by Julia Mills
“Oh, I don’t want to be a bother. I was just sent with this.”
Walking around the breakfast bar, she looked at the small, blue velvet box and card Niall placed on the granite surface. She immediately recognized the handwriting on the front as Maddox’s and asked, “What has he done now?” as she looked up at the Elder Healer.
Shrugging, Niall winked. “I have no clue. I am merely the messenger. And I’m to tell you he will see you as soon as the sun sets.” Then looking over her shoulder he called to Della, “But I would take a cup of coffee, please, ma’am.”
Calysta smirked as Della blushed. It was obvious she had feelings for Niall and that those feelings were reciprocated, but the two of them were acting like teenagers who’d never been on a date.
Deciding to worry more about her mating ceremony and less about her sister’s love life, the Priestess took the mug Della handed her, added cream and sugar, and after blowing a bit of the steam away, took a long, luscious sip. Closing her eyes as the wonderful liquid made its way through her system, she sighed. “Thank you, Dell. You’re a lifesaver.”
When no answer came, Calysta opened her eyes to find herself alone in the kitchen with the sound of whispered voices coming from the dining room.
None of my business…
Looking back at the counter, the Priestess picked up the card, opened the envelope, and read the heartwarming inscription from her mate. I would mate you a thousand times over, Calysta St. Kroix-MacQueen. Today, tomorrow, forever, I will love you until the sun no longer shines, the stars fall from the sky, and the angels call us home to the Heavens. Is tú mo chroí, mo ghrá, mo gach rud. Maddy
Opening the velvet box, Calysta gasped when she saw a pair of aquamarine and diamond earrings, exact matches to her ring. The exquisite princess-cut stone was surrounded by smaller diamonds and set in a spectacular platinum post setting. Tears ran down her cheeks as she quickly put them on, vowing to never take them off for as long as she lived.
Making her way upstairs, the Priestess called to her sister. “Dell, sorry to bother you, but can you come help me with my hair.”
“Be right there, Cal,” Della immediately replied, sounding perturbed but trying to hide it.
Calysta knew they had about six hours until they needed to leave and hated to interrupt what sounded like a serious conversation, but she really did need her sister’s help and most of all, didn’t want Niall upsetting Della. She’d been watching out for her younger sister for over a century and no one got to mess with her. If they did, they answered to the Grande Priestess. About thirty minutes later, Della appeared in Calysta’s room with a bright smile and twinkle in her eye.
“So, anything you need to tell me?” the Priestess inquired while watching her sister pick pretend lint from her gown and avoid eye contact.
“Nope, everything’s good.” Then quickly changing the subject, Della asked, “What are you doing with your hair.”
Okay, she needs some space…
Moving on but making a mental note to revisit her line of questioning when Della was more relaxed and maybe had had a few cocktails, Calysta explained, “I was thinking long and full with the simple crown of butterfly blue delphinium buds and baby’s breath you made for me. How does that sound?”
Her sister hugged her shoulders from behind and squealed, “Oh, that’s sounds beautiful and thank you for wearing the crown.”
Smiling and holding Della’s hands where they were clasped just under her chin, Calysta breathed, “You are so welcome, Dellie. Thank you for making it.”
The next few hours flew by and before the sisters knew it, it was time for them to leave. Hand in hand, they walked out the door and into the carriage Maddox had sent for them. Calysta had told him at least ten times it wasn’t necessary but he would not hear of her walking to the garden, so she’d finally relented.
They arrived just as the sun disappeared behind the mountains and waited until Kyra and the girls lit the candles before exiting the carriage. Walking to the gate at the very back of the garden, Calysta saw all their family and friends sitting on the benches Royce and his brothers placed earlier in the afternoon. She grinned as she saw the bows on the end of each bench and imagined the O’Reilly brothers complaining about having to ‘decorate’.
