Shadows and Stars

by Becca Fanning

  “Thank you,” Violca said watching her sisters’ reaction as they left the window to come admire the work the women had done.

  “V, you’re stunning,” Eva said with a big grin, before carefully hugging her.

  All the girls made similar comments, and Violca found herself blinking back tears in an attempt not to ruin her makeup. There was a loud knock on the door and Violca heard a familiar, deep voice asking if he could come in. Eva ran to the door and Violca smiled, watching as her friend Brandon walked in. He picked Eva up and swung her around before giving her a kiss on the cheek. Not wanting to ruin the dress or Mary’s hard work, Violca took a few steps back while each of the girls ran to him. They all received a boisterously tight hug followed by many loud kisses.

  After settling Angyalka back on the ground, Brandon finally looked up at Violca, a huge smile on his face. He let out a low whistle. He took the last few steps to her. “I want to give you a hug but I ‘m afraid I’ll crush you and that beautiful dress.”

  Violca laughed and threw her arms around his neck, holding him tightly. Brandon wrapped his arms around her, picking her up off the ground just a few inches while laughing. “Either you gained weight or your dress is heavy.”

  When he put her down, she smacked him on his chest. “You’re not supposed to tell a bride she gained weight on her wedding day, brat.”

  He gave her a lopsided grin. “I did say it might be the dress,” Brandon said before leaning down and kissing her on the cheek. “It’s been way too long.”

  Violca smiled and looked him over. He seemed happy, but knowing him as well as she did, she noticed a few lines around his eyes. Despite looking like he didn’t have a care in the world, she knew he was stressed about something. If she had to guess, it was about the serial killer that seemed to be taunting him. “I’m so glad you made it.”

  Brandon winked at her. “There was no way you were getting married without me here.”

  The girls surrounded him, eager to tell him the latest. Since they’d moved to Colorado, they’d only seen him twice. Eva put up her hand, cutting them off. “Come on, Brandon, I’ll show you to your room so you can change. There’s no way you’re walking my sister down the aisle in an old pair of jeans and a flannel shirt.”

  Brandon chuckled as he followed her to the door. “All right girls; we’ll catch up after the wedding. I promise I’m all yours for the next few days.”

  Everyone left to go downstairs, and Violca found herself alone. She put her hand on her stomach. Nervous and excited, she took a few steps toward the window. She barely noticed the cars that pulled up or the people who were walking in the yard. She knew overall her life wouldn’t change much. After all, the exchanging of blood and the vows her mother whispered to her had bound her and Chase together. She could feel his dragon and when they were close, she knew what they both were feeling. This ceremony was more of a celebration of their love with their family and friends. The thought calmed her nerves.

  Violca heard a light tapping on the door. “Come in,” she called. Turning, she saw Brandon. He was dressed in a tailored suit and his sandy blond hair was slicked back. He smiled so big she could see the dimple on his left cheek before he slowly turned in a circle before her letting her check him out.

  “I know you aren’t supposed to outshine a bride on her wedding day but...” Brandon said, giving her a wink.

  She shook her head and rolled her eyes. “You wish you looked as good as I do,” she laughed

  He held his arm out to her and smiled. “I was told it’s time to lead you downstairs and present the bride.”

  Taking his arm, she walked with him in silence until they got downstairs. At the door, he stopped and turned. “I feel like your father would be mad if I didn’t ask you this before I give you away, but are you sure this is what you want?”

  Violca blinked back tears, nodding at him. “Chase makes me so very happy.”

  Brandon leaned down and brushed his lips against hers in an innocent and brotherly kiss. She smiled up at him when he pulled back. “Good, I know your parents wanted nothing more than for their daughters to be happy.”

  When he opened the door, Violca saw her sisters and Mary holding the veil. Mary stood on a chair and with Eva’s help, carefully put the veil on Violca’s head. She secured it in place with several pins and adjusted the back while Brandon held the front half. Mary asked him to adjust the front once she’d stepped down from the chair.

