Breslin glanced at the mirror and took in her reflection. She couldn’t believe this moment had finally arrived. There was a time, not long ago, she didn’t think it was in the cards for her and the fire demon but here she was about to walk downstairs and stand before her brother as he mated them for eternity.

“Kyran and Bhric have Rhett chained to the altar. He won’t be going anywhere until you’re hitched,” Mack teased as she entered the bedroom.

Breslin smiled at the feisty female. “Thanks. I’ll be sure and return your chains after the ceremony,” she replied with a wink.

“Whips and chains don’t excite me but a little spanking sure does,” Mack said and wiggled her hips.

“No, Auntie Mack. Spankings are bad. It means you’ve been naughty,” Izzy surmised with a scowl across her angelic face.

“True, Iz, but sometimes being naughty is good,” Mack said with a sly grin and the room erupted with laughter.

“For the love of the Goddess, would you stop,” Elsie interjected and pinned Mack with a glare.

“Oops, sorry. Don’t listen to me, Izzy,” Mack replied as she covered her mouth innocently.

“There. I think we’re all done here. You look incredible, Bre,” Elsie murmured.

“Thank you,” Breslin replied as she glanced to the mirror again.

The family crown was pinned perfectly in place. Breslin felt honored to wear the heirloom. Her mother had worn it on her mating day, and so had her brothers’ mates. She smiled as she considered the group of females in the room.

It meant everything to Breslin to have them with her, supporting her on the most important day of her life. Life had changed drastically in the past few years. It started with Elsie and her sister Cailyn, then Mack joined, followed by Shae and Illianna, then Tori, Ember and Alex. Breslin finally had the big family she’d always dreamed of.

“Auntie Bre, you need sparklies,” Izzy announced as she danced over with Breslin’s diamond earrings in her hand.

Izzy appointed herself the sparkle police at a very young age and made sure every female that was mated in the house had the right amount of bling for the occasion. A tear escaped Breslin’s tight control when she considered how close she was to her niece. She loved the little female to pieces.

“Auntie Bre, I love your necklace. It glows like Uncle Rhett,” Izzy stated as she climbed into Breslin’s lap and touched the pendant around her neck.

“Thank you, Iz. Maybe we can ask him to make something special for you, as well,” Breslin answered and hugged the little girl.

Her eyes widened with excitement. “Ooh, I hope so. That would be my most favorite thing ever,” she said as she bounced in her lap.

“So, how is it that Breslin managed to get away with a small ceremony?” Mack asked as she sipped on her champagne.

Aside from Breslin, Kyran’s mate was the only female Dark Warrior in the compound. Mack was one of their finest, always at the top of the killboard and Breslin appreciated the no non-sense female. They understood each other.

“Mack,” Elsie chided and swatted the female on the shoulder.

Mack shrugged her shoulders. “What? She’s the Vampire Princess. I would’ve expected the entire realm to attend. Even I had to go through a huge ceremony after we returned from Khoth. And I don’t like dressing up,” Mack complained.

Breslin laughed at her sister-in-law. “As much as I love to plan a party, this day isna aboot all that. Family and our close friends is what’s important to me and I didna want to share it with the world. I guess I’m being selfish but I doona care. I’ve said it a thousand times–"

“No hearts and flowers,” chimed the group of females.

“Aye, exactly,” Breslin countered.

“So, why am I in this dress and heels then?” Mack countered.

“Torturing you is my greatest joy, puthair,” Breslin teased. “Just because my ceremony isna a formal gathering doesna mean you can wear one of your snarky t-shirts.”

“Oh, speaking of that, I have a gift for you,” Mack quipped and dashed from the bedroom.

Moments later, she returned holding a rolled piece of material and handed it to Breslin. Breslin unfolded the fabric to see a black t-shirt with a picture of lips and a tongue. The tongue was shaped to look like a flame and the caption read, ‘I licked it, so it’s mine.”

“This is perfect. I’ll wear it tonight,” Breslin said and blushed as she imagined Rhett’s reaction when he saw her in it.

“And, it’s non-flammable, bitch,” Mack replied and gave Breslin a high-five.

“Okay, Izzy, am I ready?” Breslin asked as she turned to the little princess.

