Chapter 166 The binding

Chapter 166 The binding
Irin relaxed and smiled at the heads of the temple. She could hear the guests whispering about how the gods had appeared and seemed to favour the bride and groom. Irin only cared about what would happen next. She turned towards Koth again, and they joined their right hands as Jacob stepped forward.
"Before Alesseja, Mother of Life, Keeper of Bloom and Breath,
we gather to witness the binding of two souls who have chosen one another freely. Love is no chain forged in duty, but a living thing, tender as spring rain, strong as rooted trees, and worthy of devotion," he said.
"You stand here not as master and servant, nor as ruler and ruled, but as equals who place their hearts willingly into one another's keeping. May Alesseja bless your union with warmth in cold seasons, laughter in dark days, and life where despair would otherwise take root. May your home know joy, your table never stand empty, and should children come of this bond, may they be welcomed beneath her gentle gaze." The priest took out a pale green ribbon and tied it around their hands. Irin's gaze was locked with Koth's, but from the corner of her eye, she saw Alesseja send magic in the form of a ray of light to the ribbon, and it started to bloom.
"What is bound here is not flesh alone, but trust, devotion, and choice," Jacob said with a smile and took a step back, leaving room for Almot to step forward. In his hand, he held a bowl of saltwater and placed a drop on both Irin's and Koth's foreheads.
"Neprim, Lord of Sea and Storm, hear this vow carried upon the tides. Love is not still water. It rises and falls. It changes with season and wind. May these two endure the storms together. May they never abandon one another when waters grow dark or deep. As the sea returns always to the shore, may their hearts return always to one another," Almot recited. Irin felt Neprim's magic touch her, and she saw the drop of water on Koth's forehead turn into a pearl. Almot took a step back and gestured to Senaya, who took his place. She held a large blanket that she draped around both of them.
"Noxa, Lady of Night, Keeper of Secrets and Stars, watch over this union when daylight fades. Grant them comfort in silence, honesty in darkness,
and peace beside one another in sleepless hours. Let no shadow born of fear, jealousy, or grief divide what love has joined. May they always find one another, even in the longest night," the priestess said, and her goddess magic floated towards them like black tendrils. The magic wove itself into the blanket, making it look like the night sky, filled with stars. Last to step forward was Libero, and he placed a jet black rock at their feet.
"Holea, Keeper of Souls and Guardian of the Quiet Path, bear witness to this vow. All mortal things must one day end—kingdoms, songs, and flesh alike.
Yet love leaves echoes even death cannot wholly silence. When their final days are written, let them meet the end without regret. And when one soul must walk before the other into your halls, let no bond between them be broken by death itself." Holea sent her magic into the rock by their feet, and it turned into a black diamond the size of Koth's fist. Irin stared at it, and then at Koth. He smiled back at her, looking so happy that the diamond vanished from her thoughts. All the heads stepped up and formed a half-circle around Irin and Koth. Jacob spoke up.
"Four gods have witnessed. Four blessings have been given. Before life and sea, before night and death, you have chosen one another. Will you walk together through joy and grief, through abundance and hardship, through all the turning seasons of your lives?" he asked.
"We will," Irin and Koth said as one.
"Then, by the grace of Alesseja, and beneath the gaze of the Four,
I bind your souls together. What was divided shall now walk as one.
What was uncertain shall now stand together. And where one heart falters,
let the other remain steadfast. You are bound in love, in trust, and in fate," he recited, and Irin saw four strands of magic form a bond between her and Koth's hearts.
"So witnessed. So blessed. So bound," all the guests chanted as one. Irin could hardly contain her happiness. Koth had a single tear rolling down his cheek. Irin used her free hand to rub it away.
"Time to seal the deal the only way I seal deals," Alesseja told them. Irin turned bright red and looked at her goddess. Alesseja giggled. "Well, yes, that way as well. But let's save that for later. I was thinking of a kiss." Koth chuckled as he drew Irin closer.
"Such a dirty mind; I find it very flattering," he whispered to her, and then he kissed her. After the kiss, the priests and priestesses helped them gather the gifts and untied the ribbon. All gifts were placed in a woven bag and given to them.
"When everyone has dried their tears, it's time for the feast to begin. Please make sure that you eat, drink, and make merry as best as you can," Irin's father told everyone. "If you wish to partake, we would be most honoured," he then said with a bow toward the gods.
"We need to return. We can't linger in the mortal realm too long. But we will all be here in spirit, and I am never far away from this place," Alesseja said. The gods all inclined their heads towards Irin and Koth, and then they were gone.
"Well, I have never," Senaya said.
"This is really a cause for celebration," Libero agreed. The guests moved towards the table that was overburdened with food and drink. People were happy; they were talking about the good, how lovely the ceremony had been, and how lucky they felt to have been invited to witness such an event.
"Are you happy, little one?" Koth asked Irin. She beamed up at her new husband.
"I am. How about you?"
"It's hard to contain the happiness," he told her. She kissed him again.
"Now you are my husband," she said. Koth looked at her with surprise, then he grinned.
"That means you are my wife. I love you, Irin."
"I love you too, Koth."
"Now I need to feed you, and once we have made sure your father has drank one or two flagons of ale, we will talk to him about Ayyan," Koth said. Irin laughed and hooked her arm in his.
"Lead the way, husband. We have food to eat, fathers to persuade, and youth to corrupt," she urged him on.