He was silent and still as he let her try to comfort him. The Druid they had lost was a male, and the Demon he had ignorantly punished for finding her mate was the young daughter of none other than Councillor Ruth.
Ruth had never been considered even a neutral acquaintance, but this incident had most certainly made her a powerful enemy. As a consequence, she would now be a powerful enemy for Isabella as well. Their future wouldn’t be an easy one, and it weighed heavily on him. In his conscience he struggled with the wisdom of making her a part of his life, and thereby a target to his enemies, both abroad and domestic, but in his heart he knew that he could never deprive himself of her sweet closeness, and logically he couldn’t deprive her of his. He’d seen proof of that this very day.
Jacob didn’t often find himself afraid, but he was when he considered what would happen to Bella should something happen to him.
“Jacob,” she whispered softly in his ear, her small fingers sliding silkily through the hair on the back of his neck. “Jacob, physiology aside, how could my heart ever survive the loss of you?”
Jacob swore softly.
“So much for respecting the privacy of my thoughts,” he teased half-heartedly.
“You’re projecting, just as we both do when something affects us deeply.” She pulled her head back, seeking his dark, troubled eyes. “But you have to stop trying to hide frightening truths from me, Jacob. Don’t you trust me to be able to handle it? To be able to help you come to grips with it? I don’t just want to be your partner because it was chosen by Destiny that we be so. I want to be your other half no matter what happens, Jacob, and I will settle for nothing less. For good and evil, for joy and sadness. These are all part of life, and you can’t think to protect me from it all.”
“I can damn well try,” he said stubbornly, touching his forehead to hers as he frowned deeply. “What mate in his right mind would willingly want to expose his other half to danger and threat?”
“One who learns to trust her abilities to fight by his side if need be, just as she trusts him to be strong and protective. You once said you could accept that I was born to fight by your side. Has that changed?”
“No, Bella. I can accept it. But you have to forgive me if I find it harder to accept in some moments than in others.”
“Of course,” she said softly, brushing her mouth over his comfortingly. “I understand that. But I began to live the moment I met you in all the ways I was meant to live; it’s only fitting that this life ends the moment you leave me. I’m determined, Jacob, that this won’t happen for many, many centuries.” She smiled gently, her eyes lighting up with tender, bright humor. “It could very well be that, in those future centuries, you’ll come to be completely bored with all the things that seem so charming right now. Quite frankly, I’m a pain in the ass.”
“I assure you,” Jacob responded with a chuckle as he gathered her tightly to his chest, “I am well aware of that.”
Isabella giggled, hugging him tightly as she rubbed her face against the fabric of his shirt.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Isabella exhaled, her breath clouding on the chill of the night air. She fidgeted with the long ribbons Legna had wound down the length of her arm in a crisscross pattern, the ends at her wrist dangling in two long, silky coils.
“Stop fussing,” Legna admonished her, tapping her finger against Isabella’s absently energetic hand.
“I’m getting married in a few minutes, Legna, I think I’ve a right to fuss.” Isabella felt her heart turn over as she spoke aloud, listening to herself talk about her impending marriage.
“Well, brides are supposed to be blushing, as I understand it. At the moment you are no less than five shades of gray.” Legna continued with her interrupted weaving of more ribbons in Isabella’s hair. “And as much as it matches the silver of your dress, I think you would look better with a little natural color.” Legna reached to smooth down a portion of the shimmering silver fabric that draped off of the bride’s shoulders in a Grecian fashion. “You know,” she pressed, “there are only two nights in a year when Demons perform a joining ceremony. Samhain and Beltane. If you pass out tonight, you will have to wait until next spring.”
“Thanks for the bulletin. You’re too kind,” Isabella retorted dryly.
“Actually, purely out of kindness, I will tell you that your future husband is just shy of tossing his cookies himself, so you can take comfort in knowing he is just as nervous as you are.”