Her adorable niece looked to her with more concentration than she’d ever seen on her little face. Izzy pursed her lips and put her chin in one hand before she reached over on Breslin’s dressing table and grabbed a large makeup brush. Dabbing the soft puff in the small container, Izzy brushed both of Breslin’s bare shoulders, causing a cloud of glitter to fill the room.

“Now you’re ready,” Izzy announced with a wide smile.

Suddenly, butterflies swarmed in Breslin’s stomach and tears threatened to ruin Elsie’s perfect makeup application. Biting back the emotion, Breslin turned to the mirror for one last check.

She’d been a princess her entire life and had donned countless gowns, but she felt more like a princess today than all others combined. The pale shade of her gold gown complimented her auburn hair and the beaded bodice sparkled when she moved. Her eyes roamed the length of the straight silk skirt to the top of her matching stilettos.

Yes. She was ready to get mated.

A small shard of doubt surfaced but she shoved it away. Rhett wouldn’t disappoint her. He proved his love and devotion many times over and she refused to allow insecurities to ruin their night. Besides, she loved Rhett with all her heart and trusted him to be there for her.

As she made her way from her suite of rooms, Breslin lost her footing and almost fell.

“Are you okay?” Elsie asked, rushing to her side.

Breslin clung to Elsie’s arm long enough to steady herself. The pain in Breslin’s mating brand was a constant twisting of a red-hot poker in her upper chest. She had denied the mating for too long and her body demanded completion.

“I’ll be better after the blood exchange,” Breslin confessed, and Elsie nodded in understanding.

She wasn’t sure what she looked forward to most. Being bonded to Rhett in every way or getting rid of the agonizing pain.

Breslin paused in the patio entryway. Rather than the typical roomful of guests, there were a few dozen attendees. Small and intimate, which was perfect. Rhett met her gaze and his broad smile had her practically running to his side. She was overly anxious to get the show on the road and get to the good stuff. Every cell in her body ached to be joined to her mate.

As she made her way to Rhett’s side, Breslin waved her hand and lit the surrounding candles.

“Impatient, Bre?” Bhric asked with a smirk as she approached. Their shared bond told her twin precisely how anxious she was to mate Rhett.

Bhric stood in the center of the room with Zander and Kyran. With all the matings over the past few years, Breslin was used to seeing them in their formal Scottish attire, but this time it was for her, and they looked especially handsome. She loved her brothers and was so thankful they were present for this day.

Breslin couldn’t help the sadness that crept in, and wished her mother and father were alive to see her get mated. She sent a silent prayer to the Goddess, hoping they were looking down from Anwynn and watching her ceremony.

She glanced to her mate, and her heart raced as her mouth watered for a taste. Rhett looked sharp in his tailor-made tuxedo. Her fingers tingled to roam his broad shoulders and muscular chest. His long, brown hair fell across his shoulders and his orange eyes danced with fire.

The Dark Warrior and Council members stood in a loose circle around her mate and brothers. She nodded to Evzen then smiled at Hayden, glad to see him there. Maybe it was a sign the tensions between the Omega and her brother were a thing of the past. Hayden was a good male to have on their side. He was as big as her twin and a beast in a fight.

It was then that she realized Rhett’s siblings were there, as well. His two brothers, Ryk and Reed, were next to the Omega and Rhett’s sister, Rihanna. The female was flirting shamelessly with the Hayden. Seemed that ran in the fire demon’s family. Not that Breslin blamed Rihanna. Hayden was good-looking with his long brown hair and five o’clock shadow. His dark brown eyes danced with mirth and Breslin could see a cigar peeking from his shirt pocket.

Breslin took Rhett’s hand and the two of them approached Zander. Her brother stood next to a tiled image of the Triskele Amulet, holding Izzy’s hand. Breslin recalled when the warriors created the replica, laying each piece. There was blood, sweat, tears, and laughter in that stone and stood as a testament to their faith in the Goddess.

“You look good enough to eat,” Rhett teased with a loving kiss to her lips. Breslin grabbed his neck when he pulled away and deepened the kiss.

Rhys’s catcall had her blushing. “Now you’re talking. Let’s get this ceremony started with an orgy. I know I’m ready.”

Breslin glanced over and saw Illianna roll her eyes before Rhys took the angel in a passionate kiss.

