us human. And we pray for relief from the monstrous Ruined, who corrupted your gifts.â
Out of the corner of his eye, Cas saw Maryâs head lift slightly, and he glanced over at her. She was fidgeting, twisting her fingers around, and she quickly stopped when she caught Casâs eye.
The ceremony dragged on. Cas didnât know why the priest felt the need to drone on about love and marriage and sacrifice when he knew very well this was a treaty marriage. It was almost rude.
âAnd to seal this union,â the priest finally said, signaling they were nearing the end, âwe unite our souls with the elements.â
Cas put out his hands, palms down, and Em did the same. The priest sprinkled a light dusting of dirt on their hands, followed by a splash of water.
âAnd we unite our souls with a kiss, to be bound until death.May this union be blessed by the ancestors.â
Cas turned to Mary. Her hands were shaking so violently it made her shoulders twitch. She took in a ragged breath, swallowing hard. Heâd never made anyone tremble in fear before, and this was possibly the worst moment ever to experience it for the first time.
He leaned forward, and their eyes met briefly as she tilted her head up to his. He barely brushed his lips across hers, and the spectators burst into applause.
Cas slid his gaze to where Mary was seated at his right. Sheâd eaten her food, and she kept turning her wineglass around in her hands but never took a sip.
The room bustled with noise around them. Tables made a half circle around the edge of the Majestic Hall, and a dance floor stretched out in front of them, with the musicians at the other end. The wedding guests were a flurry of color around themâred and orange and green gowns spinning to the music, the men in mostly white or tan, with bursts of color in the forms of flowers on their lapels. No one wore blue, as that was reserved for Emâs dress and the blue flower on Casâs gray jacket.
A man approached the head table to offer his congratulations, and Mary plastered a polite expression on her face. He was beginning to know it wellâpursed lips, head tilted to the side like she was captivated by the conversation (she wasnât), and a sigh of relief as the person walked away.
Galo stood with the other guards against the wall to Casâsright. Cas pushed out of his chair and stood.
âIâll be back,â he said in the general direction of his parents, then quickly walked away before they could protest. He said a brief hello to the governor of the southern province, so he could at least say he was greeting guests if his parents asked.
Galo stepped away from the wall as soon as Cas approached. They walked a few steps from the rest of the guards, out of earshot, and Cas watched as the people in front of them began dancing to a lively song.
âI donât know who looks more miserable, you or your wife,â Galo said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Cas winced at the word
wife
. His father had a wife. All the advisers and governors had husbands or wives. The word didnât feel like something that should be part of Casâs life.
âCan you blame us? She just arrived two days ago.â Cas scanned the room until he found Aren. The guardâs gaze followed Mary, and it occurred to Cas that perhaps he was more than a guard or a friend.
âHave you gotten to know Aren at all?â he asked, trying to keep his voice casual.
âA little. Heâs clearly not in love with Mary, if thatâs what youâre asking. Heâs already made an impression on a couple of female guards.â
Cas shrugged, unwilling to admit that he cared if Mary was in love with someone else.
âHeâs a bit strange,â Galo continued. âHeâs got six pins.â
âSo?â
âSo it means heâs killed sixty Ruined, but heâs got the demeanor of a new hunter,â Galo said. âThe ones