Quick footsteps echoed then Elytani burst inside, her gaze rushing to them. “Reyn?” she panted, sprinting down the aisle and she threw her arms around her brother. “When Darci told me she’d invited you and Eve, the hours dragged by.”
“It’s good to see you, Ely.” A smile softened the stern lines of Reynner features. “You look well.”
“I am.” She drew back, her eyes shiny with tears. “You have to visit me more often.”
“I’m sorry about that. Things have been a little hectic. But we will.”
“Good.” She pivoted to embrace Eve.
Reynner’s navy gaze cut to Michael. “She hasn’t gone out on patrol yet?”
That had been a sore point with the Empyrean. He hadn’t wanted his sister to become a Guardian, but obviously, Elytani had chosen otherwise.
“No…she hasn’t,” he said slowly. “But since Blaéz will be off duty for two weeks, tonight, she will, after the wedding. Elytani, you can pair with Týr or one of the others until further notice.”
“Really?” Elytani’s shocked gaze swiveled to him and then to Blaéz. She grinned. “Thank you for getting married.”
Amused, Blaéz nodded. “My pleasure.”
Reynner pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “Just be careful, all right?”
“Stop worrying, Reyn, I’ll be fine.” She grasped Eve’s hand. “Come and see the adorable baby we have.”
Aethan strode into the room, his tux jacket unbuttoned.
Reynner smirked as his old friend drew near. “Nice…suit.”
“When a brother asks me to be his best man, it’s the least I can do, even after he tried to annihilate me during training today.” Those gunmetal eyes nailed Blaéz briefly.
“You’re still breathing,” Blaéz countered, sliding his hands into his pants pocket. Then said, “As if you would let anyone else partner with Echo.”
“You have a point there,” Aethan calmly agreed, buttoning his jacket. “Reyn, it’s been a while.” He clapped his friend on the back.
“It certainly has,” Reynner murmured, his attention on his mate, who carried the baby. “I thought the event was to set for five p.m.? Eve explained the procedure, and it’s almost time.”
Blaéz glanced back to the entrance as Dagan and Týr joined them. The latter’s grin was all teeth. Yeah, the fucker was up to no good.
“Celt, think Darci’s taken flight at the thought of having to see your ugly-ass face for eternity?”
And there it was. Blaéz couldn’t resist. He smiled, a bit evilly. “The moment my mate arrives with her two bridesmaids, my fun starts.”
Týr’s grin dropped.
Aethan chuckled. “Cheer up, man. I doubt Kira bites.”
Dagan shook his head and said to Týr, “Why do you bring this on yourself? However, if she does bite, I can assure you, it will shake your world.” He smiled, the tips of his fangs flashing briefly.
Only a vampire would say something like that.
Týr snorted. “The wedding fever fucked you all in the head.”
Blaéz glanced back to the twinkling wooded entrance. It was past the time.
Where was Darci?
Darci sat still as Kira weaved the tiny baby’s breath blooms through her hair. She inhaled deeply, her stomach fluttering as if a million butterflies had taken flight there.
Finally, it was almost time for her wedding, and too darn long since she’d last seen Blaéz.
“Nervous?” Grace asked, dragging her attention away from her newly manicured nails, now gleaming with clear nail polish.
“I shouldn’t be, right? I mean, I’m already mated to him. Nothing can ever separate us, but I’m terrified of walking out there.”
“It’s okay. I was the same when I married Declan.” Grace patted her shoulder.
The door opened. Echo rushed in, wearing a stunning off-the-shoulder, pale lilac sheath that hugged her slender figure and had a slit up one side. She appeared ethereal and lovely.
“Wow, look at you!” Kira grinned, her dimples flashing. “Nice.” And she’d changed her purple hair to dark auburn and had swept it into a smooth topknot.
Darci had never seen Kira with unbraided hair before. Either way, the girl was gorgeous.
Echo laughed, brushing away her over-long bangs from her eyes. “Aethan seemed to like this, too. A lot.” A blush crept into her honey-hued skin.
Kira rolled her eyes. “I’m just glad it’s not wrinkled.”
