“We need to make a move tonight.” Anastasia stood in the center of her training cottage surrounded by men and creatures.
“Why tonight?” Ashere, the leader of the mammoth-like creatures, spoke up first.
“Vincent gains more power every day we wait. The docks are where he is keeping most of his weapons, help, and prisoners,” Dakota answered. “There’s one prisoner in particular we need to rescue. The Sorceress has been taken by Vincent.”
“That is not good.” Nallia stood with her arms crossed over her chest. “If he manages to turn her, that could be the end of us all.”
“He won’t,” Anastasia responded quickly. “Monique is powerful, and hates Vincent. She won’t turn.”
“If it’s for her own safety?” Nix asked.
“No.” Anastasia crossed her own arms. “We need to focus on shutting down those docks.” Her tone left no room for argument. She refused to let anyone taint the name of the woman who had sacrificed herself to save Anastasia’s life.
“We will leave a portion of our men behind, as well as some of Argento’s Brutes. We need to be able to protect our world as well.”
“When do you wish to leave?”
“In two hours. That should give us enough time to gather weapons and prepare for a counterstrike,” Dakota instructed. “Vincent will be pissed, and if we don’t get him while we’re there, he is bound to attack us.”
“You are not worried he will strike while we are away?” Nallia asked.
Anastasia sighed. It was one of her fears. Leaving the village so unprotected was not necessarily a smart move. “It’s a possibility.”
“I will contact Anastasia if there is an attack,” Carmen added. She had been silent throughout the meeting, only nodding occasionally.
“You can do that?” Nix asked, surprised.
“I can.” Carmen smiled.
“Fascinating.” His eyes widened. He had been following Carmen around in wonderment since he had arrived, asking her to perform magic for him. She acted annoyed, but Anastasia could sense that she enjoyed it.
“All settled, then.” Tony uncrossed his arms and headed for the door. “Gather your fighters and meet us at the gate in two hours.” He headed out into the sunlight.
* * *
“Lizzie.” Tony touched her shoulder gently. She stood facing the window in the kitchen, her shoulders slumped forward. When he reached for her, she turned into him and buried her face in his chest. “It will all be fine, my love.”
He placed a kiss on the top of her head and rubbed his hand on her back.
“How can you be so sure? You are walking right into his territory. Where you were imprisoned, if you’ve forgotten.”
Tony clenched his jaw. He would never forget what that bastard had done to him when he’d been held there. “I have not forgotten. That’s part of why I have to go.”
“I can’t lose you, Tony. I lost George and I barely survived. If I lost you too, it would kill me.”
“You won’t lose me.” He tipped her chin up so he could look into her tear-filled eyes. “I will be back, and Dakota will be back. You won’t lose any of us.”
“You can’t know that.”
“Have faith, my love. I do,” he said, echoing what Anastasia had said to him. He kissed her again and pulled her into his arms. “Have I told you how incredibly grateful I am to have you in my life?”
“Every day.” She smiled up at him. “I feel the same.”
“Do you ever wonder what life will be like when this is over?” he wondered.
“Constantly.”
“Do you wish to stay here?”
“Of course.”
Tony nodded and let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. He wouldn’t like it, but had she asked him to, he would leave Terrenia behind to follow her wherever she wanted to go. “Perhaps you can make me more of that pizza.” He winked.
“If we all survive this, I will make you pizza every day if you want it.”
“Promise?”
“Absolutely.”
“I’m going to hold you to it.” He smiled and kissed her softly.
* * *
“How are you holding up?” Dakota asked Anastasia as they stood on the guard post overlooking the forest.
She turned and smiled at him and he felt his heart jump. She was so beautiful. How had he been so lucky to fall in love with his best friend?
“I’m okay. Ready for this to be over with.” She turned back around. “I wish I knew where Kaley was.”
“I’m sure she’s fine.” He squeezed her shoulder lightly and she leaned into him. “Probably just out catching giant mice.”
Anastasia let out a snort with her laugh. “You’ve already used that one.”
“But it made you laugh. Besides, I am loving that I can make you do that again. I used to try so hard to make you laugh.”
“You were the only one who could.”
Dakota tipped her head up. “Everything is going to be fine.”
“Do you think we will be able to save Monique?”
“I do.”
“I hope so.
“We will, Ana.” Dakota ran his hand down her back again. “Want to get married?”
“What?” Ana turned to him, shocked.
“Let’s get married. Now, before we go.”
Anastasia laughed. “You’re serious?”
“Absolutely.”
“Dakota—”
“Come on, Ana, what have we got to lose?”
She smiled. Nothing, she supposed. “All right. You know, eventually that line isn’t going to work for you anymore.”
He grinned, and Anastasia’s heart flipped in her chest. “I’ll continue using it until it stops. Are you sure?”
“Absolutely,” she repeated.
