The Luna Queen's Rebirth novel · Chapter 4 of 24

Chapter 4: Dawn Vows

The river stone stood on a gravel bank where the Wend ran shallow, grey in the first light.

It was a single standing rock as tall as two men, split down the middle by some old lightning.

Wolves had been swearing vows under it since before Aldermere had walls.

The priestess of the Moon Court was already there, with her silver staff and a face like a closed door.

"I was told to expect trouble," she said to me. "I did not expect to be woken for it."

"Will you witness?"

"I will witness anything the Goddess allows." She looked at Rhydian. "Is the bride willing?"

"She wrote half the contract," Rhydian said. "I'd say yes."

Eirik stood at my elbow, holding my silver knife.

He had gone back to the sentries for it in the dark, without being asked.

"You left this," he said, and put it in my palm. "A woman shouldn't get married unarmed."

"Is that an old Hollowmark custom?"

"It is now."

The priestess held out her staff, and we each laid a hand on it.

His hand was warm and rough. The burn scar crept up under his sleeve.

I felt the wolf in him again, steady and heavy, watching me through his skin.

"Repeat after me," said the priestess.

We said the old words together in the cold.

I took Rhydian Carrow as my husband and my equal before the Goddess, and he took me.

His voice did not shake once. Mine did, on the word equal.

I had not expected to mean it.

"By the stone and the river," said the priestess, "you are bound."

A hot line ran from the staff up my arm and sank into the mark on my wrist.

That was where the Binding bond had been, gold on my skin, until yesterday.

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