“Oh, we were very, very careful, I assure you.” Echo smiled slyly, then added, “Why aren’t you dressed yet?”
“I will, as soon as we get Darci ready.”
“Go change.” Echo shooed her away. “We’ll help her.”
Shae glided into the room. The woman looked like a goddess in her sleek, midnight-blue gown and pinned-up, coppery hair. “Lucky I’m in time,” she panted, setting her Nikon on the bed. “I didn’t want to miss seeing you put on your dress. We have to capture the first look.”
“Here we go.” Echo hurried out from the dressing room, the gown still in its protective, white covering. As she unzipped it, gasps followed.
Finnén had cancelled her damn dress, too. Thankfully, the store still had it.
But Darci’s trepidation increased as she slipped her feet into her ivory satin pumps. She’d refused to allow the designer to let out the seams and prayed it fit. Her heart pounding like a drumroll, she rose, removed her terrycloth robe and dropped it onto the stool. Echo held open the dress.
Here goes nothing. Darci stepped into her gown and pulled it up. As Grace and Echo fastened her in, she pressed a hand to her churning stomach, not daring to inhale…
“There, all done.” The women finally stepped back, smiling broadly.
Wait, I can still breathe? Oh, man! A huge exhale of relief escaped her. The trauma of what she’d been through two days ago must have eliminated the stress-induced bloating or whatever had caused the dress to be so tight during her earlier fittings.
“Sweet Mary,” Grace whispered. “You’re beautiful, Darci.”
The others added their own agreements.
“Yep.” Kira nodded, pulling on her deeper lilac gown, complementing Echo’s paler one. “You’re gonna knock Dark and Deadly off his feet—someone help zip me up.”
About to pivot to the mirror, dying to see what she looked like, Grace stopped her. “Wait. A few things first—” She retrieved a square, robin’s-egg colored box from her evening purse. “This is Blaéz’s gift to you. He gave it to me earlier.”
She opened it, revealing a dazzling platinum necklace studded with small diamonds, ending with a larger stone set in the center. The earrings were elegant diamond drops.
Darci swallowed. She really wished he’d been there to put them on her. She missed him dreadfully.
After Grace had fastened the jewelry, Echo attached the veil, a flowing wisp of chiffon, to the back of Darci’s head. “Now you’re all done.”
Her heart thumping faster than an escaping grasshopper, Darci turned. Her jaw nearly hit the floor. Heck, she knew what her dress looked like. Those fitting sessions had been sheer torture and had left her sweating at each visit.
But now with her hair and makeup completed, she appeared nothing like her usual self in the fitted, off-the-shoulder, long-sleeved, ivory satin gown hugging her all the way to her mid-thighs before flowing into a short train behind her. The back was incredibly stunning and sexy. The low, scooped out V ending just below her waist had been made from sheer material that was edged with beaded lace appliques.
Mostly, she was really happy the dress fit her properly.
As Shae took several informal shots of her, a knock sounded. Kira hurried over and answered, then opened the door wider. Declan ambled inside, looking so handsome in his tuxedo. He staggered to a halt, his green eyes dampening.
“You look amazing, Dars.” The words seemed to choke him. He crossed to her, took her hands in his, and kissed the backs of them. “C’mon, sister mi
ne, I’d better get you to him. He looks like a man at the end of his tether.”
“Blaéz?” she asked, surprised. “No way.”
“Yes, Dars. He just doesn’t show it like us mortal men.”
“Okay, give me a few minutes,” Shae called out. “Let me get downstairs, don’t want to miss your entrance. Have to get those shots.” She flashed a grin as she and Grace hurried out.
“Here.” Echo handed her the cascading bridal bouquet in tones of cream, white, and green before they all headed for the elevator.
Moments later, Darci slowed to a halt at the main living room entrance. It was as if she’d walked into a fantasy—into an honest-to-god underpass made of white branches with trailing purple and white flowers. Lights winked amidst them.
Hedori had used the same color scheme she’d wanted. But this, it was even better than her vision.
“How lovely! It’s spectacular,” she breathed.
