by Lola Gabriel
There was no witch light in Byron’s, but there were what looked like either fairy lights or stars twisting their way all over the place, even up the walls, like vines.
“Not too much,” had been Keira and Axel’s instructions, and they had been half listened to by the witches, who, egged on by Agnes, were sure this was all their doing. And she supposed they were mostly correct. Keira and Axel would be on the run without them, or worse, one or both of them would be—
Well, they weren’t, so there was no need to think about it.
Assessing the number of people already in the bar, Keira hopped down and began to make her way toward the areas that usually held the dart boards. Now, it was all hung in cream and more of those lights. Keira wanted to lift the light fabric and see if the boards were still underneath, but she held herself back. In front of that was the traditional arch of twisted birch and yew, which the couple would step through once they were tied together, symbolizing moving into a new life with each other.
Once upon a time, back when the shifters had more rules about morality, they would have stepped through it into their marital home, where Axel would have taken her maidenhead. Or whatever. Even in that scenario, Keira couldn’t imagine them getting further than the stairs.
“Psst,” a voice whispered from behind the cream fabric behind her. Keira jumped. She lifted it. No dartboards. Instead, there was a small room that hadn’t been there before, hiding Agnes Ambrosia, wearing a cloak, with feathers in her hair. “Nervous?” she asked.
“No, just impatient,” Keira replied.
“Excellent!” said Agnes. “Just had to check. Because if you were nervous, I’d have to get you out of here ASAP. Can’t bind a couple who aren’t true mates. Believe me, I’ve seen it done. Leads to all sorts of disasters. Especially if they’re stubborn and have children.”
This was not the rousing pep talk Keira had been expecting, but again, it was Agnes. The witch suddenly cocked her head to the side.
“Ooh,” she said, “nearly time. Positions, I think!”
***
In a binding ceremony, the woman stands and waits for the man. The man has to ask, proffering his wrist.
Keira was in a green dress. She’d argued that it clashed with her eyes, but it was the way things were done. Green for a good harvest; fertility.
“Not yet,” she’d said when she was being fitted and had this explained. The old Fairbanks woman tutted and said something about the young ones these days.
Then there was the ‘ding’ of the door opening. A customer—or, in this case, her brother, her watcher, and her mate.
The crowd was thick but quietened down, and it split to let Axel through. His suit was blue, watering the green crops, though he’d insisted on a darker shade than was usually used. Not that Keira cared what either of them was wearing. She couldn’t help a grin spreading across her face as he walked toward her. Byron was smiling, too, and Chance gave her a thumbs up.
When Axel reached her, he touched her face and proffered his wrist, and she couldn’t stop herself from grabbing his hand and pulling him toward her. She needed his mouth on hers before they did this, as indecent as it was.
“You taste like beer,” he murmured as they drew away from one another. And he smiled. Then he put out his wrist again, and Agnes stepped forward with the binding rope.
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Thank You
Thank you for reading my book. Readers like you make an author’s world shine. If you’ve enjoyed this book, or any other books by Lola Gabriel or another author, please don’t hesitate to review them on Amazon or Goodreads.
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Lola Gabriel
About the Author
Lola Gabriel loves reading and writing paranormal romances. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, she has fond memories of retreating to the woods for long hikes. The towering evergreens, natural waterfalls, and soothing rain often set the scenery for her characters’ romantic encounters.
Find out more about Lola Gabriel at SecretWoodsBooks.com