A sudden flash surprises me. “What was that?”
“Oh, Alexis is your photographer for the night,” answers Selene from the massage table she’s laying on. “She’ll be taking photos of you getting ready, while her brother, Liam, will take photos of Damien. He’ll take the video of the ceremony, while she’ll take the photos.”
“Okay . . . Um, I was going to ask something . . . oh! It should only take 15 to 20 minutes to get to the park, why were we supposed to leave so early?”
“Because we must arrive before the men to ensure they don’t see you until the actual ceremony, and in case we need to steam the dress to remove creases, or any other mishap. You never know what could happen.”
“Oh, okay.” I relax into my massage and enjoy it. Aly and Selene seem to enjoy their lavender oil massages. The schedule goes smoothly, and I pick up time here and there as I finish things early, getting us back on track. I choose a light silver eyeshadow with dark red lipstick and a golden highlight during my makeup appointment to continue the moon, sun, and vampire theme the rest of my outfit represents.
We hit a snag as Aly and Selene pack my going away bag. They fold up some clothes and add some toiletries. That’s all fine. Then they put in three variety boxes of condoms. Three!!
“Isn’t that supposed to be for one night?”
Selene shrugs. “One never knows how enthusiastic you’ll be. There’s been a bit of a dry spell.”
“Goddesses, save me. I’ll remember this for your Bondings.” Selene pauses for a moment, but Aly continues, unfazed.
“Who knows when that will be. Now, we need to get you in your dress.” Eager to end the conversation for now, I stand on the pedestal that has been brought into the room. Moments later, Hilda rolls my dress in on a mannequin and removes the plastic covering. It’s stunning. There aren’t adequate words to describe it. And it matches the dress from my dream perfectly.
“Nyx will be so pleased,” I murmur.
“I certainly hope so,” responds Hilda.
“She will, Hilda, I know it.” Hilda, Aly, and Selene get the dress off the mannequin and on me with relative ease
“I will join you at the park to take care of any problems, like creases,” Hilda informs me. “You look like a goddess, Lys.” I laugh at the irony as I’m fairly certain Hilda hasn’t heard the latest revelations. Selene’s reply confirms my suspicions.
“She had better, Hilda. I know you don’t understand, so we’ll explain later, if our Goddess Nyx does not. For now, we need her shoes and jewelry.”
“Of course, they are in the boxes.” They help me with the accessories, then concentrate on dressing themselves. Both Selene and Aly wear champagne colored, floor length, strapless, silk gowns that have a stripe of blood red silk across the sweetheart neckline with a small moon and sun brooch at the dip. They both wear blood red slippers similar to my own.
While they change, I have time to really look at myself in the mirror. I look so different, so elegant. I’ve never worn anything like this. The woman staring out at me from the mirror could be a Hollywood starlet, or a goddess.
Once all of us are completely ready, they tear me away from the mirror and we head out to the limousine. Mrs. Delanciennes meets us in the entrance hall wearing a gown that matches her daughters’ only with a belt like strip of silk around her hips pinned in the back with another brooch. She’s also wearing a bolero.
She holds her arms out to me. “Oh, Cara, you look exquisite.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Delanciennes.”
“Are we ready?” We all nod eagerly, and climb carefully into the limo. The ride over, the last-minute fixes, and the wait for midnight drag on forever. Finally, Aly, Selene, and Mrs. Delanciennes leave the tent we’ve been waiting in.
Shawn rushes in moments later, looking nervous, but stops and grins when he sees me. “Wow, Lys, you look amazing.”
“Thanks, Shawnie. And look at you!” His tuxedo is a perfect fit, showing off the fact that he does, occasionally, exercise. “Selene’s not going to be able to keep her hands off.”
His grin falls back into his previous nervous look. “Speaking of Selene, she told me I have to ask her dad for permission to date her.” He starts pacing. “She thought tonight would be best since he’ll be all soft with the Bonding, but I don’t know. I can’t see how he’ll be okay with me dating her. I’m a nobody. What if he says no?” He suddenly stops and stares at me with a pleading expression. “Lys, I don’t know if I can do this!”
