Intended Series Collection: Books 1-6

by Abigail Grant

  I laugh at the two of them and throw my head back. “Oh my heck, you guys are just too much. I can’t even take it!”

  I glance at my phone and notice the time. I need to start getting ready for Cy and Amalia’s wedding. “I love you both, but I have a wedding, or I guess a bonding to get ready for.”

  Kassy gives me a pointed look. “Just cause I’m not there doesn’t mean you get to show up in jeans and a T-shirt. I will ask to see photos of proof that you can dress yourself properly!” She points a small, manicured fingernail at me.

  I smile and shake my head. Oh man, I miss that girl. “I already lost a bet to Gavin. I have to be extra fancy so Alex got me a dress this morning. I’ll send proof tomorrow.”

  Kassy nods approvingly and blows me a kiss. “Love you, sis. Have fun, okay?”

  “And eat tons of rich-people food for me!” Liam adds in only the way he can.

  Kassy and I both laugh at the ridiculous boy and I wave goodbye to them both before shutting the laptop.

  Well, here goes nothing.

  ***

  I take one last look at myself in the full length mirror and run my hands along the soft silk dress. The dress is an A-line wrap dress that is tight around my waist and almost shines in the soft light of my bedside lamp. The aquamarine-teal color makes me feel like a sea goddess and I have the urge to hide before anyone can see me so open and girly .

  I lift my leg through the dress’ slit that starts at my knee and examine the high heel on my white, glossy shoes. Please don’t fail on me death-shoes.

  I ruffle up my dark wavy hair, still warm from the hot curling iron, and turn to leave my bedroom hideaway and face the other wedding-goers.

  I nearly scream when Alexa jumps in front of me in the hallway. Her mouth falls open and her eyes round to double their usual size. “Mamma mia, El! You are a knockout in that dress!” She nearly yells the words at me and I’m already wanting to turn around and head back to bed.

  I wave a hand at her and take a gander at her getup. She is wearing a blue floor-length cotton gown that hugs her waist, but flares out at the skirt. The bodice pushes her chest out at the top and her wild curls are significantly more tame tied into a long braid that wraps around her right shoulder.

  “You’re the looker tonight, Lex. You look gorgeous.” Her golden eyes sparkle at my compliment. I look past Alexa at the approaching Neo and I can tell my thoughts of her outfit are nothing compared to his. “I’m not the only one who thinks you’re rocking the dress,” I whisper to her and tilt my head toward Neo.

  His golden eyes are dark and he scans Alexa’s entire body. Alexa spins around to him and a small blush stains the speckling of freckles on her cheeks.

  I step around the two and smile up at Neo. “Hey Neo. I’ll give you guys some privacy. I’m going to find Gavin.” I wink up at him and leave the drooling Intendeds to peruse one another alone.

  If they feel at all like Gavin and I do when they’re together, then I don’t want to be around to watch the encounter. This Intended stuff is no joke.

  I round the corner of the end of the long hallway into Gavin’s living room. I can feel the string on my heart and know exactly where he is. I have become so used to the feel of Gavin’s presence that I couldn’t possibly be surprised by him.

  I take another turn into the small entry room at the front of the house and Gavin is there standing in the doorway with the dark forest behind him, watching out the opened door. He is remarkable and I already want to take back my last thought. I absolutely can be surprised by this man.

  He is dressed in a midnight black tuxedo with a white shirt underneath and a teal bow tie that matches my dress perfectly. Alexa must’ve had something to do with that “coincidence.”

  His face is perfectly shaven and his messy hair is only slightly less messy with a touch of gel curling it to the left of his forehead. To complete his breathtaking look is a single long stemmed white rose in his hand.

  Oh boy, if there were ever a time to embarrass myself…

  I hold back my extra hyped emotions and walk slowly to my Intended. He notices my approach and turns to me. I can see the surprise cross his face when his eyes land on my fancy dress and done up hair. His golden eyes darken to a shiny bronze like they do when we kiss.