“Fucking Rhys,” Breslin murmured against Rhett’s cheek.

“Love you, too, cupcake,” Rhys responded then kissed Illianna again.

The angel’s diamond-tipped wings were the perfect accent to the twinkling lights they’d strung for the event, and her presence brought additional happiness and joy to the occasion. Well, maybe a little too much joy for her mate, Breslin surmised.

“Friends and family, please form a circle around the couple,” Zander instructed as he started the ceremony.

“We have gathered here in this beautiful place, under the eye of the Sun and the glow of the Moon. Let the circle be blessed and consecrated with Fire and Water,” Zander recited.

Breslin let go of Rhett’s hand and stepped forward with Bhric. With an elegant wave of her hands, fire shot from Breslin’s outstretched palm to flow around the outskirts of the circle. The fire rose from the earth to the heavens, like fireworks lighting up the night. Bhric then raised his hands and snow formed above the fire before the heat turned it to water that cascaded down in a sheer waterfall, extinguishing the fire.

Zander looked down to Izzy and smiled then continued in his Scottish brogue, “We call to the Goddess Morrigan, and invoke her to bless this mating.”

Izzy extended her closed fist and Rhett put his hand out, palm up. Izzy placed a smooth, round, rock into Rhett’s palm. Their mating stone. The rock that would bind their souls together for eternity and protect their mating.

Electrical pulses crawled up Breslin’s arm when Izzy grabbed her right hand. The power increased to a painful level as her hand was placed on top of Rhett’s.

“We call upon the spirits of the East, of Air, Spring and new beginnings. We call upon the spirits of the South and the inner Fire of the Sun, Summer and personal will. We call upon the spirits of the West, of Water, Autumn, and healing and dreaming. We call upon the spirits of the North, of Earth, Winter, and the time of cleansing and renewal. Join us to bless this couple with your guidance and inspiration,” Zander recited.

Electric current filled Breslin as the stone’s power enveloped her and Rhett. Emotion overwhelmed her and she saw it mirrored in his fiery orange eyes.

Izzy pressed her lips to their joined hands and joy spread from the little girl’s body to theirs. Then her niece stepped away, leaving their hands clasped together, surrounding the stone. Breslin stared at their hands in wonder and then jumped when Rhett placed his left hand over her heart.

“And you thought I had cold feet,” Rhett teased.

“I thought you were trying to grab my breast,” she whispered with a wink.

Zander cleared his throat and Breslin giggled. “Continue, brathair,” she muttered and the corner of his mouth lifted in amusement.

“I bless this mating under the Sun and the Moon. This circle of love and honor is open and never broken, so may it be,” Zander’s voice resonated with his blessing and his serious demeanor returned.

Heat built between their hands as the stone became hot. She gritted her teeth as both souls left her body to enter the stone. She expected the loss but not the severity of it. It made the hot poker to her chest seem like a toothache in comparison. Instinct had her mentally grasping for them as irrational fear over never feeling them again swamped her. Tears brimmed in her eyes and she wondered what her mate felt. He wasn’t one of the Goddess’s creatures so she wasn’t exactly sure if he possessed the other half of her soul.

The awe on his face answered her question. “It was there the whole time,” Rhett muttered. “You’ve been with me my whole life.”

Now it was Breslin’s turn to gape. Her heart leapt at the love she saw shining in his eyes. He was created for her, and she was created for him.

A brilliant light flashed between their fingers and Breslin’s skin tingled. Magic was a part of her life, even though she understood little about it. What she did know was it was capable of life-altering feats.

In the next second, the connection she shared with Rhett became a solid link that she could see shining between them. A thick, golden band wrapped around her heart and ran to his, interlacing them.

Suddenly, their souls surged back into her body and she was encompassed by love. Rhett’s soul combined with hers, intertwined from top to bottom, and linked at regular intervals. This was beyond any wish she dared to dream.

In the next moment, Breslin felt the Goddess’s presence enter her head. She nearly knelt out of respect but held herself in place.

“Ah, my brave warrioress,” the Goddess crooned. “Your mother sends her love and asked that I tell you how proud she is of you.”

Breslin’s lips trembled as she opened her senses further to the Goddess. “My mamai is watching me?”

