Chapter Thirty-One

The wedding date arrived three weeks later. Jade learned the nuptials were to be held near the cottage, though the specific details remained a mystery to her. She and her maid of honor, Sheena, and her bridesmaid, Lisette, gathered at the small house to help her prepare for the evening.

Jade stood in front of the full-length, oval-shaped mirror encased in rich cherry wood that Sheena had given her as a wedding present. She surveyed herself from all angles, finding the silver silk gown the perfect complement to the Star of Nathea, which Lisette had secured at her throat.

The strapless dress had a sweetheart neckline and the bodice flowed cleanly and seamlessly over her body, into an A-line skirt that flared at her feet. It was precisely as she’d imagined—sophisticated and elegant, fitting for a queen, yet simple enough to allow her stunning piece of jewelry to take center stage.

She’d pulled her raven hair up, but left long, loosely curled tendrils to cascade over her shoulders and back. Lisette accented the up ‘do with strategically placed sparkly beads that snapped onto strands of hair without the need for pins. She’d offered the glittery concept to one of Sheena’s many designers, who’d crafted the tiny enhancements.

The bridal party’s gowns were also simple and elegant, in black satin. Jade wanted nothing to diminish the radiance of the Star of Nathea. Unfortunately, Sheena was capable of stealing the show on her own.

Jade told her, “I look like I should be the maid of honor and you should be the bride.”

“You look sensational.” The striking redhead beamed at Jade’s reflection in the mirror as she stood behind her. “You just can’t acknowledge how beautiful you are, can you?”

“When standing next to you? Not in a million years. And I think I have that many to agonize over my extreme envy.”

With a soft laugh Sheena moved away. “Your groom will back me up on this.”

Butterflies took to flight in Jade’s stomach at the thought of Davian. He’d look even more magnificent than ever in his black tuxedo, she had no doubt. She was also giddy over the fact that she was actually marrying him.

Although there’d been an absurd amount of protocol preached to her about being the queen, she’d found that Davian’s biggest goal was promoting their unity. Despite her being a demi-demon and now immortal, the plight of humans was still her greatest cause and he felt it acceptable for her to continue that stance, knowing she had a comprehension of demon life as well. It was a suitable combination to further goodwill and compromise.

On this particular evening, as Sheena handed her the single, long-stemmed red rose she’d requested—a perfectly full and fragrant bloom—she considered her marriage to Davian was more than the joining of two people in love. Rather, it was symbolic and represented hope for a stronger future between the significantly different species that inhabited the same landmass.

This was additionally demonstrated when she, Sheena and Lisette left the cottage and Jade followed the winding path, dotted with red rose petals and lined with lit candles in oversized glass hurricanes, the trees dripping floral arrangements twined with silver satin ribbon that fluttered in the gentle breeze.

Jade paused at the end of the grassy trail and stared out at the humans and demons gathered on the opposite riverbank.

“The ceremony will be on the king’s side of the village’s border,” Sheena now clued her in. “And the reception will be held on your side.” She gestured to the tables and chairs set up, all spectacularly decorated.

“Perfect. And maybe someday,” Jade said, “there won’t be a border.”

The vampire nodded. “That might actually be a nice change of pace. I’d like to spend some time in Lisette’s library, and I also find the idea of your local tavern inviting.”

“It’s a very lively place. You’d enjoy it. I’ll take you there sometime.”

“If anyone can bring together the kingdom and the village,” Lisette said to Jade, “it’s you.”

Jade turned to her human friend and emotion swelled within her. “I’ve learned so much from you, Lisette.” Tears suddenly sprang to her eyes. “You’ve been a mother to me, without making me feel disloyalty over the replacement.”

The older woman gently squeezed her hand. “And you’re the daughter I’d always hoped to have.”

Jade hugged her. She was grateful to finally be of the frame of mind where she could not only accept the friendship and love surrounding her, but give something of herself in return.

When Jade pulled away, Sheena dabbed at her cheeks with a handkerchief to make sure her makeup hadn’t smudged. “Both of you stop, or I’ll be crying too and lose all credibility with the king.”

Jade laughed softly. “Never. He’s very appreciative of everything you do and he holds your strength and determination in high regard. He seems to like that in females.”

“Please continue to remind him of that, if you wouldn’t mind.”

“Between the two of us, we might be able to keep him in line?” Jade jested.

“Not a chance. But I like the false sense of hope that thought offers.”

Lisette cleared her throat to break up the conversation. “At the moment, the only thing Jade should be thinking about is getting married.”

She drew in a deep breath as the crowd stood and turned to observe her entrance.

“Try not to say or do anything that offends anyone on your way down the aisle,” Lisette added with a wink. She and Sheena preceded Jade, who crossed the clearing and then the arched bridge over the river.

It was easy to follow Lisette’s direction. The people gathered faded into the background as soon as she rounded the corner of the last row of chairs at the back and saw the Demon King standing at the end of the aisle, before an elaborate, three-sided domed structure made of platinum posts and crimson-and-silver-veined marble. Certainly ostentatious, but also stunning. And just the right amount of extravagance for a royal wedding.

