With the focus they had put on each other, neither Fendros nor Ahnasha had noticed the period of applause that had welled up from their small group of guests. Fendros did not even give it much attention after their kiss, instead returning Ahnasha's smile with a wide grin and loosening his hold on her just enough to see her face. She really did look beautiful in this light. Now she was his wife, and he her husband. It felt like it had always been this way but now he was made aware of it. He could not be happier.

"I would like to thank the friends and family of the new couple for attending today," the priest spoke over Fendros and Ahnasha with a soft smile. "I present to you all, Fendros and Ahnasha, two souls made into one."

The applause renewed for a short while. Fendros ran his hand to hold Ahnasha's fingers, sans the one severed years ago. In his peripheral vision, he could see Llarasa, Monderyn, and his mother Calia clapping with smiles on their faces. In turn, he could see the pack providing similar expressions. Even Rhazii clapped, though he did not likely understand the meaning of the ceremony as much as the rest of them.

"Now, given my previous words with the couple, all guests may remain in the temple into the late afternoon," the priest explained with his sermon tone restrained. "I will be available in the study behind the altar to Boethia if there are any matters that require my attention, but until then, I shall leave the wedding procession to its own devices. Congratulations, Fendros, Ahnasha. May your love outlive you both."

With that, the priest stepped away, leaving the brazier softly glowing behind him.

Fendros barely perceived the shuffling of feet from the pews nearby. He rubbed his thumb over Ahnasha's hand, feeling the remaining powdery ash in her fur. "Hello, dear wife," he murmured to her as if it was his first greeting of the day.

On the pews, Sabine had not stood up yet. She was sitting in a hunch with her hair covering the sides of her face. A sniff from her made Meesei next to her realise that she may have been trying to hide some emotion during the ceremony.

Janius slid one arm around Kaleeth-rei's shoulder after they stood up, giving her a smile. "I admit, I was expecting something far drier. That was a nice ceremony, don't you think?" To give Kaleeth a break, Janius stooped down and picked up newt to hold in his arms.

Meanwhile, Fendros' family had stood up and was just about queuing up to see Fendros and Ahnasha. Calia, matronly as she was, had the head of the queue with no one guiding her this time. Though her posture and gait was as commanding as ever, her small smile made her less intimidating. "Congratulations, son." She angled her head to Ahnasha. "And welcome to our family, my new daughter-in-law."