When John puts Raina down, she runs to Momma and buries her head in her dress. “I have a home. Nobody can send me away again. I have a home!”
Momma was hoping to extend the official adoption to Raina earlier. She did not want to force Raina into a decision and decided to wait a while longer. It is now apparent that Raina is done waiting. She has chosen her family out of love, not desperation. Her fears are soothed with the knowledge she has a home.
“Let no person even try!” John shouts, brandishing a stick as if it were a sword.
“The young Elf Raina will have a knight… and uh, wolf! To protect her and her home.”
The cheers and celebrations about this wonderful turn of the morning flair up again and are accompanied by the music for the day.
I whisper to Liam: “You are amazing, my King.”
“I’m working up to astonishing.” Liam teases, taking my hand, walking with me through the food stalls.
The day progress as expected: lots of food, lots of games and running around; lots of laughter and jostling between the wolf families. When the household car pulls up, everyone lines up at the gate to welcome Jarrod, Lilly and little J.J. home. It does not take long for John and Jarrod to form their double trouble duo.
“Duuude!” and “ouch! Sorry, Mom!” John gets a slap from his mother before he could continue. “You got fat!”
“I’ll show you fat, puppy!” And off they go.
Lilly looks like a natural momma, cheeks flushed and happy as she introduces their baby to the clan.
“And this is your Aunty Carmina!” She says. I put my finger out to the chubby cheeked boy who promptly grabs it and start chewing.
“He knows where the snacks are already!” John teases as I withdraw a spittle-wet finger from J.J.
Lady E doesn’t wait for an invitation; she simply takes the baby from Lilly. The two older women wave us away like we’re intruding and sidle off to the big old evergreen tree. Momma has already set up a small playpen and sleeping area for the baby. I think that child is going to be the most spoiled vampire half-breed on this planet. Raina attaches herself to J.J. and the bond was almost instant. J.J’s eyes follows her everywhere and, from time to time, you can hear him scream with laughter at Raina. Like Lilly, she’s a natural with the kids.
I walk Lilly to their home, while Jarrod, John and Liam follow, enthralled in some bizarre game of “look at my muscles”, behind us. I stand back, not wanting to cover my ears openly when Lilly walks inside. Her squeal was as I predicted. She flies out the door minutes later and tackles John into a typical Lilly hug-jump-up-and-down motion. John grins proudly and Jarrod pretends to growl.
“Back less than an hour and you excite my wife? What have you done?”
John stands like a stone pillar while Lilly grabs Jarrod’s hand dragging him inside. I hear the roar from inside: “YARRR MATEYS, WENCH BRING ME A DRINK!”
Lilly’s retort slays me: “Not until you scrub the deck you sea-dog, what do you think this is, a two-bit parlor?”
I whisper to John, “I think you got it right!”
John waits humbly outside, shuffling again until Lilly and Jarrod both emerge from the house.
“John, what a splendid thing to come home to! Thank you!” Jarrod grabs the Ancient into a bear hug.
“It was nothing; Raina helped.”
Liam takes my hand and steals me away, leaving the three to enjoy their reunion.
When night falls over the courtyard, the effect is spectacular. The family all gathers around and share stories, food and general merriment. Liam has vanished and I assume he is off with Jarrod and John chasing someone or something. When the silence falls instantly over the clan, I turn to look behind me.
John, Jarrod and Liam are all standing on the podium in black tuxes. Lilly, Momma and Lady E stand up and join them. The silence in the enclosure is sweetly interrupted by the soft music which ends when Liam steps up and holds his hand out to me – I swallow a million times, trying to figure out why my mouth is so damn dry.
He takes my hand in his, looking over his shoulder and then speaks clearly: “Today, you agreed to be my valentine. I have one more request.”
Liam sinks to one knee, turning my palm up and kissing across my pulse, like he’s done a hundred times before.
“Liam…” I start but he rolls his eyes up to me and the look on his face near stops my heart.
“You promised me you wouldn’t ever leave me again.” The music starts up and I recognize the song, A Thousand Years by Christina Perri. The small group behind Liam recites the words and I feel the tears streaming down my face. Liam drops his forehead into my palm while the words paint my soul every color but blue.
Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave?
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall?
But watching you stand alone,
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow.
One step closer
I have died every day waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath
Every hour has come to this
One step closer
I have died every day waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
One step closer
One step closer
I have died every day waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
I'll love you for a thousand more
When the song fades, and the silence falls again, Liam lifts his face to mine.
“Carmina Rose, Rockflower, Vixen, Huntress, Redheaded Volcano Goddess… I have waited so long… please, will you marry me and make good on your promise to never leave me again?”
