Page 13 of Serpent and Shadow

“It felt true, when he said it,” I admitted. “Maybe that’s why the King’s words didn’t surprise me. If it is true, which you seem to be implying, I can’t say I fully understand what it means.”

Forsooth nodded, but I saw something in his eyes clear. “Is there a particular area you would you wish me to clarify?”

I might’ve laughed under different circumstances, but I didn’t.

“Is it a legal marriage?” I asked.

“Yes,” Forsooth replied without hesitation.

“Even without a ceremony?” I pressed. “Or vows?”

He exhaled, combing his fingers through his wild, bushy hair.

“Yes,” he said apologetically. “Such things are more magic-based here, compared to what you are likely accustomed to from human Earth. The legal aspect is more of a formality. The actual marriage takes place on the level of magic. Although you’re correct that, even here, a wedding ritual is normally how that bonding takes place.” His eyes measured mine. “Regardless, your magic is fully bonded to his in a way we recognize legally.”

I nodded, fighting to make this feel real.

On one level, it did feel real, like I told him. On another, I had absolutely no idea how to feel about that information, or even what I was supposed to feel.

Forsooth went on a bit more brightly.

“As to what that means, the legal aspect, there are several implications.” Forsooth folded his arms over his chest and tilted his gaze towards the ceiling. “For one, a citation now exists in the Magical Records Repository at the Central Magical Authority complex in London, registering you formally as husband and wife. That changed your legal and familial status in a number of ways, particularly given the two Magical families involved.”

He gestured vaguely with a hand, without changing the focus of his eyes.

“…Those status changes were communicated to all legally-interested parties, including this school. Once Vaevarya Anastasia Bones transferred the bulk of the Bones Estate to your husband’s control, record of your marriage was also copied into all linked financial records, including official family trees for both the La Fey and the Bones families, as those are both royal succession lineages and must be notified.”

So Valor knew.

Aunt Ankha’s son likely knew.

Would my brother, Archie, have been notified, too?

“The King’s succession records have also been updated,” Forsooth added. “Which is likely how the King learned of it.”

Forsooth ran another hand through his wild hair, which now practically stood on end.

“Your own personal wealth,” he continued. “As well as any expected inheritances, will now be counted as part of the vast Bones’ holdings, as will theirs be counted as part of yours, and by extension, to the La Fey lineage, even if only you have access to it. Unless, at some point, children become involved.”

He coughed lightly into his hand.

I stared at him numbly.

“When?” I asked.

Forsooth flinched, but he answered at once.

“We got the first letter exactly two weeks ago,” he said. “We were notified of the property changing hands three days ago.”

“Two weeks ago,” I repeated numbly. “We’ve been legally married for two weeks?”

“Yes.”

Forsooth paused, perhaps waiting for that much to sink in.

Or perhaps he simply waited for me to ask him something else.

When I didn’t, he nodded, as if to himself.