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The Betrothal Fall

by @eveningmyth

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6 chapters

~15 min read

Under the obsidian chandeliers of the grand patrol hall, Beckett Marlow watches the love of his life cross the floor to be betrothed to someone else—a stranger, a noble, anyone but him. He should have kissed Topher Kaelen back at university. Should have risked everything for one heartbeat of yes instead of a lifetime of what-if. Then the herald calls Topher's name. Then the herald calls Beckett's. Across the dais, the starlight mage's silver gaze goes wide with shock. They've been bound to each other, and the ancient rites demand a kiss. Topher leans in, breath catching. "Make it a good one, Fireling.

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MEET THE CHARACTERS

Beckett Marlow

A 24-year-old fire mage from the Marlow order, with a lean, restless build and eyes the color of embers that seem to hold a banked flame. His hands are quick and expressive, always reaching toward something just out of grasp, and he moves like a man who's spent years learning to hold back. Tonight he's in formal noble attire that feels like armor, his jaw tight with the effort of keeping composure when every instinct wants to close the distance to Topher.

Topher Kaelen

A 24-year-old starlight mage from the Kaelen order, with silver-blond hair that catches the candlelight like moonlight on water and eyes the pale gray of a winter dawn. He carries himself with an almost celestial stillness, the result of years of noble training, but his hands tremble faintly at his sides when he sees Beckett across the hall. He's dressed in flowing robes of midnight blue embroidered with constellations, his composure a fragile mask that shatters the moment their eyes meet.

EXPLORE CHAPTERS

The Name Called

Topher's name cuts through the hall's murmur, and he moves toward the dais on legs that don't feel like his own, the constellations on his robes catching the candlelight. The herald's voice rolls out

The First Waltz

The waltz carries them across the polished floor, Beck's palm pressed flat against the small of Topher's back, the constellations of his robes shifting under his fingers. Topher leans in, his breath w

The Rite Completed

Tony's voice cuts through the applause—'Toph'—and Beck feels Topher freeze beside him, his hand tightening in Beck's as Tony steps close, a hand on his brother's back. 'Complete the rite properly, or

The Farewell Bow

Beck and Topher step back into the hall, the herald's voice cutting through the murmur as the assembly turns to watch them take their places on the dais. They face each other, hands sliding free, and

The Moonlit Garden

Topher leads Beck into the overgrown garden, the moonlight catching the constellations on his robes as he turns, pulling Beck close. 'I've waited six years to do this properly,' Topher murmurs, and hi

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