“Legna!” Bella laughed. “You’re a wretch!” She turned to look at the female Demon, briefly admiring how pretty she looked in her soft white chiffon gown. “And how would you know? You’re standing too close to me to be able to sense his emotions.”
“Because when I went to fetch the ribbons, he was seated next to Noah with his head between his knees.” Legna giggled. “I have never seen anything rattle Jacob before. I cannot help but find it amusing.”
Isabella smiled wanly, rubbing at the ache in her forehead.
“Tell me something, Legna, how do you filter through all of this?”
“All of what?”
“All this emotion. I think I can feel everything anyone is feeling in a five-mile radius.”
“Well, I am just used to it, I guess. I discard all the useless stuff and block out what disturbs me. Believe me, it took quite a few years for me to perfect the barriers I use to do so. Do you need me to move away? Will that help?”
“No, please. You are the only thing keeping me on my feet at present. It’s…It’s becoming sort of like a background music.”
“I find it interesting that my empathy affects you without any effort on your part, but when you absorb powers from the males you have to actually concentrate to use it.”
“Or be panicked,” Isabella reminded wryly. “But you’re right. Perhaps it’s because, like my abilities, the nature of yours isn’t how to bring it on, but how to shut it off. Jacob and Noah and the other males have to concentrate to use their abilities, you have to concentrate to not use yours.”
“Not all. Teleportation takes a great deal of concentration.”
“Well, then that explains why I’m still here, instead of popping up in Peru all of a sudden.”
Legna laughed at that, giving Isabella’s hair a final pat. Legna stepped back and made a sound of approval. “There, you are all finished. You look lovely, Isabella.”
“Thank you,” she replied, nervously touching her hair to feel Legna’s intricate work. “And, Legna, thank you so much for standing up with me. It should be Corrine’s place, but she’s so ill. And, anyway, you’ve always been so kind and generous toward me. This means a great deal to me.”
“It means a great deal to me too,” Legna insisted, reaching to squeeze one of Isabella’s hands. “I am honored you feel me worthy to take the place of your sister.”
“Oh, Legna, you are beyond worthy. I’m very happy that we’re becoming good friends. I was so afraid you’d never want to get within a ten-foot radius of me after what happened.”
“Trust me, if I told you some of the goof-ups I made as a youngster, you would laugh yourself silly.” She smiled warmly and gave Isabella’s hand one last squeeze. “Enough of this. Are you ready?”
“Yes. Now, tell me again why I’m freezing my ass off in the middle of the woods?”
Legna chuckled.
“Because it is tradition. Your mate must find you and then carry you to the altar. Seeking you out is symbolic of his desire to let nothing come between you. Bringing you to the altar is a reflection of how it is his duty to help you over obstacles so that you may reach moments of joy together.”
“It’s very romantic,” Isabella said, “if a little chauvinistic.”
“Not in the least. The sharing of responsibility within a joining is symbolized just as strongly. The bride must tie the handfasting ribbon around her mate’s wrist. The white ribbon symbolizes honesty and love and fidelity, and by allowing himself to be so tied means the groom mu
st provide for her at all times, as she will provide for him. The black is a promise that they will forever do all in their power to protect their union, their children, and the perpetuation of the essentials of our culture.”
“But you’ve tied a red ribbon to the end of the black, Legna. What does that mean?”
“Actually”—the Demon woman smiled—“there is no precedent for the red ribbon. However, I felt it only fair to have a physical reminder that you have a culture of your own and will have just as much right to perpetuate that within your children as Jacob does.”
“Legna,” Isabella giggled, giving her an admonishing look, “that is positively rebellious and feminist of you.”
“I never claimed to be an old-fashioned girl,” Legna confided with a wink. “Now, I must go and tell Jacob that you are ready and awaiting his arrival.” She bent to give Isabella an affectionate kiss on the cheek. “Good luck. I wish you joy.”
“Thank you so much, Legna.”
