grant's eyes. On the interior of the ring was the blue-black of Aleksander and Rafe's dragon—a hallmark of every piece of jewelry exchanged by D'Vaires on the day of their matebond ceremony.

Roman slid the ring onto Grant's trembling finger. "Chosen by Bétea and Fate, and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as my v'airsell nioll and mate."

With a quiver in his voice, Grant repeated the words as he pushed a matching band onto Roman's hand.

"The Vampyr Clutch has a glorious practice of wearing collars—or necklaces, as they are called outside vampire circles. Although Grant and Roman will not use the words sacred to the vampires, they honor their tradition by binding the locks with blood," Aleksander said. "Lich Sentinel Alaric Daray and Arch Lich Chander Daray will present the lovely necklaces while Rogue and Pizza Daray will assist with attaching them."

It was an unconventional choice to ask Alaric and Chander to include the rascally goblins the Arch Lich had gifted his mate, but as soon as Roman and Grant had thought of the idea, they couldn't find any reason not to include the tiny guys.

Pizza and Rogue were dressed in sentinel-like uniforms in charcoal gray and the reds, yellows, and oranges of their favorite food. The pair raced to Roman and Grant and without an invitation climbed up their cloaks to stand on their shoulders, ready to aid Alaric and Chander however they could.

Since Roman couldn't see Rogue on his own shoulder, he kept his gaze pinned on Pizza. The sun glinted off his black dragonskin-like body as Chander went to place a necklace on Grant once Roman's mate had bent his knees to accommodate the shorter imp-necromancer hybrid. Pizza made a series of chirping sounds, and Chander frowned.

"You can't do it by yourself," Chander hissed.

"Play nice, Chand," Alaric drawled.

Although Pizza protested heavily with his chirpy grunts that Roman didn't have any clue how to interpret, Chander helped the small goblin place the silver chain on Grant's neck. Pizza insisted on holding the necklace as Chander nicked Grant's finger with the same poisoned blade that had united their souls.

Alaric wore a pirate smile as he forcefully touched the blade to Roman's poor finger. Grant and Roman smeared their mixed blood onto the face of the lock stamped with the Venerable Knight shield. The necklaces had been so beautifully replicated by the Fae leaders, and now they were sealed. If they, for any reason, ever wanted to remove them, they'd need to use their blood again, otherwise they were impossible to open.

"Come on, we're done," Chander said to the goblins.

Pizza didn't look happy about it, but he allowed Chander to pluck him off Grant's shoulder. As for Rogue, he chose to teleport to the ground and scurried off toward his seat, using the unconventional route of rocketing between Dra'Kaedan's legs, and tangled himself in the Grand Warlock's cloak.

"Menace," Dra'Kaedan muttered, though he was grinning as he freed Pizza from the thick navy fabric.

"By the tradition of the Draconis High Court of D'Vaire, you are now v'airsell niolls and mates," Rafe stated. "You've honored everyone present by allowing us to bear witness to your joining."

Roman rolled his shoulders as he tugged off his cloak and put it into the waiting arms of Benton. Baxter took the matching embroidered velvet garment from Grant while Arvandus and Samson joined them in front of the large fountain with ranunculus flowers floating in it.

Arvandus sliced Roman swiftly, and he was damn glad it was his last cut of the day. Once Samson repeated the process on Grant, Roman slapped his palm to his mate's.

"Venerable Knight to Venerable Knight. Our blood has spilled, and our spirits have bonded. We ask Fate to grant us a mark from left shoulder to elbow so the world may bear witness we belong only to each other," Roman said.

A horrid, searing pain worked its way down to the top of Roman's arm, but he was delighted by the Venerable Knight shield and the big block letters of his name slowly appearing on Grant's skin. No matter where Roman went from now on, everyone would know he belonged to Grant.

This time, it was Grant who hauled Roman close and kissed him tenderly. The day had gone far beyond Roman's expectations for his matebond ceremony, and he thanked Fate for the man he loved.