  Taking a deep, shuddering breath, Mary ushered the sisters into place and grabbed the groomsmen. The two youngest went first. Angyalka was paired with Chase’s cousin, Alec. Eryk took Sari’s arm and whispered something that made her smile before leading her down the aisle. Kati, who was paired with Scott, was up next. The way Kati blushed when Scott took her arm made Violca smile. Since he’d helped save her and her sisters from the demons, her sister’s crush on him had grown. Violca often worried if she’d made the wrong choice, not letting Scott tell Kati that his panther had imprinted on her, that for him she was his mate. Violca found herself praying she’d had made the right choice.

  Eva and Viktor were last couple. Before starting down the aisle, Eva looked over her shoulder and mouthed, “I love you,” to Violca. Viktor looked back at her and gave her a reassuring smile before leading Eva down the aisle.

  Violca looked up at Brandon and smiled at him. “Thank you.”

  Brandon looked down at her and gently squeezed her hand. “Are you ready?” he asked, a smile playing on his lips.

  Violca figured Brandon knew she was nervous and was trying to make her feel better. When she nodded, he gave a signal letting them know they were ready.

  The music changed to the wedding march, and Brandon led her to the doorway of the small chapel. Violca heard everyone stand. When Chase turned to look at her, Violca felt her heart skip a small beat. His expression was one of love, clear for everyone to see.

  Brandon squeezed her hand, letting her know it was time for them to start walking down the aisle. Violca glanced toward her beaming sisters, and for one brief moment, she wished her old friend Annabelle was up there with them. She quickly shook that feeling off. She was grateful for what she had right now; no need to focus on what might have been. She approached Chase and her eyes roamed his body; his tailor-made suit hugged his muscles perfectly. When she finally gazed upon his face, he gave her a wicked grin. Both Chase and his dragon knew she was checking him out. They approved.

  She distantly heard the priest talk about the symbolism of giving away the bride. She heard him ask, Who would give away the bride today? then heard Brandon respond, “I do,” in a deep, clear voice before presenting her hand to Chase. Stopping, Brandon put his hand over both of theirs before telling Chase, “She may not be my blood sister, but she’s my family and now you are too.”

  Chase nodded at his words, and Violca tried to blink back tears again, wondering when she’d become such a watering pot. Chase gently pulled her to his side while Brandon stood behind them. Eva reached forward to take the bouquet from her and Violca smiled when she saw her sisters blinking back tears.

  The ceremony itself was a blur. Violca barely remembered hearing the prayers read in ancient Greek or the blessings she’d found from her mother’s people. The world all but disappeared as she stared into Chase’s eyes. The large flecks of gold visible in his brown eyes were a visual sign as to how close his dragon was to the surface. When it was time for her to say her vows, she felt her voice catch and Chase’s thumb caressed her hand firmly.

  Chase followed her vows with his own, and a shudder ran up her spine when she heard a growl in her head followed by the word mine. Her eyes widened and Chase smiled at her and winked. Barely aware of him sliding the ring on her finger, her breath caught as he released her hands to pick up the veil. His hand cupped her cheek before sliding his arms around her neck. Then his mouth came down in a deep, passionate kiss. Smiling against his lips, she heard a loud cheer from their family echoing off church walls.


  SIXTEEN

  ONE OF CHASE’S hands held the back of Violca’s neck; the other slid around her waist, pulling her close as he deepened the kiss. Chase felt her lips curve in a smile against his and he laughed as he broke the moment. The cheers were so loud he wouldn’t be surprised if the entire town could hear them. Bending down, he brushed his lips against hers one more time before whispering, “Mine.”

  Chase saw the laughter in her eyes when she winked at him and replied, “Mine.”

  Taking her hand, he led her back down the aisle and out of the church. The wedding party followed them as he led her to the side where the photographer had planned to take the wedding pictures. As the photographer lined everyone up, Chase leaned down to whisper in her ear, “You look stunning, Mrs. Reed.”

  Violca smiled, her eyes caressing him. “Mr. Reed, you are looking pretty amazing yourself.”

