“Okay.”
“Our wedding tomorrow will be a bit different. Lots of people you and even I won’t know will be there. But Eden’s family, and apparently my parents know them. They’ve told me there’s not to be bridesmaids or groomsmen but I want you there. I know you won’t want to go alone, so you can bring Kyle or whoever you want,” Ally says, then looks back at Kyle who’s still filling his plate. “I’d like him there but if he can’t be I’ll understand.”
Brushing back a long, black curl from her face, I say, “I would love to, Ally. I think it would be a good thing for him to go. To see you move on.” I lean in to whisper to her, so Eden doesn’t hear. “He still loves you, you know.”
She nods, and whispers back, “He is falling in love with you, you know.”
My eyes must’ve gone wide in surprise, because I haven’t felt like that at all. “Ally, you’re silly.”
Her hand strokes my cheek as she looks into my eyes. Something is so different about her. “Let him love you, Laura. You deserve it. He’s good, you can believe what he tells you. He’s not like your father. Let yourself love him. It’ll all be fine. He won’t hurt you like the others have. Please don’t hurt him.”
“I’m afraid,” I admit to her, and myself.
“I know you are but you don’t have to be. He’s meant for you, I know he is. Trust in him, Laura.”
Kyle sits on the other side of me. “Mmmm, Ally your dad has outdone himself. I brought you a piece of her mom’s apple pie, sweetie,” he says as he pushes a small plate to me.
Damn, he’s sweet!
Ally gives me a smile, and pats my hand under the table. I smile at Kyle. “Thank you, babe.”
Kyle looks over at Eden and asks, “You don’t like bar-b-que, Eden?”
“I helped David all afternoon with the meat. I was his official taste tester. Needless to say I’m stuffed. It is good, isn’t it?” Eden answers.
That didn’t go bad at all. Maybe they can get along.
“Is Cody coming?” Ally asks Kyle.
A fork full of meat just went into his mouth so he can’t speak, so I answer for him. “He felt like a fifth wheel, so he went to the crazy party at Lou’s house. Kyle really should help him find a girlfriend.”
Kyle swallows finally, and says, “No, Kyle, shouldn’t. Cody is my friend, but he’s a bit of a bad boy. I know you girls don’t know this but he goes down to Alamogordo almost every weekend and hooks up with random girls.”
Alyssa gasps. “You never told me that, Kyle.”
“Al, did you think I told you everything about his personal life? You certainly didn’t share secrets about this one here,” he says as he points at me with his steak knife.
I shoot him a look to let him know to shut up but it does no good. “You could have let me in on some of the things, Ally. She could’ve used my advice at the very least. A couple of those guys needed a serious ass kicking,” he says, and stuffs another bite of meat into his mouth.
Thank God he loves to eat more than talk. I thought he was about to talk about my bedroom experience right in front of Eden.
Alyssa blushes for some odd reason and turns her head. She’s acting so different.
Eden drums his fingers on the table. “Alyssa has told me she’s invited you two to our home this summer. I’d love for you to come. There’s so much to do in New Orleans,” he says, and I see Ally smile at him like he just gave us our own mansion.
“I wouldn’t miss the chance to get to see where Ally’s living. We’ll visit, I’ve promised her,” Kyle says, then shoves a forkful of beans in his mouth.
Eden’s eyes droop ever so slightly before he looks away. He’s trying so hard to accept whatever it is Kyle and Ally have. I have to say, he’s a special guy to even want Ally with her baggage.
I suppose I’m special too, accepting Kyle with his.
Kyle takes his last bite and drinks down a bottle of water, then turns his attention to Eden. “Dude, did Ally tell you what she did to the cop in Trixie’s earlier today?”
Eden’s eyes lock with Ally’s for a moment, then he looks back at Kyle. “She did. It was a bit reckless, don’t you think?” he asks Kyle.
Kyle makes a weird huffing sound. “More than a bit. I just about tore out of the booth, pushing past poor Laura to get to Ally before he did something horrible to her,” Kyle says, then wags his finger towards Ally. “He could have taken you to jail, young lady.”
