Pair bonded wedding rings!

  Show off how important your partner truly is with a pair bond ring. Guaranteed to dazzle the Awakened world and become a constant reminder of your feelings even when apart.

  Where a traditional ring might sparkle, or even glow, under the right illumination, pair bonded wedding rings reflect the strength of the bond and over time will come to be uniquely associated to the paired Energies of the couple.

  ~ * ~

  Stepping out onto the stage Anya realized how much easier it was when she was here for herself. Last time she had been shown off as the next generation of Holding Lys, this time she was taking her place as co-ruler of her own Holding.

  Fully aware of Seb coming to a stop beside her she smiled, ignoring the lingering memories that she hadn't quite banished, before taking Seb's hand in hers and letting him lead her down into the hall. She'd managed to get a glimpse of the gathering and had identified her mother's table.

  Your family first? Seb sent.

  We need to find Fay, she answered. But they're right there. I want to congratulate Sandra, I've missed her.

  Family then.

  She took the lead, slipping past the tables and trusting in Seb's ability to follow. The strange sensation she had felt around the clerk kept prickling at her as she came near other Awakened, the majority giving off the sensation of weakness while the remainder gave off nothing at all.

  Seb? Do you?

  They're weaker? he answered. The ones that aren't, their Energy is like the strange goblins.

  She frowned even as she felt a degree of realization come over him.

  Yours is too. It wasn't before we leveled up.

  You think?

  She felt his silent agreement as they paused next to Holding Lys's table.

  "Sovereign Lys, Princess," she said with the slightest of nods.

  "Sovereign Syl, Partner," her mother replied while her sister simply smiled. The rest of the table was a mixture of glares and shock, only the Seneschal inclining his head in approval.

  "Lisa, I-" Sandra said before making a face and starting over. "Anya!"

  Anya gave a slight smile and held out her arms ever so slightly, a gesture she hadn't used in years but that still felt as familiar as when she had done so daily. Sandra all but leapt out of her chair as she raced around the table and launched herself into her arms.

  "When did you get so tall?" she asked after a brief hug.

  "I told you I'd be taller than you. You always smiled and said we'd see."

  "And now I do see." She said with a laugh before turning them both to face Seb.

  "Sandra, this is my Partner, Seb. He was down the hall when we said goodbye. Seb, Sandra."

  "Pleased to meet you my Lord," Sandra said.

  "Seb," he answered.

  She was about to remind him that they were expected to be formal when he continued, his frustration at the situation leaking through the band.

  "Please. Just call me Seb, you're her sister."

  "Lord Sebastian," the Seneschal said from across the table. "Might I remind you of the lessons we-"

  Anya saw Seb shake his head slightly and turn to face the table while cutting the man off gently.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  "You are right. Formality is appropriate and has it's place. However the sister of my Partner informality is acceptable. And My Lady Anya did introduce us informally."

  "As you say my lord."

  "Daughter," Lyselle said. "Or do you prefer Sovereign?"

  "Your Highness, or is it Mother?" she answered just as calmly.

  "You've surpassed me, you've found your answer and it seems you found someone suited to you. Congratulations to you both, truly."

  Anya saw the tension in the retainers, the uncertainty those words sparked. Perhaps most shocked were the few who seemed no older than her sister, her entourage she suspected. Her mother had never been against her, but openly praising her was another matter.

  "Thank you mother," she said. "Perhaps we might speak later? We have a friend who we are still trying to find."

  "Mother, could we visit?"

  "Yes, if your sister is willing to have us."

  She glanced at Seb, her thoughts racing in every direction. Did she want to have her family visit? Did she want to reconnect with her mother? She'd gladly see Sandra again, spend time talking with her about the last few years, or at least the parts that might not traumatize her.

  "We would be happy to have you visit, your Highness," Seb answered as she debated. "We will need to coordinate to determine when will work, we are rarely home."

  Anya felt Sandra look between them in surprise, worry filling her eyes as she did.

  "Don't worry, we spend most of our time Diving."

  "Oh! Is that how you advanced so fast?"

  "Part of it at least," she agreed.

  "My Lady, my Lord?" a voice came from behind them.