They climbed down the ladder and then ran hand in hand to Tony and Elizabeth’s. Dakota knocked politely, but Anastasia could see the excitement on his face and feel it radiating off him.
“Is everything okay?” Tony asked as he pulled the door open.
“Anastasia and I want to get married.”
“Yes, we know.” Elizabeth laughed.
“Now.”
“Now?”
“Yes,” both Anastasia and Dakota replied quickly.
“Well, what are we waiting for?” Tony smiled back at Elizabeth.
“I’ll go and get Carmen and spread the word to the villagers. A wedding!” Elizabeth exclaimed and ran down the steps. “This is wonderful!”
“I am so happy for you both.” Tony beamed and slapped Dakota on the back. “I don’t think I have to tell you that Anastasia here is like a daughter to me, and if you hurt her I will break you.” Tony crossed his arms over his chest and the muscles in his arms bulged out.
Dakota laughed. “I hear ya.” He turned to Anastasia. “I would never hurt her.”
She grinned at him.
“Well, now that that’s settled, let’s go!” Tony headed off the porch with Anastasia and Dakota on his heels.
“Congratulations, you two! Elizabeth just told us.” Tilly grabbed both Anastasia’s hands and squeezed lightly. “You two deserve all the happiness in the world.”
“In all the worlds,” Ronnie corrected her.
“Thank you.” Anastasia smiled and pulled Tilly in for a hug.
“Dakota!” Argento’s voice boomed as he approached, a huge smile on his face.
“Seems word travels fast,” Dakota whispered to Anastasia, and she laughed.
“I am so happy for you!” Argento slapped Dakota on the back and knocked him forward two steps.
“Thanks, man,” Dakota said with a smile.
“Well, what are we standing around for?” Argento asked, and began walking towards the center of the village, where it already appeared that nearly every Terrenian and visiting creature had gathered. Except for the Mamsets of course—Anastasia doubted they would be bothered with such things as wedding ceremonies.
Even the Pickries were in attendance.
“Go on.” Elizabeth scolded Dakota and pointed towards where Carmen stood and waited. “We’ve got her.”
Tony pulled Anastasia in for a hug. “Ready, kid?”
“More than. I feel like I’ve been waiting for this my entire life. Tony, would you still walk me down the aisle? Well, I guess dirt path would be more accurate.” She laughed.
“I would be honored.” He covered his chest with his fist and then linked his arm with Anastasia’s.
“Ill meet you both down there.” Elizabeth winked and walked down towards where Carmen and Dakota both stood.
“You know, your father would be proud of you, Anastasia.”
Anastasia’s eyes filled with tears. She nodded, afraid that if she spoke, she would start crying on the spot.
“I am proud of you,” Tony whispered, and kissed her on the cheek when they reached Dakota.
“You look beautiful.” Dakota smiled at her.
“You saw me two minutes ago.” She smirked. “It may not be how I pictured getting married, but it’s pretty damn perfect.” Anastasia beamed at him.
“My dear townspeople,” Carmen began, “you are our friends, our family, and we welcome you to witness the marriage between Anastasia Silven and Dakota Parker. Two halves of the same soul will be united today.”
Dakota squeezed Anastasia’s hand lightly and smiled. She knew people surrounded them, but he was the only one she could see.
“Anastasia, would you like to say a few words?” Carmen asked, pulling Anastasia from her own mind.
Anastasia’s cheeks flushed and she smiled. “Dakota, when we were growing up, you were the only thing that kept me grounded. Knowing I had you made everything else I had to deal with seem like it was bearable. You are my light, and I am so excited to finally be your wife.”
Dakota beamed at her, and Anastasia wasn’t sure she could ever be happier than she was at this moment.
“Dakota, would you like to say a few words?” Carmen asked, happy tears in her eyes.
He cleared his throat. “Ana, from the moment I met you I knew I was going to love you for my entire life. You taught me what it meant to be courageous. You have always been my best friend and I will love you for eternity.”
“Hands, please?” Carmen asked gently, and took Anastasia and Dakota’s hands into hers. She placed Dakota’s palm up and closed her eyes. An orb of light appeared in his palm and when she placed Anastasia’s hand over his, it enveloped them both.
Dakota watched in complete fascination as a gold rope appeared from inside the orb and wrapped itself around both of their hands. Then, with a scattering of tiny lights, both orb and rope disappeared, leaving only their hands touching.
“With all the power in my blood, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
“Finally,” Dakota muttered, and pulled Anastasia in for a heated kiss.
Cheers sounded off around them and Dakota and Anastasia turned to see their friends standing and clapping. Argento with a laughing Calisi, Nix and Nallia holding hands, Tony’s arm wrapped around Elizabeth. Robbie kissing Tilly quickly, and even Selena, who was now looking a little better. Each and every one of the people sitting here were her family. She looked to Dakota. They would win this war and she would save her family regardless of the cost.