Ally rolls her eyes. “That joke of an officer couldn’t have taken me to jail. He still needs to apologize to you. I’ll see him around again, I hope,” she says and Eden shoots her another look.
Eden turns his attention back to Kyle. “I’m glad you were there to make sure she didn’t get herself in too deep. She said she had a very good time with all of you,” he says, then leans up, placing his elbows on the table and lacing his long fingers together, then he looks at me. “I want you to know I’m not taking her from any of you. She’s free to visit and have visitors. I only wish to be a part of her life, not her entire world. There’s room for all of us.”
I see why she loves him. He’s perfect!
Kyle touches my leg, then I feel him squeeze my knee as he says, “I’m not going to sit here and act like I don’t believe you took her from me, because you did. What I do want to say is, I think it was meant to be. I have to admit Ally glows like I’ve never seen her do before. It’s because of you she has a confidence about herself she never had before. It’s because of you she has a gleam in her eye she never had before.”
Ally turns pink. “Cut it out, you’re making me blush.”
Kyle smiles. “I will not cut it out. I also want to say thank you to Eden. Without your intervention into our relationship I would have never known how wonderful this girl right next to me is,” he says, and his arm wraps around my shoulders. “She is more exceptional than I ever realized. So thank you, Eden, for allowing me the freedom to find that out about her.”
Eden smiles and looks right into Kyle’s eyes. “I’m very happy to hear you say those things, Kyle. Laura is a wonderful girl, and I do believe she’s needed you for some time. Perhaps nearly as much as Alyssa and I have needed each other. In the spirit of maintaining a long lasting friendship with you both, I’d like to invite you to come with us to New Orleans for our wedding tomorrow. You can stay the whole weekend and see some of New Orleans. Our driver will take you anywhere you care to go.”
Kyle freezes for a few seconds. Then turns to me. “Is that something you want to do, Laura?”
I nod. “It would make us all happy. Don’t you think?”
Kyle looks past me to Ally. “You really want me there, Al?”
“I do,” she answers.
I watch Kyle’s eyes begin to glisten. I believe he’s near tears. He blinks a few times then laughs. “Better hold on to those two words, Al. You’ll be saying them a lot tomorrow. Of course we’ll come,” he says then turns to Eden. “Thanks for inviting us, man. I know it wasn’t easy for you. It’ll take us a little time, but we can get through this bump in the road. When it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be, right?”
Eden smiles at him. “Right you are, Kyle.”
Wow! I didn’t think it would go this smooth. This all seems a little too good to be true.
And you know what they say about things which seem too good to be true, they usually aren’t.
Chapter 32
ALYSSA
My hair is done, my make-up perfect as I hang onto my father’s arm. Flashes of light as people take my picture blinds me as I’m led outdoors to a waiting crowd of people.
Most of which I don’t know yet, but soon will. The veil which covers my face blurs the scene which I assume is ideal.
I can hear Eden as he sends me an, ‘I love you,’ and a ‘You look gorgeous.’
I stare straight ahead until I hear another voice. ‘I can’t believe it’s not me at the end of the aisle.’ It’s Kyle in my head.
In another world it would be hi
m but I live in this world, and my life is with Eden. In a bizarre twist of fate who I thought to be the perfect man for me is not. Instead, I’ve found myself not entirely human. A bird has dwelled in me, lying dormant until this very night when it shall be unleashed.
What will the air feel like as it flows across my face and body? How will things smell to me? Will I enjoy it?
I’m not sure if this condition is a curse or a blessing. I’ll live a long time but I will have to endure the deaths of all those I love, save my mate. I will see even our children pass. The depths of sorrow for what I’ve yet to loose have made a chasm in my soul.
To mourn those yet to be born is ridiculous but I do. This day starts it all, my future as a shape shifter. The other half of the only Phoenixes in this world. Chosen before birth by The Creator of all things. Such responsibility I’ve never known. Somewhere deep inside me I know I’m up to it.