I will speak with him.
Thank you, Nyx.
I don’t want to tell Shawn that Nyx will help. I know he needs to do this on his own. “I’m sure it will be fine, Shawnie. Selene wouldn’t have made the suggestion if he’s likely to say no. You have to trust that she knows her father.”
Shawn nods uncertainly. “Yeah. Yeah, that’s a good point.”
I bump him with my elbow. “You’ll be fine. Mr. Delanciennes will say yes, and you’ll get to date the lovely Miss Selene.” I waggle my eyebrows at him.
He grins. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Lys.”
“Any time, Shawnie. Thank you for being here for me tonight. Thank you for always being here for me.”
Shawn looks me tenderly. “Any time, Lys, you know that.”
“I know.” We stay silent, preserving the moment. We both know nothing will ever be the same again after the ceremony.
“Besides, I wouldn’t miss this for the world. I’ll get to meet a goddess! And I can’t let you be the only human present. Well, almost human.” He looks down and sighs. “Look, I know Damien’s going to make you happy, and I’m pretty sure you’ve already made him happy, judging by the grin he’s been wearing. But don’t forget the rest of us. Don’t disappear off into the sunset with your happily ever after.”
I shake my head vehemently. “Shawnie, you know I have no intention of leaving you behind. Why do you think I’m so happy you and Selene have hit it off? You may be the only person I’ll get to keep with me. I want my bestest buddy right here with me in the future like you’ve been for the past eight years.” I blink back tears, not willing to let the waterworks start and ruin my makeup, or my dress.
Shawn hugs me. “Oh, Lys. I understand. But don’t give up hope. You have years to figure out how to make it all work. And I’ll help. You know I will. After all, what are friends for?”
I breathe a relieved sigh. He’s right. “Thank you, Shawnie.”
Shawn’s watch starts beeping, breaking the tension. Smiling, Shawn turns it off and offers me his arm, ready to walk me to Damien. “Come on, time for your Bonding, Lys.”
As we step out of the tent, I spot Damien standing by his father. He should wear tuxedos more often. The cut of his jacket accentuates his broad shoulders. His pants grip his thighs, and I know I’ll love the rear view too. He looks up to meet my gaze with eyes full of love, awe, and lust.
His mother, brothers, and sisters are all standing around in a circle while his father holds an old tome in his hands. I recognize the scene from my dream. I look up at the full moon in thanks, wondering when, exactly, she’ll come down to visit.
When we reach Damien, Shawn gives me a hug. “You’ll always be my best man, Shawn,” I whisper to him.
He pulls back and grins, although a few tears have gathered at the corner of his eyes. “Yeah, I know.”
I turn to face Damien. “You look hot,” I whisper.
“And you look beautiful, Chérie.” His voice is husky with emotion.
Mr. Delanciennes clears his throat and begins to read the text of the Bonding ceremony.
“We now gather before our everlasting Goddess of Night to formally recognize the Bond between this Destined and his Chosen. Though the Fates arranged their pairing, they wish to acknowledge their love and desire to be mated for life.”
I’m smiling so much that my face hurts. “We give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and add our best wishes and blessings to the words which shall unite Dami
en and Elysabeth in the finalization of their Bonding.”
Mr. Delanciennes takes a moment to share a special glance with his wife. They’re obviously remembering their own soul-bonding ceremony. “In this sacred and joyful moment, we call upon the highest in you, Elysabeth and you, Damien, the divine presences that brought you to love and have chosen for you the sweet commitment of this Bonding. For you, we ask every blessing of this moment from our benevolent Goddesses; great happiness on the path that is set before you; discretion, kindness, and care as you walk upon it, strength to live out your purpose, grace, and peace through each step of your journey, and beloved family and friends to support you.”
I lose myself in the happiness emanating from Damien’s eyes. Mr. Delanciennes requests the rings, and we’re each handed our partner’s ring. Before we exchange vows, the night goes dark, like in my dream. The moon is gone, and everyone begins murmuring. I turn to where I know Nyx will appear. Sure enough, seconds later Nyx appears in her unearthly beauty. This time, however, when everyone else bows and curtseys, I look at her, smiling.
