“The Divine have blessed us,” the crowd says in response. They clap in approval.

I know the candles are just the work of someone in the room with a blessing from Stellaria making this experience more real, but it’s unnerving to feel the hand of a deity in the room with us, even if it’s just an act.

Philip raises his hand, and the room settles. “It’s my pleasure as both the mayor of this fort and a father to welcome all of you who have come to bear witness to the joining of my son, Henry Asher Havenwood, to Harlow Catherine Carrenwell⁠—”

Philip continues to speak, but I’m too focused on Henry’s proximity to pay too much attention. I don’t like the way he’s looking at me.

It’s hard to even meet his eye after he saw my scar, after everything he told me last night. But I force myself to hold his gaze because this is just a job. I am just a woman getting married to protect her sister.

Henry’s gaze rakes over me slowly, from the loose braid in my hair strewn with Stellarium Blossoms, down over the dress that leaves almost nothing to the imagination. The silk is so thin, the dress fitted so exactly to my curves that I was nervous I wouldn’t be able to sit down.

“You look stunning,” he whispers.

My mouth falls open in shock for a split second before I can master myself, and his eyes light up.

Divine dammit. I should not let him fluster me so easily. One sob story and one minor favor, and I’m already fawning over him. What would Aidia say?

She’d probably say he’s very handsome and that I should relax and enjoy the fun part of this assignment our parents have given me.

He is annoyingly attractive. His dark hair is a little too long, but it’s combed back into neat waves instead of falling into his dark blue eyes. He’s exchanged his leather armor for a crisp white collared shirt, a black vest with golden embroidery, and a perfectly fitted matching jacket that shows off his broad shoulders and muscular chest.

“Harlow?” Henry’s whisper rips me out of my thoughts. “Are you ready for the blessing? It might be⁠—”

“Intense. I know,” I whisper.

I read about this part of the marriage ritual about ten times because it was the most vague. Henry’s parents will call down blessings from the Divine to guide us in our marriage. The book I read implied that those blessings can sometimes have “an effect” on the recipients.

Philip is joined by Evangeline. She places a hand on each of our shoulders and smiles warmly.

I stare at her. Evangeline’s face is warm and open. She’s beautiful, with dark hair and dark blue eyes like Henry’s. Faint smile lines crinkle around her eyes, but her skin is otherwise smooth and well-preserved. It’s hard to picture this woman sitting by while her son is repeatedly, violently killed so that she can bring him back.

I have the irrational urge to slap her, but it’s not as if my own mother hasn’t done her share of enabling.

“People of the Haven,” Evangeline says, her voice clear and strong. “I ask Divine Asher and Divine Harvain to bless these two children of the Divine, as they have once before. I ask Asher, who has already been so generous to us, to bless them so their lives are long and their fights end swiftly. May Harvain bless them with luck in their endeavors and in their love.”

She holds up a hand, and everyone in the crowd lifts a hand to mimic her.

“May the Divine blessings shine upon them for the good of the Haven.”

“For the good of the Haven,” Evangeline echoes.

She steps aside and Philip takes her place, resting a hand on each of our shoulders.

“People of the Haven.” Philip sounds as commanding as his wife. “I ask Divine Vardek and Divine Kennymyra to bless these two children of the Divine, as they have once before. I ask Vardek, who has already been so generous to us, to guard them from all who would wish them ill and to strengthen their marriage bond to last for many years. I ask Kennymyra to bless them with all the pleasure of partnership and to make their marriage bed fruitful with many blessed children.”

The words are jarring. It’s not as if I’m surprised by the mention of fertility. My magical bloodline is the entirety of my value to these people, who would probably otherwise have tried to kill me by now. I’ve felt their disdain since I arrived. Even if they don’t know that my family had something to do with the attack that brought down the fort, they still blame us.

But I have only made it this far by fully ignoring the fact that this arrangement comes with the expectation of bearing Henry’s heirs. This isn’t permanent, and I’m not going to be hanging around long enough for the threat of children to become an issue. I’m not cut out for mothering.

Henry catches my eye and arches an eyebrow like he’s waiting for me to object to the wording, but I refuse to give him the satisfaction. He brushes his thumbs over the tops of my hands in a soothing motion that makes me want to shove him away from me. I don’t need his comfort. His contempt is much preferred.

Philip holds up a hand, and everyone in the crowd lifts a hand to mimic him.

“May the Divine blessings shine upon them for the good of the Haven,” the crowd says in unison.

“For the good of the Haven,” Philip echoes.

The room is so still, like we’re all collectively holding our breath. Nothing happens.

Then, the candles blaze into torches and a warm tingling surges in my body. Henry squeezes my hands a little harder, and I dig my nails into his palms, trying to stay standing as the intense, swelling sensation rushes through my body.

My breathing is shallow and quick. I can’t tell if it’s the blessing itself or the sheer shock that I feel anything at all.

It only lasts a moment, but when the buzz finally abates, I feel like my insides are full of bubbles.

Philip releases his hold on us and steps back. “The blessing has been offered. Now the couple will exchange their vows.”

I’m relieved to be back in the scripted portion of the ceremony.

There were several sets of vows that we were allowed to choose from. Henry specifically chose the most generic ones. I have my theories as to why. The basic vows don’t say anything about protecting your partner. If he’s planning to kill me at some point, or even just harm me, it wouldn’t do for him to violate vows made in the eyes of the Divine. Some people believe the Divine do their part to help a promised couple hold their vows, that they compel a devotee not to violate their word.

But there were plenty of people in the city who promised fidelity and cheated on their wives anyway. I’ve never seen the hand of the Divine reaching in to right the scourge in Lunameade. I doubt I will see it here. I’m on my own.

Still, it’s a relief to not have to lie, because once I have what I need from him, I would kill him without a second thought if I could think of a creative enough way that would actually stick. It’s very likely that’s exactly what my parents will ask of me.

Philip nods to me to go first.

“I, Harlow Catherine Carrenwell, take you, Henry Asher Havenwood, to be my husband. I promise to be your partner in this life, to stand beside you in joys and sorrows, in your weaknesses and strengths. I vow to hold you in high esteem and bear your burdens along with you.”

Evangeline holds out a jeweled ceremonial blade, and I take it in one hand.

I slide the tip across the inside of my left ring finger. “Let this mark serve as a reminder of my vows. Let my blood serve as a pledge of my faith. When you bleed, I bleed, too.”

I hand the blade back to Evangeline. She dribbles well water over it and wipes it clean.

When I meet Henry’s gaze, something flashes in his eyes as he opens his mouth to speak. “I, Henry Asher Havenwood, take you, Harlow Catherine Carrenwell, to be my wife. I promise to be your partner in this life, to stand beside you in joys and sorrows, in your weaknesses and strengths. I vow to hold you in high esteem and bear your burdens along with you—” He hesitates for a moment, licks his lips, and continues. “I swear to protect you from all who would do you harm, and bring justice to those who have wronged you.”