I look over Liam’s head to the group behind him. When I compose myself, I look down to him.
Sinking to my knees I whisper to him, “I’m dangerous for you.”
He smiles and nods. “And I’m dangerous for you.”
I close my eyes.
“Right now. We get married right now, Liam.”
I hear Momma and Lady E both say: “Told you.”
“Then right now it is, my Rockflower.” Liam stands up and Uncle Will steps forward. I didn’t even see him before.
“Then let’s get this done… before she changes her mind.” He says with a big grin.
Everything happens fast after that; I am moving as if in a daze. Lilly grabs me off to the side to “fix the mess you made of your face.”
Lady E and Momma whirl around me to attach “the rest of your dress” to the corset part and I am transformed into a bride within minutes. They all knew! It dawns on me. They all … I’m such a dummy!
***
Liam looks at Carmina standing with him, in front of his father. He cannot believe that everything went smoothly. He’s been on eggshells most of the day, and worried that Carmina may pick up on his nerves. Thankfully, everyone helped with keeping her distracted and busy, yet relaxed. When he hears her telling him that she won’t wait, he couldn’t have been more relieved. His mother and Margarith told him that she would do this. Car
mina is not one for waiting, Margarith said, never has been.
Liam looks at the girl that captured his imagination and love from the very first moment he smelled her scent. He closes his eyes and recalls the first memory: the redhead sitting in the glade, looking annoyed at him because he blocked her view. How little did he know back then?
Today, he is marrying this woman, this being who has literally turned the entire species of immortals upside down and inside out. This girl who is nothing more than human and yet, everything about her challenges that perception.
Liam asks his Father to waive the traditional vows and not tempt fate by asking about objections to their unions. He is not so much worried about the fact that someone may object, though he is worried about the determined look on Carmina’s face that tells him she will not tolerate interference. Will decides to let the lot of the traditional ceremony go up on the air. He simply takes their hands in his and set the example of leading through his heart.
“I want you both to declare your love, openly and with witnesses, to one another.”
Carmina clears her throat eager and ready for this event. With a beaming smile she declares, “I hate you.”
Liam’s mouth twitches in one corner, and without hesitation he replies: “More today than yesterday, less than tomorrow. I also love you.”
Carmina responds fast and definitively, “More today than yesterday, less than tomorrow.”
Will raises both eyebrows at the pair in front of him and shrugs. These two have broken every conventional rule and law thus far, why not this one too?
“Will the witnesses accept these vows?”
John and Lilly were the first to throw their voices behind the couple with a “dang right!” and “without question.”
The rest of the company echoes their agreements in a similar fashion, some of them not answering, looking confused by the recited vows.
“Then, my Son, allow the Moretti House to welcome the new daughter into our home.”
Will turns to his wife, who brings John with her. Taking hands, they let out a howl in unison. The sound travels to the moon and back and embeds itself firmly in the memory of every person attending. When the echo dies away, Will steps away for Margarith. Margarith smiles bright.
“Then, my Daughter, all the Nightshade clan wish to welcome the new son into our home.” Margarith ties her hair back and the clan women follow suit; the men spread their palms up.
Margarith moves to extend a palm towards Liam, and one towards her heart, the clan mimic the exact motion and as one, one word chases after the faded howled echo. “Family.”
Proudly, Liam looks at Carmina. He feels honored to be part of her clan, and exceptionally proud of introducing Carmina into the Moretti Ancients’ House.
“Witnessed and Welcomed. You may kiss.”
Liam hears Carmina’s heartbeat; he feels the heat lifting into her cheeks. Pulling her into him, he kisses her keenly, tenderly.
***
I feel the cold of Liam’s lips on mine. I also feel every pair of eyes on us. The thunderous cheers and roaring congratulations lift me into the clouds and beyond, but not without the usual red heat spreading over my face. The volcano rumbles at the exact moment his lips meet mine. The tremors that roll over the ground serve to spur the clan into further shouts and applause. Liam’s words burn into my heart like a personal signature: “Thank you, I am complete now.”
“And I belong,” I answer.
A tambourine sound flairs up and Raina beats the sound to a song. The clan claps along and the Rocky Road To Dublin is paved with beautiful memories. John hooks his arm into mine.
“She did that on her own. The friend-family will always be with us, living on in Raina,” John says proudly.
He then dashes off to hoist the tambourine-playing girl onto his shoulders again while dancing through the family.
Lilly slides up next to me, whispering: “Now would be the time to ask if you have any questions about… honeymoon things.”
She pokes my side and I feel my face catching fire all over again.
“Lilly!” I hiss at her, which draws a questioning look from Liam.
Lilly opens her mouth to speak to Liam and I elbow her with a warning look.
