Jessie listened to the women behind her. Each one was talking at the same time. Pilot stepped to the doorway. “Ladies, you look amazing.”
“Thank you, Pilot. Are you ready?” Katie’s question broke Jessie’s concentration.
“As ready as I’ll ever be, I suppose.” He glanced at each of them in turn. “I’m grateful to you, Jessie and to all of you for this opportunity.”
“It was my pleasure, Pilot. It’s an honor to have you here.” Jessie stepped to him, giving the shadow walker a hug.
Pilot’s color rose in his chalky face. Fussing with his lapels, he changed the subject. “The deck is full of people. It looks lovely as well. So nice of you to organize everything, Jessie.”
“I’m glad to have had the chance.” Switching gears, Jessie turned to Katie who looked lovely in a gilded gown of spun silk. As the wedding consultant, her idea for the attendants wasn’t accepted at first. But when she explained there was no cost involved, everyone had warmed to the idea. Being supernatural had its perks, Jessie decided. Gesturing to a nearby side table, Jessie grinned. “We’re all done here.” She wanted everything to be perfect. Jessie figured it was as close as she could conjure. “A little less than ten minutes and we’ll have a wedding.”
Katie beamed. “Yes, we will.” Stepping toward Meagan, who fidgeted in her seat as Aubrie applied the last of her blush, Katie stilled, looking at both of them in the mirror.
Pilot headed to the mirror standing in the middle of the room. Shifting, Jessie glanced at the shadow walker who would give the bride away. “Perhaps you’d permit me, Pilot?” The wicked grin held mischief and humor.
“I can’t get this thing right.” He pointed to the tie and shrugged. “Jessie, for what it’s worth, I want you to know what this moment means to me.” His filmy eyes filled with tears. “I said I wasn’t going to do this.” Shoving at the moisture, he shook his head. “It’s just the fact I decided the intel getting back trumped me returning. That’s all. It’s wonderful that J.T. and Luke or Thomas, I guess, found the zip drives I had left in the hideout behind the waterfall.”
“Your significance being less important than intel is nonsense and you know it, Pilot. Stop that blubbering and take this handkerchief. I guess you’re going to need a little help. Am I right?”
Pilot straightened. His tuxedo fit expertly as if he’d been giving brides away all his walker life. “I won’t dignify your question with an answer, my dear.” With his nose centered right above level, he peered into middle-distance. “All the same, I’m glad to be rid of the Sultan.”
She grinned and nodded. A perfect memory, Jessie mused. Quick as a wink, she lifted her phone, capturing the image for the wedding album she had planned. It was her little secret. “Better get a move on if we want to be on time. How do things look out there?”
“Couldn’t be better. Except the groom looks a bit nervous.” Katie winked at Jessie, before smiling when Aubrie straightened to glare at her. “No, everything is beautiful. I’m so glad you decided to have the wedding here on the back deck. The view is spectacular. It’s like having a wedding in the clouds.” The giggle held pure happiness. “This is how I want our wedding to be.”
Aubrie cocked her head. “Have you set a date yet?”
Katie pursed her lips. “No, I was waiting until we got this one completed.” Tapping her temple, she smiled. “You know me, can’t have two projects bouncing around up here at the same time.” Her focus shifted to Jessie. “Of course, I want you to help me plan the shindig when it’s time.”
Startled, Jessie’s hand fluttered over her heart. “What? You want my help?” Immediately feeling like she teetered on shaky ground, she glanced at Aubrie. “What about your best friend?
Shrugging, Aubrie added, “You’re the best. Besides, you come with such a treasure trove of stuff. Who can compete?” She grinned. “I’ll be happy to help, with your direction of course.”
Katie reached for them both. “We make a fine bunch of warriors, don’t we?”
Meagan slid her arm around Jessie’s waist. “Yeah, I want to be just like you three. You’re my heroes.”
“Oh, I almost forgot.” Jessie slipped away and went over to a small table, where a tray filled with champagne flutes rested. “Here we go.” When the last glass was passed out, she raised hers. “A toast.” Everyone lifted a flute. “Here’s to no more Sultan and a happy life ever after.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Katie grinned as they all clinked glasses in unison. “Here’s to the bride and groom too.”
“Can’t forget them,” Aubrie chided at little breathless.
“Thank the gods the mission is over, and everyone’s safe.” Jessie sipped her champagne. “Your family and mine are safe and sound at last.” Giving Meagan a comforting hug, she glanced at her watch. “Uh oh. Time to go. I think I hear the music.”
“Come on, ladies and gent. Let’s do this,” Aubrie called. “Line up.”
***
Jessie took her place in line as the music began. The time had come. She smiled at the sight before her. Satisfied she had done everything possible to make the special day perfect, she wiped at the stray tear that got away.
The simple arrangement of white chairs anchored either side of Aubrie’s deck creating a path to the metal archway at the end overlooking the tree tops.
Simple greenery flanked the chairs and draped the alter. A vision of pristine perfection spread before them. In the center stood Logan’s brother Gus, who would marry the couple. One brother a warlock and the other a local justice of the peace – who knew? The weather had managed to warm to the point the wedding could be held outside. Jessie would not think about the magic necessary for that to happen. Thank goodness, she knew a couple of warlocks.
On either side of the aisle, friends along with a spattering of family awaited their first view of the bride.
As the procession stepped onto the deck, Jessie spotted him immediately. J.T. stood stoic and formal in his simple black suit and silver tie. He’d combed his hair back, choosing to tie up the dark mane with a black leather band. That chiseled jaw, square and confident, belonged to her man. His face held happiness when their eyes locked. Her breath caught at the sight of him. Jessie could honestly say she’d never been happier. Gone were the days of suffering and pain. Gone were the lonely nights of fear and sacrifice. Ahead of her lay her future. In that future the most wonderful vampire she could ever imagine loved her. Thank the gods for magic’s power, she mused, for because of magic, theirs was a future for eternity.
As she reached the alter, the music shifted to the bridal march. A quick glance at Logan awaiting his bride spoke of love and devotion. Flanking him stood Luke, the reliable best man followed by Duke and J.T. Brothers in arms, friends in life and death.
Every eye turned as Aubrie Sinclair began her trip down the aisle. Aubrie, the beauty, in a simple sheath dress of ivory silk, supported by her good friend and shadow walker extraordinaire, Pilot. He wore a black tuxedo and Converse tennis shoes. Only Pilot, Jessie mused. Thank the gods he had made his way back to them, arriving in the nick of time for the wedding. A little magic and he was ready to give away the bride. No harm in a little white magic. The scene took on a surreal quality.
Jessie’s thoughts took a deep breath with the next image that popped up unbidden. The Sultan’s evil features stood out in sinister contrast to the pristine vision of a wedding in progress. Blinking the image away, she reminded her faulty brain they’d defeated the Sultan. He now sat in an impenetrable prison cell awaiting his fate at the hands of the Council. The Netherworld enjoyed a renewed hope for the future. Grateful she and J.T. had managed the eruption which annihilated the Sultan’s guards, she marveled inwardly at their strength. Glancing at his steadfast gaze once more, her heart swelled in her chest at the thought that someday, soon, she would be the one walking down the aisle to meet J.T.
###