“Wow,” the girls gasped from behind her.
“It’s as if a faery waved a wand over the place! Well, come to think of it, Hedori knows real faeries, so it’s probable,” Kira added.
Soft music started. Declan smiled. “That’s our cue. Ready?”
Inhaling a deep breath, Darci nodded. He patted her fingers clenching his jacket sleeve.
As they strolled through the short, flower-scented tunnel and into the living room, Darci barely noticed that the white birch branches had also transformed the usually high ceilings to appear like a wooded wonderland. Or that snow fell softly outside though none of it landed on the terrace. Or the people seated in the two rows of chairs there.
Her gaze remained fixed on the end of the carpeted aisle where several tall men, all dressed in black formalwear, stood. Then she met the cobalt blue eyes of the man who held her heart. A tremulous smile curved her mouth.
A soft melody drifted to him, one Blaéz recognized as the bride’s cue. Finally, the tense muscles in his shoulders relaxed.
He took his place in front of the altar where the priest waited. The warriors hanging with him sought their seats, leaving only Aethan and Týr by his side. Then Blaéz stopped breathing, everyone and everything around him fading.
As if the heavens had opened up, a vision appeared in a flowing ivory gown, a sheer veil floating behind her like a mist as she glided to him on her brother’s arm. A smile trembled on her lips when she met his eyes.
For this moment alone, he was so bloody glad he’d insisted on a wedding.
The priest said something, and before Declan had even handed her over, Blaéz took her hand and pressed his lips to her knuckles. “You are incredibly beautiful.”
The priest cleared his throat. Declan laughed. He kissed Darci’s cheek and walked away.
As if in a dream, the ceremony started. “Dearly beloved,” the priest began, trapping Blaéz in a surreal haze…
From that moment on, only he and Darci existed.
Then it was time for him to pledge his vows. Whatever he’d planned to say faded from his mind. New words flowed as he stared into the gorgeous sunflower-hued eyes of his heart. “You were a dream, a miracle I never expected. In you I find my strength, I see my future—and found the perfect love. You gave me a reason to live again, and I’ll do my damnedest—er, best to make your days as happy as you’ve made mine. I’ll love you, Darci, my sun, my light, beyond eternity. Forever.”
Tears glimmered in her eyes, she whispered, “That midnight you appeared on my doorstep. I didn’t know what to expect. But you brightened my life and showed me a love that surpasses everything I ever believed possible…” She swallowed. “You are my happiness, Blaéz. I love you. For always. For eternity. Forever.”
Her words wrapped around his heart and etched into his soul. All he could do was stand there and stare at her as the priest spoke again…something about oaths and a symbol of love…
Aethan stepped forward and handed him the ring, pulling him out of the miasma. Blaéz slipped the diamond band on her finger to join her engagement ring. With a sense of truly coming home, he pressed his lips tenderly to hers. Then he tipped Darci over his arm and a startled laugh escaped her. She grabbed him around his neck, and he kissed her some more.
“Since Blaéz beat me to this part…” Father Frank’s amused words drifted to him, amidst the laughter, “I now pronounce you man and wife.”
Chapter 15
As the last well wishes faded, and the guests finally strolled off to where the reception would be held, Blaéz scrubbed a hand over his jaw. A few more hours and it would be over.
Echo and Kira had stolen his bride just moments ago, their soft laughter drifting to him as they carefully dusted the colorful leaf confetti from Darci’s hair and straightened her veil.
“That went off well,” Aethan said from beside him, pulling his attention away from her.
“Yup,” Týr agreed, before Blaéz could speak, sticking a finger into his collar. “Only because you saved the Celt from drooling all over Darci and looking like a blithering fool by giving him the ring.” He smirked.
Echo burst out laughing, and Darci bit her lip as if trying not to. Kira rolled her eyes.
Blaéz didn’t bother to respond. He was too fucking happy and didn’t give a rat’s furry arse at the Norse’s provocation.
“Yo, Celt…” He tugged at his tie knot as if to loosen the thing now. “Is it too soon to take this off?”