  “Wow,” he says, barely louder than a whisper. His eyes roam all over me and I feel unsure what to do with my body as he watches me. His eyes land on mine and he takes a few steps before landing only a foot from me. “Aella, you’re breathtaking.”

  I smile up at him, not having to look so far thanks to my high heels. “Funny, I was just thinking the same thing about you.”

  He releases a deep breath and shakes his head. “You have absolutely no idea, do you? I am the luckiest person on the planet.” He places a large hand on my bare neck and the warmth from his tingling touch makes my heart swell.

  I shiver under his touch and laugh. “Maybe the second luckiest,” I say back to him and his dimpled smile proves my point.

  Gavin leans into me until his cheek brushes up against mine. He whispers in my ear, “I am so glad I won that bet.”

  I gently shove his chest and glare at him. “Enjoy it now. It’s not going to be a regular thing. And be ready to catch me when I inevitably fall on my face in these shoes.” I point down at my heels and Gavin chuckles.

  I know he’d catch me anyways. He is dang good at it and very practiced.

  “Let’s go, cuties! Time’s a-wastin’!” Alexa shouts, as she and Neo round the corner to us, hand in hand.

  Gavin grabs my hand and the four of us leave his house, headed to his parent’s home for the Bonding ceremony. I don’t know what one of these weddings entails, but I might only get the chance to see one in my lifetime, if Barron has his way.

  I’m not planning on letting his way happen though. It’s about time for a Ganis to win.

  Chapter 11

  I can already see that this wedding isn’t a normal one. First of all, the entire setting is so incredibly beautiful. I thought it would be dark and cold out here in the Cole’s backyard in November, but the weather has been calm and sunny all day.

  Maybe it’s the thicker skin I’ve developed lately, but the night air feels perfect. The normally dark, wooded setting is lit up with long strings of golden lights connecting from tree to tree, bringing a glow to everything beneath them. Along the manicured grass is a long white sheet leading between rows of white chairs that also have lights hanging from them.

  If I could imagine the type of wedding I’d want, this would be pretty dang close to that image. Gavin and I walk together toward the front of the line of chairs. There aren’t a lot of seats, considering a Seer Bonding ceremony is very private.

  Amalia’s parents and her two brothers arrived this morning, but I haven’t had the chance to meet them yet.

  I look around the yard and can’t help the hope that builds up inside of me. Hope that I can have a day like this in the future. It’s so hard to imagine what time will bring. I only moved to this town three months ago and I am already in love with my soul mate, part of a whole new family, daughter to a Wicca woman, and an entirely different being altogether. I can fight now, and I am in the middle of a war between my family and a demon. Okay, time to stop reminiscing or I’m going to freak out in the middle of a wedding…

  I sit beside Gavin’s mom, Camilla. She gives me a sweet smile and wraps an arm around my shoulder. She is also gussied up for the wedding and I feel less out of place than I thought I would. Amazingly, Camilla looks even younger than she normally does, which is already insane for a mother of twenty-year-old twins. Thank you, Seer magic.

  Her short auburn hair is tightly tied up into a perfect bun and she is wearing a simple black evening gown that falls loose on her body, with no jewels or sequins. The look is clean and absolutely perfect for her.

  I return Camilla’s side hug and breathe in the scent of the evergreens and whatever the gorgeous pink, fluffy flowers are that line everythi
ng in the yard.

  “Hey El. I’m so glad you’re here. Don’t be too weirded out by our customs. Our bonding ceremonies don’t look exactly like the weddings you’ve been to before.” She gestures with an arm to the front of the long white aisle.

  A circle of rocks lays ahead of us and small white flower petals are sprinkled all over them. I assume that is the place where Cy and Amalia will be bonded. “I’ve never been to a wedding in reality, but I’ve seen enough movies to get the gist. Isn’t there usually an arch and a minister?” I ask Camilla.

  She shrugs. “Normally, yes. In a Bonding though, we have a circle that surrounds the couple and symbolizes eternity, just as the ring does. It’s the same with the vows. They aren’t about life and death, but more about an eternal bond that will never end.” Her eyes become glossy and she clears her throat before turning forward in her seat. “It’s a beautiful thing,” she says in nearly a whisper.

