by Livia Quinn
The sky was clear, the moon a great ball of light that made the many candles surrounding the circle seem dim. Two fairies kept her shimmering train from snagging on the ground as she walked toward the man she loved. There was no mistaking the appreciation in Jack's gaze. He and the other two Navy men, Ryan and Mr. Lang, looked impressive in their Navy dress whites.
Jordie stepped forward and handed her a bouquet of white and lavender flowers. Her eyes were sparkling when she said, "Tempe, you are the mother of my heart, my big sister and friend. You saved Daddy and me from a life of craziness." Tempe grinned at Jack, who chuckled at the obvious paradox. "Stop it, Daddy." To Tempe, she said, "It's true. I love you, and I beg you. . .take him off my hands." Everyone laughed including Jack.
Tempe hugged Jordie and they proceeded to the center of the circle where Jordie handed her off to Dutch. As usual, her father's bold voice seemed to move the very elements of the earth and sky. All eyes were glued to the big djinn though the humans didn't understand why, except that he was larger than life and his voice rang through the crowd.
"This very hour, when we remember so much, the battles we have fought for good, the many who were lost to us as they fought by our side to preserve everything we hold dear..." Tempe watched his eyes move to Conor and Cinder as he acknowledged them. "Tonight also marks the beginning of a new chapter for my daughter, Tempest and it is the perfect time for my wife and I to say how proud we are of our children whom we waited thousands of years for."
Tempe could only imagine what the humans were hearing. Probably something like 'we are proud of our children and their place in this community.'
Dutch's expression was tender but his voice carried across the inner circle like an edict. "Tempest, today we celebrate as one family. You and Jack will create a new branch which will be nurtured and enriched by the wisdom and sacrifices of the whole. Your mother and I are just a mindlink away." He winked and offered her hand to Jack.
"Jack Lang, I entrust you with my precious girl, to keep her safe and love her for eternity as I have her mother." His eyes reached across the circle to Phoebe.
Jack nodded solemnly and looked at Tempe as Dutch pressed his hand over hers. With a soft kiss to her elaborately adorned hair, Dutch and Phoebe stepped back as a moonbeam landed on the bride casting a halo around her.
Shards of color ricocheted as Jack slid the ring on Tempe’s finger. "I admit, I was afraid this wasn't going to happen..." he whispered in a taut voice, then he cleared his throat and spoke so everyone could hear. "Tempe, from our first meeting in February you made me challenge everything I believed. When my world turned inside out, you rescued Jordie and me from a life of..." he shrugged, "normalcy." Ryan laughed along with their close friends. "That's what I thought then. Now I know that my life always lacked that special spark until I met you.
"You didn't give up on me, even when I acted like a jerk, until I knew our real home was in Destiny with you.” He squeezed her hands in his. “Will you allow me to be your partner, to give you my protection, and all my love... for eternity?"
"I will," Tempe said as tears brimmed on her lashes. His image shimmered in front of her. She couldn't contain her joy with her family together after so many years.
There was a rush of air as dozens of colorful umbrellas opened to shield the onlookers from the sudden shower.
Aurora whispered to Montana, "I told you umbrellas would be a practical party favor."
Montana nodded as the soft rain made tiny splats on the surface of the umbrellas.
Jack chuckled.
Tempe tilted her head and blinked up at him, but didn't apologize. "Even in the early days of your investigation, when you always knew where I'd be before I did, you helped me accept the erratic side of my nature as something…"
"Beautiful," he said, smiling.
"Exciting and..." she grinned, "normal." Jordie giggled. "I love you, Jack, even when you're being that aggravatingly bossy alpha male. I guess I should've known there was a dragon hiding in here." She laid her hand over his heart. "Will you take me, despite my lamentable control over my 'talents' and my penchant for, um, stirring up a little trouble?"
"Sweetheart, I wouldn't have you any other way. Not every woman can provide your kind of fireworks."
"Um..." He was talking about what happened between them every time they made love but the attendees didn't know that.
"You're blushing..." Jack whispered and leaned down to kiss her lightly.
Conor laughed, "Ach, we'd better get this done. I can see they willnae be separated much longer."
He gasped suddenly as his gaze locked on the phantom image of a massive black dragon just outside their circle. It rose high above the crowd and gave two elegant waves of its wings as it peered down at him. Maxim’s deep voice came through Conor's thoughts as if he were there in the flesh. Do not mourn for long, my son. I'm at peace by your mother's side. Tonight we will guard the door to this world so no evil spirits can disrupt your gathering. Go, celebrate with your friends, my children.
Conor blinked and glanced at Cinder who'd seen him as well. Then he turned back to the crowd. "I present to you the sheriff of this village and his feisty bride, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Lang. Kiss yer lassie, Jack."
Jack's kiss was fierce as he staked his claim. When he lifted his head, everyone cheered as streaks of lightning circled the sky, and Tempe's tiny cousins, the Precipitaeries, shattered into icy prisms of light. The unenlightened humans in the crowd stood wondering at the oddest fireworks they'd ever seen.
Jack grinned down at Tempe, "I knew you'd have something special for the occasion."
When the fireworks ended, Conor grabbed Montana. "Ach! It is done. Now, let's rock."
He waved his arm at the faerie band and began to sing, "Here I am baby. Signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours." Not your typical bridal exit but to Tempe, it was perfect.
Jack’s eyes were soft and full of love. "Mrs. Lang, may I have this dance?" They took the floor first for their dance joined by Jordie, their parents, River, Cinder and within minutes, hundreds of Destiny's citizens filled the streets in celebration.
Maxim was true to his word. The celebration went until dawn, and no one without an invitation made it through from the other side. For now, Destiny and its residents would enjoy a few months of tranquility.
Epilogue
But in a town where mere-mortals lived as well, threats didn't always come from the other side. On the outskirts of town at the medical examiner's office, Dan Thorpe hovered over the DNA samples he'd retrieved from their hiding place.
Styx had intended to use his unique spoils to create an even bigger problem for the Supes, but the M.E. couldn’t allow that. He had plans for his DNA. Big plans. So, he'd taken measures to hide the vials until the fallout from the situation settled.
Dan took two samples from the freezer, scraped the frost off the exterior and examined the contents of each—one containing a frozen strand of light hair and another, a glazed green eyeball, didn't appear damaged. He gave a sigh of relief. The others held tissue samples gathered from various crime scenes over the last several months.
A smile spread across Thorpe’s lined face. Finally, he would be able to explore his most fervent desire.
Immortality.
Miss the first book in the series? Pick up Storm Crazy. . .
But before you go. . .
Find out how to claim your free signed reader-exclusive mystery gift - email me at [email protected] and ask me for an excerpt from book 7, Pink Moon Rising (just kidding, title to be determined.)
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About the Author
Livia moved from D.C. to the wilds of Louisiana where the weather and culture of the region inspired her writing, both her storm faerie, Tempest, and her military heroes. She’s stored up fodder from her jobs as mail lady, salesperson, plant manager, business owner and professional singer to share with readers. Think of her as her characters’ biographer! On the bayou, she is protected from the alligators and bears by her husband and their feisty Pomeranian, Dusty.
As they say in my favorite escape, Britain. . .
Caide Mile Failte’, A hundred thousand welcomes.
Livia
Contact me:
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[email protected]
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