The Demon woman smiled, then turned and dashed off. After she was out of sight, the sound of her breaking through the brush disappeared altogether and a soft breeze carried the scent of sulfur to Isabella.
Relieved to be free of Legna’s empathic abilities, Isabella sat back against the large boulder that rested near the tall pines closest to her. She fussed with her dress and ribbons for a moment and then wrapped her arms around herself to conserve body heat. It was an awfully cold night, and if it were not only October, she would swear she scented snow in the air. She exhaled, playing with her breath in the cold air, making clouds of various thickness and speed with it.
“Damn it, Jacob, I’m freezing my butt off.”
“I came as fast as I could, considering I thought it would be wise to walk the last few yards.”
Isabella whirled around, her smiling face lighting up the silvery night with more ease than the fullest of moons. She leapt up into his embrace, eagerly drinking in his body heat and affection.
“I can see it now. ‘Daddy, tell me about your wedding day.’ ‘Well, son,’” she mocked, deepening her voice to his timbre and reflecting his accent uncannily, “‘The first words out of your mother’s mouth were I’m freezing my butt off!’”
“Very romantic, don’t you think?” he teased. “So, you think it will be a boy, then? Our first child?”
“Well, I’m fifty percent sure,” she laughed.
“Wise odds. Come, little flower, I intend to marry you before the hour is up.” With that, he scooped her off her feet and carried her high against his chest. “Unfortunately, we are going to have to do this hike the hard way.”
“As Legna tells it, that’s what you’re supposed to do.”
“Yeah, well, I assure you a great many grooms have fudged that a little.” He reached to tuck her chilled face into the warm crook of his neck.
“Surely the guests would know. It takes longer to walk than it does to fly…or whatever…out of the woods.”
“This is true, little flower. But passing time in the solitude of the woods is not necessarily a difficult task for a man and woman about to be married.”
“Jacob!” she gasped, laughing.
“Some traditions are not necessarily publicized,” he teased.
“You people are outrageous.”
“Mmm, and if I had the ability to turn to dust right now, would you tell me no if I asked to…pass time with you?”
Isabella shivered, but it was the warmth of his whisper and intent, not the cold, that made her do so.
“Have I ever said no to you?”
“No, but now would be a good time to start, or we will be late to our own wedding,” he chuckled.
“How about no…for now?” she asked silkily, pressing her lips to the column of his neck beneath his long, loose hair.
His fingers flexed on her flesh, his arms drawing her tighter to himself. He tried to concentrate on where he was putting his feet.
“If that is going to be your response, Bella, then I suggest you stop teasing me with that wicked little mouth of yours before I trip and land us both in the dirt.”
“Okay,” she agreed, her tongue touching his pulse.
“Bella…”
“Jacob, I want to spend the entire night making love to you,” she murmured.
Jacob stopped in his tracks, taking a moment to catch his breath.
“Okay, why is it I always thought it was the groom who was supposed to be having lewd thoughts about the wedding night while the bride took the ceremony more seriously?”
“You started it,” she reminded him, laughing softly.
“I am begging you, Isabella, to allow me to leave these woods with a little of my dignity intact.” He sighed deeply, turning his head to brush his face over her hair. “It does not take much effort from you to turn me inside out and rouse my hunger for you. If there is much more of your wanton taunting, you will be flushed warm and rosy by the time we reach that altar, and our guests will not have to be Mind Demons in order to figure out why.”
“I’m sorry, you’re right.” She turned her face away from his neck.
Jacob resumed his ritual walk for all of thirty seconds before he stopped again.
“Bella…” he warned dangerously.
“I’m sorry! It just popped into my head!”
“What am I getting myself into?” he asked aloud, sighing dramatically as he resumed his pace.
“Well, in about an hour, I hope it will be me.”
“What the hell is taking so long?” Elijah complained.
“Elijah, hush,” Legna admonished. “It is their joining. Let them be.”
