#59

Evander

I stood to the right of an arbor we had set up for the ceremony. Solar lanterns were hung from tree boughs and little winking fairy lights were strung among the branches and had been charged fully so we could celebrate our union under the light of the moon. We were in a clearing near the rushing waterway that cut through the heart of our valley, yet far enough off that the sound would not tamper with the sacred vows about to be spoken. We were dressed casually. Most of the women had thrown on their best dresses, but we lived simply here. Jeans and button-downs and threadbare jackets or sweaters for warmth adorned the men. My palms were sweaty with apprehension. I looked at the sky. ‘Get a hold of yourself man’ I tried to coax the part of me acting like a pre-teen about to talk to a girl I liked. I was marrying my mate today, she would soon be my wife under the laws of her people.

In the short time, we had known each other her life had changed in leaps and bounds yet she moved through her changes with the grace of a goddess and the humility that beamed from the light of her soul captivated me. While her darkness was rooted inside her, where justice and vengefulness cradled her pure yet scared heart. That darkness did not vanquish her light but supported it. Even her demons respected her. She was mine, as I was hers and hopefully, soon we could guide our people together.

My eyes raised as Amy skipped into the clearing wearing a white lace dress with a silver ribbon tied in a bow on her head. She stopped, looking up at everyone smiling. Alex appeared next to her and they each gingerly took the knotted lengths of tri-colored cords. Aurora’s hands had woven the lengths into a Celtic band, intricate and beautiful in the colors of purple, grey, and white. The pact today was going to be getting a lesson in witches, as well as the celebration before them.

The duo walked the cord to Blake with careful steps taking their job in this task very seriously. As Blake took the knotted strands, he addressed those curious eyes before them. “My pack and my friends, my family,” he said, his eyes scanning the small crowd of us. All were in attendance besides those few watching the borders keeping an eye on the rouges. “It is time that I shared with you where I came from. I am a witch as you know, but I am also the last son of the last original bloodline blessed by The Mother. That also makes my sister the last daughter as heir to the power blessed upon our people. When we were little, it became clear very early for us that our abilities outweighed our peers, but while mine were explainable due to our parentage, my sister's ability grew 100-fold. She is not just a witch, she is den m hathair (of The Mother).” The faces of the pack looked stunned as they gauged each other's reaction while sitting on long benches in a circle around the arbor Dun had created in short order. Blake went on.

“Aurora had to keep her gifts hidden since she was bearly able to walk, but I was raised as the beacon to hide her light, she was forced to isolate herself from others and pretend she was ordinary and unsociable, It wasn't her fault she was gifted, yet no matter the coven my parents chose to reside in she would always be seen as a pawn to someone if they knew what she was. Witches as a whole have ulterior agendas from the roots we were originally intended to foster. Many are greedy for power. The things they could do with her abilities would haunt your nightmares.”

“Some of you know that when I came of age, I went on a journey into these very mountains where I came across my mate.” He smiled at Whinnie, who beamed back. She nodded her support as He took a sharp breath before bearing himself to the pack. “Friends, I cannot officiate this union without coming clean to my brethren. He lifted the woven cords. The white cord in this binding that will unify our Alpha to my sister represents purity, and a pure heart is honest. I will admit to you all here that the day I met my mate was both the best and the worst season of my existence to date.” Confused murmurs uttered from the lips of those gathered.

“The day I met my mate was also the day of my parent's passing. The fire I was found in was one of my own makings, as I lacked control of my abilities in my heartache as the power within our bloodline passed into me. When I learned who Whinnie was to me, I poured myself into her love and forsook the girl, who I had left orphaned and alone.” Blake finished. His eyes found hers as she stepped into the clearing, her hair worn loose falling in radiant waves shone in the light of the setting sun. Her cream shawl covered her shoulders the earth tones of the dress warming her pale skin and accentuating her breathtaking natural beauty. The wreath upon her head was alive with colorful blossoms. To me, she seemed to almost glow as a whole, her power within me reacting to its point of command. Moving forward, staring at her brother, her irises glowing a soft jade. She had heard his confession to the pack. When her voice spoke, strength and intent were clear in her soft words. “My brother, in the name of The Mother I Aurora Dorieann Mc Nichols, swear, you are forgiven with the four winds as my witness,” Blake nodded shuffling a little and when they were arm's length from each other he wrapped her in a teary embrace. “Thank you,” he whispered. As they parted, she whipped his tears away, murmuring something soft in Gaelic I couldn't make out before she turned to me.