Ruvon was more than happy to drink to that.
The guys all joined in the salute.
"Now the cigars," Dammal announced, opening the velvet case. "Boss? You want to go first?"
Kalugal waved a dismissive hand. "Pass them around."
Ruvon wasn't a big fan of cigars, but he made an exception for Cohibas.
"Good stuff," he murmured as he pulled out a cigar and passed it under his nose to sniff it.
"Cutter," Dammal said, passing one around.
"Light," Hivak said, producing a fancy torch lighter that looked like something that belonged to Kalugal.
The room filled with the rich, slightly sweet smell of expensive tobacco. Ruvon got his cigar lit on the second try and drew in a careful mouthful of smoke, holding it on his tongue for a bit, and exhaled.
It suddenly occurred to him that he was bringing Arezoo to his home tonight, and she might find the smell offensive.
"We should move this outside." He rose to his feet. "I don't want the entire house to smell of cigars when I bring Arezoo here tonight."
That earned him several snickers and comments about already being brought to heel by his mate.
Kalugal snorted. "You are all so juvenile despite your advanced ages, but I don't intend on schooling you. Once you find your one and only, you will understand that it's your duty and your pleasure to do everything in your power to make your mate happy, and if that means smoking outside, you smoke outside."
Rufsur nodded. "He's right. I was like you guys before I found Edna, and I thought that Kalugal was losing his mind with everything he was willing to do to accommodate Jacki. Now I understand because there is nothing I wouldn't do to please Edna."
He rose to his feet. "Lead the way, Ruvon." He turned to those who were still sitting. "Up you go, boys. We are all moving to the backyard."
"I'd rather not find a mate," Welgost murmured under his breath. "What kind of life is it when everything you do has to go through the prism of your mate's likes and dislikes?"
"The best life." Atzil clapped him on the back hard enough to make him almost stumble. "Ingrid and I are not fated mates, but we are solid, and the only way to make it work is to always be mindful of your partner's desires."
"Take your glasses," Hivak said, holding two bottles of whiskey under his arm, another one in his left hand, and his glass in his right.
Once they reconvened on the back porch, everyone found a place to sit while Ruvon went back for the ashtrays.
"So," Dandor said. "What are the bride and her bridesmaids doing? Did they get a stripper?"
Ruvon nearly choked on a sip of whiskey. "Of course not. They are doing their hair and makeup at Arezoo's family home."
"I wish you'd invited a stripper," Dandor said. "I can think of a few clan ladies who wouldn't have minded entertaining us."
"I would have minded," Kalugal said. "I have eyes only for my wife."
That earned him a few snickers and comments from the unmated guys, and Ruvon wondered whether they were really so clueless about serious relationships, jealous, or pretending, just to get a rise out of him.
"Do you have your vows prepared?" Kalugal asked.
Ruvon sighed. "I've been working on them for weeks. Ingrid approved the final draft, but I have a feeling she was just tired of me bugging her with my rewrites."
"It doesn't have to be anything fancy." Atzil returned from the living room with the platter of food. "As long as it's from the heart, Arezoo will love it."
Max, who hadn't said much so far, leaned forward and braced his elbows on his knees. "Those damn vows are reason enough not to get married. Kyra and I are perfectly fine without an official ceremony."
Ruvon arched a brow. "Really? Because Arezoo told me that you were talking about getting married once Kyra is done with her rebel work."
Max grimaced. "That's decades away. Maybe centuries. She will not rest until the Kurds get their own country."
