Ramiel looked around Seven Lively Sinz, shocked at the transformation. He and Zakara both agreed on where they wanted to be mated. The place where it all began. The bar was unrecognizable, courtesy of Elsie and the other women at Zeum.

The effort everyone went to for his mating ceremony touched him. He was genuinely thankful for the friendships he’d made. Hell, even Zander had come around over the past few weeks. He imagined it was because the Vampire King knew he was no longer pining for his mate.

Taking in the room, he was happy to see Joe polishing the tables and chairs Zakara had lovingly arranged. Those were her pride, and joy and she’d be taking them to Heaven to fill her bakery after the ceremony.

Zakara signed the bar over to Joe, happy to leave it behind. He doubted the burly male would leave the thousands of twinkling lights decorating the ceiling. Or the hundreds of candles Breslin placed around the bar for extra lighting. The Vampire Princess lectured them about proper lighting creating the right ambiance for their ceremony. He didn’t see why it mattered, but as Breslin waved her hand and the candles flared to life, his breath caught. She was right.

Surprisingly, everyone pitched in to ensure their day was perfect. “‘Tis time, my friend. You ready?” Zander said as he clapped him on the shoulder.

“Did you ever think you’d call me friend?” Ramiel asked. That was the last word he ever expected to come out of Zander’s mouth. It was the biggest sign of how much their relationship changed over the past month.

“Nay,” Zander chuckled, “but you saved Isobel and Elsie, too. She wouldna have survived losing Izzy. I see the way you look at Zakara, and I know the depth of that devotion.”

“Kara’s perfect,” Rami muttered and couldn’t stop the smile that formed. “And, she’s brought hope back to the archangels. Camael smiled the other day, and I nearly passed out. It’s a great time to be an angel, and I’m the luckiest son of a bitch alive,” he admitted.

Zander chuckled. “Aye, you are. I doona have any idea what the Goddess’ master plan is, but I am honored to be a part of this day,” Zander relayed and looked over Ramiel’s shoulder.

Rami turned, and his breath left him in a rush. His heart stuttered to a stop when he saw Zakara standing in the doorway. The ambient lighting cast a soft glow around her picture-perfect frame. Her purple wings stood high at her back while the silver studs sparkled above her head.

Ramiel almost laughed when he saw her glitter-covered horns. No doubt that was Izzy’s doing. Zakara’s short, purple hair was styled in loose curls, giving her a softer look. But his angel was far from demure. She had a darkness that brought him to life, and he didn’t want her ever to change. He’d seen her angelic side, as well, even before she got her wings backs. It shined brighter now as she allowed joy to spread across her face.

Kara met his gaze and her widened, making his heart clench. He loved her beyond what he thought possible. And, she was sex personified in her gown. The cream-colored silk complimented her pale complexion. He swallowed his tongue when she turned slightly to smile at Izzy. The entire side was open, held together by diamond-studded chains.

Holy fuck, that was a sexy wedding dress. Rami's cock hardened at the realization that Zakara couldn’t be wearing a bra or panties with the design of her dress. Rami couldn’t wait until the formalities were over with so he could claim her in every way. She strode toward his side with a sway to her hips that emphasized her exposed skin.

As Zakara took his hand, the air shimmered seconds before power filled the room. He and every warrior went into a battle stance, fearing the demons were coming for Isobel again. The Rowan sisters placed protections around the bar and Izzy, but he knew demons could break through any spell when it came to finding the child.

Beside him, Zakara muttered, “Raphael.”

What was the archangel doing there? Rami knew he attended Rhys and Illianna’s mating and wondered if the archangel had a thing for ceremonies.

“Zakara,” Raphael replied. “I would like the honor of blessing your ceremony.”

Camael had asked the same thing, and the way Ramiel saw it, they could use all the angelic blessings they could get. The world was a far scarier place than it had been. While Lucifer couldn’t leave Hell, he had more power now that he was free of the lake. The fucking devil forced his demons through additional rifts he tore open.

Abraxos, Ayil, and Araton were busier than ever, and Raphael was sealing the openings as fast as he could. Everyone needed some good in their lives. He sensed these mighty angels envied what he had and wanted to be as close to it as possible.

“We would be thrilled, but don’t expect free pie for this,” she said with a smile.

The two archangels, along with Illianna’s brothers, took the five points of a star with Ramiel and Zakara at the center. The angels spread their wings, so their tips touched, enclosing them in a colored cocoon of red and white. The second the multicolored wings joined, Ramiel detected the familiar shimmer of a veil snap into place. Each male held out a hand and called a weapon of Light to his palm.

Ramiel met Zakara’s gaze and noticed tears shimmering in her eyes. He squeezed her waist in reassurance, recalling what she shared with him. Zakara never believed she would be mated and he understood her sentiment. Rami thought his world ended when he lost Elsie, but he was wrong. Despite their hurt and pain, they took a chance and opened their hearts to another. He and Zakara received the best blessing when they met. Not only did they get a second chance at love, but they found their true love in each other.

Raphael extended his weapon above their heads and each angel touched their Light to his. A flash of white light blasted throughout the room, momentarily blinded Ramiel.

Holding Zakara’s gaze, Ramiel released all the love he felt as he murmured, “We fell in love by chance, but you became my choice. You are it for me. You own me, heart and soul.”

“I told you I was the center of your universe,” Zakara teased with a wink. “Life hasn’t always been easy, but I would suffer every moment again if it meant finding you. You are my choice. I love you, Ramiel.”

Their connection became a thick, gold ribbon that wrapped around his heart and ran to hers, bonding them together. Their souls touched, and his body ignited with arousal. Zakara’s gasp echoed his own. He wanted to strip the dress from her body and take her right there in the bar. He didn’t care that friends surrounded them. He wanted his mate, and he wanted her now.