  Alexa and Neo appear on the other side of Camilla with Gram. They give their usual hugs and take their seats. I turn to Gavin and he is just watching me with love in his eyes. I smile back at him and tilt my head. “Why are you looking at me like that, Gavin?”

  He shakes his head and chews on his bottom lip. “Why would I ever stop looking at you, Aella?”

  I roll my eyes at his cheesiness, but inside my heart is pulling on the string that ties us both together. That heart of mine really wants to touch Gavin in front of all of these people. I lean into my Intended and lay my head on his shoulder as the rest of the Cole family show up around us and take their seats with big smiles and even some happy tears.

  Cy’s mom, Danielle is especially blubbery as she waits for her son to take his place in front of the crowd and become a husband to the beautiful Amalia. I look around for Cy but don’t see him anywhere. I grow concerned and turn to Gavin again.

  “Gavin,” I whisper to him. “Why isn’t Cy standing up front waiting for Amalia to walk down the aisle?” I ask.

  Gavin smiles at me like I’m a kid learning math for the very first time. His face says newbie and he’s not wrong. “In a Bonding, the bride and groom enter the ceremony hand in hand. They don’t do anything without the other.”

  I sigh. “Oh my goodness, that’s the cutest thing ever.”

  The group around us falls silent and all of our eyes turn toward the Intended couple heading down the white aisle to the circle of rocks at the end. They are both dressed completely in white and their golden eyes shine at one another as the two hold both of the other’s hands.

  Amalia is a vision in a long white gown that is embroidered with flowers from her bodice to the hem at her feet. Her dark skin seems even more ebony-colored against the white dress and her black curly hair is woven into a thick braid behind her head. She stares up at Cy with such admiration that I can almost feel what she feels just by looking at her face.

  Cy is wearing an all-white tuxedo and his black hair is parted to the left, perfectly combed as usual. His smooth jaw is tight with internal emotion and I can see his father’s intensity on his handsome face, but much more tender.

  Hagan stands from the chair he claimed in front of me. He walks up to the couple and stands behind the circle as their officiant. His eyes are wet with unshed tears and his normally intimidating frame is more relaxed and gentle than I have ever seen him.

  He places a hand on each of the couple’s shoulders and begins to speak with a true heart. “It amazes me that these two beautiful souls found one another. I’m always taken aback at the magic that brings Intendeds together.” He sniffles. “And I could not imagine a better woman for my son than the one standing here holding his hands and his heart.” He looks down at Amalia and a small smile graces his lips.

  The crowd “awwws” and I can’t help but throw my own in with them. Hagan clears his throat and growls slightly, causing everyone to chuckle softly at the weepy alpha male. He throws a faux glare at the crowd before him. “Stop. I’m trying my hardest to make words here.” A smile follows his words and another chuckle sounds around me.

  He looks from Cy to Amalia and his eyes land on the bride again. He urges her to repeat after him and she does so in her beautiful, elegant english accent.

  “I acknowledge you, my Intended, for all that you are as the other half of me. The power that I have within, will be the power that we both share. The soul that holds this body together, will be the soul that mingles with your own for all of time and through to eternity.”

  Amalia’s voice cracks at the end of her vow and a tear slides down her cheek. Cy reaches one of his hands up to wipe her tear away and places his hand back in hers again before repeating the exact same words back to her.

  The couple kneels in the circle where they have been standing and they lay their foreheads against one another’s. Both of their eyes close and Hagan grabs a bag at his feet where he pulls out a handful of colorful dust and throws it over the couple. They are covered with the mixture and I am curious what it could be made of.

  Hagan puts the bag back on the grass and steps back a foot from Cy and Amalia. “As an Elder Seer, bonded to my Intended for thirty years now, I bless you with this eternal bond, that it may only grow, for all of time and thereafter.”

  Cy pulls the now colorful Amalia to her feet and he dips her backward, landing a searing kiss on her smiling lips. All of us onlookers stand and cheer for the bonded couple and I am in awe of the entire event.

