Chapter Thirty-Four
I’d thought we were going to skip the human traditions at the reception, but it wasn’t to be. There was the obligatory cake cutting and I was able to swipe a bit of frosting on Ryder’s face before he painted a smear on my lips and then licked it off. Although he wasn’t used to public speaking that had nothing to do with battle or training for battle, Zahruk did his very best to do the toast before Ristan interrupted and took the toast down a far raunchier path. Adam glamoured a bouquet for me to throw, and Darynda caught it, then anxiously asked Adrian what she was supposed to do with it.
Then came the dance of the father and bride. I danced awkwardly with my father to Rascal Flatts My Wish as he’d told me that he was glad Faolán was dead and couldn’t touch us anymore. He’d explained that, while they had needed space after his death, having the babies there had helped them to heal and see the reason why it had to happen.
Alden had danced with me next, and the old man could cut a rug for his age, which he assured me wasn’t as old as I had always made him out to be. I’d danced with my brothers, and laughed at their expense with the women who had come with them. Even Liam had asked me to dance.
Adrian took a turn with me as well, and when I danced with him, Ryder managed not to pull his spine out through his mouth as he’d threatened to do many times before.
“You look so beautiful tonight,” Adrian commented as he watched me. “I think it has little to do with the outfit, and everything to do with that smile in your eyes. I almost hate you because you’re so fucking happy without me.”
“I was happy with you at one time, but we were kids,” I replied gently as I wrapped my arms around his neck and smiled as we danced. “That kind of love, it wouldn’t have lasted. We weren’t in love as much as we loved the idea of being in love.”
“I know I loved you,” he affirmed. “I still love you, and I will always love you. You will always love him, though, and it’s okay. I’m happy because you’re happy. Plus, you guys make really cute kids. You’ll have others, eventually.”
“You knew I was pregnant.” All of his and Vlad’s worried looks made sense now. His turquoise eyes roamed around the room before finally returning to mine.
“I heard the heartbeat, but you didn’t seem to know. It wasn’t the time to bring it up. We were in the field, and I knew you’d ignore it no matter what I said. Besides, I don’t think it would have lived much longer. The heartbeat was slow, weak. Probably because its mother was exhausted and had no idea it needed her to rest. It wasn’t your fault; sometimes, these things just happen.”
“They took it from me, for interfering in the human world.” I replied as I watched him frown with the news. “I didn’t know I was pregnant, but I killed an Enforcer, and it didn’t matter that he was really a Mage. I’m winging this Goddess shit, and I didn’t understand what they meant when they said a sacrifice was going to be demanded of me if I didn’t stop interfering with human affairs. So, lesson learned. I can give orders there, but I can’t be an active participant or they will demand another sacrifice. I know I’m going to need a lot of help running the new Guild, and I have to find people that will man it and follow my orders without feeling like they are being forced or coerced.”
“Talking war at your own wedding?” Adam interrupted as he cut in and twirled me around. “Tsk, what are we going to do with you?”
“Love me,” I smirked. “You’re coming with me to the Guild when we start recruiting, right?” I asked and Adam frowned.
“Keir is sending me to the Dark Towers because it’s time I find my missing bride,” he said with a pained look. “”I’m supposed to divide my time between there and the stewardship of the Light Kingdom, but I’ll still be close to you. If you need me, you can tell him that I have to put aside my duties to serve the newly-crowned Queen of the Horde.”
I looked over to where Keir was speaking with Ryder, whose eyes searched for me on the dance floor. I was about to move towards him when the sound of giggling caught my attention.
I turned, finding the men with the babies, playing what looked like leapfrog over each other as the women around them ogled them.
“Excuse me; I think my little beasties are being used to catch pussy,” I groaned as I moved towards the men, finding Sinjinn watching me as I approached.
“You look stunning, sister,” he remarked. “Hardly the time to get married when our flesh and blood sister is missing, wouldn’t you agree, Synthia?”
I was taken aback at his words, and shook my head in denial. Sinjinn was one of those people who could be a lot of fun, but you never knew when they were teasing or serious. “Ciara is handling her situation. There’s always a threat hanging over our heads. Should we stop life every time it happens? Do you think we’d be living if we stopped to deal with every threat that comes to our door?”
He swallowed and I felt the electrical hum of Ryder as he stood at my back. He didn’t say anything, nor did the others. He was quietly supporting me, he just wasn’t taking control.
“I heard you ripped the throat out of the leader of the Sluagh?” Sinjinn asked after he’d considered my words.
“Indeed; I’ve been told that to lead the Horde you have to become them, but that is neither here nor there. We will get Ciara back; she asked for me to leave her there. There is something she wants to do and I have to give her that chance. She’s earned it. If she isn’t home soon, I will bring her back. She asked me to trust her, and that’s what family does. They have your back, but they also trust you. Ciara isn’t weak; she’s the Princess of the Horde. I’m sure if she is in danger, more throats will be torn apart. Give her a chance; she just might surprise you.”
“I believe this dance is mine, Pet,” Ryder interrupted as he slipped his fingers through mine and pulled me out onto the dance floor as the others looked on. Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud started to play. “You have exactly one last song and one last dance before I rip this dress off of you and take you in front of everyone here.”
“One song?” I smirked.
“One, because the moment I saw you at the other end of the aisle, I’ve wanted to do nothing else besides rip this dress off and slide into you slowly.”
“Slowly?” I asked softly, my eyes locked on his lips as he moved us around the floor. “That’s a new one,” I whispered. “I don’t think you can take me slowly.”
“Is that a challenge?” he teased, his reverent gaze warmed me as he moved us—and by move us, I mean my feet were on his, and he effortlessly danced without missing a step.
“You bet your ass it is.” I laughed, and then we were gone.
I was tossed on a bed; the gentle sound of the waves lapping the shore made me sit up and look around the moonlit beach that the gigantic bed was situated on. Not quite the idea I had in mind to begin our honeymoon, but I liked it.
“We didn’t even say goodbye,” I quipped.
“You challenged me; you should know by now that I take challenges seriously.”
“Did I challenge you?” I gave him a wicked smile. “I don’t recall it happening like that.” I giggled as he shook his head. His eyes sparkled with a million stars trapped in their amber depths.
“Slowly was the challenge? I can make you beg for me, working this body…slowly, for hours.”
“Shit,” I smiled. “I fear I’m going to like this as much as you, Fairy.”
“Doubt it,” he growled as he leaned over and claimed my lips.