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On this particular evening, as Sheena handed her the single, long-stemmed red rose she’d requested—a perfectly full and fragrant bloom—she considered her marriage to Darien was more than the joining of two people in love. Rather, it was symbolic and represented hope for a stronger future between two races that inhabited the same continent.
This was further demonstrated when she, Sheena and Lisette left the cottage and Jade followed the winding path, dotted with red rose petals and lined with lit candles in oversized glass hurricanes. She paused at the end of the grassy trail and stared out at the humans and demons gathered on the opposite riverbank.
“The ceremony will be on the king’s side of the village’s border,” Sheena told her. “And the reception will be held on your side.” She gestured to the tables and chairs set up, all beautifully decorated.
“Maybe someday,” Jade said, “there won’t be a border.”
The vampire beamed. “That might actually be a nice change of pace. I’d like to spend some time in Lisette’s library, and I also find the idea of your local tavern inviting.”
“It’s a very lively place. You’d enjoy it. I’ll take you there sometime.”
“If anyone can bring together the kingdom and the village,” Lisette said to her, “it’s you.”
Jade turned to her human friend and emotion welled within her. “I’ve learned so much from you, Lisette.” Tears suddenly sprang to her eyes. “You’ve been a mother to me, without making me feel disloyalty over the replacement.”
The older woman gently squeezed her hand. “And you’re the daughter I’d always hoped to have.”
Jade hugged her. She was grateful to finally be of the frame of mind where she could not only accept the friendship and love surrounding her but also give something of herself in return.
When Jade pulled away, Sheena dabbed at her cheeks with a hanky to make sure her makeup hadn’t smudged. “Both of you stop, or I’ll be crying too and lose all credibility with the king.”
Jade laughed softly. “Never. He’s very appreciative of everything you do and he admires your strength and determination. He seems to like that in females.”
“Please continue to remind him of that, if you wouldn’t mind.”
“Between the two of us, we might be able to keep him in line?” Jade quipped.
“Not a chance. But I like the false sense of hope that thought offers.”
Lisette cleared her throat to break up the conversation. “At the moment, the only thing Jade should be thinking about is getting married.”
She drew in a deep breath as the crowd stood and turned to watch her entrance.
“Try not to say or do anything that offends anyone on your way down the aisle,” Lisette added with a wink. She and Sheena fell into step behind Jade as she crossed the clearing and then the arched bridge over the river.
It was easy to follow Lisette’s direction. The people gathered faded into the background as soon as she rounded the corner of the last row of chairs and saw the Demon King standing before an enormous lattice archway, dripping vines and red roses. She was a magnet, pulled to the solid steel that was Darien.
Her heart fluttered at the sight of him, even more gorgeous than she’d dreamed in his formalwear. He still exuded strength and power but also a refinement and sophistication she found titillating. And yes, Lisette had been right. He was ridiculously handsome. Impossible to take her gaze from.
Not surprisingly, she was anxious to get the evening over with so they could be alone. Conversely, it was such a lovely affair, she tried to commit every detail to memory.
There was no distinction between bride and groom factions when it came to the setting, save for the three stewards of the continent’s divided regions, who obviously stuck to demon droves.
Other than that, both sides of the aisle were occupied with humans and demons alike. While she noted more than a few looks of concern from the villagers, the overriding emotion seemed to be delight—they were happy for her, for finally finding her way.
When she reached her groom and his groomsmen—Morgan and Tanner—Jade couldn’t have been happier for herself, in turn. There truly was a sense of unity forming. And she was marrying more than a king. He’d become her heart, her soul, her lifeblood. She honestly could not imagine a day without Darien in it.
She smiled at the men, then breathed deep again, inhaling the fresh spring air. The moon overhead was full and shimmery, casting glittery rays over the clearing and the forest beyond. More candles and a few torches lit the area, but with a warm, inviting illumination that made the entire event cozy and intimate, despite the mass of people in attendance and many more spectators who stood on the ridge, not far from the castle.
Jade knew that not every creature, human or demon, fully embraced the new direction in which relations had turned, but she couldn’t deny there was support formed by curiosity and optimism—a clear foundation that could be built upon.
The village’s chaplain, who administered service at the meeting hall on Sundays, had agreed to perform the ceremony. A nice touch. Jade gave her rose to Sheena so she and Darien could join hands before him.
“You take my breath away,” Darien told her as she faced him.
More tears of joy pricked the backs of her eyes.
“I hope you know this is the happiest day of my life,” she said.