  Gavin pulls me under his arm and kisses me on the head. I want this moment for us someday. I want to be his Intended wife forever, with a long life lived in between. I can’t even say that I fully understand what all of this ceremony means, but I still want it.

  Everyone runs up to hug the newlyweds and I trail behind the group, waiting my turn. I feel an itchy, creepy crawly feeling on the back of my neck and turn around to scan the woods behind me.

  Everything is dark and I can’t see past the hanging lights around me. Still, I feel like someone out there has their eyes on me in particular. Maybe it’s another demon looking to avenge Barron, or maybe it’s Barron himself.

  Either way, I’m ready for him and ready to start my own happy ending. I glare into the woods, letting the onlooker know that I mean business and I’m not afraid to take them on… even if it means killing every last one of them in the process.

  Chapter 12

  Being in an airplane for the second time in a week is surreal. It’s almost as if I have money and a life. The life part is definitely coming together, but I still don’t have the money bit. Everyone around me has plenty of it and zero qualms with paying my way through absolutely everything .

  I’ve tried to push the offers away, but I don’t have a lot of choice. I’m being hunted by a demon and developing super powers, neither leaves much time for job hunting.

  The first class seat in the much bigger airplane is plush and cozy. I could sleep easily here, if I wasn’t so nervous and sick to my stomach about meeting my father’s family in a new country. Going to Greece and seeing the amazing architecture is something I’ve always wanted to do, but I never even dreamed that I’d have a family out there somewhere.

  I press my forehead against the cold glass window, not even caring that I’m going to end up with a red mark between my eyebrows. The view is too spectacular to miss at this elevation.

  We are coming into Athens, with the vast blue ocean to our left and the home-crowded mountain ranges of the city. Speckles of green trees and hill peaks are drawn between the white, blue, and orange rooftops that layer the entire landscape below.

  From what I can see, there is no rhyme or reason to the streets or neighborhoods, if there are any neighborhoods. It seems like Athens is an entire neighborhood in itself. I don’t think I could ever get enough pictures of this place.

  As our plane approaches the ground, the busy hills of Athens fall away and open up to a wide space of grassland and a large airport. A hand lays on my shoulder and I turn to Gavin.

  He has a tired smile on his
stubbly face after waking from his hour long nap. I can’t deny that I enjoyed watching him sleep beside me, but the view outside my window pulled me away.

  “Sounds like we made it, love. Are you excited?” Gavin asks me, leaning over his armrest into my personal space.

  I shrug and rub my lips together. “I’m more nervous than excited I think.”

  Gavin touches my cheek with his fingers and I sigh against the warmth and electricity there. I close my eyes and his voice brings me back to reality. “I can say with absolute certainty that they will love you. And so will my mom’s cousins. They’re kind of dull, but loveable.”

  “They’re not dull, just distinguished!” Camilla shouts from her seat behind us and I laugh.

  Gavin grimaces and sinks further into his seat, hiding from his tiny but ferocious mother. “Sorry, mom!” he says, not looking back at her.

  “I’m sure they’re wonderful, Cami.” I turn and smile at her as she fixes her wild bed head in her compact mirror. She winks over the small plastic mirror and goes back to her sprucing up.

  The only other people joining us on this trip are Gram, Aunt Mags, Alexa, and Neo. The reunion is with Camilla’s distant family and I’ve been told they do it every 3 years. Gram always joins, even though Camilla isn’t her natural daughter, and I love that about her.

  I’m glad Neo is here so I don’t have to be the only newbie in the group. I also feel bad that he has to meet so many people so fast, considering he is one of the least social people I know. His feelings for Alexa have already changed him this week though.

  I look behind me again at Neo and Alexa who are both fast asleep, even as the plane lands with a bump. Neo has his hands behind his head and his mouth hanging open, surprisingly not snoring. Alexa’s head rests on Neo’s chest and she looks like an adorable resting nature child with her messy red curls and the yellow flower in her hair.