Della kissed her on the cheek and walked into the garden, taking her place just outside the arch. Calysta noted the six other witches of the Council sitting on the front row with their backs so straight and stiff they looked like statues. She envisioned their scowls and smiled to herself. Today was her day with her mate; not even Agatha Montage could ruin it.
The sound of footsteps alerted the Priestess to Maddox’s arrival. Looking to her right, she caught sight of her mate and had to struggle to breathe. During their first ceremony, he’d looked absolutely dashing in his surcoat and dress blacks, but today he wore a black Armani suit she’d had tailored just for him with a stark white dress shirt which, at her request, he’d left open at the collar and a smile that was so full of love, Calysta thought her heart might burst on the spot.
He’d pulled his long dirty blonde curls away from his ruggedly handsome face and secured it with the black leather cord she’d given him just last week. His expertly trimmed beard accentuated his very kissable lips and strong jawline that she knew for a fact was absolutely edible. His suit outlined the amazing physique Calysta knew lie underneath with such precision that her heart raced and her body warmed with the need to be near him.
Solomon appeared at his place inside the archway and gave her a single nod. Claire and Olive began to sing When I Fall in Love by Nat King Cole. Calysta hadn’t thought she needed music but the girls insisted, and she had to admit they had beautiful voices and the song they’d picked perfectly described how she felt about her dragon.
Making her way down the aisle, she finally noticed Kayne standing beside Maddox, serving as his best man just as Della was her maid of honor. She smiled at the demi god but immediately looked back to her mate, the only man she would ever have eyes for.
Taking the last step separating her from her dragon, Calysta breathed a sigh of relief when Maddox took her hands in his. Solomon’s low melodic baritone filled the garden as he began to officiate. “We welcome the Goddess of All the Universe and all other benevolent deities to this ceremony of love and tradition that will bind together Calysta Angelica St. Kroix-MacQueen and Maddox Christopher MacQueen in body, mind, heart, and spirit for the rest of eternity.”
“We in what you call the Earth Witch or Wiccan community are of a long and royal bloodline. We believe in the balance of the light and the dark. The love of two souls designed by the Universe to complete one another and the truth, honor, and fairness of all the Goddess’ creatures. We welcome each of you to this sacred place of peace and tranquility where we are surrounded by the flora and fauna and the elements of our world. Today, you will serve as witnesses to the majesty that occurs when a couple becomes one.”
“This ceremony is a celebration of the joining of two souls already attuned to one another by the Universe who gives us all life. The true bond between these two souls is so powerful, so all-encompassing, that it is only fitting they make an outer acknowledgement, as well. Each of you, the people this couple holds most dear, are here to bear witness to the vow of love and commitment Calysta and Maddox, who are already one in spirit, make to one another.”
“I now ask, who has the honor of presenting this woman to be joined with this Guardsman?”
“I do, as her sister and with the blessing of her daughter and the Council of Witches to which we all pledge our loyalty and allegiance,” Della answered, the abundance of pride in her voice making Calysta turn and smile at her.
“Thank you, Della St. Kroix and Kyra St. Kroix-O’Reilly. Your love and blessing will lift this couple up and hold them tight against any and all storms they may weather,” Solomon smiled to the audience then looked back to Calysta before continuing and speaking to both her and Maddox.
“Your lives are irrevocably intertwined. You have formed ties between one another. Know that you are not only declaring your intent to be bound together forever before your friends and family, but you speak that intent to the Universe and the Goddess with the full conviction of your hearts. The promises made today and the ties that you bound will only strengthen your union. They will cross the years and lives of each soul’s growth. Is it my understanding and that of this gathering that you seek to enter this union?”
Looking into one another’s eyes, they answered in unison, “Yes, with all our hearts.”
