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‘And making the whole day possible so quickly,’ Ophelia interrupted, clapping her hands together towards their audience.

Quickly the wedding party joined in, and then everyone sitting down was applauding each other too – a wave of smiles and gratitude washing through the clearing – making Amrita realise this might be one of the most unusual weddings she’d ever been to in more ways than one.

‘Yes, thank you indeed, one and all,’ Rayenne continued. ‘And brightest blessings on this day, as we come together in love and light, and hope and joy to celebrate the wonderous gift that is two souls finding each other – Mia and Aiden. Since the dawn of time, our souls have searched across the lands we call home to find their counterparts – those who make us feel whole. Sometimes they are friends, sometimes family, and when we are very lucky, they are our romantic partners – like Mia and Aiden have found in one another.’

Amrita couldn’t help it – in that pause, her eyes sought out Jamie’s and she felt a pang of misery at what she’d almost lost in him.

‘And we are thrilled, this day,’ Rayenne continued, ‘to be here in love and light and hope to witness Aiden and Mia’s union and commitments to one another. Handfasting is an ancient rite as old as the stones of Hudsbury. It is a physical, spiritual and magical manifestation of Mia and Aiden’s love for one another, and the promises they are choosing to make to each other today in front of you, their friends, families and community.’

‘Please face each other and join hands.’ Ophelia stepped forward, holding a brightly coloured cord woven with flowers, which she lifted above their heads so everyone could see, before laying it over their joined hands. ‘Bronze and green for earth – the representation of the solid foundations your life will be built on, and the love and new life you will nurture together.’ She touched the ribbon within the cord, and it shimmered with bronze light.

‘Blue for water.’ Rayenne reached beneath their joined hands to loop the cord over them again. ‘For love that is as deep and vast as any ocean, and able to weather any storm. Silver for air – may it breathe life into your shared dreams, and bless them as you fly together.’ She looped the cord again, and the ribbons glowed in turn.

‘And red’ – Ophelia’s turn to twist, loop and tie the brightly burning sash – ‘for fire. The flame to always warm your home, and the never-ending passion you will continue to find in each other.’

‘And gold,’ they added together. ‘For spirit and magic. May they both always bless this union.’

‘Amen and so mote it be.’

The words rippled around the crowd and Amrita felt the hairs on her arm stand up as something she’d never fully be able to explain washed over her. She wondered if it was the same for everyone, or if everyone would feel something different. And what the people who didn’t know about magic would see and feel.

‘These cords,’ Ophelia finished, ‘are the symbol of the invisible threads that bind you together – not as a trap, but as a support for one another, holding you together as one. Strong in your combined love. Mia and Aiden, do you vow to honour this bond, to protect it and your love for each other?’

‘We do,’ they answered together, making the magic flare even higher.

‘Then let this knot be tied, and never be broken.’ Rayenne took hold of either end of the cord, tightening it as Ophelia gently pulled their hands apart and rejoined them over the top of the decorative knot Rayenne now held.

‘Umm.’ Ophelia pulled a face. ‘This was the point where we’d planned to exchange rings, but we haven’t exactly been able to locate them…’

Jamie stepped forward. ‘Does anyone have rings they could lend? It probably won’t hurt to have two more “something borrowed” things.’

‘Hello, hello!’ Lunar zipped through the trees, scattering cherry blossoms like slightly too-early confetti, and landed on Jamie’s arm. She ruffled her feathers, which shimmered golden in the sunlight, and dropped a small velvet bag into his hand.

‘Seems we have the rings located.’ Rayenne smiled and held out her hands.

‘Thank you, Lunar.’ Aiden rubbed her head fondly, while Mia leaned over and gently kissed the bird on the top of her head.

‘The bride and groom also have their own vows.’ Ophelia placed the rings on top of the knot. ‘Aiden, would you like to place your ring on Mia’s finger and make your commitments?’

‘Mia.’ He took her hand in his. ‘You are the most amazing person I’ve ever been lucky enough to meet. You’re the strongest person I know and you made me want to be a better person – just by being you. You brought magic into my life and have lit up and improved my life every day since I met you. And I love you so much for doing that.’ He slid the ring onto her finger. ‘I promise to do everything I can to keep making you smile every day. I promise to work with you, to stand by you, and support you in everything we do together.’

‘Aiden.’ Mia picked up the second ring. ‘You helped me to see that I am so much more than I ever thought I could be. You light me up and encourage me to challenge myself, and you changed the way I look at the world. And I love you so much for everything you are. You showed me the meaning of magic, and what love truly should be.’ She slid the ring into place. ‘And I can’t wait to start writing our own fairy-tale story together.’

‘I love you so much, Princess.’ Aiden leaned in, his hands cupping Mia’s face, and kissed her gently and sweetly.

‘I guess you can kiss your bride.’ Ophelia laughed.

Mia pulled back and blushed for a moment before Aiden gathered her more firmly in his arms and dipped her back in a showy kiss that made everyone cheer.

* * *

Jamie turned at the tap on his shoulder. Mia. She was slightly breathless from her first official dance with her new husband and absolutely glowing with happiness. She gave him a huge hug. ‘Thank you so much for helping with all this. It really is perfect!’

‘You’re more than welcome.’ Jamie squeezed her right back. ‘I’m glad to have been involved. Congratulations, Mimi. Or should that be congratulations, Mrs Griffiths?’

‘I’m never going to get tired of that! Even if it won’t be official until we get the legal bit done in a few days.’ She laughed.

‘And it seems you’ve lost your new husband already?’