#60

Blake

“Saor 'ur n-aithreachas, (set free your regrets)” she barely whispered. Before pulling away. As Aurora turned from me to Evander, I saw the priestess's mask drop and her face became alight with a smile so true I doubted I had ever truly seen her in life before now. Eyes aglow for all to see the beauty of the woman she had become shone out like the sun, which was slowly descending around us. Evander’s face mimicked that joy, and for the first time, I was seeing not the Alpha but the man. Had I been so blind all these years not to know him as I should?

I placed a hand on their shoulders as they stood facing each other, the cord still in my left hand that gripped Evander's muscled shoulder, my right on her slim one. “Now for why we are here,” I called out, getting a few chuckles. My sister has chosen the colors of the binding cords. We have addressed the white., The purple cord represents the bloodlines both she and Evander descend from the blood of the ancestors of both of our peoples' first blessed. The grey cord represents strength and balance. You may not have known this, but Aurora almost died before she became Evander's mate. He brings the balance that allows her powers to live within their mortal bodies.”

Murmurs of shock from those gathered due to all the information they were learning but respected the setting they quickly hushed. I could see the sense everyone was trying to make. “Here, before you stand two of the strongest people I have known both physically and morally in my life. They both hold character despite the cards they have been dealt, and I honestly.” I continued giving them each a small squeeze. “Couldn't be happier for you both. It was a realization I had come to. What better man did I know to love and protect her? Who better could offer her a sanctuary of acceptance than her mate?” I gazed over the crowd meeting each and every one's eyes. “The Mother put you on the same journey she put me on and has brought you back to me and I am grateful,” I added. “I hope you will consider this place and its people home as I have.

“Before the eyes and ears of the witnesses of the Hallow moon pack. I hereby declare I Blake Branwen Mc Nichol am a priest of The Mother and will perform this rite as her hand. Removing my hands from their shoulders and draping the cord over their joined right hands. “I call the winds of the east those whose element is air, the breath of life to aid us with the task at hand.” A chill breeze swept the circle, and Aurora, I could tell, l felt the energy shift. The pack's eyes shifted around, but they remained rooted. I reached for a candle on the table behind me. “I call the winds of the south, those of fire that which offers us warmth, renews life, and drives the passion of our souls to aid us with the task at hand.” The wind blew dry from the south and the candle lit. “I call the winds of the west, those of water that sustains our thirst, that which can be as gentle as a summer’s raindrop or as fierce as a raging river cutting through stone, to aid us with the task at hand.” The wind blew from the west bringing with it a gentle mist. I call the wind of the north that of the earth which provides us not only sustenance and shelter but grounding for our roots to aid us with the task at hand. The wind blew and the late fall leaves fluttered to the ground around the clearing as the earth beneath us gently shook to announce its presence.

I looked at the couple before me continuing rather than being distracted by the flabbergasted pack before me as they clung to each other with worry. My Alpha and my Luna still stood staring intently at each other beaming brightly with pure joy. “And now I call The Mother the spirit of us all to bear her witness and blessing to the couple before us as they speak their vows and the sacred cord is tied,” I spoke. Vines grew from Aurora’s head wreath twining through the tresses of her hair and blossoms emerged throughout their tendrils. Gasps and agape mouths littered the audience. “Aurora, your vows,” I cued. “I Aurora Doireann McNichol, take Evander Shade Robertson as my mate and husband. I will honor your strength, abide by your counsel, and love you eternally with the bond of my soul to yours, in joyfulness and sorrow, in war and peace. I shall weather your storms as my own. I will be your shield or your sword, your compass as a voice of reason, or a point of praise. For all of our days, I will remain true to you in loyalty and faithfulness. Always yours, with all that I am and all that I will be.”

Her voice had been steady as she slipped our father's ring onto Evander’s finger. She had given me mother’s to give to Whinnie. The moisture collecting at the corners of her eyes was her only betrayal of the emotion that overwhelmed her. I wished Mom and Dad could see her this way as she was meant to be. Not hidden to the side like a cast-off second-rate child they had to make her out to be, but as the hand of the goddess herself. I made a loop in the cord. “Your vows have been heard by the witnesses before you, the guardians of the four winds, and The Mother herself.” I finalized her end of the transaction. “So mote it be,” she said, along with me in unison.

“Evander your vows,” I prompted. Wondering If he could top her vows. “I Evander Shade Robertson take you, Aurora Doireann McNichol as my mate and wife. I promise not to belittle your strength to bolster my ego. But I will stand by as your knight in service of his queen. My love, you have made me whole when I didn't know I was empty and I shall be your servant or your king, as our lives require. I will be your roots to ground you and the well to share and store your troubles. I will provide for and protect you regardless of what you can do for yourself. Though destiny has her plans for our future I am eternally grateful she gifted us to each other to weather the storms and joys to come. My life henceforth belongs to you and the future we will erect around us in good times and in bad. I vow to be faithful, steadfast, and true. With all that I am and all that I will be, always yours.” I looped and knotted the cord realizing I kinda missed this part of who I was meant to be. Evander slipped the moonstone ring onto her finger.

I chuckled a little on the inside knowing where that jewelry had come from When I pulled the ends tight, binding their joined hands in an intricate knot. I raised both hands. I Blake Brenwen Mc Nichols declare by the laws of The Mother That Evander NightShade Robertson and Aurora Doireann Mc Nichols are now bound as one. May they live prosperous and strong in their union. The pack cheered while the couple came together in an effortless embrace caressing each other's features as a deeply soul-binding kiss sealed their fate. My sister's life was now also my Alpha’s. If one died the other would follow. Their connection was innately rare and beautifully dangerous. If something happened to them the guilt was on me. But I would pay with my guilt. Seeing her not just alive but living for however long she had at least, they would be happy together.