“Grandma Nyx, thank you for coming, for everything. You look radiant.”
“Thank you dear, but everyone pales in comparison to a Chosen on her Bonding day. And no ‘Grandma’, Nyx is fine. Grandma makes me feel old.” I smile and nod, agreeing to her request. “Everyone, rise, please.”
On cue, Mr. Delanciennes gazes at Nyx like a peasant gazing at his beloved queen. “You honor us, Goddess.”
“Perhaps, but you are not surprised.”
“No. I confess I am not. I trusted Elysabeth’s belief that her dream was prophetic.”
“As you should, Donovan. Now I am merely here to represent my family. But you already knew that.”
“Yes, I confess I did, Goddess.”
“Please, continue the ceremony, I can answer Elysabeth’s questions when we are done.”
I grin, and turn back to Damien.
“Goddess, would you like to finish the ceremony?” Mr. Delanciennes is offering Nyx the tome he holds.
“I couldn’t possibly . . . ”
“Oh, please, Nyx,” I beg. “You’re family, too.”
She smiles at me indulgently. “Very well, Elysabeth.” She takes the book and finishes the ceremony by blessing our rings, which makes them glow briefly. When Damien places the ring on my finger, it’s warm, and I feel a frisson of electricity zoom straight up my arm to my heart. Damien must feel the same, as his eyes widen momentarily when I place his ring on his finger.
My Elysabeth is so beautiful! I cannot wait until we are alone. It has been such a long week. My eyes widen at what I’m hearing.
Damien?
Elysabeth?!?
I can hear your thoughts? “Damien, I can hear your thoughts!”
“Yes, children, enjoy your gift. It is a rare one, but you are a special pair.” Nyx smiles at us benevolently. “For now, you will only hear each other’s thoughts when you are both wearing your rings and when you wish for the other to hear you. With time, you will not need the aid of the rings. Now then, I hereby pronounce you Bonded for all of eternity, such that no man, vampire, or god, may tear thee asunder. Please seal your Bond with a kiss.” Grinning I throw myself into Damien’s arms and kiss him.
The flash of light that is emitted, however, seems to stun everyone. “What was that, Goddess?” asks Mr. Delanciennes.
“Their Bond has been finalized, and I believe that the light was the last of Elysabeth’s abilities being released.”
“Released?”
“You are my direct descendent, child. You have inherited some of my abilities, and your growing Bond with your Destined activated these. That is where the knowledge came from. It is also how I could communicate with you more easily. I believe you will also find yourself able to use god travel, and of course, your strength and speed will grow exponentially once you are turned. I must train you to control all of this, as well as your glow.”
“My . . . my glow?”
She nods. “Look at yourself, Elysabeth.” I can’t believe what my eyes are showing me. My skin is glowing, not as brightly as Nyx’s but it’s definitely glowing. The entire group present for the Bonding is gazing at me in awe.
“Concentrate on the glow, dear one. You can repress it. It will be difficult at first, but you will get better with practice.” I do as Nyx commands, and he glow dims slowly. Damien kisses me when I eliminate the glow entirely, making me lose concentration. My glow returns, this time even brighter.
“It seems your glow is controlled by your emotions. Thankfully, it will only be visible when not in direct light, so you need not worry about hiding the ability during the day. I will be visiting you in your dreams tonight, Elysabeth to begin your training.” She pauses a moment and smiles. “Well, perhaps not tonight.”
I blush deeply as those around me chuckle. “Thanks for everything, Nyx. Before you go, I have some questions for you.”
“Yes, dear?”
“What of your sister? I would love to meet her if at all possible.” I realize I’ve said the wrong thing. Her face droops and her eyes glisten with gathering tears.
“As would I, Elysabeth. But my father forbade us to meet after I bonded with Ditanu, and now she will not even speak to me when we pass each other in the sky. As you know, my father was not pleased with the Fates’ decision.”
“That’s why the dream kept skipping time. You were keeping pieces out.”