* * *

Zakara was on the high of her life. Her heart hadn’t stopped pounding the past few hours. She went from having butterflies over her commitment to Ramiel to an intense need for her mate to make love to her.

Ramiel palmed her breast and kissed her neck as he kicked the door shut. It would be her last night in the basement she called home for so many years. She glanced around at the candles spread throughout the room, emitting a soft glow. Kara’s life had changed completely over the past month. She had the best mate, earned a position in Heaven, and inherited his crazy ex-wife’s family that she loved them. Well, most of them anyway.

Ramiel threw her onto the bed and leaned over her. “This dress is way too sexy. I should spank you for what it did to me in front of a roomful of people,” he whispered as he slipped the strap off her shoulder.

She’d seen the dress and picked it right away. She loved the way it made her feel and hoped Ramiel would approve. The lust in his eyes confirmed she made the right choice and made her body burn with desire. Stretching her legs, Kara lifted her hands and cupped his cheeks then lifted her lips to his.

The energy between them fed the fervor of her need. Rami licked her lips, and their tongues danced in an erotic rhythm. His mouth devoured hers, and her back arched as the dress fell below her chest. The action pushed her breasts to the edge of the fabric, teasing them both. She needed his hands on her.

Ramiel rolled her over and slowly unbuttoned each of her fastenings and pushed her dress down before he ran his hands over the flesh between her wings. Teasing the insertion, his fingers played with the sensitive skin, making her ravenous.

“Fuck me, Rami. I might maim you if you don’t do something now,” Kara panted and arched her ass when his hands traveled to her plush globes.

Ramiel pushed the fabric down and grabbed hold of her backside before he lowered his head and bit into one cheek. Crying out, she groaned when he lifted his head. So damn close.

“I knew it, no panties. I warned you not to do that to me,” Rami growled as he yanked Kara's dress.

She smiled when he lost all semblance of going slow. “Mmmm, my fierce Angel of Retribution. Are you gonna make me pay for not obeying?” she begged.

“You’re killing me, Salsa,” he groaned, running his hands up her legs and torso before he pushed her hips. She lifted her ass, putting herself on full display.

“Then do something about it,” she demanded, feeling her dark side rear its head. They always had fun when her demon came out to play. “My gorgeous virgin,” she murmured as she glanced at him over her shoulder.

He leaned down and kissed his way down her spine, teasing her with his tongue and lips. Suddenly, a tearing sound echoed through the room, and he chuckled. Kara looked back as he tore his pants open.

“I take that back. My naughty Virgin,” she amended. Ramiel took a page out of her book and wasn’t wearing any underwear.

The sight of his cock jutting, thick and erect, made her mouth water. Licking her lips, she watched it jerk. Her fingers didn’t meet when she wrapped them around Rami's erection, but his did. She watched as he slowly pumped his length from base to tip several times.

He shoved her torso to the bed, and she lost her breath at the heat in his eyes. She felt his shaft tease her opening and she gave herself over to pleasure.

Liquid pooled between her legs, evidence to how much she craved him. She ached all over, and her hands slinked between the mattress to her breasts. When she felt her turgid peaks, she tugged on the sensitive nipples. Her body tensed and she writhed, panting and whimpering her need.

His cock parted her slick folds, and her hips surged backward, urging him to sink into her heat.

“Damn, Salsa. I can see that I’m the center of your universe, too.”

“Damn straight. Now give me what I want,” Kara muttered, and Rami thrust balls deep into her core in one stroke. The blunt head pounded her cervix, making her cry out.

Ramiel immediately settled into a fast rhythm. She was addicted to the feel of him deep inside her core. Sweat broke across her skin as their bodies moved together. He stroked her wings, and she bucked uncontrollably.

Rami changed his angle, and the head of his shaft pressed deliciously against her G spot. He quickened his pace, chasing after what he desperately needed.

Her body tensed as she neared climax. She cried out as Rami suddenly withdrew from her core. Her objection stalled in her throat when he flipped her over and was back inside her body, stealing her breath.

“Yes,” she hissed in pleasure. Rami's pace quickened and her core clenched around him.

“I choose you to be my mate,” she panted as he surged in and out.

“And, I choose you to be my mate. My forever,” he groaned and claimed her lips.

A sense of peace and love expanded and embraced her right before she screamed her release and shouted Ramiel’s name. A second later Rami roared above her, holding her gaze while his semen shot hot streams inside her as they climaxed together.

Her entire body tingled with the magic of their vow to one another. This ritual was the second part of an angel’s mating. There were no flowery words or official ceremony. They only needed to declare their intent in front of peers then again during intimacy. It was done. They were mated for eternity.

Their bodies trembled as their releases continued and their connection solidified. Kara kissed him gently as she caressed his face. She paused when she noticed him staring off to the side. “What is it?”

“Your wings are covered with diamonds. Why?”

She looked to the side at her fanned wings. Purple diamonds covered the tips, and she had to admit, they were spectacular. “That happens when angels complete a mating. Didn’t you know?”

“No. Do I have diamonds?” Rami asked as he looked over his shoulder.

She laughed. “No, thank God. Can you imagine an AOR with diamond-studded wings?”

“Yeah. Nothing screams badass like an angel with sparkly wings,” he said as he rolled onto his back, pulling her with him.

Zakara guided his still-erect shaft inside her body, relishing the feel as he stretched and filled her. “How about we do that again, Virgin?” she murmured suggestively, as she began moving her hips.

“Isn’t it about time for a new nickname?” Rami asked, gripping her hips.

“Mmm, depends on how fast you make me cum,” she moaned as pleasure rushed through her body. Little did Rami know she’d already come up with another nickname.

But who the fuck wanted to say holyfuckingshityoumakemytoescurl all the time?