Varan straightened his evening tunic. The belt around his waist was a bit tight, but it felt too light. He wasn’t used to being so bare. Varan never went anywhere without at least a few blades on his person. But this was his wedding. The sword William held was ceremonial, dull as a spoon; though he didn’t doubt he could cause adequate damage with it if necessary.

Asher glared at the fabric as the dark prince tugged and pulled until the cape over Varan’s shoulders lay just so. The heavy gold chain of command across Varan’s chest glittered with diamonds and held a single dark opal in the center.

“Weddings are supposed to be joyous occasions,” Varan said, eyeing Asher as the dark prince adjusted his belt next.

Varan was dressed as a royal prince, even had the small circlet around his forehead to prove it. It felt a bit odd after so many cycles of having the title ‘prince’ as a thief.

It had been torture spending the majority of the day with Adelina’s brothers, but they all meant well. None of them quite knew what to do with him, knowing his history – his current position. They’d all said about five words between them. But Varan was too anxious now to play the game with them any longer.

He needed to know where they stood.

“This is a joyous occasion,” Asher stated. “Which is why you must look like a true prince. After all, you’re not just marrying a princess, you’re marrying the heir.”

“I’ve always looked like a prince,” Varan said, grinning at the three males. His attempt at easing the tension seemed to be appreciated by Ian, but the smile was weak.

He certainly hadn’t forgotten Adelina was now the heir, not since he’d found out. Varan had never intended to play at being king for real, but with war upon them it certainly was a very real possibility. He would take Adelina’s lead on the matter though as she was the one who held all the actual power.

Varan sighed and ran his hands through his hair so it slicked straight back the way he preferred and not to the side as Ian had put it. “Look, I love Adelina. I will spend the rest of my life with her, protect her, die for her if necessary. Why do you all look as though this is a funeral and not a wedding?”

William fidgeted. He tied the ceremonial sword to Varan’s belt. “Adelina is precious to us all. For so long she’s been the submissive one we all had to watch out for. Despite her being older than me I always felt like I had to look out for her.”

Asher nodded. “Then not an hour ago she tells us about her genetics, that she and Ian are more than half-siblings and somehow her dominance can shift? We are frightened for her. And we aren’t sure how you will handle it.” The dark prince scowled and tugged on his own tunic until it lay perfectly.

Varan glanced between the three brothers and breathed a sigh of relief. “She told you then?”

“You knew?” Asher demanded. It sounded like the prince had already suspected, but had wanted it confirmed.

“Of course I knew. In some ways I’d always known.” Varan clapped a hand on Asher’s shoulder and then squeezed. Despite their difference in age Asher was mature beyond his cycles in ways Varan doubted he would ever fully understand.

All those cycles he knew her as Lina, Varan had known there was something strange about his bride, but he’d never anticipated something so wonderfully secret and romantic.

“What is there to be frightened of exactly?” Varan asked, fixing the crown he’d mussed. He’d never had to wear a bloody crown as a thief. Someone would’ve tried to snatch it off his head as a jest at some point.

“If the people find out, they could demand her title be stripped,” William stated.

Varan arched a brow. He highly doubted that would ever happen. “Legally they could do this?”

“Well, they could demand her blood be tested for the royal genes,” Ian explained. “Though her Draga genes are more than enough to be legally a royal by blood. One must have at least half the royal blood to be eligible to rule. It seems whoever the doctor was kept this in mind as she is one half royal, one quarter Elara, and one quarter Adele.” The scientist part of Ian looked impressed at the information, admiring the science of it all.

“It isn’t simply that,” Asher said with a shrug, slipping his hands into his pockets and stepping away from Varan with a nod of satisfaction at his wedding garb. “Adelina has always been the people’s favorite. I don’t know what it would do to her if they turned on her.”

Varan grinned and adjusted his sword. “I don’t believe you give her the credit she deserves. She’s more the wolf than the rose.”

Then Asher grinned and those sharp teeth glinted. “You’re not wrong, brother. Welcome to the family.” The dark prince held out his arm and Varan took it gladly. Asher out of them all was the ally he desperately needed. There wasn’t anyone as dominant as he…except Adelina – when she felt like it.

“Yes, we are glad there is love in this marriage,” Ian murmured, stepping forward to hug Varan. “It could have gone a completely different way, and my spy says Adelina is excited. This will be good for her.”

William smiled and he looked so sweet and innocent in that moment Varan’s heart clenched with dread as he remembered Philomena. This boy who was barely eighteen would be on the front lines with all the other warriors. There was a good chance he wouldn’t come back.

Varan would do anything and everything in his power to keep them all alive for Adelina’s sake.

“Are all of you ready?” Nadyah asked, poking her head into the dressing room. Varan didn’t miss her glance toward Ian.

Varan smiled at her and was relieved to see how happy she looked. They’d managed to come back to some kind of friendship due to their vested interest in Adelina, all the plans for the trip, and Nadyah was truly glad to see the both of them happy. Something had happened to her he couldn’t explain in the interim, but whatever it was he was thankful for it.

“My bride?” he asked.

