Crimson Truth (Onyx Assassins 4)

A new wave of peace was washing over our territory and our ties with the other supernaturals were only growing stronger because of it.

And this wedding was about to amplify it even more.

My heart swelled as an ancient tune of strings and drums started to play in the distance.

“It’s time!” Luna said excitedly, and I did a little happy dance with her.

“You think he’s run off already?” I asked playfully.

Luna rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I’m sure your mate is heading for the hills as we speak.”

I laughed with her, knowing full well Benedict was waiting for me at the altar. I could feel him there through our bond.

“Let’s go,” she said. “Before we miss our mark.”

I nodded at her, looping my arm through hers as we stepped into view. A hushed silence fell over the crowd as both sides rose to stand and face me. My feet were bare against the earth, my long blue gown flowing over me and trailing behind me as Luna walked me toward the arch where Benedict stood underneath.

And Goddess, he looked amazing. He’d always worn the hell out of suits, but there was something about this one that sent my heart racing. All black except for the pop of blue of his tie that matched my dress, he looked good enough to eat.

Which I’d totally be doing later.

Heat sizzled along my spine, and Benedict smirked as if he’d felt my thoughts down the bond. I sent another wave of lust down the connection and laughed when his fangs dropped.

Luna kissed both my cheeks, dipping her head to Benedict as she left me standing in front of him, and rounded both of us to stand before us on a slightly raised podium.

Our families took their seats and I tossed my bouquet to Olivia who sat in the first row. I slid my hands into Benedict’s and gazed up at him with tear-coated eyes.

“Jocelyn,” Luna said, her sweet voice ringing over the crowd. “You requested this bonding ceremony, and we are all here to witness it. You may propose to your partner now.”

Some of my vampire family furrowed their brows at her claim, but the witch side of the ceremony merely waited quietly, smiles on their faces. Witch bonding ceremonies were slightly different from traditional weddings, so I understood their confusion. I hadn’t even prepped Benedict, who wore an equally confused look, because I wanted it to be real and raw and powerful.

I cleared my throat, never taking my gaze off of him. “You know we usually only take consorts,” I said, and Benedict nodded. “But there are special exceptions for cases of love in the purest form for witches. We can choose to bind ourselves to one other person for the rest of our existence. It’s rare, but no less important in our culture. Choice is prevalent in our nature, in our history, and there is no greater honor or request when it comes to a binding ceremony.”

Benedict visibly swallowed, and my hands trembled in his.

“As you all know,” I said to the crowd, but kept my eyes on his. “Fate linked Benedict and me together. Neither of us had a choice, but we weren’t exactly unhappy with Fate’s decision.” A small wave of laughter echoed through the crowd, and Benedict smiled down at me. “But,” I continued. “I wanted to come before you all today, before my witch queen…” I winked at my sister. “Wanted to stand on my territory, and ask this of my mate before all of you…” I sucked in a sharp breath, nerves suddenly fluttering my heart. “Benedict,” I said, my voice cracking. “Will you choose to bind yourself to me? To link our souls in the way witches recognize, by power and love and understanding. Through arguments and challenges and struggles. Through eternity or our own endings, will you stand with me?”

Benedict smoothed a hand over my cheek. “Now and always,” he said, and I sighed as I grinned up at him.

“Now and always,” I echoed him.

Luna smiled, raising her hands above her head, energy pooling in her palms. “I recognize this binding, and honor it.” Her power washed over us with a buzzing crackle that skittered along our mating bond, reinforcing it and joining it. “You may kiss to seal the magic.”

Benedict wasted no time, his mouth slanting over mine in the most delicious way. I sank into his kiss, melted into his body, relishing the taste of him on my tongue. He kissed me until I was breathless, until the crowd started cheering and my sister’s power washed away.

We drew away from each other only enough to breathe, and he kept his hand in mine as we faced our families. Now we weren’t only mates, but a bonded pair, and we’d made the choice to keep each other forever.