With great effort she kept moving with a giant smile on her face, wondering how on earth they came to be there, but too happy to see them to care.
In the last few yards of her walk, she glanced around at everyone, her heart feeling completely full as she realized how far she had come in the last two years. As she looked at each of their faces, smiling at her with love, she was home. She finally had what she had longed for her entire life, a family.
Then she saw him, and the moment their eyes locked, everything else faded into the background. In his eyes, she saw every hope, every dream, every possibility. Again she felt the urge to run, wanting to throw herself into his arms, but with great effort and concentration, she took the last few steps at the same pace she had taken the first before she joined hands with Ethan and finally breathed a sigh of relief knowing that the next time she took a step, it would be as Mrs. Ethan Kellar.
✧
The entire morning had been torture for Ethan. After he left Alexa, he had fallen asleep for a couple of hours, only to be awakened suddenly by his father, who was practically vibrating with excitement.
“Son, I have the most wonderful news!” he said, far too cheerfully for five o’clock in the morning. “Your mother, brilliant woman that she is, and I decided not to mention anything until we had more information, but now it is certain.”
“What is it, father?” Ethan asked, his voice scratchy from sleep.
“We have found Alexa’s family,” he paused to give Ethan a moment to absorb the information.
“Really, how?”
“Your mother, when she spoke with Alexa and looked at her future, she also looked at her past. She saw her parents.”
“I did not realize her vision worked in both directions of time, why has she never mentioned that before?” Ethan wondered aloud.
“She did not realize that she could. She had never even tried, but something that Alexa said gave her the idea to try, and when she focused on her past, she caught a glimpse of her mother and father,“ Elijah stated proudly.
Ethan stood and paced beside his bed, “But even if she saw them in a past vision, how could you possibly find them so quickly amongst all of our people, unless…?”
“Unless we happened to already know them,” Elijah filled in, “in a manner of speaking, at least. Her father is William II, High Commander of the Agency.”
Ethan froze mid-step. “How is that possible? Why would someone with so much power send his child away,” he could feel his anger building at the thought of Alexa feeling abandoned her whole life, “he could have easily protected her?”
“Do not be so quick to pass judgement my son. Consider his position, as High Commander, he knew of the prophecy and his daughter was born with the mark. How long do you think they could have kept that hidden with her in the public view. Even with extensive protection, we know that Lucias is remarkably resourceful. The Commander did what he thought was best to protect her. Surely, you can understand his decision,” Elijah said looking at his son pointedly.
Of course he understood, he had done the exact same thing, and he was ashamed for his judgment and his weakness.
“You must forgive him, and yourself, Ethan. And you must do it quickly,” Elijah said as he moved to leave,”the High Commander, along with his wife, and his son will be here in a few hours. I am sorry to have woken you, but you need to be prepared. As you well know, without his blessing there can be no official mating between you and Alexa.”
Ethan practically fell back onto the bed as his father pulled the door closed on his way out. The law stated that every non-genetic blood bond be registered and approved by the High Commander. It was just a formality, and it was well known that requests were typically approved immediately, but this was his own daughter, one he hadn’t seen in over two decades. He may not be so amenable to the idea of instantly having his bond superseded.
✧
Ethan waited nervously in the parlor for the arrival of Alexa’s family. One of the disadvantages of being a vampire, everything is heightened, including emotions, making experiences more intense and sometimes more stressful. His mother had suggested they use the soundproof room, given the delicate nature of the topics that were likely to be discussed. William’s armed guard would be accompanying him, and though he trusted the men with his life, Alexa was his most closely held secret.
Elijah escorted them into the parlor and quickly took leave. Ethan was nervously pacing the room, so lost in thought that he was surprised by their entry.
“So, this is the fortunate young man who is marrying my only daughter today.” William said as he approached him and extended his hand. He looked Ethan over thoroughly. “It would have been preferable for this introduction to occur sometime before the wedding, but I suppose that could not be helped, given the circumstances.”
“Now, William, I am sure poor Ethan is nervous enough without you giving him a hard time,” Rebecca chided as she stepped up to introduce herself.
Ethan couldn’t help but feel a little more at ease in her presence, while there were some distinct differences, Alexa looked a lot like her mother, especially her sweet smile.
When Jared approached, he stood up tall and shook Ethan’s hand rather roughly, gripping just a little too tight as he glared at him seriously. If that wasn’t a clear enough signal, his words made his intentions quite transparent. “I’ve been waiting twenty-five years to get my sister back. I know you’re supposed to be the biggest, baddest vamp out there, but so help me, if you screw around with her, I’ll find a way to make you pay.”