A tall and very ancient looking man with long, white hair wears a black robe, and I think it does not bode well for all he’s about to make us promise to.
He stands on an altar above my Eden who I’m happy to have standing next to me as we move into the next phase of our lives.
I was told this part of the ceremony was acceptable for me to have Kyle and Laura at but what must they think of this?
As I reach Eden my father kisses my cheek through the veil before placing my hand in Eden’s. I smile at him as we tell each other everything will be okay, and how much we love each other. Then the man speaks.
His voice is booming, and I find I’m flinching at how loud it is, and how close he is. “Welcome all to the marriage of two very exceptional individuals. You are all here to witness the vows they will make to Our Creator,” he says, then his arms motion outward, nearly touching Eden as they do. “I am Galchobar, and you are about to witness history.”
A thunderous applause from our guests surprises me.
This is not how weddings go!
I hear Kyle thinking, ‘What kind of wedding is this?’
Deep in the recesses of an old, grey-stoned church in the middle of New Orleans we’ve come to say our vows and become one. The roof long gone, we stand under the stars which light up the night as sconces on the stone walls add to it. The theme is Medieval is what I told Kyle and Laura.
Hope they buy it.
My attention is taken abruptly as the old man’s booming voice says my mate’s name. “Eden, son of Lyle, do you vow to love this woman for eternity?”
Eden looks into my eyes, I want to melt into him right now, and forget this huge drama of a wedding. His velvet voice speaks, “I do.”
Though I know he loves me it’s very pleasant to hear him say he vows to for eternity.
“Alyssa, daughter of David, do you vow to love this man for eternity?” the old man asks me.
I answer him quickly, wanting this over, “I do.”
Galchobar looks out to our guests, his voice loud, he speaks to them. “On this night, before all of you, this couple has made a vow to Our Creator to love each other for eternity. You all are witnesses to their vows.”
His long windedness is making me think this will not go as fast as I’d like it to.
‘Patience, Princess,’ Eden sends to me as he squeezes my hand.
The resounding boom of the old man’s voice makes me jump again. “Eden, son of Lyle, do you vow to honor this woman, Our Creator, and all those created for eternity?”
“I do,” comes my mate’s answer.
I await the old man’s loud voice, and he does not disappoint me. “Alyssa, daughter of David, do you vow to honor this man, Our Creator, and all those created for eternity?”
“I do.”
The ancient man goes off on another tangent. His long arms raise as he says, “You are witnesses to the vow of honor they have given each other. Integrity, fairness, and honesty are keystones of the foundation needed to live a life of servitude to the masses. These creatures have been sent to us to save others, the vow of honor they give each other is extended to Our Creator and every creature on this planet.”
“What the Hell does that mean?” comes out of Kyle’s mouth from his seat not far behind me.
Eden sends me a look and a message, ‘They’ll take him out if he says anything else.’
Galchobar gives me a stern look, and I turn to look back at Kyle. Lifting my finger to my mouth in a gesture for him to remain silent. His eyes are wide as he nods back. I smile, and see he’s thinking, ‘I’ll talk to her after the wedding.’
Good!
I give the old guy a nod, and he continues, “Eden, son of Lyle, do you vow to protect this woman for eternity?”
“I do,” he answers as he squeezes my hand, and smiles at me.
He’s beyond adorable!
“Alyssa, daughter of David, please kneel before your mate,” the old man says, and I turn my gaze from my gorgeous mate to Galchobar.
Eden’s voice fills my head, ‘It’ll be okay, Princess.’
This is not cool!
I look back at Eden. He’s smiling and squeezing my hand a little. I suppose to reassure me. Slowly, I drop to my knees as I try hard to control the anger which is threatening to flow through my blood.
Eden sends me, ‘Thank you, Precious.’
I send nothing back as I’m having to focus on not getting up and telling Galchobar just where he can go with this crap.
“Eden, son of Lyle, please repeat these words after me. I, Eden, son of Lyle, now and have always been, your master.”
Oh, Hell no!
