Cypher wrapped his arms around his mate as she snuggled close to him. She was his world and he’d missed her while she’d been taking care of their grandson. Yes, he claimed Slate, just as he claimed Jacque, because they were a part of Lilly. And he would do anything he had to in order to keep Lilly and those she loved safe and happy.

“It’s good to have you back,” he said into the darkness of their room.

He could feel her smile against his chest. “It’s good to be back. Although I did enjoy the time with Slate, Thia, and Alina.”

Cypher didn’t like to push her about her visions, but he was truly curious about this one. “Lilly, what did you see? If Jen, Jacque, and Peri hadn’t been there at that bar, what would have happened?”

She blew out a breath. “Costin would have ended up killing Sally—not on purpose, of course. But she wouldn’t have gotten away from Jericho fast enough when Costin attacked.”

“Would he have lived? With their bond being disrupted?”

“I don’t know. It didn’t show me that. I am so glad Sally is home,” Lilly told him and he felt the wetness of her tears.

“I am too, love, I am too.”

Cypher was thankful for the victory, but what had happened at The Doghouse was just a skirmish. They were still far from the actual war that was coming. And it wasn’t coming just to the werewolves, it was coming to all supernatural races.

Cyn stood gazing at the man she loved. They were in a meadow, just beyond the border of Thalion’s kingdom. She was about to become the first fae ever mated to an elf. And Thalion was about to break thousands of years’ worth of tradition because he had fallen in love with her.

There were a few guests—some of Thalion’s closet warriors. But, otherwise, the rest of the kingdom was attempting to organize a way to fight against the king.

“Are you ready?” Reneth, the elven holy man asked.

“I was ready several centuries ago, Ren. At this point, I am way past ready,” Thalion said as he stared intently at Cyn. Most women would blush, having a man as handsome and confident as the Prince of the elves staring at them like they were his favorite meal, but Cyn wasn’t most women.

She welcomed his attention. The fae are not bashful by nature, and so it never occurred to her that she should be embarrassed by his attention. She certainly wasn’t embarrassed now because she was pretty sure she was looking at him with just as much eagerness.

“Thalion, Prince of elves, rightful ruler of the realm, you have chosen Cyn, warrior of the fae, to be your mate.”

“I have,” Thalion confirmed.

“You recognize that she cannot bear the title of princess or queen because she is not of our blood?”

“I do.”

“Cyn, warrior of the fae, you have accepted Prince Thalion’s request that you become his mate.”

“I have,” Cyn said. Her heart was pounding in her chest a million beats per second.

“You accept that your role will be as a consort and as an ambassador between the Elfin people and the fae.”

“I do.”

Reneth pause and pulled a gold cord from his robe. Just as he was about to step forward, a bright light began to glow behind him. They had to shield their eyes for a moment until the light faded. Once it receded, they saw who was standing there and immediately bowed their heads.

“Great Luna,” Reneth said as he stepped aside and motioned for her to come forward. The goddess moved with a grace that was as fluid as water and light seemed to follow her even as the shadows shied away from her.

She held her hand out to the holy man. “If I may.”

“Of course,” he said holding the golden rope out to her.

She took it in her hand and turned back to Thalion and Cyn. She smiled at them like a proud mother smiles at her children.

“If you would allow me, I would like to be the one to bind your souls,” she told them.

“We would be honored,” Thalion said as he bowed his head even deeper.

The Great Luna motioned for them to hold out their hands to one another. Then she held each of their wrists, bringing them closer together until the elf and fae clasped hands. Then she took the golden cord and began to wrap it around their joined hands. “I bind thee, Thalion, of the elves, to Cyn, of the fae. Though you are two different species, your souls are one. Together, you are strong. Do not let anything or anyone break apart what I have bound together. Let this be a reminder to you in dark times that you are not alone.”

Cyn gasped as she watched the gold cord absorb into their flesh until it appeared as though it had been tattooed there. She looked up at Thalion and saw that he was just as surprised.

“Evil is knocking on the doorsteps to your kingdoms. Stand fast and do not open it. Cling to one another. Serve your people in order to lead them and they will fight with you.” She stepped back and then smiled at them as the warmth of her light surrounded them. “This is a good union. Remember to be kind to each other. Remember to choose love when it’s easier to choose to give up. Remember that you are no longer your own. You belong to each other. What you have is precious. It is a covenant between you both and myself. Protect it, nurture it, and fight for it.”

And then, the light and the goddess were gone just as quickly as they’d appeared.

Thalion turned back to Cyn and looked at their arms bearing the matching gold cord markings. “I have to say, that is a first.”

“The union between a fae and an elf is also a first. We’ve been blessed and bound by the moon goddess,” Cyn said, her eyes wide and her cheeks flushed.

“I’ve been telling you for centuries that you were meant to be mine, woman. This could have happened a long time ago and we’d have little babes running around everywhere by now,’’ Thalion growled, though he had a teasing glint in his eye.

“Perhaps,” Cyn agreed. “Or mayhap it couldn’t have happened until now because it had to happen at the right time.”

“Will you always argue with everything I say?” he asked, pulling her closer.

“If everything you say is incorrect, then yes.”

“Dually noted. Now allow me to kiss you for the first time as my consort.” Thalion took her face in his hands and tilted it up. He looked into her eyes and Cyn felt the love in his gaze. Thalion whispered something in the elven language before pressing his lips to hers.