“Yes, dear. I am sure Diasta has kept an eye on her beloved creations, but she is forbidden from seeing me, and from visiting Earth.”
“Can I, as a demigoddess, visit her? Or your father? Or the Fates?”
“Yes, I suppose, but I would not recommend it. It could be dangerous.”
“But you have done so much for me. Can I do nothing for you?”
“You are giving me back the close relationship I had with my vampires. That alone is enough.” I nod, unconvinced. I will find a way to reunite her with her sister. Nyx’s sad smile tells me she knows what I’m thinking, but she says nothing, and neither do I.
“You had other questions?”
“Yes, Nyx, when would you suggest I truly join my new family?”
“You wish to know when to make the change?”
“Yes.”
“Why not tonight? Ultimately, it is your decision, but that is my suggestion. Making the change will assist with learning to control your new abilities.”
I grin widely. “I wouldn’t dare ignore your suggestion, Nyx.”
Her smile tells me she understands my joy. “Donovan, I would speak with you.”
“Of course, Goddess.” He bows then follows her at a respectful distance. I know she’s speaking to him about Shawn and Selene, just as I know he will offer no resistance. After all, how do you say no to a goddess?
When they return, Nyx bids us all good night.
“Goddess?”
“Young Damien.”
“On behalf of myself and my new Bondmate, I wish to present you a gift.”
“I see you hold two boxes.”
“Yes, Goddess. The other is for our Goddess of Day. It shall be placed upon her altar in thanks.” He bows before Nyx, holding out her gift in offering.
She takes the box and opens it, smiling with tears in her eyes. I’m briefly surprised to see Damien has given her the figurine representing day, but it occurs to me that he’s made the decision after hearing that Nyx is no longer allowed the company of her sister.
“Thank you, all of you, for a delightful evening. I must leave now.” The pull to return to the sky is too great for her to stay any longer. I hug her tightly before she disappears, then watch as she slowly reappears in the sky to light the moon.
“Does anyone know what happened to Ditanu? Is he still alive? I didn’t want to ask after her news about Diasta.” I look from face to face, and each shakes their head solemnly. I sigh sadly, and my glow dims severely. It looks like I’ll have to ask Nyx, despite being afraid of the an
swer.
Do not worry, young one. He is with me still. My blood has elongated his life, as yours will Damien’s. Perhaps one day you shall meet him.
Before I can relay the information to everyone, I light up like a light bulb. My new family looks at me eagerly.
“Good news, Chérie?”
“He’s still alive. Her blood keeps him alive. She said my blood will do the same for you, Damien, though I doubt it will be quite as potent.”
“One of the original family of vampires still lives? Had I but known I would have invited him to this Bonding.” I can hear the awe tempered with regret in Donovan’s voice.
“If we were supposed to know and invite him, Mr. Delanciennes, Nyx would have told me.” He seems happier with my words. There are a few minutes of silence, and I wonder what’s next.
“Mother, Father, we should get going.”
“Oh, yes, of course, Damien. Come along, all of you.” I follow them back to the cars. We go straight back to their house for a late-night meal.
I admire my Bonding ring on the drive. As is customary, or so I’m told, Mrs. Delanciennes chose them. She did an excellent job. Mine is a thin, platinum band with engravings on the exterior to represent Nyx and Diasta. I pull it off to examine it closer, and see that there is an interior engraving as well. I can just barely read the words. Joined by Fate. United by love. It’s beautiful.
Damien follows my gaze and smiles. “It is perfect, is it not?”
I put my ring back on and nod. “It is; your mother’s a genius.”
“That she is.”
A few minutes later, we pull into their driveway. As we all exit the different vehicles, Shawn directs Mr. Delanciennes to the side. He’s far enough away that I can’t hear him, but Damien’s lips twitch. He lets me in on the conversation using our new ability.
He is asking if there is any way that my father will allow him to court Selene, as he cares for her greatly and believes she feels the same.
I know she does.
Yes, I have never seen my sister so happy before. My father has asked what Shawn thinks he has to offer to her.
The Most Special Chosen (Exalted Bloodlines Book 1) Page 33