Blaéz shook his head in amusement at the twitchy warrior. “It’s barely been two hours. Lay off the candies, and I imagine you’ll be fine.”
“Yeah, that’s not gonna help. And another thing...” He stuck his hand into his coat pocket and pulled out his stash of M&M’s. “…I still don’t get the reason for another best man. I had nothing to do.”
“Hardly nothing,” Aethan said, his expression thoughtful. “You’ve showed your support quite well. Standing there, looking pretty. I’d consider that a helluva lot of work.”
“If that’s sarcasm, it ain’t working, you blue-haired, fuc…er son of a motherless bovine. Being motionless is a pain in the ass.” He selected several red candies and popped them into his mouth.
Aethan grinned, sliding his hands into his pants pocket. “Just facts, man.”
Blaéz snorted and glanced at the door. Hedori should be here soon to give them the go-ahead so they could make their way to the reception. But before they did, he wanted a little time with his mate—er, bride.
He stepped over the scattered heap of confetti and crossed to her. “Echo, Kira,” he murmured, “I need my mate for a minute.” He grasped Darci’s hand and drew her with him to the side.
Before he could speak, she dropped her bouquet on the chair there and hugged him tightly, her voice muffled in neck. “Thank you so much for this!” She pulled back, her gorgeous face flushed, her eyes radiant with happiness. “This place—everything is absolutely breathtaking.”
“No, you are,” he said quietly, caressing her cheek with his thumb. “Besides, I wanted you to have your dream wedding.”
Her smile trembled. “And you did. It’s beyond anything I ever envisioned…” She reached up and brushed his hair, releasing the confetti trapped there. “How long do we wait here?”
“Not much longer I imagine.” Hopefully, the guest would be settled and they could make their appearance.
As if hearing him, Hedori appeared in the doorway and nodded at them. With a smile, he withdrew.
“It’s time.” Blaéz picked up Darci’s bouquet from the chair near him and handed it to her.
“That means we head off first,” Aethan said. “Come on, me’morae.”
Echo grabbed her posy of roses from the chair. “Guys, five seconds between each couple, don’t forget,” she said, slipping her hand into the crook of Aethan’s arm, and they headed for the door. “This is the fun part…” her low voice drifted to Blaéz. He glanced at Týr.
The warrior waited, a brow arched at Kira.
She smoothed her gown, picked up her flowers
from the chair and joined him, keeping a good, wide space between them.
“Yeah, that’s not going work.” He grasped her wrist, hauling her close, and hooked her fingers on his bent arm. “Don’t. Move. It.”
At his short order, she shot him an irritated glare, a glimmer of vibrant red sliding through the auburn strands. “You’re a pain in the—”
He laughed as they followed Aethan and Echo. “Admit it, you’re pissed because I didn’t mess-up any of the procedure despite missing rehearsal.”
At the warrior’s determination to rile her, Blaéz shook his head in resignation. It seemed as if he relished in her dislike.
“Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea pairing them?” Darci whispered.
“Too late for that,” he murmured. He glanced at his mate and his gaze softened as he offered her his arm. “Come on, heart of mine, the sooner we do this, the sooner I’ll have you all to myself...”
The sounds of low chatter and cutlery clinking against china filled the rec room that had been magically transformed into a private reception fit for kings. Soft music played in the background.
Hedori oversaw the two faes glamoured as humans and served as the wait-staff before joining them.
Blaéz glanced around the place he’d spent eons in with his fellow warriors.
Instead of the usual bright lights, softer ones shed golden warmth across the white, damask-covered tables forming a U-shape. From tall vases set sporadically along the tables, a profusion of lilac and purple flowers flowed. Spindly white birch branches and twinkling lights were wound around the stands.
Each and everyone here was family—his family. For a male who’d been alone for so many millennia without emotions, this moment, the warmth of togetherness, the outpouring of…affection? Truly overwhelmed him.
“Right, then—” Týr called out from the bar. The chatter quieted, and those annoying genetic defects appeared, denting his cheeks, warning Blaéz that he was definitely up to no good.
For You, I Will Page 15