Enchantment: The Laws of Segregation, Book 3 By Nina Croft

As always, at the rising of the moons, Shayla felt the magic inside her uncurl and stretch sleepily.

She didn't move until the moons hung directly overhead, then she pushed herself to her feet and held out her hand to Tallon. He slid his hand into hers and rose to stand beside her. Shayla led him out into the meadow beyond the trees where the moons could shine down on them. She released his hand but then held her own out, palm up.

Tallon drew his knife, the rasp of the blade loud in the silence. He placed the point at the end of her lifeline and then drew it down across her palm. The blood welled up immediately from the shallow cut. Tallon slashed his own palm and then pressed his hand to hers.

"I choose you, Tallon."

As she spoke the words, the sky filled with crimson lightning. A great bolt rent the night. It struck them where their hands joined. They fell to their knees but didn't let go as the magic pulsed through them and finally drained into the land.

All around them, the meadow bloomed, spreading outward from where they knelt in the tall grass. Flowers sprang up, and in the forest, blossom emerged from the bare branches. As she ran her free hand over the flowers, a sweet scent filled the air. Shayla breathed in deeply. This was how Arroway should have been. This was the way it would have been before the Laws of Segregation. But she wouldn't allow the sadness to overtake her.

Tomorrow would have to be soon enough to attempt to put right the wrongs. This night was hers. Hers and Tallon's.