With locked eyes as they had, the heat of the coals was further placed than the back of Fendros' mind in that moment. In the past, Ahnasha and Fendros had spent many silent periods laying side-by-side and just staring into one another's eyes, but it had never been with this much intimacy before. The oath they had taken may have just put them into a temporary hypnotic focus, some rational parts of their minds might have thought, but there was the hint that their connection was now forged by powers greater than themselves. Fendros, too, felt that he was closer to Ahnasha than he had been in all his immediate memory.

"All have born witness to this moment, where two souls are united," the priest continued. "Release the ashes, come together, and you shall embrace as husband and wife."

Fendros loosened his grip enough to let go of the ashes in their hands. With consciously restrained haste, he stepped halfway around the brazier to meet Ahnasha in an embrace and kiss to seal their marriage. He had no intention of holding back the love he felt, even if they might be pressed together too tightly to breathe.