---
There were no singers. There were no banners. No parade of names and ancestors and old noble nonsense designed to make two living people feel small under dead traditions.
Elena spoke first, not in the tone of a priest, but in the tone of a witness who understood exactly how much power true words held when spoken properly and privately.
"These vows are spoken under this roof, before chosen witnesses, by free will and with full awareness," she said. "No house beyond this room holds authority over what is said here until those within choose to reveal it."
Seraphiel added from her seat, "And if any of you later claim you were confused, I will personally haunt your life."
Elena did not even turn her head. "Thank you, Seraphiel."
"You are welcome."
Sekhmet almost smiled. Lily nearly did.
The tension broke by exactly enough.