“Understood,” Ethan replied cooly, though he was pleased to see the protective streak in Alexa’s brother. He would take all the help he could get in keeping her safe.
With that Jared flashed him a bright smile, “Well, then congratulations, man!” he said clapping Ethan on the shoulder.
After a minimal amount of small talk, Rebecca and Jared took their leave to go and join Elijah and give William and Ethan some privacy to have a more in depth discussion.
When the door clicked shut, William turned and walked across the room to a small table that housed a silver tray with a bottle of well aged scotch and a set of tulip-shaped whisky glasses. He poured two generous glasses and took a seat in one of the two wingback chairs in the room.
“I am not much of a drinker, but I think the occasion calls for it,” he said holding a glass out to Ethan as he took his first sip.
Ethan took the offered drink and sat down in the opposite chair.
“This is excellent scotch,” William complimented.
“Yes, my mother is quite the aficionado, though I could not tell you how she ever developed a taste for it. It is a strange drink for a woman, in my experience they tend to prefer wine or mixed drinks.”
“And is your experience with women particularly extensive,” William questioned, his tone casual, but Ethan knew the time had come for the real discussion.
“No, my lord. For a man of over two-hundred years I would consider my experience unusually limited.” He took a sizable gulp of scotch and placed the glass on the coffee table between them. “Forgive me, as High Commander, I assume you are privy to the details of the prophecy and are no doubt aware of my part in it.”
“Are you referring to the part where you impregnated my unmarried daughter, or the part when you take her life?” William questioned showing no emotion. He could have still been talking about the quality of the scotch based on his tone and demeanor.
Ethan felt his heart sink to the floor, he had never considered that anyone beyond his parents knew the complete and horrible truth. He sank back into the chair, completely defeated. It was settled then, the High Commander would forbid the union and take Alexa and Chloe away under his protection.
“Do not despair, young man. I have no intention of taking your bride or denying you the privilege of bonding with her. I only needed for you to consider the possibility of what the prophecy foretold,” he said smiling.
; Ethan could only stare at the High Commander, a look of utter confusion on his face.
“Come now, Ethan. Had you never wondered where my daughter came by her gift?” He questioned, one eyebrow raised with amusement. “Apparently not, which pleases me greatly. Had you been aware you may not have been so open in your thoughts.”
Utterly speechless, Ethan could only sit there in stunned amazement.
“I believe I know all that I need to, you love my daughter completely and you will do everything in your power to protect her. That is all any father can ask,” he said standing. He stepped over to Ethan and laid his hand on his shoulder, “She is strong, son, that was evident from the moment she was born. Trust in that. Now if you will excuse me, I would very much like to meet her,” and in a flash he was gone, leaving Ethan to his thoughts and what was now an irresistible glass of scotch.
✧
For the next hour, Ethan remained there alone fighting his need to be with Alexa. He did himself the small favor of closing the door after the High Commander left, knowing that if he heard any sign of distress from Alexa in what was sure to be an extremely emotional reunion, he would have no prayer of staying away.
After what felt like an eternity, the door slowly opened as Barb and Cami entered the room.
“Well, now aren’t you looking handsome this fine morning,” Barb greeted as she looked him over with a smile.
“How is Alexa?” he questioned urgently, looking first to Barb and then to his sister.
“She’s just as right as rain,” Barb answered, “ I can’t imagine anything making this day more complete than having her folks show up after all these years.”
He looked back to his sister who was oddly silent standing in the doorway looking towards the window.
“Cami, is something wrong?” he questioned, looking at her intently and with concern.
The sound of her name pulled her attention, “What did you say?” she asked, having not heard anything Ethan said other than her name.
“I asked how Alexa was,” he repeated, a puzzled look on his face as he took in his sister’s demeanor. He had never seen her so frazzled. She was typically the picture of discipline and duty in her manner and stance, and this was more than just the change in her attire. She was distracted, unfocused.
“Oh, she’s great,” she replied, though to be honest, she had no idea how Alexa was doing since her attention had been so inexplicable trained on Jared.
“And how are you feeling, you seem off somehow?” he said looking at her quizzically.
Cami stood up straighter, trying to snap herself out of whatever it was that had her feeling so out of sorts. “I’m perfectly fine, Ethan,” she replied, “I just hate being in these silly clothes and without all of my arms.”