As she’d imagined, Davian was sexy as sin in his formalwear.

Jade was a magnet, tethered to the solid steel that was her king.

He exuded raw virility and power, but also a refinement and sophistication she found titillating. And yes, Lisette had been right. He was ridiculously handsome. Impossible to take her gaze from.

Not surprisingly, she was anxious to get the evening over with so they could be alone. Conversely, it was such a lovely affair, she tried to commit every detail to memory.

There was no distinction between bride and groom factions when it came to the setting, save for the three stewards of the continent’s parceled regions, who obviously stuck to demon droves.

Other than that, both sides of the aisle were occupied with humans and demons alike. While she noted more than a few looks of concern from the villagers, the overriding emotion seemed to be delight—they were happy for her, for finally finding her way.

In turn, when Jade reached her groom and his groomsmen—Morgan and Toran—Jade couldn’t have been happier for herself. There truly was a sense of unity forming. And she was marrying more than the Demon King. He’d become her heart, her soul, her lifeblood. She honestly could not envision a day without Davian in it.

She smiled at the men, then inhaled deeply, breathing in the fresh, late-spring air. The moon overhead was full and shimmery, casting glittery rays across the lush clearing and the forest beyond. More candles and a few torches lit the area, but with a warm, inviting illumination that made the entire event intimate, despite the mass of people in attendance and many more spectators who stood on the ridge, not far from the castle.

Jade knew that not every creature, human or demon, fully embraced the new direction in which relations had turned, but she couldn’t deny there was support formed by curiosity and optimism—a solid foundation that could be built upon.

The village’s chaplain, who administered service at the meeting hall on Sundays, had agreed to perform the ceremony. A nice touch. Jade gave her rose to Sheena so she and Davian could join hands before him.

“You take my breath away,” Davian told her as she faced him.

More tears of joy pricked the backs of her eyes.

“I hope you know this is the most wonderful day of my life,” she said.

Emotion flickered in his glowing amber gaze. “There will be many more to come. I’ll make sure of it.”

She had no doubt.

“I’m so glad we finally made it to this place,” she told him. “I love you so much.”

“We were meant to be together,” he assured her.

Traditional vows were exchanged. They each slipped a ring onto the other’s finger, and Jade basked in the excitement and pleasure in Davian’s eyes as she took him as her husband.

When the chaplain pronounced them man and wife, Davian leaned in for a kiss before the words even left the officiant’s mouth. This caused a ripple of laughter through the crowd. He didn’t seem to notice. His civil kiss morphed into a passionate one, and that led to gasps and hooting—and a lot of clapping and cheering. Davian’s arms encircled her waist and he kissed her deeply before releasing her and grinning down at her.

She fanned her face with a hand, the flush of public embarrassment not quite rivaling the heat of the moment.

“I think you’ve just given everyone a glimpse at our wedding night,” she teased.

“No one knows about the sashes.” One corner of his mouth lifted in a devilish way, and the flush of her face became even more vibrant.

“Behave,” she murmured.

He embraced her fervently again, and said, “That’s not at all what you want from me.” He was right, of course. Then he shifted his attention to the group gathered and announced, “My chefs at the castle have worked with the chefs in the village to prepare tonight’s dinner. And there’s plenty of champagne for everyone to enjoy.”

Linking Jade’s arm with his, they led the way to the riverbank on Ryleigh’s side. The feast was outstanding, and the villagers were obviously impressed. After the dishes had been cleared away, music and dancing ensued. Jade could not remember such a lively occasion taking place in her now-twenty-seven years. And she was pleased to see Walker had recovered enough to dance with Lisette.

Sheena, clever vampire that she was, had paired the castle’s seamstresses with those in the village, the butchers from both sides of the border, the candle-makers and hand-blown glass artists, and so on. This broke the tension, but also opened discussion for sharing trade secrets that might assist with improvements on both sides.

Jade had no idea what the future held, but Jinx Cromley had once predicted the human world would be restored. What he hadn’t realize, she believed, was that the demons were friends of Mother Nature and that modern advancements could be made while paying particular attention to the environment. A win-win, she thought, might truly be in sight.

The wedding night was another affair to remember. The party wound down in the wee hours of the morning and Davian lifted Jade into his arms and carried her across the threshold of the cottage, that being the place she’d wanted to spend their first night as newlyweds. He hadn’t put up a single argument.

Sheena and Lisette had set the décor on the sly, lighting candles and scattering rose petals everywhere, as well as opening the windows to allow a sultry gust to waft through the small house. The sound of the water rushing over the rapids outside added a soothing element to the sensual ambience.

Davian took her straight to bed. She didn’t complain.

As he thrust slowly and deeply into her, she murmured, “Thank you for loving me.”

“I waited nearly nine years for us to be together. But, really, Jade. I waited over two hundred years to find you.” He kissed her ardently before staring into her eyes and saying, “And now you’re finally mine.”

“For all of eternity,” she vowed.