Page 164 of Alastair

He breathed out a laugh. “We’ll take dessert to go.”

I gripped his waist. “The only dessert I need is you.”

“Unless apples are involved.” Alastair locked his fingers behind my neck. “I’m curious.”

“About what?”

“Where we’ll live once we’re fully mated.” He glanced at his brothers. “Daman and War will return to their cottage. Galen and Simon plan to buy a house in Echo Bay near the sea. Castor and Kyo were invited to live at the water dragon palace. Raiden and Titan have a home here. Kallias and Elasus asked Baxter if they could stay here too. Gray and Mason will stay at Ravenwood with Clara, temporarily for now. Bellamy and Phoenix plan to travel the world together until they find a place to settle down.” He looked back at me. “What about us?”

“I’ve considered this.” I traced the edge of his mouth. “And I’d love if you lived with me.”

His eyes widened. “In the celestial realm? Is that even allowed?”

I nodded. “Uriel has already lifted the ban on your souls entering the gates, so you living with me won’t be breaking any laws. Especially now that the council has given their blessing over our union. But I understand if you’re opposed to the idea. We can find somewhere in this realm if you’d prefer. I only want you to—”

“I’m not used to you nervously rambling. It’s pretty damn precious.” Alastair held my face, and joy shone in his eyes. That joy hit me in the heart. “My home is with you. Wherever that may be.”

Mine was with him too.

***

String lights wrapped around the trunks of the trees in the courtyard outside Baxter’s villa. The soft glow was inviting as guests trickled in and found their seats.

Alastair had shot down the idea of a beach wedding. Castor and Raiden both had weddings on the beach, and he had snarled at possibly being the third of his brothers to do it.

I smiled at the memory as I stood near the fountain. Anticipation swirled in my stomach as more guests arrived. Baxter played at being host, chatting everyone up—specifically, the attractive males in attendance. Dargan and Oliver nodded to me as they took their seats.

“Nervous?” Michael asked. He wore a navy blue suit that emphasized his broad shoulders and complemented his large frame. No tie. He had tried to wear one but had ripped it off in less than two seconds.

“Not even a little.” I rolled my shoulders. “But this suit is too tight.”

“It’s not too tight,” he said with a grin. “It fits you perfectly. You’re just being a whiner.”

“Like you with your tie.”

“That tie was out to kill me.” Michael smoothed a hand down the front of his suit. “I killed it first.”

The altar beside us held a silver goblet and a bottle of special wine that had been infused with binding magic. That magic would be activated once Michael gave the blessing. Alastair and I would then speak our vows and each take a drink. The second part of the ritual would occur privately after the reception, where we’d need to join our bodies to complete the binding.

Inhale. Exhale.

“The ceremony will begin shortly, my friend,” Michael said. “Your eagerness is cute.”

“Please don’t use that word to describe me.”

“Cute as a little lamb.”

I gave him an unamused stare.

Konnar approached me. He had arrived as soon as the sun set, one of Alastair’s reasons for wanting an evening ceremony. His best friend could tolerate the sun but only in limited doses. “He’s ready. And just wait until you see him. I did an excellent job dressing him.”

The sudden influx of flutters in my stomach made me wonder if Iwasnervous.

“Nice to see you again,” Michael told him.

“You as well.” Konnar’s gaze trailed his body. “You clean up nice, but I must say, I prefer you without a shirt.”

Michael’s eyes darkened as a slow smile touched his lips. “The funny thing about clothes is they can come off.”