Legna moved to snuggle up against her brother, allowing him to keep her warm as the three of them awaited the bride and her groom.
“Jacob! I swear if you don’t put me down this very instant I’m going to marry someone else!”
Isabella’s voice carried shrilly through the night, half annoyed, half laughing. The three waiting at the altar turned in unison to see the couple break from the tree line. Jacob had indeed carried his bride out of the woods, but he’d done so by slinging her over a shoulder, leaving her backside displayed prominently.
Elijah choked on a laugh and Legna released a horrified gasp. Noah reached to stay her from moving.
“Let it be, Legna. What did you expect from the two of them?”
Serves you right, you little tease.
Jacob, please! You’re embarrassing me!
And having me walk out of the woods in a state of arousal would not have embarrassed me?
I said I was sorry!
Was that before or after the mental striptease you sent me?
Isabella sighed with exasperation, and then giggled.
“You know, Emily Post is having heart failure right about now.”
“Good, then that makes two of us.”
Jacob approached the amused gathering standing at the outdoor altar made of a huge tree stump. With a shrug of his shoulder, he set his bride onto her feet. Isabella turned to face them, pushing back her flyaway hair, acting for all she was worth as if she’d just arrived in a limo.
“Isabella, Jacob, stand before the altar,” Noah instructed, his voice impressively official in spite of the humor dancing in his eyes. The couple did so quickly, all smiles and repressed laughter. “Isabella, take Jacob’s right hand into yours.”
Isabella extended her beribboned arm, sliding her palm warmly into her mate’s.
“Now, wind the ribbons around his wrist.”
As she did so, Isabella felt Legna step up behind her and rest both hands on her shoulders, and Elijah did the same to Jacob.
“At this point I am to ask you if you gained permission from your monarch, but…I believe that would be a little foolish, considering.”
The small gathering laughed.
“The two Demons who stand behind you hold you now to indicate their support of your union. They will not release you until your joining is complete, after which you will hold and support
one another for the rest of your lives.” Noah turned to Jacob. “Jacob, the Enforcer, beloved of this female, father of her future children, guardian of her heart, her soul, and her life, kneel before her to show her your acceptance of her gift of becoming your mate, your wife, the joy and center of your destiny.”
Jacob did so quickly, kneeling in the damp grass, locking his gaze with hers.
“Isabella, you are my destiny,” he said softly, bringing their joined hands to his lips.
“Rise, Jacob.” Noah turned to Isabella as Jacob obeyed. “Isabella, the Enforcer, beloved of this male, mother to his future children, guardian of his heart, his soul, and his life, kneel before him to show him your acceptance of his gift of becoming your mate, your husband, the joy and—”
Legna released a startled gasp, cutting Noah off, the unexpected sound in the quiet reverence of the moment gaining everyone’s attention.
“Legna, you’re hurting me,” Bella complained when the female Demon’s grip tightened violently.
Isabella turned to see what had disturbed her friend and found herself looking up into the Demon female’s terror-filled eyes. Legna screamed. It was a horrific sound of fright that made the little hairs on Isabella’s arms and neck stand straight up. Instinctively, Bella reached for her friend with startled distress, grasping the biceps of the female Demon’s nearest arm with her free hand.
“Legna!”
It was the first time Bella had ever heard Noah raise his voice in such a way, and the absolute fear she heard in his shout was alarming. It occurred to her in that moment that there was very little that creatures as powerful as the three men behind her could claim to be truly afraid of.
Isabella choked when she suddenly realized that Legna’s feet and lower legs were dissolving away. In that moment, she looked like some kind of wraith, a half-present woman floating above the ground. Legna screamed again, clearly in horrible agony, her clutch on the bride growing even tighter while at the same time Jacob tried to pull Isabella away by their joined hands.
Isabella rapidly realized what was happening, that there was a name to what she was seeing, and all the ramifications beat down upon her like a million brutal fists.
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