Page 77

Cali stomped forward and grabbed Nyx’s arm, ignoring their hiss, and dragged them towards the door. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep you in line.”

“Cali,” I warned as fear raked its claws across my heart. Cali liked to push things—and Nyx wouldn’t respond well to that.

“It’s been months, Sam,” she called over her shoulder. “Quit babying them. I mean, who hasn’t lost their mind here or there?” A deranged laugh spilt from her lips.

When Nyx glanced back at me before Cali pulled them through the door, I gave them an encouraging look, and they just rolled their eyes.

That little hint of the old Nyx settled my concerns.

Cali and Rynn would be with them, and I had no doubt Celestina had thought of Nyx’s well-being for this.

She’d probably set them up with a good view but slightly apart from the rest of the guests.

I turned back to the mirror. The deep purple dress was made of a smooth, clingy fabric that hugged every single one of my curves. It was perfect, and I couldn’t wait for my mates to see how spectacular my ass looked in it.

All I had to do was wait for someone to come fetch me. I bit my bottom lip as a happy grin split my face.

Today, I was marrying Roth and finally forging the bond with Kieran, and the rest of my mates would be here to celebrate.

I’d asked if they wanted to do something—like take part in their own ceremony—but Vail and Alaric had made it very clear that they didn’t want to be, in their words, a public spectacle.

And Draven had said he was content with the role he had secured—whatever that meant.

I took a deep breath and let it out. For today, no problems existed. There was no correspondence I needed to read. No deals to negotiate. No advisors to scrutinize.

Today was just for me and my mates.

My fingers ran across the silky fabric of the dress. It might not have had pockets, but this dress was to die for.

“I’m going to need it to go on record that I didn’t step into this room and lock the door behind me.”

I whirled to find Draven leaning against the doorframe, his gaze slowly drinking in every inch of me.

“So you like the dress then?” I arched a dark brow.

“I love the dress.” He pushed off the doorframe and stalked towards me. “Don’t get too attached though. We both know Vail is going to be tearing it off you later.”

“Not you?” I smirked.

His fingers toyed with the thick straps that supported the corset-style top half. “Personally, I’d love to see it pooled around your feet while I bent you over the bed so you could suck Kieran down your throat while I feasted on your delicious little pussy.”

“Fuck.” I clenched my thighs together.

Draven spun me around until I faced the mirror again. Then his hands slid down over the tight bodice, giving my breasts a hard squeeze before continuing to glide over my hips. “Not even a hint of a panty line,” he commented before his fingers found the high slit over my right thigh.

“We don’t have time,” I argued half-heartedly.

“My love, do you really think I didn’t plan for this?” he purred as he kissed the side of my neck. “We have exactly enough time for me to fuck you hard and fast . . . and for you to walk down that aisle with my seed dripping down your legs.”

His fingers grazed my clit, and I moaned. “Roth will be pissed,” I said through panted breaths as he sunk two fingers straight into my aching core.

“Already cleared it with them.” Draven grunted and kicked my feet apart as he pumped his fingers in and out. With his other hand, he pushed lightly on my back. “Hands on the wall.”

I did as he said, planting my palms on the smooth wood on either side of the mirror. Draven took his hand out from between my thighs, and I watched in the reflection as he flipped my dress up over my ass.

“Don’t mess up my hair.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he promised as he unbuttoned his pants and then slammed his cock into me. I let out a strangled scream as he bottomed out before pulling back and doing just as he’d promised—fucking me hard and fast.

I watched my tits bounce in the mirror as the sound of flesh slapping against flesh filled the small room. Draven’s fingers sank harder into the soft curve of my hips, but he was careful not to pierce it and risk getting blood on my dress.

I felt the mixture of our combined pleasure dribbling down my leg just as he let out a deep groan. Our eyes connected in the mirror, and Draven smiled at me. “You are fucking perfect. Now let’s go get you married and bonded.”

Less than two minutes later, we exited the room. Draven hadn’t been kidding about me wearing him down the aisle. He’d made sure my dress was okay but hadn’t let me clean up further. With every step, I felt more of him slip out.

We turned the corner and almost ran into a familiar russet-haired Moroi.

“There you are!” Zander grabbed my wrist and tugged me along. “You’re late.”