“Yes. She watches over all her children. Both she and your father. No power, not even death, can sever your bond with Rhett. Mating stones protect and bless different aspects. Yours blesses and protects your life. With it, you will never be forced to leave your children the way your parents were. They sacrificed much for you and your brothers but did it out of love. Never forget that.”

“Thank you, Goddess,” Breslin silently replied as a single tear rolled down her cheek. She needed to hear that her parents loved her. It was another revered gift from the Goddess. “And, thank you for choosing Rhett. I will cherish him the rest of my long life.”

“I know, child. Be at ease and enjoy your Eve of Eternal Union,” the Goddess replied before she vanished as quickly as she appeared.

Breslin lifted her hand from Rhett’s and looked at the mating stone. The ordinary granite rock was now a fire opal that matched her demon’s eyes. She hadn’t expected the change since he wasn’t one of the Goddess Morrigan’s subjects and was awed by the gift.

Rhett wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to his chest and then claimed her lips in a searing kiss. His fire tickled as it raced along her skin. Rhett told her his kind went through a transformation when they mated and she was anxious to get to that part with him.

“Is it time for the blood exchange?” he asked as he waggled his eyebrows. Her mate had a one-track mind and that track was devoted to her now.

“Thankfully, we have fewer guests to greet, so it shouldn’t be much longer,” Breslin muttered as Izzy wiggled her way between their legs.

Laughing, Breslin scooped Izzy into her arms and accepted her hugs then those of Zander and Elsie. As she stood talking with her brother, Tristan walked up to them.

“Congratulations, Breslin, Rhett. Thank you for including me tonight,” the male said and smiled.

Breslin was grateful the stripling survived the attack and healed completely. His injuries were severe and they weren’t sure he would pull through. He was a strong male and her gut said he would pass the initiation and become a Dark Warrior.

“We’re happy you’re here, Tristan. You look verra handsome, by the way,” Breslin stated, earning a low growl from Rhett. Jealousy ran deep with mates and she nudged his ribs and smiled back at Tristan.

“I was hoping there would be a lot of available females tonight. I’m feeling rather randy these days,” the blond-haired male replied as he scanned the small gathering.

Breslin peered into his blue eyes and then looked to Zander. “Remember that discussion we had the other day, brathair. Did you make arrangements yet?” she asked. Tristan was on the cusp of transition which meant his sex drive was about to go into overdrive.

“Aye. I made a call to Aurora. She said she would do anything to repay us for protecting her harpies and Brushy Keep. It seems the harpy that saved Tristan from falling to his death is more than happy to accommodate his…predicament,” Zander explained.

“What predicament, and who’s happy to accommodate?” Tristan interjected.

Zander chuckled. “You’ll know firsthand verra soon, wild thing. And, Brianne is apparently going to save your ass one more time,” he added with a sly grin.

Tristan looked at Zander then to Breslin, clearly confused. When neither offered further explanation, he shrugged it off then made his way to the buffet.

“Do I even want to know what that’s all about,” Rhett asked as his hand rubbed circles on Breslin’s lower back. When he dipped lower to caress her ass, she about lost her mind. She needed her mate’s body and blood, and fast.

“I’d rather show you when we get to our room,” Breslin croaked as her body clenched with need.

She and Rhett turned to greet Hayden, Cade, and Cael. Rhett kept a possessive hold around her waist when the males hugged and congratulated her. It only served to feed her desire for her sexy mate, adding to the sexual tension flowing between them.

“How the fuck have you lived with this pain?” Rhett whispered in her ear.

She didn’t pretend she didn’t know what he was talking about. There was no hiding from her mate any longer, just as he could hide nothing from her. Her mating brand had yet to stop causing her immense pain and now that they’d bonded souls, it was causing him discomfort, too.

“Piece of cake, demon,” she teased.

“Damn, I love you, Flame,” he declared.

“I know,” she said with a smile and kissed him deeply as she opened her heart and allowed him to see the devotion she held for him.

Through the years, many teased her about being a cold bitch but that wasn’t the case. Her love was larger than life.

Not wanting hearts and flowers simply meant she didn’t give a shit about all the superficial crap. All that mattered to her was unconditional love, loyalty, and a passion that set her on fire.

With Rhett, she had it all.