Eden sends me a thought, ‘Princess, please remember this is an ancient ceremony. I have to say these words, please don’t make a scene.’ Then the words he’s been asked to repeat come from his mouth.
My body shakes with how mad I am!
I look up at him, and glare into his eyes which widen as he knows I’m beyond pissed.
The old man’s voice can barely be heard by me as the blood pounds through my ears. “Alyssa, daughter of David, bow your head in front of your master, and repeat these words after me. I, Alyssa, daughter of David, vow to be submissive to this man for eternity.”
I swallow hard because I don’t want to make the vow. The moments tick by and Kyle’s thoughts come to me, ‘No fucking way am I going to allow this to happen.’
Eden sends me, ‘Alyssa, please, Princess, it’ll be alright, I promise. Just say the words, please. I will always confer with you on everything, no matter what.’
Keeping my head bowed, I close my eyes to hold back the tears I feel threatening. “I, Alyssa, daughter of David, vow to be submissive to this man for eternity.”
I think a piece of my soul has died.
Chapter 33
EDEN
My mate is not taking her position well, and it’s almost killing me.
I send her thoughts of how I’ll never treat her with anything but the respect she deserves. If I could change the words of this ceremony I would but it’s out of my hands at this point.
We may be able to make changes during our reign but we are powerless until this part is completed, putting us in charge.
The man who presides over this ceremony is something not of this world either. Galchobar is an ancient, and he is immortal. Sent here to oversee our kind, and other special creatures as well.
Not vampires though for reasons he did not care to explain to me, and he detests them as well as werewolves.
“Eden, son of Lyle, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, not only in man’s eyes, but also in the eyes of Our Creator?” Galchobar asks me.
Alyssa’s hand trembles in mine as she kneels before me, her head bowed. I give her hand a small squeeze. “I do.”
“Allow her to rise now, if you are ready to,” he tells me, and I immediately pull at her hand to help her stand.
Her eyes are narrowed, thankfully not at me. No, she looks at Galchobar, and she plots to give him a piece of her mind as soon as she possibly can. I do feel a bit sorry for the
old fellow.
Somehow he holds her molten gaze as he says, “Alyssa, daughter of David, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, not only in man’s eyes, but also in the eyes of Our Creator?”
“I do,” she replies and turns her head to me. Her eyes soften and her heart beats wildly.
She is beyond anything I could have ever hoped for, and she is almost mine.
Galchobar holds out two silver wedding bands, a bird is etched on both. I reach out to take one from him, as he says, “Eden, please take the smaller of the two wedding bands, and place it on your mate’s finger.”
I do as he says and look into Alyssa’s gorgeous, sapphire eyes as I do, she smiles at me, and I feel her joy.
Galchobar takes her attention from me as he says, “Alyssa, please take this ring, and place it on your mate’s finger.”
She does as he’s asked, and I feel complete.
“By the power vested in me by the state of Louisiana, and Our Creator, I now pronounce you man and wife,” Galchobar says with a flourish of his hands and a deep bow to us both. “I am your humble servant. You may kiss your bride.”
The veil which has hidden her beauty from me a bit, I lift, finding the most gorgeous and perfect creature I’ve ever laid eyes on. My heart swells with emotion as I finally have her, from now on we will be as one.
My arms wrap around her as I lean her back to kiss her. One of her feet comes off the floor as I hold her in my arms. “I love you, Alyssa Fontaine.”
“I love you too, Eden,” she says with a smile, then I kiss her.
Long and slow, our kiss seals our vows. My heart beats like a bass drum as does hers. Slowly I bring her back up, and Galchobar says, “Let me introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Eden Fontaine.”
I hold our clasped hands up in the air as our guests cheer and clap and shout out congratulations to us. It’s overwhelming how many people are here in this dank and dark, old church. As my eyes scan the crowd, they land on Kyle and he is frowning.
“I must talk to him first, Eden. He’s upset,” Alyssa whispers in my ear.
I nod at her, knowing she needs to do this.
Am I happy about it? No!
TORN: A Billionaire Romance Series (Contemporary Romance Novel) Page 92