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“Provisional yes.”
    He shouted in delight and hugged her tight, rolling with her until they were not thinking about anything but being together.
     
    Lorai looked at Melwiss and smiled. “Can you do it?”
    “A handfasting? Sure. What do you want built in?” Melwiss was gnawing on a toffee apple and focused on it with an intense look.
    Adam was looking at the mage with amusement. “I think that a light emotional exchange would be good. I would like to know if she was in danger.”
    Melwiss finished the apple and tossed the stick and core to one side. “Simple enough. When will you come back for the full balancing?”
    Lorai shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. My mother is difficult to reach, and talking to stone takes time.”
    Melwiss nodded and brushed her hands on her velvet and embroidered patchwork jacket. Her multi-layered skirt foamed around her ankles, and her brightly coloured running shoes peeped out from under the waves of gauzy cotton.
    Melwiss reached into her jacket and dug out a crimson ribbon and a small vial. She smiled at Lorai and Adam. “I need each of you to pluck out one hair at the root.”
    Lorai reached up and yanked out one of her long hairs. She handed it over to Melwiss, and the mage juggled what she was holding to fish out a tiny set of scissors.
    The hair went into the vial with the excess being trimmed by the tiny scissors. One of Adam’s followed suit.
    Melwiss pricked her finger and put a drop of blood in with the hairs before she corked it. She handed it to Lorai. “When you are ready, mix it with salt water and the balance will take place. It is going to have a lot of power, so I would make sure that you are in a safe area.”
    Lorai tucked it into her cleavage and asked, “Do we have to be together?”
    “It would be a good idea. You are going to be seized with an overwhelming urge to consummate your balancing, so if you are any distance apart, it will be difficult if not torture.” Melwiss tucked her scissors away and straightened the ribbon.
    Lorai looked at Adam and smiled. “If you are sure?”
    “I am sure.”
    Melwiss smiled. “Okay, right hand to left hand.”
    Lorai gave Adam her left hand, and he held it securely in his. Melwiss tied the ribbon around the hands and held her hands over and under the clasped grip.
    “Lorai, do you handfast to Adam with the intention to wed him? Do you promise to cleave to him for the next year when you are together? Do you give up carnal involvement with any other beings aside from your mate during the handfast?”
    Lorai smiled. “I do.”
    “Adam, do you handfast to Lorai with all the conditions I mentioned to her?”
    Adam chuckled. “I do.”
    Heat surged through their grip, and the ribbon melded and sank into their skin.
    “Great. Now, Lorai, do you give up all that you are and all that will be to your mate if your mother approves?”
    “I do.”
    “Adam, the same thing if her mother approves?”
    “I do.”
    Power crackled around them, and the vial in her cleavage glowed bright.
    Melwiss swayed. “I am happy to pronounce you handfasted with a pending balance. The balance vial will only work for you for the next two years. Take care of it.”
    Lorai released Adam’s hand and caught the mage as she collapsed. “Melwiss!”
    Juno and Derix came running from their witnessing position near the dock. Derix lifted Melwiss and nodded. “We will take care of her.”
    Melwiss waved her hand. “Jus’ tired. Need sleeth an food. Congratulashun. You are blananced.” She fell asleep on Derix’s shoulder. The snoring gave it away.
    Juno checked Melwiss’s vitals. “She’s fine. Well, as fine as she can be. She pushes herself too hard. We are going to have to find her some kind of keeper. The Mage Guild is looking into something, but few—if any—will work with her. She is too eccentric for their tastes.”
    Derix carried the mage away.
    Juno hugged her. “Don’t worry about her. She will be here when you get