  Turning she saw one of the uniformed staff pausing just far enough away to be discreet.

  "Yes?" she asked.

  "The Keepers of Deep Earth convey a request that you join them for lunch in three days."

  "The Keepers?" Seb wondered.

  "Anya," her mother said from behind them, her tone concerned enough to draw her attention in the moment. "The Keepers of Deep Earth is the formal position your Godparents hold."

  "Please let the Keepers know we will happily join them," she told the staff member.

  "Thank you mother."

  "Of course. Now, go find your friend."

  ~ * ~

  They'd made it halfway to the back of the hall without any sign of Fay when the next interruption came. Seb had tried to take advantage of his aura to determine where she was but the sheer number of Awakened left his impressions muddled the moment he focused on anything more than few feet away.

  "Anya! Seb! I mean my Lady and Lord Syl."

  Almost as one they paused, just in time as a young woman, at least if he guessed by Unawakened metrics, nearly crashed into them. Slightly taller than Anya she almost reminded him of Claire, if Claire had understood the meaning of restraint and modesty.

  Anya?

  No idea.

  "We thought you'd be coming to the table right away, but then you disappeared into the crowd and Fay started to get nervous. I said I'd go find you, and maybe find a waiter for some food, she's had a long day, a long few months if you ask me."

  Seb couldn't help but tense at the verbal barrage, she wasn't anywhere near Seer Sean's level but her enthusiasm was a shock.

  "You said Fay?"

  "Yes, our table is just a few rows over," she said with a gesture behind her. "Oh, right, how silly of me. I'm Briana, Fay's told me so much about you that I feel as though we've met more than once."

  Fay, he sent.

  Not Phel.

  Here at a formal affair.

  She did say we had to catch up.

  And left to run an errand rather than arrive with us.

  "She was right, you really are cute when you do that!" Briana nearly gushed.

  Cute?

  "Coming? I know Fay wanted to introduce us."

  Sharing a smile they followed along behind Briana, letting her lead them past just enough tables that they never would have noticed their friend sitting alone. Seb saw Fay's face light up as she locked eyes on Briana before she stood up and bowed ever so slightly to them.

  "My Lord, My Lady."

  "Senior Seer Phelann," he answered with a smile.

  "Fay, do I need to remind you that-" Anya began.

  "I don't have to be formal? That you have to drink your coffee and eat your food before you can argue?"

  "Yes. No. But I am hungry."

  "The rings suit you both," Fay said as they all sat back down. "Could see a hint of the glow when you were on stage, even from back here."

  "He-" Anya tried to glare but failed as she held her hand up for easier examination. "He slipped it on my hand right as I was showing off my dress, then whisked me away through the portal before I could tell him I loved him."

  "She's lying." he said. "She's all but screaming it in my thoughts every time she looks at our hands."

  "I am not," she answered then blushed. "Not in words at least."

  Seb saw Briana shift her chair slightly closer to Fay's and smile.

  "You sent your date to find us?"

  "She insisted, she said I was working too hard and should relax."

  "You are," Briana said. "Always working, even when you come get coffee."

  "Coffee?" Seb asked.

  "Yes, she comes in three or four days a week for breakfast and at least once a day for coffee as well."

  Seb looked at her, waiting to see if she'd clarify.

  "I run a coffee shop, a cafe really."

  "Their food is great, their coffee is almost as good as actual Kaf," Fay added.

  "The food is good and you have to find somewhere that makes this mysterious Kaf you keep saying is better than my coffee."

  "One day," Fay said. "Maybe."

  "She asked me to join her here a few weeks ago. I hope you're not offended. She hadn't told me you'd be attending until yesterday morning."

  "Not at all," Anya said. "She didn't mention you so we were a little surprised."

  "Fay!"

  "They got home and ran into the meditation chamber then wouldn't wake up!" Fay said. "You remember what it was like passing the wall, don't you? They were exhausted before they went through it."

  "You could have told them after."

  "They were running around looking for appropriate outfits, and I wanted to be sure I had that last report finished."

  "You and your reports," Briana chuckled. "Or if not those, it's your research."

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