Chapter 725: Congratulations In Order
I leaned to the side as Varity began, bent and kissed the top of Galleytrot's head. The giant black hound sighed, red fire in his eyes dying as he sank to his haunches, tongue lolling out in a happy doggy smile.
Happy wedding day, he sent.
Thank you, I answered, calm at last, stomach settling into quiet. I worried you didn't want us to go through with it.
I just wanted to be sure you wouldn't hurt him, the big hound's mind rumbled like a thunderstorm in the distance, the scent of spring rain reaching me. That you wouldn't change your mind at the last minute.
My eyes returned to Liam. Not a chance, I sent.
Not now. Not ever.
Varity was mercifully swift, the ceremony rather painless, though I remembered little of it afterward. The vows done, a pair of rings firmly on our fingers, I took Liam's hands in mine and opened up the family magic to him.
"Welcome, Liam O'Dane," I said, the coven's power linking to him, making him a part of our union of souls, adding the richness of his Sidhe energy to the family magic. I felt his power embrace me, the joining of our magicks tingling at the edges a moment before he came through, loud and clear, in the flow of the family power. "To the Hayle coven."
He bowed his head. "I'm honored to be a member of such a powerful family," he said, "and will take my duties both as your husband and as a member of this coven seriously and treat it and you with the utmost respect."
Nice little speech, I sent. Practice it much?
His mind laughed in mine, our connection all the more powerful now he had family power to back him up.
Naw, he sent with a casual air. Something I tossed off just now. So kind of you to approve, Coven Leader.
Smartass husband, I sent. Watch it.
"Are you going to kiss him?" Varity's evil grin made me blush. "We're waiting."
Groan.
Liam didn't hesitate, hands sliding over my face, the coolness of his gold wedding band leaving a trace of sensation across my skin as he bent and pressed his lips to mine.
Heat built in the base of my stomach, blooming like a forgotten flower, flaring with heat, radiating down into my hips, thighs, traveling into the ground beneath me as his earth magic thrummed its song into my body.
Liam pulled away with a soft gasp as the crowd behind us burst into applause.
That was...
Interesting, I sent, more than a little flustered and wondering what things would be like later. When we were alone. And this dress and his tux weren't between us.
Growl.
No time for such carnal thoughts, at least, not yet. We were swarmed by our loved ones as we turned, Varity pronouncing the obvious.
"Coven Leader Hayle," she said, "and her mate, Gatekeeper Liam Hayle."
Oops. That little detail slipped my mind. But Liam didn't seem to mind, beaming as he bent to hug his mother.
Right, I'd forgotten Sonja was going to be here. But from the happiness on her face, the way she hugged me with enthusiasm, I knew Liam's influence had to still be in full action.
Otherwise, I was sure this wedding would never have happened. She'd have done her very best to make sure Liam didn't make it to the altar. And while I was a little weird with the whole working magic on his own mother thing, the alternative was me single and still looking, or dealing with a whacked-out mother-in-law.
And I didn't like either alternative, thanks.
I'm not sure if Liam laid on a bit more of his power, but she vanished and didn't bug me the rest of the reception. Or maybe it was just the fact I was then engulfed in hug after embrace after sloppy kiss of congratulations, depending on the person or animal delivering the message.
I'm sure the food was delicious, though I had no time to taste much of it. I spent the majority of the next several hours talking, dancing, being told I was beautiful and, best of all, just being with the people I cared about most in the world.
Uncle Frank's dance was fun, mostly because he teased me the entire time while Sunny glared at him and shook her head, probably knowing he planned to embarrass me.
I won't repeat what he said. I can hardly bring myself to rethink the conversation.
Blush. Ing.
Apollo's crudely hilarious dance with me ended abruptly as his sister led him away with an angry scowl. I seemed to recall this happening at the last wedding, too.
Some things never changed.
Dad's happiness for me when we took a turn was tempered only by the sad looks he cast at Mom. I wanted to comfort him, but there really wasn't anything to say.
To my surprise, I turned from my father and found myself scooped into the arms of Piers Southway. He spun me out onto the grass, long, blonde hair hanging over his shoulder, the familiar scent of coffee and mint making me smile as his sorcery butted heads with mine in greeting.
"Gorgeous," he murmured, bending to kiss my cheek. "He's a lucky sod and I'll be forever in the throes of envy."
I laughed, twirling as he turned me around. "I guess this means you'll have to find someone else to rescue you from now on," I said.
Piers stopped, pressing my hand to his heart in mock despair. "Alas," he said. "What will I ever do without you?"
I looked over to find Liam watching us, a curious look on his face. And blew him a kiss.
His smile returned as he caught it and settled it over his heart.
"Oh, for goodness sakes," Piers scowled, with humor in his eyes. "That's disgusting."
I stopped dancing as the music ended and patted his cheek. "Thank you for coming," I said. Paused. "You're just here for the wedding?"
He kissed me softly on the lips and I let him, the tingle I remembered no longer stirring me the way it used to as the power between Liam and I throbbed softly against the sorcerer's caress. "Don't go looking for trouble, sweetness," he said. "It's your wedding day."
Bratski.
And yet, was that a gleam of intent in his eyes? What was Piers up to as he left me, went to bend his head in close conversation with Varity?
Hmmm...
I felt Liam reach for me, turned again, train of worry broken, beaming, full of joy. And for a long, seemingly endless moment, it was he and I and the magic singing between us.
Congratulations, Ameline's mental voice broke through my happiness and slapped my temper so hard my demon howled in fury. For saddling yourself with further baggage. She laughed coldly. Well done.
I cut her off, Liam's power thrumming with concern as I shook my head, mood ruined.
The bitch.
Fighting for the return of my good humor, I stood there and watched the family gather around Liam. The twins hugged him, their wrinkled apple faces turned up as Estelle and Esther, in matching pink mother-of-the-bride outfits so classic I knew they'd had them for decades, kept control of him by their linked arms through his. I could feel the outpour of love from the coven. They adored Liam, were thrilled with my choice. With the fact I'd finally gotten hitched, more likely.
Still, it made me feel instantly better, knowing things worked out so well.
Ameline could bite me.
Enough already. I strode across the lawn to Liam's side, the gathered partygoers separating to allow me through. I came to a halt a few feet from him, cocking one hip to the side, right hand on my waist, left hand extended. The sparkling diamond caught the light as I wiggled my fingers at my new husband.
"Time to go," I said, voice unintentionally deep.
Hormones. Seriously.
Liam flushed as the crowd laughed, Uncle Frank slapping him on the back, whispering something in Liam's ear as he flushed even redder.
But he grinned when he came to me, took my hand, our power connecting with growing strength as he hooked his arm around my waist and pulled me to him, bending me back as he kissed me.
So freaking romantic. Sheesh.
When we straightened, our family cheered as I waved, tore the veil open and dragged him through it after me.
***
