Chapter 724: Procession
I stood at the back of the giggling line, forcing myself to smile as the girls turned and waved at me. Trill went first, flowers clutched in her hands like a lifeline. I grinned, a real one, at the sound of hooting from who had to be Apollo, her inappropriate brother, and thanked him silently for breaking my funk.
Sunny went next, Charlotte behind her. Mom waited with Meira as Shenka strode out with her shoulders back, confident in her high heels.
Meira saluted me with her bouquet before heading off after the others. Weird, it felt surreal, almost like it was just Uncle Frank and Sunny getting married again. Except, this time, I was the one in the white dress.
Mom took my free arm, not looking at Dad. I looked back and forth between them, heart sad, asking myself for the millionth time if this was worth it.
My Steam Union friend, Piers Southway, didn't seem to think love was a good reason to get married. And considering the fact the man I loved the most just walked out without trying to fight for me... not fair, I guess, since Quaid made his decision a long time ago.
Still, what was I doing? Setting myself up for heartbreak?
But as my brain burned over those thoughts, I felt myself shake them off. No. There was nothing saying Liam and I would end in disaster. That we wouldn't have a good life together, no matter he would die long before me, thanks to my immortality. I would love him and enjoy him for as long as I had.
And I would be happy to be his wife.
Mom kissed my cheek softly before smiling, lower lip trembling.
"Are you ready?"
"Let's do it," I said.
And walked out into the back yard with a confidence I didn't feel and a new selection of butterflies making merry just at the base of my throat.
As my foot crossed the threshold, Sassafras's silver body streaked past us. The moment his paws touched the blue carpet, though, he slowed to a dignified waddle, nodding to the gathered guests as he made his way to the front of the aisle created in the yard.
I kept my eyes fixed on him, happy for a little distraction, as he leaped up onto the special platform created just for him and turned, fluffy tail wrapped around his paws, amber fire in his eyes. Mom, Dad and I proceeded down the carpet to the strains of wedding music.
With every step, my panic increased until I knew, if I opened my mouth, a flock of very colorful insects would fly out just before I upchucked every single thing I'd ever eaten. I barely saw any of the faces turned toward me, my head echoing with the sound of the song marching me to my doom.
My eyes flickered around in anxious need, awkward smile plastered to my face as my desperate need to escape returned in a wash of Oh. My. Swearword.
My vampire's soft laughter and the touch of her power helped calm me, enough I started looking around for somewhere to run. My demon grumbled, her magic burning through the fear clutching my throat. Shaylee's soft singing eased me further, the family magic buzzing softly, shimmering inside me in tune to my maji power.
I could just turn around and go back inside. What could they say? Nothing. I'd lock my door and tear open the veil. Or I could do that right here. Ahbi would welcome me to Demonicon, wouldn't she? Of course she would. Perfect. Time to get the hell out of-
Hazel eyes sparked with green, wide and wet with tears. The moment I met Liam's gaze, all my fear dissolved, my anxiety dying away. The expression on his face, the way his body leaned toward me as I approached, filled me with a rush of love so powerful I almost sobbed.
Instead, I felt my cheeks relax, my lips curve into a heartfelt smile, my body unwind from my tense need to flee. Anywhere, that was, but into his arms.
I hardly noticed Varity Rhodes standing beside him, the old Enforcer Leader and dear friend of Gram's here to officiate the ceremony. Not when Liam reached for me as Dad let me go, his big hand taking mine while Varity said something about magic and releasing me.
Mom's power touched me, Dad's at the same moment.
"I free my daughter to wed," Mom said.
"I free my daughter to wed," Dad repeated.
And then it was just Liam and me. And the words we had to say, the magic we had to share.
I could have made other choices, could have wed for politics or not at all and, instead, give up leadership of the coven, if that was what I really wanted.
But standing there, holding Liam's hand, feeling his love like an endless river, his strength the power of an ancient oak tree eager to give me shelter, support and all the goodness of his kind heart, I knew I couldn't have made a better choice.
***
