by Leilani Love
Mary cleared her throat, a big grin on her face. “Chase is going to fall over when he sees you; you look breathtaking. We’re going to go and leave you girls alone and we will meet you downstairs to help put the veil on before you walk down the aisle.”
Thanking them for getting her ready, Violca watched her sisters’ reaction as they left the window to come admire the work the girls 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 grabbed 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 as he let out a low whistle. He took the last few steps to her. “I want to give you a hug but I am afraid I will 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, which told her that despite the fact that he looked like he didn’t have a care in the world, 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 about what had been going on. Since they moved to Colorado, they had 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 flannel shirt.”
Brandon chuckled as he followed her to the door, “All right girls; we will catch up after the wedding. I promise I am all yours for the next few days.”
They all left with him to go downstairs and give Violca a few minutes alone. Once the door closed behind them, Violca put her hand on her stomach. Nervous and excited, she took a few steps toward the window to stare outside. She barely noticed the cars that pulled up or the people that 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 them 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.
Her nerves calmed, she heard a light tapping on the door and called out for them to enter. Turning, she saw Brandon walk in, dressed in a tailored suit, his sandy blond hair slicked back. He smiled so big she could see the dimple on his left cheek before he slowly turned in a circle before her.
“I know you aren’t supposed to outshine a bride on her wedding day but...” Brandon said before giving her a wink.
Shaking her head and rolling her eyes, she laughed. “You wish you looked as good as I do.”
Holding out his arm to her, he 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 to look at her, “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 before her holding the veil. With a signal to Violca, Mary stood on a chair, with Eva’s help, and carefully put the veil on her head. Securing it in place with several pins and adjusting the back, she had Brandon take the front half. She then asked him to adjust it to the front once Mary 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 smiled as he took Sari’s arm and whispered something that made her sister smile at him before he led her down the aisle. Kati was up next and had been paired up with Scott. The way Kati blushed when Scott took her arm to lead her down the aisle made Violca smile. Since he had helped save them from the demons, her sister’s crush on him had grown. She often worried if she 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 had made the right choice.
Eva was the last to go down the aisle with Viktor. Before the two started down the aisle, her sister looked over her shoulder at her and gave her a wink mouthing, “I love you.” Viktor looked back at her and gave her a reassuring smile before he led her sister up the aisle.
Taking a deep shuddered breath, 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. She 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.
Hearing the music change to the Wedding March, he led her to the doorway of the small chapel and 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 the walk up the aisle. Violca’s eyes glanced toward her sister, who looked very happy for her, and for one brief moment, she wished her old friend Annabelle was up there with them before shaking it off quickly. She was grateful for what she had right now without focusing on what might have been. Standing before Chase, her eyes roamed his body; the suit the tailor made just for him hugged his body perfectly. When she finally gazed upon his face, he gave her a wicked grin that let her know that he and his dragon knew she was checking him out. He 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, in a clear deep voice, respond, “I do,” before presenting her hand to Chase in a symbolic gesture. 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 had become such a watering pot. Chase gently pulled her to his side while Brandon stood behind for a few minutes. Eva reached forward to take the bouquet from her and Violca smiled when she saw both 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 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 the loud cheer from their family that echoed off the wall of the church.
Chapter 16
One hand held the back of her 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 it. 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 started to line 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 shortly after they met how she 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 was she had worn for the wedding.
Chase met her at the bottom of the stairs and pulled her toward him, her smile bright as she welcomed him. “Come, my love. We have to go down and greet the guests.”
The party was set up to be both indoors and outdoors. The ballroom was ready for guests and the doors opened to lead down to a part of the garden that was also set up for people to enjoy. Speakers were arranged to carry the music outside. White candles were everywhere as part of the cleansing ceremony of Violca’s ancestors and the same violet pansies that were used to decorate her hair were artfully placed about.
They walked outside to see everyone already lined up and waiting for them. The sun would be setting soon and Chase knew 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 he was finally able to pull Violca away. Chase 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 she smiled at him while nodding, “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. Dinner done and the party officially started, Chase heard the slight change in tone of conversation and 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, he noticed Lazzaro’s lips pull up into a smirk as he walked toward them.
Viktor gave him a glance, as 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.”
Taking her hand in his, Lazzaro bowed low, kissing her hand and Chase found himself naturally taking a step closer. With the connection to his mate, he could feel only amusement from her, but 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, he grinned down at her. “I would never miss a chance to tell you and your mate congratulations on this beautiful occasion.”
Lazzaro took Aithne’s hand. Bending down, he brushed his lips against her hand. Chase could hear Viktor growl low beside his mate and saw Lazzaro’s lips twitch in response. “It’s great to see you as well, my dear.”
Once he released Aithne’s hand, Chase noticed how Viktor instantly wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her close to him. “Lazzaro, I hope you enjoy the reception. If you don’t mind, I’m going to go show off my new wife.”
Lazzaro nodded and Chase thought for just a moment that he saw a flash of something besides indifference cross his face. “I look forward to dancing with the bride later.”
“I look forward to it.” Violca replied before she added, “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 of the guests.
***
Violca smiled as Eva joined her at the top of the balcony that overlooked the guests in the garden. Despite the sun having set several hours before, Violca was surprised to see how many guests were still there. Kassandra was right to expand the party to include 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. He 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 tone 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 louder. 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 began to shake as if she was trying not to laugh. In the last year, they learned that they were witches and the simple world they lived in also contained demons, vampires, and people that shape-shifted into dragons and animals. Not to mention that her best friend was actually a telepath that 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.”