  The photographer had them take several pictures in different groups and Chase found himself watching his bride and loving how she smiled so easily. After they were done taking photos, Maria showed up and took Violca away to help change her dress for the reception.

  Angyalka came up to Chase and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you for keeping your promise. Pink is still not my color.”

  Chase chuckled at her words, remembering how shortly after they’d met she’d informed him she didn’t want to wear pink when he married her sister. “Well, with a request like that, how could I have denied you?”

  Angyalka grinned and walked off to join her sister Sari, who was talking to Eryk and Alec. Inhaling deeply, Chase smiled, turning toward the stairs to see Violca at the top smiling down at him. The dress she was in was a simpler version of the one she’d worn for the wedding. The long train was gone and the dress was shorter so she would have an easier time moving around the dance floor.

  Chase met her at the bottom of the stairs and pulled her toward him. Her smile was bright as she welcomed him.

  “Come, my love,” he said. “We have to go down and greet the guests.”

  Both the ballroom and the garden were set up for the guests to enjoy. Speakers were arranged to carry the music outside. White candles were everywhere as part of Violca’s ancestors’ cleansing ceremony and the same violet pansies that were used to decorate her hair were artfully placed about.

  Violca and Chase walked outside to see everyone already lined up and waiting for them. The sun would be setting soon, which meant Lazzaro would be showing up shortly. Chase still wasn’t sure what Aithne did to convince Viktor to allow the Vampire King to come to the reception, but he was sure, whatever it was, that his king didn’t mind.

  They greeted guests for almost an hour before Chase was finally able to pull Violca away. He handed her a drink and she sighed happily before saying, “Thank you, my cheeks actually hurt from having to smile at everyone.”

  Chuckling, he kissed the top of her head. “I think we are to be officially announced soon and then we’re done with door duty.”

  Violca sighed and took a drink while leaning on him. “Are you sure the girls are going to be okay with us gone?”

  He could hear the concern in her voice and he smiled as his hand gently slid up and down her back. “Brandon is going to be here for a few days and I’m pretty sure Aithne and Viktor can handle them the rest of the time.”

  Chase grinned, looking down at her as she bit her lower lip. This would be her first trip away from her sisters since their parents’ death and he knew this was going to be hard on her. Chase also knew that they needed some time alone. Tilting her face up to his, he smiled down at her. “I promise we will video chat with them every day so you can check on them.”

  Her face softened and nodded and she smiled. “You realize I’m going to be just as bad when we decide to have kids.”

  “I would expect nothing less,” Chase said, his mind immediately creating an image of her round body with his baby. “I also expect our daughter to be a handful, just like her mother.”

  Laughing, she playfully smacked his chest. When Chase saw Kassandra, he sighed. “Time to get back to greeting some of the guests.”

  Giving Violca’s glass to one of the passing waiters, he offered her his arm to lead her back to where they were expected to greet the guests. Chase was surprised by the sheer number of people who had come out to celebrate the wedding. He was sure he knew only half of them. Viktor had informed them that the dragons who weren’t able to attend the ball had wanted to see for themselves that a dragon had found his mate after all these long years. Chase found himself eager to sneak his new bride away to enjoy their night in the cabin before they started on their honeymoon.

  Once dinner was done and the party started, Chase detected a slight change in the tone of conversation. He turned to see Lazzaro at the top of the stairs. His light blond hair was slicked back and his ice-blue eyes scanned the crowd. When they landed on Violca and Aithne, Chase noticed Lazzaro’s lips pull up into a smirk before walking toward them.

  Viktor gave him a glance and they both walked over to join their mates, reaching them before Lazzaro. Chase felt himself grinding his teeth as Violca greeted him with a warm smile. “Lazzaro, I’m glad you were able to join us.”

  Lazzaro took her hand and bowed low, kissing the top of it. Chase found himself naturally taking a step closer. With the connection to his mate, he could feel only amusement from her, but he still felt the need to punch the vampire in his perfectly smug face.

