Finn watched with a racing heart as his bride glided down the aisle with practiced poise. Though he knew her capable of being ruffled, no one else would with how serene she appeared holding the arm of her father. Her dark curls stood out against the ivory of the pearl-dotted gown draped over her figure. The castle’s Gifted tailors had done an impeccable job, as had the lady’s maids that assisted her earlier in the morning. 

She was mesmerizing. Enchanting in a way that stole the breath from his lungs. Yes, she was a thief indeed. 

The father and daughter paused at the end of the aisle, the duke turning to Lucianna and grasping her hands. The two spoke in whispers that Finn could not hear, though in truth he didn’t try to, as he wanted to grant them privacy. 

After a moment, Duke Morrowe took his daughter’s hand and led her up the stairs to the dais where Finn stood next to Castien, who would be officiating. The imposing duke set Lucianna’s hand in Finn’s. He fought against a tremor at the warmth of her touch. She stared down at their joined hands with an unreadable expression.

“I recognize this situation was not born out of affection on either of your parts,” the duke spoke. “But I believe you to be a man of integrity. Hold fast to the vows you make. My daughter is capable—of this I made sure—but you are to take care of her. Am I understood?” 

Finn drew in a steadying breath. He sensed the sincerity in Duke Morrowe’s voice. Finn didn’t see how a man could trade his daughter for wealth in such a manner. But he sensed that in spite of the convoluted reasoning, the duke cared for his daughter. 

And Finn would care for her, too. He had been the witness of several strong marriages in his lifetime. His mother and father, though they disagreed at times, had held firm even in the face of death. Finn’s aunt and uncle bore the weight of the crown together. Castien and Wren loved with a ferocity that rivaled anything he’d ever seen. And each of them had spoken the same vows he was about to. 

“Yes, sir. I do not make vows lightly,” Finn assured the man. 

“Good. Then I look forward to calling you my son.” 

Duke Morrowe patted him on the shoulder in a surprising show of affection, then spared his daughter one parting look before leaving them. The music stopped, and silence shrouded the room. 

“Welcome, and thank you all for coming,” Castien spoke. 

Finn noticed Lucianna’s breathing turn shallow and saw panic flicker over her expression. He reached for her other hand, then squeezed them both in an attempt to ground her. She startled, and her eyes lifted to his. Flecks of gold sparkled in the depths of her hazel irises. They matched the seashell locket that rested in the middle of her collarbone. 

“The couple will now recite the traditional Enclavian vows,” the prince announced. 

Finn sucked in a sharp breath. But he didn’t have time to focus on his own feelings, because his wife was gripping him with a dazed look in her eyes. He knew he had to distract her with teasing. Reassurances wouldn’t help in a moment like this.

“Don’t swoon on my account, little thief,” he murmured.

Lucianna dug her fingernails into his skin and glared as her eyes cleared. A chuckle slipped past his lips at the predictable response. 

“That’s better. I’d hate to have to carry you out of here.” He winked. 

She opened her mouth to reply, when Castien interrupted her. “Lady Lucianna, repeat after me, if you will.”

Finn’s vision tunneled. Everything else fell away except his wife and the sound of her voice. With every syllable she spoke, his grip tightened on her hands. 

“I, Lucianna Morrowe, swear that as long as the Star of Adira occupies the sky, as long as the Tides rise and roses bloom—that long shall I belong to you. From this day forward, what is of me is of you. Our souls are intertwined. Our breath one and the same. 

“I vow to fight beside and for you. To remain with you despite sickness, calamity, or war. I will love you until I have left this plane, and even then, my spirit will bear the mark of my promise.” 

Her sparkling hazel eyes never left his. If he allowed himself, he could imagine that she meant them. That they had somehow fallen in love and stepped onto this dais for a reason other than duty. He searched her expression, wondering what was hidden from view. Did she believe her words, or was she repeating them because it was expected of her? 

“Finn,” Castien prompted in a low voice. “It is your turn.”

Finn reared his head back, then blinked several times. He released his hold just barely, not wanting to hurt her. Then, he mustered his courage, and spoke. 

“I, Finnick Valengard, swear that as long as the Star of Adira occupies the sky, as long as the Tides rise and roses bloom—that long shall I belong to you. From this day forward, what is of me is of you. Our souls are intertwined. Our breath one and the same. 

“I vow to fight beside and for you. To remain with you despite sickness, calamity, or war. I will love you until I have left this plane, and even then, my spirit will bear the mark of my promise.” 

The words felt strange on his lips. Tasted foreign in his mouth. He’d heard them echo through this very ballroom on more than one occasion, yet it was as though he’d just discovered their existence upon speaking them. 

Castien announced the next step: the exchanging of the rings. They released each other long enough for Lucianna to slide a gold band onto Finn’s left hand, and for him to do the same to hers. The rings were solid gold, with no embellishments or jewels. He’d considered getting her something more personal but didn’t know her well enough to. And he worried that if he chose incorrectly, she would be offended. Simplicity allowed for the assumption that there wasn’t time to get a custom ring. 

As soon as the rings were on, Finn immediately grabbed her hands again. It was an assurance that this was real and a comfort that he was not alone. 

“I now present to you, Lord Finnick Valengard, and his wife, Lady Lucianna Valengard.” Castien’s voice reverberated through the room. 

Applause rang out. Lucianna’s gaze collided with his. Finn glanced meaningfully at their hands, to remind her. He hoped she would decide quickly, because his entire body was aching with anticipation. 

She squeezed once. 

Finn’s heart slammed into his rib cage. Did she really want him to? He pressed in closer, dropping one of her hands to rest his on her waist. He was about to kiss his wife. Something he thought he’d never get to do. 

Lucianna quickly squeezed his hand again, halting him. 

Disappointment struck him like a sword pommel to the sternum. He was a fool. Why would she want to kiss him? She hated him. 

Finn turned his head ever so slightly—and brushed his lips against her cheek.