That was a reasonable excuse, which seemed to satisfy Ethan who had too many other things on his mind to question her further. “Members of the High Commanders personal guard are posted all around the property, I can assure you there will be no need for your weapons today.”
“Your brother is absolutely right,” Josephine said appearing in the doorway, “this is a day for celebrating, not fighting.” She walked over to Ethan and took his hand. “It is time, cariño.”
✧
Ethan stood next to the beautifully decorated gazebo, his heart pounding almost as fast as a human’s as the harpist began to play the music that signaled Alexa’s descent down the aisle.
He was painfully aware of Alexa’s father standing above him to the right at the top of the gazebo stairs, able to hear his every thought. That was a rather inconvenient ability for a father-in-law to possess, but an invaluable one for a leader.
Chloe came into view, moving a little too quickly and throwing the white rose petals from her basket around haphazardly with a wide grin on her face. When she saw Ethan, she ran over and hugged his legs, the top of her head already reaching his mid-thigh.
Her sweet presence helped to ease some of Ethan’s anxiety and he scooped her up into his arms, planting a quick kiss on her cheek before he set her down and shooed her over to Barb who was standing at the front of the other guests.
There were more attendants than he had anticipated. Along with the surprise of Alexa’s family, had come the addition of her former neighbors, Jesse and Jill. Before everyone took their places, William had introduced them to Ethan, informing him that they were actually long time friends of the Ryan family and had been sent to help keep an eye on Alexa. They were not the only humans that the High Commander had employed for that purpose. Apparently he had been keeping a fairly close eye on Alexa over the years, at least as close as he could without raising suspicion.
Then she stepped into view, smiling shyly as her eyes met his and he felt as if his heart had stopped. Every worry, every fear, every doubt melted away in that moment and a broad smile spread across his handsome face as he looked at her with reverence. Involuntarily, his gazed slid lower to take in the cut of her gown that fell perfectly on her curves.
When he looked into her eyes again, he saw a spark of arousal as she took in his appearance. He was dressed as the other men, in a well-tailored tuxedo, except his colors were opposite of the others, his jacket a beautiful ivory, the vest below onyx. The look on her face enflamed the passion which had been simmering since he left her bed in the night and he had to fight to keep the beast inside him leashed.
William discreetly cleared his throat, drawing Ethan’s attention back the matters at hand. He chanced a brief glance back at him to see him fighting a smile.
Alexa took the final steps to stand before Ethan and reached out with a visibly shaky hand to take his. His touch soothed her nerves and they turned together to take the three steps to stand before her father.
Everyone behind them sat in the chairs draped in white fabric that had been set up with intricately tied silver bows on the backs that matched the detailing on Alexa’s gown.
William nodded to the musicians who stood and exited down a path that ran perpendicular to the gazebo to wait until they were summoned once the ceremony was complete. Since this was a vampire wedding, certain traditions would be difficult to explain to the humans, but they could not risk inviting other vampires to play for fear of exposing Alexa and Chloe.
Alexa and Ethan stood facing one another, both sets of their hands firmly clasped together as they looked into each others eyes.
Ethan mouthed, “I love you,” silently, to which Alexa replied equally as silent, “I love you, I am so happy.”
William began to speak to them in a tongue that few present could understand. Josephine had informed her earlier that the first part of the ceremony required the use of the old tongue, one only spoken by the eldest of vampires, she herself only remembered some of the words which Elijah had taught her so many years ago when they were bonded.
After speaking for several minutes, the High Commander looked to the small crowd who all bowed their heads in response before he turned to the small table to his left and retrieved a small silver dagger and red satin ribbon. He turned first to Ethan and spoke the sacred words in English for Ethan to repeat.
“I bind myself to you, Alexa, blood, mind, body, and soul. I give myself to you freely and without reservation, to serve you, by my life or my death, from this day into eternity,” Ethan recited with love and adoration in his eyes as he took the offered dagger and made a small cut on the inside of his wrist.
He passed the dagger to Alexa as William instructed her to recite the same words to Ethan. Then she too cut her wrist, fighting not to wince at the pain, before passing the knife back to her father.
William took their two hands and laid their wrists, one on top of the other so that the blood from each incision united between them. He then bound them together with the red ribbon while again speaking words in the old language.
Then he said to the crowd first in the old tongue, then in English, “Let all those present witness and rejoice in this most sacred union.”
They repeated
in unison, “By the blood, we bear witness.”
Choices of Fate (Fate Series) Page 22