Eden's Mark
Page 19
Gasps followed me as I walked up the make shift isle of white flowers. The path carried me towards the center of the village where my vampire was waiting for me. Halfway there, Lex stepped up beside me, wearing a simple slate colored robe.
“May I walk with you?” He held his arm out to me and I accepted.
We walked arm in arm up the path, not saying a word. Gregor came into view and my heart stopped. He wore an all-black suit that accentuated his muscular frame and golden complexion. His black hair fell into his eyes in that way I loved. Gregor’s eyes were the brightest gray I had seen yet. This perfect statue of a man was mine. I was practically drooling over him, standing tall and proud. Amend’s small frame was beside Gregor, waiting to perform the rites.
You are a vision, my heart. Today I am the envy of all who are here.
I felt the blood rush to my face leaving me flushed.
As am I. You look very handsome, cleaned up.
My laughter echoed my comment.
We stopped in front of Gregor, and Lex turned towards me with wet eyes. “Eden, you have been the daughter I have always hoped to have, one day. Valora and I are so very proud of the woman you have become. We are honored to be the ones to give you away in place of your rightful parents. My hope is one day we will find them, and they can share in your joy.” Lex kissed both my cheeks and then he turned to Gregor.
“Gregor Knightly, you have been a friend of mine and Marcus’ for as long as I can remember. There is no man better than you I would ever consent to give our Eden away to. I charge you to care for her as I have done all these years. Be good to her, and keep her as you would yourself.” Lex kissed both of Gregor’s cheeks the same as he did mine.
“Uncle, we are ready to begin.” Lex stepped back and went to Val, who was in a matching robe. Maiya stood beside me and Koren beside Gregor as our witnesses and guides.
Amend cleared his throat, “In the history of the worlds, one thing has always been a constant…love. Love makes us do things we never thought were possible. Those who are blessed enough to find love should be extra careful to hold on to it. This day I am witness to one of the strongest bonds I have ever seen.”
Amend raised his staff and told us to hold hands. Gregor turned to me and in his half-bow, offered me his hands. I passed my flowers to Maiya and as soon as I weaved my fingers through his, a rope of light tied around our wrists.
“Gregor, by your word, before all here, do you promise to keep Eden and care for her until you pass into the great beyond?”
“With all that I am, until my dying breath, I swear to this contract.”
“Eden, by your word, before all here, do you promise to keep Gregor and care for him until you pass into the great beyond?”
“With all that I am, until my dying breath, I swear to this contract.” My heart raced and the heat built inside my veins.
Koren and Maiya, will you be guides in this world for Gregor and Eden, to share in their turmoil and joys, to counsel and teach, as long as they walk this earth?”
In one voice, they spoke loudly, “We swear to this contract and the binding of our friendship and loyalty to both Gregor and Eden.”
“With the light, the ties do bind.” The rope of light melted into our skin sealing our union and our fate, just as had the words Gregor had spoken to me in the meadow.
“Gregor, you may present your offering to your bride.”
“I am nothing but a damaged man who has been transformed by the purity of your love, faith, and trust. I offer you this small token to carry with you to always remember my oath to protect you, care for you, and keep as I would my own.” Gregor placed a white variegated band around my left ring finger and my mark pulsed surrounding us with the green aura of our Mother Earth.
“This ring was forged by the earth herself from the rock that surrounds our special place.”
“It is beautiful, Gregor. I accept your offering and give all I am to you to protect as my warrior, companion, and lover. My future is yours to safeguard.”
A gust of warm air blew around us, swirling the white petals in the air, and the earth filled me with its acceptance of my choice of mate. My back warmed and an odd feeling came over me. The gasps of the people around me combined with the shocked look on Gregor’s face confused me.
“What is it Gregor?”
“You are unbelievable, my heart.”
“What did I do?”
“Feel your back, Eden.”
I reached around and felt something soft and fragile. “How…are they what I think they are?”
“I think you have finally come into your fey side. You’re magnificent, Eden.”
I looked over my shoulder and saw large feathery wings the color of the night sky. All along the wings were silver type markings just like the ones Val described to me, the same as my father’s. I extended them, taking in the feel of their movement.
“Truly a gift. You are so much more than you think you are. Now, you are mine to cherish and keep forever.”
I beamed brightly at my vampire. I had a lot to live up to and my destiny was no longer my own. I had an obligation to these people and this land. I would do whatever it took to see them have peace and unity.
“I have one last word of advice for the two of you. These are periled times. The road ahead is only going to get rougher. Remember the feeling you have at this moment and how you would give everything for one another, and you will make it. I have faith in the two of you. Now, Gregor, kiss this young lady.”
“With pleasure.” His eyes bore into mine. The love I felt for this man was stronger and deeper than I could ever have hoped to find. Gregor pulled me up in his arms and kissed me deeply. I fell into his kiss, leaving the crowd of people behind. This one moment was ours to revel in.
“The happy couple!” Amend shouted at the crowd, who set off in singing and dancing.
The rest of the night was a blur consisting of various dishes to eat and blessings being given upon us as we sat in the middle of the ceremonial circle. A few hours before dawn, we slipped away, after thanking everyone for the wonderful evening.
“So Mrs. Knightly, where would you like to go?” His sultry gaze left me breathless.
“Our meadow. Take me home”
“As my lady requests.” We sped off into the night towards the one place we could be just us. My heart was so full from all the love this man brought out in me. I would give my life for him, and soon we would have a new life to protect. No matter what was coming our way, I would forever cherish this moment.
Afterwards
Circenn carried her blistered body into her chambers, anger boiling inside her. “I will have Eden on my side, no matter what it costs me.” She stripped naked allowing the cold air to cool her wounds. “Darkness hear me, your humble servant is weak and broken, heal me so that I may do your work.”
Slick black vapors surrounded Circenn, enveloping her. Relief coursed through her, the wounds healing, leaving new skin behind. Perfect manicured fingers caressed the skin and Circenn’s lips curled, grinning.
“Thank you for hearing me, I offer you my life’s blood in sacrifice for your help.” A medium blade lay on a jeweled table next to her. She drew the silver dagger across her palm in a small deep line. Holding her fist above the black smoke, Circenn dripped blood into the tendrils. Darkness materialized before her, the body made up of the vapor. A black hand drew her palm to its mouth, closing her wound.
“My lady.” The voice was deep, seductive, Circenn went weak.
“How long until you have what I seek?” The voice demanded his answer.
“The child is most formidable. It is going to take some ingenuity to bring her our way. I assure you, I will turn her.” Circenn feared Darkness and loved it at the same time.
“Let us hope you can deliver, Circenn.”
“Why is this young girl so important? I am just as powerful, I have the rule of Ellethny right now. What can she possibly do for you that I cannot?” Seductively s
he brushed up against the vaporous figure.
“Do not test me, Circenn. I can reclaim the power I have given you. Bring the child to me and you will have your reward.” Darkness disappeared.
Exasperated, she donned a black velvet gown.
A knock broke the silence. “Madame, the informant is here.”
“Take me to the whelp.” She left her room following the guard down the hallway. White double doors opened to an elegant room where talks took place. At the side of the rich brown table sat a small woman.
“So, you have information that will help me do you? I hope it is worth my time.” Her cold smile sent chills down the spine of the woman.
“What I have to tell you will benefit you greatly. I know how you can get Eden to do what you want.” The voice was soft and shaky.
“Do you now? I have her parents, what else do I need?”
“Her husband, Gregor Knightly.”
“She is mated already? Well now, how interesting. Whom do I thank for this juicy bit of information?” Circenn sat across from the woman staring her down with an icy glare.
“My name is Katsu.”
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