“Girl talk.” She ends up saying.
I am surprised to see Joseph and Maria join us, and the Vulture House shows up one by one.
“Carmina! Liam! Congratulations! We approve! What a great addition to the Ancient Houses… Margarith, my dear! You are a blossoming flower yourself. Thank you for this gift!” Joseph’s charms gain hit points with Momma.
“Monkey’s Uncle.” Fayola repeats her doubt of my humanness but adds an old Jamaican blessing, “Congratulations to both houses. Getting married is nothing; it is assuming the responsibility of marriage that counts the most.”
We spend the rest of the evening dancing and celebrating. Our clan has not been in such good spirits in a very long time. In one day we’ve had two new Elders returning with their baby, an adoption and a wedding – My valentine-birthday-wedding is the best gift I have never dreamt of. It dawns on me that as of right now… I am a Moretti!
Honeymoon
When the time comes to say goodnight, Liam takes my hand and leads me away from the cottage.
“Alone time. Close your eyes; don’t cheat, or I’ll have to go fetch Raina.”
He picks me up and I shove my face into his shoulder. Liam moves so smoothly, I have to peek to see if we’re going anywhere. He stops immediately and glares.
“Now, Mrs. Moretti, don’t make me tell you twice.”
I push my face firmly into his chest again, feeling the excitement blazing at the way he called me Mrs. Moretti.
Why am I this nervous? Oh yes, I’m human. And a virgin. And married to a vampire wolf-man… Right.
Even with my face tucked away against the cold of Liam’s body, I can smell mildew, forest and sulfur in the air. My senses are overloaded and my curiosity threatens to get the better of me.
“Are we there yet?” I ask the wordless question.
“Almost…” Liam answers. I sense him folding his body over and then the smells turn sandy and dusty. The sulfur is still evident but less so. The air feels damp yet it is warm. Liam puts me down and the slow dripping sound echoes like a soft rumor around us.
“Open.”
When I open my eyes, they take a while to adjust. When they do, I am struck in wonder. There is a beautiful natural window opening up onto the valley far below. I can see the lights of the courtyard twinkling like stars miles away. Inside, the floor is covered in soft, reddish sand. In the middle of the room we’re standing in is a natural warm spring sending up wisps of steam, condensation above dripping back down into the pool. The furniture arranged around it is carved in natural woods, some of which is still growing! The ceiling is re-constructed with deep, red hardwood beams with support creating pillars all around. Carved in each pillar: the Moretti Emblem and an added feature of my face with flowing long hair! Two big tree-stumps create the foundation for an immense hammock towards the far back of the space. Into the black rock wall is a woodstove with a counter extended on both sides; on one side, a massive amethyst rock; on the other, a natural clear crystal. The crystals are lights, casting a soft purple shade and a brighter light over the entire area.
A small bookshelf with pictures… Pictures hand drawn of me sitting in the bay window!
“Liam! This is… extraordinary!”
“I... made this retreat after I burnt down the old one. It … is for us, to be alone. I chose the side of the Volcano because someone once thought that Chantico sleeps in here…”
“Liam…” My trembling lips are a dead giveaway of my emotional response. Liam strokes his thumb over my cheek.
“Well. I know you like you privacy, so… I created a changing room.” Liam moves towards a panel in the wall. The small leather loop serves as a handle and when he pulls at it, it reveals a divider. The screen is blank white allowin
g the slightest of light through.
“I asked Lilly to pack your overnight bag… I have no idea what she’s put in there. There is a small bathroom to the back with a shower, mirror and basin.”
“Th-thank you,” I stammer like a teenager, slipping in behind the screen. Looking through the bag, there is nothing that breeds confidence in me. Lilly’s has put in exactly one full change of clothing for tomorrow, my toothbrush, a towel, brush and full make-up kit. What the hell, Lilly? I hear the water ripple and close my eyes. I can do this. I can do this. I…. oh gods, I don’t think I can do this!
***
Liam feels the conflict rushing though Carmina’s tie with him. He closes his eyes and clenches his fists nervously, waiting for her in the pool. If he had a beating heart, it would be thundering along like hers. He knows she would hear it and there would be no question that he is as excited and nervous as his new bride. Perhaps it would have helped her, the same way hearing her heartbeat racing is helping him.
Carmina strips down and tries to tame her hair again. She knows the effort is futile but it helps with her nervous energy. With the towel clutched in front of her she steps out from behind the screen. Seeing Liam in the water sends her heart off on a marathon drumbeating again. His body is perfectly still for a while, his muscles tense. His pale skin looks like liquid rock; smooth, beautiful.
Hidden Carmina Page 38