Solomon beamed as his voice took on an even richer, more loving tone as he went on, “In times past it was believed the soul shared characteristics with all things divine. This belief assigned virtues to elements of the East, South, West, and North. Today we give this couple and their bond the Blessing of the Four Corners. Blessed be this union with the bounties of the East. Communication of the heart, mind, and body between this man and this woman. Fresh beginnings with the rising of each sun and new day. The knowledge of the growth found in the sharing of silences and the blending of homes. Blessed be this union with the bounties of the South. Warmth of hearth and home and protection of one’s mate. The heat of the heart’s passion to light love’s fire. The light created by both these souls forever joined to lighten the darkest of times. Blessed be this union with the bounties of the West. The deep commitments of the waters of the lake. The swift flowing excitement of the rapid river. The refreshing cleansing power of the rain from above. The all-encompassing passion of the bold and boundless sea. Blessed be this union with the bounties of the North. Give them a firm foundation on which to build their home. Bestow fertility of the fields to enrich and nourish their lives. A stable home and hearth to which they may always return and always find comfort. Each of these blessings from the Four Corners emphasizes what is fundamental to build a happy and successful union. Remember they are only the tools that you, Calysta and Maddox, must use together in order to create what you seek in this life and the next.”
“Calysta, daughter of my heart, please present the rings.”
Her hands were shaking so badly that it took two tries for her to get the platinum bands from her silk pouch. She grinned at the surprised look on Maddox’s face when he saw them and chuckled under her breath when he teased, “You are a very sneaky little witch,” directly into her mind.
“Circles represent eternity,” Solomon said, “love – the creative force that binds us together, the force that gives new life – is everlasting. I cleanse and bless these rings.”
Solomon passed the rings through the smoke of the eternity candle that was burning on the stand to his right. Then he said, “Maddox, mate of the daughter of my heart, I have not the right to bind thee to Calysta, only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring on her finger.”
Calysta held her breath as Maddox took her band and said with a conviction that made her knees weak, “It is my wish,” and slid the band on her finger just above the ring he’d given her a few months ago.
Solomon’s voice brought her back to the present when he asked, “Calysta, if it be your wish for Maddox to be bound to you, place the ring on his finger.”
She slid the ring on her mate’s left ring finger, thrilled that it fit, and smiled up at her handsome dragon as she said, “It is my wish.”
Her godfather looked out on their guests and said, “Do you, the ones Calysta and Maddox hold most dear, witness and acknowledge this union?”
Tears filled her eyes as everyone, even Agatha said, “We do.”
Nodding, Solomon whispered and winked, “Only a few more questions, you two.” Then for all to hear he asked, “Do you, Maddox, take Calysta to be your mate? Will you be her constant friend, her partner in life, and her one true love for all time? Will you love her without reservation, protect her from harm, comfort her in times of distress, grow with her in mind and spirit, and give your life to save hers should the need arise?”
“Yes, always and forever, I will do all these things. With all my heart I love and cherish you, my one true mate, Calysta Angelica.” Maddox’s voice cracked, which made one of the tears she’d been working so hard to hold back roll down her cheek.
Her dragon’s eyes grew big and he squeezed her hands, but Calysta only shook her head and smiled before answering through their bond, “Happy tears, my love, all happy tears.”
She felt as much as saw his relief when Solomon began again, “Do you, Calysta, take Maddox to be your mate? Will you be his constant friend, his partner in life, and his one true love for all time? Will you love him without reservation, protect him from harm, comfort him in times of distress, grow with him in mind and spirit, and give your life to save his should the need arise?”
Opening her mouth to speak, Calysta had to stop and take a calming breath before the words would come out, but when she did, it was with all the love in her heart. “Yes, always and forever, I will do all these things. With all my heart I love and cherish you, my one true mate, Maddox Christopher.”
Solomon put his hand on each of their backs and just to them said, “Turn to your guests.” Then for all to hear, he said, “With the blessing of the Universe, the Goddess of All, and all other benevolent deities present, I also give my blessing and with all the love of the ages am happy to announce these two bound forever and for all eternity, one in love, one in life, one in heart, and one in soul.”
As the crowd clapped, her godfather whispered, “Maddox, kiss your mate like you mean it.”