  “You flatter me. I was humbled by the invite.” Standing up to his full height, Lazzaro grinned down at her. “I would never miss a chance to tell you and your mate congratulations on this beautiful occasion.”

  Lazzaro next did the same with Aithne. Chase could hear Viktor’s low growl, and saw Lazzaro’s lips twitch in response. “It’s great to see you as well, my dear.”

  Lazzaro released Aithne’s hand, and Viktor instantly wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her close.

  “Lazzaro, I hope you enjoy the reception,” said Chase. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to go show off my new wife.”

  Lazzaro nodded. “I look forward to dancing with the bride later.” Chase thought he saw a flash of something besides indifference cross Lazzaro’s face.

  “I look forward to it,” Violca replied before adding, “Don’t cause too much of a stir tonight; we’re trying to solidify the truce.”

  Lazzaro laughed out loud at her comment and Chase noticed everyone near them was staring. Leave it to his mate to tease the King of Vampires and have him laughing. Chase wrapped his arm around Violca as they began to circle the room to mingle with some more of the guests.

  Violca smiled as Eva joined her at the top of the balcony overlooking the guests in the garden. Despite the sun having set several hours before, a number of guests were still there, which surprised Violca. Kassandra was right to have expanded the party to include both the ballroom and a section of the garden.

  “Where’s Chase? I didn’t think he was going to let you out of his sight tonight?” Eva asked, a teasing smirk playing on her lips.

  “He just went to see Viktor for a minute. I think he’s making sure everything’s okay before we leave,” Violca answered, watching her sister as she surveyed the people below.

  “So that’s the Vampire King, huh?”

  Violca looked to where Eva’s gaze was fixed. Lazzaro was standing near a table, a glass of champagne in his hand. “The one and only.”

  “He’s hot,” Eva replied, and Violca noticed that her sister hadn’t stopped staring at him.

  “You know there’s a good chance he can probably hear you,” Violca said and laughed out loud. Her sister just bit her lip before shrugging.

  “Well if he can, then it’s rude he didn’t acknowledge my compliment.” Eva leaned a little forward as if trying to determine if he could hear her or not. “I know you said he drinks bagged blood but I wonder if he bites during sex. Do you think it hurts?”

  “Eva,” Violca whispered, her ton
e more motherly and scolding than she usually used for her sister. She found her sister’s curiosity about the vampire a bit alarming.

  Eva winked at her and laughed. “What? I’m curious. I’m not planning on hooking up with him…tonight. I’m helping babysit while you and Chase go have some adult fun.”

  Violca rolled her eyes, hoping her sister was just teasing her, which made Eva laugh even harder. She had a funny feeling there was more to Lazzaro than he let the world believe, but Eva was her sister and it was her job to keep her safe. “Just do me a favor and go flirt with…”

  “A safe shape-shifting dragon?” Eva asked, her voice heavy with sarcasm.

  “Exactly!”

  Eva’s shoulders shook as if she were trying not to laugh. In the last year, they’d learned that they were witches and the simple world they lived in also contained demons, vampires, and people who shape-shifted into dragons and animals. Not to mention that her best friend was actually a telepath who had a remarkable ability to communicate with machines.

  “Just try to stay out of trouble until I get back from my honeymoon.”

  With a very big grin, Eva hugged her tightly. “I can do that as long as you promise to have lots and lots of fun. You deserve it.”

  Violca jumped when she felt arms slide around her. “I promise to make sure she does,” Chase said.

  “I have no doubt you will,” Eva said before looking back toward Lazzaro. When she frowned, Violca looked to see him talking to a beautiful brunette. Violca had met her earlier but couldn’t remember her name. With a big smile, Eva looked at them both. “Well, I believe I’m going to leave you two alone and go find someone to dance with.”

  “Should I ask what you two were talking about?” asked Chase.

  Shaking her head, she looked up at him. “Just how she should find a safe dragon to dance with.”

  Chase laughed, and Violca turned in his arms. He put his forehead against hers. He growled low and a shudder ran up her spine. “You wouldn’t think dragons were safe if you knew what I’m planning to do with you the moment we’re alone.”