Page 165 of Alastair

“How intriguing.” The vampire’s purple eyes glowed a little before he turned away and sat beside Baxter, who wasted no time at all before flirting with him too.

“Something you wish to tell me about you and Konnar?” I asked Michael.

“There’s nothing to tell.” But given his expression, I wondered if he wished there was. A mystery to be solved another day.

Because the ceremony was starting.

All of the brothers had been with Alastair for the better part of the afternoon, helping him get ready and probably pampering him a little too. But he deserved to be spoiled. He had helped plan and officiated each of their weddings. Fitting they would show him such love and support for his own. He had wanted them and their mates to be part of the ceremony too. Each would walk down the aisle.

A small music ensemble had been set up beside the flower beds. Evening primrose was in full bloom behind them as the first note of the cello rang out.

Gray and Mason appeared first. Gray grinned from ear to ear as he was led down the aisle and to the front row. Next came Castor and Kyo, then Raiden and Titan. The boys and their mates had coordinated their outfits. Each of the mates had a handkerchief in the chest pocket of their suit that matched the color of the boys’ sins.

Kallias and Elasus walked out and took their seats before Daman and Warrin. The ice dragon slowly twirled Daman as they reached their seats and pressed a kiss into his hair. As if to one-up them, when Bellamy and Phoenix reached the end of the aisle, Bellamy dipped the demon and kissed him.

Daman rolled his eyes and muttered, “Show-off.”

Once they sat, Daman elbowed Bellamy in the ribs.

“They’re delightful, aren’t they?” Michael asked. “Such vibrant personalities.”

After all the brothers had taken their seats, the song changed, the melody slowing. My breath caught as I laid eyes on Alastair. He wore a three-piece all-champagne tux that fit his slim frame to perfection. The shawl lapel and subtle floral design exuded elegance, which was only suitable for him. His silvery-blond hair had been trimmed on the sides with the longer top swept back.

Clara walked him down the aisle, and though it was subtle, I saw him squeeze her arm as all focus moved to him. He was nervous too.

And then our eyes met. I expected that day to be the happiest one of my life. What I didn’t expect was to get so emotional. My throat squeezed, and I teared up. As he walked toward me, neither of us looked away.

“You’re so beautiful,”I projected into his head.

“Don’t make me cry,”he responded.

“Walk faster. I need you in my arms.”

A smile bloomed across his handsome face.“So impatient.”

“Impatient?”My heart thrummed faster.“I’ve been waiting for you for thousands of years.”

As they reached us, Clara placed Alastair’s hand on top of mine. The skin-to-skin contact awoke more flutters in my stomach.

Michael greeted everyone and welcomed them to the wedding, but his words soon faded. I was too captivated by the stunning male across from me. With Pride, Alastair had rarely been in short supply of confidence, but as we stood in front of our friends and acquaintances, he trembled a bit.

“Are you sure this is what you want?”I asked using our special connection.

“More than anything,”came Alastair’s response.“That’s why I’m nervous. I’m terrified I’ll wake up and learn this was only a dream. That Lucifer was never defeated and you and I mean nothing to each other.”

“You’ve always meant something to me.”

His blue eyes misted over.

We had chosen our wedding bands together. Simple white-gold bands, but each had two round cut stones—a diamond and an amethyst—to represent both of us. We slid the rings on each other’s fingers to conclude the marriage part of the ceremony.

Now, it was time for the binding.

“Tonight, two souls will become one,” Michael continued, grabbing the silver goblet and filling it with wine. “Lazarus, a commander of angels whose loyalty and friendship I’ve been honored to have, and Alastair, a warrior Nephilim who helped save not only this realm but all the realms. No one deserves happiness more than these two honorable males. They have given much to this world. And this evening, they finally take something for themselves. Each other.”

The spell to trigger the binding magic in the wine dated back to ancient Greece. It was more of a blessing than a spell. The words rolled off Michael’s tongue, speaking of the splendor of fated mates and the power such a bond held.“Separate, they live half-lives. Together, they become whole.”

My soul craved that unity with Alastair. The closer we drew to reaching it, the more eager I became. Antsy.