Chapter Fourteen
Solomon’s words had barely been spoken before Maddox slammed his lips to Calysta’s. It was finally over. They were mated in front of his people, her people, the Universe, the Goddess, and everyone else who cared to be present. There was no one who could ever tear them apart and if anyone tried, well…he’d kill them…it was just that simple.
She immediately opened to him, mind, body, and soul. He could feel her passion rising to meet his and simply could not wait to once again consummate their union. Lifting her feet off the ground, he turned to race away when her giggle held him in place. Pulling her lips from his, she let her forehead fall forward and whispered, “Their watching.” She gave a tiny nod to the right.
“Don’t care,” he grumbled, finishing his turn and taking a step towards the back exit of the garden.
Chuckling out loud, Calysta gave a little push against his chest. “Put me down. We have to thank everyone for coming and we have a reception Kyra and the girls worked very hard to put together.”
“Still don’t care,” he protested, sure he could have her back to their house and out of her gown in less than five minutes.
Looking at him with puppy dog eyes, his little witch resorted to pure unadulterated pouting and curled her bottom lip just a bit before batting her beautiful green eyes at him and pleading, “Please, Maddy.”
Shaking his head, he sighed and let her slide down his body until her feet touched the ground. “Not fair, Callie, not fair at all.” He rolled his eyes and harrumphed under his breath.
Grabbing his hand, she turned them both towards the still clapping audience and raised her free hand to quiet them down. When they’d all but stopped, she announced, “Reception at the Grand Hall. Open bar, dancing, and lots of food. See you there.”
Maddox growled as Kayne swooped in, kissed his mate on the cheek, and grinned, “Congratulations you two and Calysta, you had me at open bar.”
His little witch chuckled, kissed the demi god on the cheek, and thanked him before looking up at Maddox and smiling, “Shall we go, mo maite?”
The look of pure love and happiness in her eyes and the undying devotion he felt flooding their bond made it absolutely impossible for him to deny his mate anything and he told her so. “Anything for you, grá mo shaol.”
Squeezing his hand, she smiled that amazing smile he knew was just for him and whispered, “Thank mo Dragon, Is brae liom tú an mé
id sin.”
“And I you, mo sorceress beag.”
The reception went on until the first rays of daybreak were lighting the sky and Maddox had had enough. He’d been as nice as he could be. Had let every one of his brethren and Max dance with his mate without ripping their arms off. Had smiled when it was appropriate, made small talk, and even carried on a five-minute conversation with Agatha, who was a complete and total bitch. Enough was enough; he wanted Calysta all to himself and he was going to make it happen.
Stalking across the dance floor, the mad dragon was so focused on his little witch that he almost ran right into Solomon, who’d appeared from out of nowhere holding two shots of Macallan and wearing a shit-eating grin.
“Whoa, there, what’s your hurry?” Solomon chuckled then winked and followed Maddox’ eye line before barking out a laugh. “Oh, I see.”
“Sorry about that,” Maddox apologized but still kept his eyes on Calysta.
“No need to be sorry. I just wanted to share a drink and give you the ‘fatherly talk’.” The older witch laughed while handing the mad dragon a shot then tipping his glass to Maddox’s and saying, “To you and my Calysta,” before downing his drink.
The mad dragon said, “Thank you,” and followed suit.
Nodding, Solomon leaned closer and grinned. “Take care of my girl. She and Della are the closest I’ll ever have to daughters. Callie’s been through a lot throughout the years but I can see how much she loves you and more importantly, how much you love her.” He held out his hand and they shook then the older witch leveled his gaze and in a low voice asserted, “But if you ever hurt her, I can and will make you disappear.”
Thinking that he had no doubt Solomon was the one man in all the world who could follow through on his threats, Maddox couldn’t help but laugh as he assured his mate’s godfather, “I take my vows very seriously. When I said I would die for her, I meant it. Without thought, without reservation, without hesitation, I will protect her with all that I am, even from myself.”