“Oh, she was ready ages before all you peacocks,” Nadyah teased. “Now Varan, come with me to the dais. Everything starts in five minutes. You all know the cues. I’ll be back before it’s my turn to walk.” Again her eyes strayed toward Ian.

The three Draga princes nodded and gave Varan encouraging smiles, even Asher.

Now that the moment was upon him Varan’s heart raced. There were no doubts or regrets, but he did wonder how the galaxy would take a thief as their official prince.

Varan grinned at Nadyah and slipped his hands into his pockets, and bumped her shoulder gently with his as they walked. “You and the prince?”

Nadyah blushed furiously. “It’s none of your concern, Varan.”

“It’s not.” He couldn’t stop grinning. She would be perfect for the quiet male who locked himself in his labs even if they were only friends, but he had a sneaking suspicion it was more than that. His instinct was almost never wrong.

“Don’t say anything.”

“Of course not. And you’re all right…with everything?” he asked.

“It is better this way,” she murmured as they stepped outside. “For everyone. I know things were heated between us for a while, but there was no real future for us. This future you have before you – it is what you were born for Varan.”

Nadyah looked up at him and Varan paused. The setting sun cast a rainbow of colors on the cream-white stones of the courtyard, the two moons bright in their dim part of the sky. The thief and the courtesan had danced around each other for a bit, but he was as relieved as she they’d never taken that final step into a courtship. There would have been only heartbreak for them.

Even without knowing about mate bonds, Varan knew as the prince of thieves a courtesan would never marry him. Not because of his title, but because of hers. The breakup would have been disastrous.

Varan tried not to see how many people waited in the seats, in the courtyard, spilling out into the outer courtyard and all the way to the first circle of Stella di Draga. Adelina had insisted everyone be invited to the actual wedding, seats and standing room by rank. “You truly think the people will accept me after my well-known history?”

The whole ceremony and celebration would be on the livestream. And his bride had invited his entire court to this ball with the promise they behaved themselves. It was the first step toward the blending of their two worlds.

“I know they will for her, Varan. Now don’t mess this up or I’ll gut you myself. You know the words in the Ancient tongue?”

They stopped just behind the dais, hidden from as many people as possible but he could still hear the recorders flitting about, the nosy things.

“I’ve memorized them, Mistress. I promise this will go smoothly on my end.” He hesitated for a moment. “She’s not regretting this is she?”

It was unlikely Nadyah would tell him the truth, but it was something he needed to hear.

Her face softened and she placed a gentle hand on his cheek. “No she’s not regretting it at all, my friend. You two will be fine. I know it. But she did tell me to warn you her spiders will be in the ballroom as before.”

Varan smiled despite his dislike for the creatures. “Anything for her. Now go before we’re late.”

He watched Nadyah slip back into the palace for the wedding and then squared his shoulders. Varan took the stairs up and onto the main dais before thousands of people and countless recorders. He felt a bit ridiculous in his outfit, but knew it was what his soon-to-be-wife had requested and he could deny her nothing.

Then the music started and he stood to the left – the submissive position.

Pounding drums, wailing violins, and eerie flutes filled the space. Whether it was a live performance or not Varan didn’t know. His eyes were glued to the main doors of the palace – the place where she would come from.

The anticipation built and Varan felt light-headed. Never had he been so nervous, so full of expectation and longing. He wished the ceremony could be over and done with already. All this formality was chafing because all he wanted was Adelina. But for her he would wear the flashy outfit and swear whatever oath she asked of him.

Because at the end of it all she would be his. Varan would always be her first husband, and there was something intensely satisfying about that.

William exited the palace first with Roxy and Varan had to grin. His friend and adopted sister was as graceful and elegant as any noble with her stern expression and exotic beauty. Adelina had dressed her in scarlet red, so suiting for the fiery female.

The dress colors Adelina chose were a fabulous contrast to all the black roses. There wasn’t a red one to be seen. The thick spicy scent filled the courtyard with the roses covering the palace, the inner courtyard, and placed strategically from the temple to the ballroom where they would walk after the ceremony.

Varan couldn’t help but be impressed with all the detail after only two days of planning.

Nadyah was escorted by Ian next in her gown of sapphire, and the two made sure to never once look at each other. Varan knew without a doubt there was something going on between them, but he would keep the courtesan’s secret. After all, she had called him her friend. And to hear it had been the icing on the cake to such a wondrous day.

Then finally Asher came with Veri dressed in blue and turquoise. The pair was a sight to behold. So much dark power between the two of them.

Varan felt his breathing quicken as the attendants lined up. The time was finally here. The music dipped and became more dramatic. The doors were swept open one last time for Adelina and her two mothers, one on each side.

His breath caught and tears filled his eyes as he inspected her from head to toe.

She wore an exquisite lace dress in pinks and creams. A pink veil covered her upswept hair, trailing to the ground and then disappearing into the palace. Diamonds glittered in her hair, at her ears, and on her wrists – adding to the glittering shine of the mark between her breasts. A diamond tiara caught the last of the fading sun and made her look like a goddess.