I glared over my shoulder at Draven. “Told you.”

He shrugged unrepentantly. “Worth it.”

Zander led us through a few narrow alleyways until we reached the edge of the large courtyard where the sparring area was—or had been.

I gasped as I looked at the once dirt-filled ground that was now covered with soft green grass.

Flowers of purple, yellow, and white rose on delicate stocks, lining a path for us.

“Do you like it?” Draven asked.

I tore my gaze away from the beautiful garden my charming prince had created just for me and drank in his appearance. My eyes stayed locked on his. “I love it.”

“I love it too.” He smiled.

“Yes, you’re both gorgeous and sickeningly in love.” Zander let go of my wrist and gently nudged me towards Draven. “Save the fireworks for the main event, yeah?”

Draven extended his arm, and I looped mine around his before we approached the large crowd, all wearing happy and wistful expressions. Above us, petals of soft yellow and purple rained down from those spectating in the buildings.

The crowd parted at our approach, and more petals were tossed onto the soft grass as we made our way forward.

They’re so happy , Talis said. I don’t remember the last time I was around this many people and they were all so excited and joyous.

Just wait until they get a few bottles of wine in them , Draven joked. Then you can add delightfully drunk and rambunctious.

Amusement danced across my mind before Talis pulled back.

We were still figuring out how their magic had changed.

Talis had sacrificed the ability to control souls but could still see them in their own way.

They relayed what they saw to us, making us walking lie detectors.

But we’d also discovered that, while Talis was actively in our minds, we could hear each other’s thoughts.

Which was sometimes handy . . . and other times not so much. Because Vail was still Vail, and nobody—myself included—wanted to listen to his grumpy thoughts all the time.

Plus, Kieran had told me I looked beautiful one morning when in fact he was thinking the shade of my dress was hideous and that I’d done my hair strangely.

Talis was getting better about limiting what thoughts we heard. They were also never pushy through our connection, seeming perfectly content to just soak it all in most of the time.

The crowd finally parted, and I got to see the rest of my mates as well as Roth’s family.

Vail and Alaric were dressed similarly to Draven in fitted black pants and dark burgundy shirts.

Vail had even pulled his hair back into a bun and trimmed his beard, which had become rather unruly lately.

Roth’s brothers were on either side of them.

Both still wore fighting leathers, but the ones they had on today were perfectly clean and a shiny black—not a hint of brain matter or blood in sight.

Taivan’s hair had been braided neatly back, and Desmond’s head was freshly cut.

Standing several feet in front of them were Severen and Celestina. They wore matching beaming smiles. I briefly spotted Cali, Rynn, and Nyx standing off to my right, but it was Roth who commanded all my attention.

I was only vaguely aware of Draven kissing me on the cheek before going to stand between Alaric and Vail.

I practically floated forward, closing the distance between me and Roth. “You look stunning.”

Most of the time, Roth wore baggy clothing, which was often smeared with ink. Today, they wore formfitting black pants and a matching button-up shirt, plus a vest that perfectly complemented the purple of my dress.

“Don’t get used to it.” They grinned wryly.

“Tease.” I tried to pout but was smiling too hard for it to work, and based on the snort Rynn let out, my face had contorted into something ridiculous.

“Thank you all so much for joining us today to celebrate the union of our youngest, Astaroth Devereux, to Samara Harker,” Celestina announced loudly.

Instantly, my eyes started to tear up, and I had to blink them back. Moons damn it all, why was I such an easy crier? We’d barely even started, for fuck’s sake.

“It is the hope of every parent that their child will find someone who loves and respects them. Who makes them happy.” Celestina smiled at me and Roth. “I needed only to spend a few minutes with the two of you to know how much you love each other.”

A few tears fought their way free and raced down my cheek. It’s okay. You’re okay. It’s okay. I chanted over and over in my head. Your makeup is still fine. You’re definitely not leaving blurry black tracks down your cheeks right now.

Umm . . . is it normal to think to yourself like this?

Not now, Talis!

Roth’s lips twitched, as if they could hear every one of my thoughts.

Celestina turned to Roth. “Do you, my sweet and brilliant child, swear to love, protect, and honor Samara Harker for the rest of your days?”

Orange fractures lit up against Roth’s hazel eyes. “I do.”