She dipped her chin, hiding her smile behind her hand. “I was told to follow you and offer my assistance, since they were most likely going to be a handful.” Renai shot a sharp look at Kalen, whose eyes never left her. “I can see now that the assumption was right.”
She walked over to Trystan and Kalen, the latter reeking of alcohol. “Come now, boys. Care to escort me to a wedding?” She threw them both a glittering smile. Trystan offered his elbow, and she took it quickly before turning to Kalen. They stared at each other for a moment before Kalen walked off, shaking his head. Before he made it out the door, he swiped a bottle of whiskey and sauntered out.
“Kalen!” Renai shouted, throwing me a worried glance. “Trystan, help me round him up.” He gave her a nod and the two of them followed after Kalen.
I ran my hand down my face, regret settling into the bottom of my stomach. Briar came over and set her hand against my cheek. “Now, there is a beautiful woman out there, and she is just as excited as you are. I think it's best we don’t keep her waiting too long, don’t you agree?”
* * *
Each stepI took closer to Eva felt like a step toward the rest of my life. In many ways, that was right. I felt the tug of our bond, and knew it would lead me right to her.
Briar had turned the inner courtyard into something truly magical. In the middle, the blue willow stood tall and proud, the soft flowers glowing with each soft breeze that blew through their petals. Small lights had been strung overhead, twinkling like stars. A narrow runner had been placed on the ground between two lines of chairs on either side, roses strewn about on the soft fabric. Everyone had already taken their seats.
Renai, Kalen, and Trystan sat down near the front. Renai’s arms were crossed, her fingers tapping wildly while Kalen and Trystan spoke in hushed tones. At least there was no sign of the liquor bottle. On the other side, Ciena smiled at the glittering lights overhead.
Eva’s father stood near the back, clapping my shoulder as Briar and I walked past. There was nothing to say, no words exchanged, but it was that simple act that made me feel as if I truly belonged to his family.
We stopped short at the end of the aisle and Briar blotted away scattered tears. “Oh goodness,” she said, chuckling to herself. “I told myself I wasn’t going to cry, but look at me.” She sniffed and turned suddenly to wrap me in her small arms. “Eva is as good as my own, and I have prayed for this day for a long time. I know you will take good care of her, Matthew. You are a good man.”
I pressed a kiss to her temple. “I’ll protect her with my life.”
She ushered me forward to the base of the tree before taking a seat in the front row. My heart was beating wildly out of my chest, especially as Luka came running up with a smile on his face. I noticed his eyes were shining, and he mouthed, “She looks beautiful,” before giving me a thumbs up.
Eva and I had forgone the customary tradition of a best man or woman, given that our small gathering was already made up of the people closest to us. It felt like a slap in the face to the collective group. Though, looking at the way Kalen leaned over with lidded eyes, I was glad I had not expected anything of him. He’d grown increasingly agitated in the past few days, a deep scowl permanently marring his features. I wish he would talk to me, tell me what was going on inside his head so I could help. When I tried, he brushed me off.
I took a deep breath as the string quartet struck up a haunting but beautiful melody as the willow’s branches were pulled back. On the other side, Eva appeared from under the archway on her father’s arm. My knees buckled and I fought to catch my breath.
Gods above, she was the most enchanting creature I’d ever laid eyes on. Her raven black hair was pulled away from her face, displaying blood-red lips that curved into a sharp smile. Green eyes sparkled underneath the light of a full moon. She glanced upward, closing her eyes and exhaling a quick breath before they began their trek down the aisle.
Her gown was a pale blue, near glowing under the soft lights above as it fell to the floor around her feet. It cinched around her waist, flowing down her hips in soft waves. Satin fabric hung from her shoulders, and attached to the back was a lace cape that floated along behind on a phantom wind. And in her hands was a bouquet of lavender and white peonies.
I couldn’t take my eyes off of her as they approached. She was the song within my blood, the only thing keeping me grounded to this spot in time. I didn’t have to look to know that every eye was on her as well.
Finally, she stood in front of me. To hell with tradition or propriety, I moved forward and took her into my arms. She laughed, looking up at me with bright green eyes. For the first time in ages, it felt as though it was just the two of us. War was not looming. There were no threats to our well-being. All was safe and calm.
“Gods, you’re beautiful,” I whispered in her ear, earning a laugh. She swatted at my chest, but I pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I could look at you all day, every day, and never tire of the sight.”
“That’s good to know, because that’s kind of what we’re here to do.”
Her father cleared his throat. “Shall we?” he asked. Eva blushed, taking a step back as Briar fixed her cape and train. She offered to take the bouquet, but Eva shook her head and held them tightly.
Time seemed to halt, and the heavens opened to watch us avow our love to one another. We had chosen to keep with the old traditions, reciting the words of our ancestors. She stared into my eyes, the two of us repeating back the words we’d said all those months ago in that tiny cottage when all I knew was her. We grabbed each other’s wrists, placing our fingers upon our pulse points as we recited the words back to one another.
“I accept you as my mate. Now and forever, may we be bonded together in the heavens, before the gods, before anyone who may try to tear us apart. I promise to love and cherish you, from this day forward until the end of our days.”
Eva hissed, doubling forward to examine her wrist as if she’d been burned. Though the skin where her brand sat previously was marred, the marking no longer visible, it emitted a soft glow. I stepped forward, taking her hand in mine.
On a patch of brand new skin sat our mating mark. The raven and the flaming sun combined in one. She looked up, happiness shining. “Oh gods,” she said, marveling at the fresh mark. “I thought it was lost forever. I thought—”
I surged forward, laughing as I kissed her and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I picked her up off the ground. We spun in circles, our friends and family laughing along with us as they clapped. Briar and her father sat in the front, dabbing at their tears with a handkerchief while Renai and Trystan smiled, watching us with love in their eyes. Kalen sat slumped in his seat, running a hand through his hair before he stood and stormed off.
Renai shook her head before sliding out after him. That was a problem for another day.
Eva leaned forward, pressing one final kiss to my mouth before whispering in my ear. “I can’t wait to bed you tonight, husband.” Her eyes glistened with heightened mischief, a declaration and promise of the evening ahead of us.
* * *
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,”I chanted through gritted teeth as Eva palmed my thick, hardening cock through my breeches. She giggled, the sound running away with my heart.