But it was her eyes that caught and held him. So bright and vibrant and shining with their amethyst facets. It was the way she looked at him, burning straight through to his soul, stripping him bare before her so she could see all of him.

And she still wanted him – needed him. Adelina loved him and Varan could hardly believe it after everything. She had chosen him to be her husband and never once would he take advantage of that or take it for granted. So easily could it have been for their paths to separate forever. Varan thanked Ladra for the luck she granted him.

There was something heady and intoxicating about Adelina’s love and desire. Despite everything that he was, everything he knew she’d seen over the cycles in his court, Adelina still wanted him.

Then she reached the bottom of the stairs and neither one of them was able to look away from the other. They’d barely even blinked the entire time she approached him from the palace.

The Queen Mother kissed Adelina’s cheek and went to sit by the reigning Queen in the front row. Elara had tears streaming down her face as she hugged Adelina and Varan’s heart went out to the female. This was the first time she was able to really be a part of her daughter’s life.

Then finally Adelina walked up the stairs, keeping her gaze on him.

Varan held his hand out for her and Adelina paused at the top of the stairs, handing the bouquet of black rosaneras to Veri so she could take his proffered hand. Her lips quirked up in a smile when she noticed his submissive position.

As she stood next to him they stared at each other, both of them grinning like fools as the priestess began the ceremony in the Ancient tongue.

“This union blessed by the Three-Faced Goddess will join your two souls together – until the end of your days.” The priestess picked up the ceremonial knife from the small table before them and held out her hand.

Without hesitation Varan offered his arm and the priestess made a long slice. Blood welled, bright and red. Then she did the same to Adelina and she didn’t even flinch.

“Blood of your blood,” the priestess intoned in the Ancient tongue. She pressed their wrists together and then tied them with cream-colored spidersilk. The fires dyed it a warm orange-red from the glow. “As we join your souls we join your body as one. The blood and bone of your body will shield her, the blood and bone of your body will protect him. Any pain will be shared to ease the burden – physical or otherwise.”

The priestess took a small bowl from her assistant and placed it on the table before them, handing the small acolyte the bloodied blade. A dash of powder and flames burst from the bowl. She pulled their arms forward and let the blood drip into the fire. Somehow the chemical reaction turned the fire a strange orange-purple.

The priestess continued and her words seemed to blur together. Varan couldn’t stop staring at the female who was about to become his wife. The words were simply a formality – he was already hers in every way that mattered.

Her Draga eyes glittered when she smiled and Varan was incredibly relieved to see how happy she was. There was no sign of regret or fear, no smell of it anywhere, only that dark jasmine that twined around him like a feline around his legs.

When the priestess instructed, Adelina held out her other hand and Varan took out the ring he’d had made for her. The emerald-cut diamond burned in the firelight – Calix’s best and last work, or so he’d threatened. The sun was completely gone from the sky as he slipped the jewelry onto her finger.

Adelina did the same with the ring she’d made for him, three small diamonds on the gold band. Varan couldn’t help his grin. Of course she would make something a bit flashy.

The endless crowd of people faded away when they repeated the vows in the Ancient tongue together – more demanding and binding than any oath they could ever possibly make.

“My body will be your shield, my heart will be forever yours, and my soul is bound to yours as the goddess witnesses. I will take your pain and replace it with joy. You are the star of each night, you are the face of my sun, and the crown of my company.”

“You are the moon to my stars,” he told her.

“You are the sun to my soul,” she said with a breathless whisper.

“I am yours and you are mine. May the goddess witness,” they declared as one.

Adelina’s sweet voice was clear and strong and Varan felt his heart swell as the words they spoke felt tattooed on his soul – his heart.

There was a breath as they felt the oath settle between them. Adelina staring into his eyes, hardly breathing as her lips parted. The weight of it felt right against his chest. Varan grinned and suddenly sound rushed back. He realized they weren’t actually alone; the wedding still had to be completed.

As they’d practiced Varan turned Adelina to face the crowd and raised their bound hands, their joined blood dripping down their arms. Thousands upon thousands of voices shouted and cheered and his people were the loudest of them all.

He looked down at his wife and his heart felt like it would explode from how full it was. Varan felt as though he were about to burst with his happiness. It overwhelmed him and he swept her up in his arms, kissing her thoroughly, making her squeak with surprise.

The cheers grew louder at the impromptu show of affection and Varan couldn’t help the tear that managed to escape his eye.

He was too ecstatic to care. Adelina was his and she loved him. It was enough. He couldn’t have asked the Three-Faced Goddess, Amora, or Ladra for more. Somehow luck had always been on Varan’s side, but this was something else entirely.

Breaking the kiss he cupped one cheek and stared into her eyes, thumb tracing the soft skin of her face. Varan could hardly believe she was real.

Then she laughed and poked him in the stomach hard enough a puff of breath escaped him. “Let’s go celebrate, my husband.”

Varan grinned at hearing those words from her sinful mouth, letting her tug him along – whether she knew how irrefutably hers he was or not, it didn’t matter. Varan’s soul was forever bound to hers – mating bond or no. Their bond was their own – special and unique and blessed by the gods.

He planned to spend the rest of his life proving it to her.