by J. M. Davies
White and silver lanterns hung from the multitude of branches and bushes. To her left, a long wooden table was set with an antique lace runner, ready for the twenty guests and glass jars lined down the center their flames flickering. On a small side table covered in white table linens stood a three tired wedding cake and on top instead of the traditional bride, and groom was a set of slate gray handcuffs. Ella smiled. More roses in shades of pink were positioned in tall glass vases down the aisle to her right where two neat rows of side chairs covered in white cotton with bows at the back were positioned. Dividing the chairs was a long white pathway where she would walk to greet her groom. At the end was a carefully constructed arched canopy made from thin branches and twisted with strings of pearls and white flowers. The sweet scent was overpowering. The roar of the ocean in the background made her want to race forward. There was no fear, no wanting to back out, no wanting to run away. Marcus stood there with his solid broad shoulders set back, and his hands clasped together in front of his black fitted suit. He was the most handsome devil she had ever met with his dark hair disheveled and his obsidian eyes gazing directly at her. He gave her the strength to take the steps she needed; he looked at her, as though she was the only woman on the planet, and she couldn’t breathe. He smiled at her and her heart beat faster.
Ella passed several people she didn’t know and smiled at Bella and several other women she had worked alongside while training. She noted that Kelly was absent, which she was glad about, even though Marcus assured her nothing had passed between them. A dislike for the woman lingered but nothing was going to spoil her day. She smiled at the handsome and strong men on the other side, all of whom were military and part of Orion. She nodded and knew that in time their names and faces would become like family. She stared at Jake, who stood next to Marcus, and he nodded at her. Lastly, she rested her eyes on the man who had captured the last Welsh witch, heart and soul.
Marcus bent forward and kissed her lips in greeting as the small crowd clapped and roared. The priest started the ceremony, and Ella said good-bye mentally to each of her ghosts, laying them all to rest. They reminded her of all the past hurts and ill-fated love affairs but this time was different: this time, her husband loved her and wouldn’t let her down. They both exchanged their vows and placed simple platinum wedding bands on the other’s hand, joining them. They were now man and wife. An explosion of confetti and rose petals rained down on them, and Marcus wrapped his arms tightly around his wife’s waist. He drew her up against him, kissing her and stealing her breath away as whistles and more cheers sounded around them. After only a moment, he released her and held her hands out between them, bending close.
“I love you, Mrs. Drayton. I told you a long time ago, I would find you, and now I have. I’m never letting you go. There are parts of me; you don’t know, parts, you may not wish to know, but I want to share everything with you, the good and the bad. In return, I want to know all of you, and together we’ll face each ghost and say good-bye to the past. I will never let anyone hurt you ever again. I will protect you forever.”
Ella’s heart beat wildly and she opened her mouth to reciprocate his words of love, but his speech played around in her mind as tears bubbled in her eyes. The last few weeks and days had passed in a flurry of activity, and all the while, she was focused on her training, surviving a life without Drayton, and convincing herself that the baby was healthy. She hadn’t processed what had taken place between her and Drayton on the last night they had spent together before he’d walked away from her until now. She’d tried to erase the exotic and wondrous memory from her brain, but it burst to vivid life in her mind. As she tenderly touched her belly, carrying his child, standing here as his wife and staring at a future together, she realized their powers would magnify and grow. The night Ella believed she conceived, Marcus had bitten into her neck, which completed the ancient mating ritual which bonded them together and rendered them immortal. Did Drayton realize what he had done? Stepping on tiptoes, she kissed him and smoothed his cheek with her thumb.
“I love you too. Forever is a long time, Drayton, but I’m willing to give it a go.”
THE END
AUTHOR’s BIOGRAPHY
J.M. Davies is the author of Capturing the Last Welsh Witch which is her debut adult paranormal romance. She has also written a young adult romantic fantasy trilogy called Children of Annwn under the name of Jennifer Owen Davies.
In general, she loves creating character driven stories that touch your heart and take you away to a magical world that leaves you craving more. When she isn’t writing, she loves to read and her tastes include Nora Roberts, Catherine Cookson, Jane Austen, Jodi Picoult, Deborah Harkness, Cassandra Clare, Suzanne Collins, P.D. James, Patricia Cornwell, Pittacus Lore, Diane Gabaldon and many more.
In her spare time, she enjoys managing a local writers group and maintains an Alzheimer’s support group on Facebook, a cause close to her heart. She also loves discovering old treasures at yard sales and revamping them, watching Grey’s Anatomy, Madam Secretary, and Vampire Diaries, walking on the beach, cooking, and when there’s time the gym.
Jennifer has been married for twenty years, and is mother to four boys. Jennifer and her husband are originally from Cardiff in Wales, but they now live on the East Coast of America in North Andover with her family and two cats. Jennifer fell in love with New England, and among the pages of the books are references to both local beauty spots and historic sites from the area and from back in the UK that have captured her imagination. She loves to hear from readers and here’s some links to stay in touch.
FB Author page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Davies/1421409368089313
Web-site http://www.jenniferowendavies.com/
Email [email protected]