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Jack had thought of the two of them, Ashley would have been the one to be married first. Technically, he wasn’t married to Chris but for all intents and purposes, the bond conferred a lasting link that went beyond a wedding. He tied his hair back with a teal ribbon and slipped on his jacket.

“I’m not sure about the tie. Should I change it?” he asked Ashley who was waiting for him to finish dressing.

“You could turn up in a bin bag and Chris would think you were perfect. Wear what you feel comfortable with.”

He removed the tie and popped his collar. “Then no tie.”

“Any idea if he’s going traditional elf? I’ve never been to an elf wedding, I imagine they’d be like a fae one with lots of shiny stuff.”

“He’s been tight-lipped, every time I’ve asked, he’s distracted me and I’ve forgotten what I’d been saying.”

Ashley laughed. “I sensed how happy your magic was when I verified the bond. I can imagine it didn’t take a lot to change the subject.”

They’d been back a couple of days and between bouts of energetic sex and napping, Chris had been off organising things and all he’d been told was to be ready at the appointed time. Only refusing to turn up had got more information that Ben would be holding a little get-together to mark their bonding but that was all Chris would say, and Ben had been sworn to secrecy. Even Ashley wasn’t in the know.

“Talking of being persuasive, why haven’t you been able to get the juice out of Ben?”

“Because he’s a fucking prick. And a ridiculous romantic,” Ashley said, smiling. “He knows I’ll tell you and he didn’t want to ruin the surprise.”

Jack decided not to tell Ashley he was as bad as his boyfriend as he’d deny it and probably try to hex him. “I think I’m going to miss this place.”

“You’re not going anywhere just yet.”

There was no room for negotiation in Ashley’s tone. “I appreciate you’re not rushing me out the door, but I can’t stay here forever.”

“When you’re completely recovered and we’ve confirmed there’s no long-lasting effect of the bond, you can go.”

This was not an argument he was going to win, and Ashley would recruit Chris to his mission if Jack wasn’t careful. “We’ll see.”

Ashley ushered him out of his room. “Come on, the guests are waiting and Ben can get ever so impatient.”

“Must be why you’re so well-matched.”

“Fucker!”

He swerved in time to miss Ashley’s spark—he was far too predictable. They headed downstairs and into a reception room with doors leading onto the terrace. The sun was setting and as he stepped outside, he almost fell over his feet at the sight. Dressed in a long golden gown, his blond hair loose over his shoulders and his iridescent wings on display, stood Chris. Jack had never seen anyone as beautiful in his life.

Ben was standing behind him and he had to do a double take when he realised Alex was also there in elf regalia holding a small box. There were other guests but they barely registered as he came to stand in front of Chris. “Look at you.”

Chris took his hands. “I wanted to do something special to mark our bond. We’ve had a legal ceremony, but I was hoping you would be willing to take part in an elvish custom.”

He’d pretty much do anything Chris wanted. “I’m sure whatever you have planned will be wonderful.”

Alex opened the box he was holding. Two silver-coloured rings sat on a mound of velvet.

“Elves have joining rings, and I read warlocks exchange bands too,” Chris said. “There is a custom that when elves get married the owner of the land where the ceremony takes place conducts the ceremony and Ben is willing to do so. It won’t take long, I promise.”

Ben was grinning, unable to contain his excitement, the tips of his fangs on show as he bounced on the balls of his feet. “It would be my honour as the owner of Crofton Hall to swear you to each other.”

Jack wasn’t aware of the custom, but he loved the idea. “I would be honoured to do so.”

Chris seemed to be embracing his elf side, and he supposed after so long of having no identity it was a relief to have something to hold on to and explore. Jack was more than willing to help him and getting married in this way seemed perfect. Warlocks didn’t have too many traditions in this space—it wasn’t seen as important as some of the other milestones. For years he’d clung to that position, that way of making himself feel better about being alone, but now he had Chris he wished there was something from his side. An idea came to mind, but it wasn’t something he was willing to do with an audience.

“Alex has translated this spell book so the text is in English as I fear my elvish would not be up to scratch and I might end up summoning up an ancient being by mistake if I try.” Ben appeared to be enjoying himself.

Jack chanced a glance in Ashley’s direction and saw a dopey expression that told him Ben had earnt serious brownie points. “Are you two ready?”

As far as Jack knew, Ben didn’t have any magic and they were already bonded so this was a nice ceremony for the sake of it and Jack loved that so many people had gone to so much trouble.

“I am,” Chris said, squeezing Jack’s hand.

“So am I,” Jack replied, returning the squeeze.

“With the power of the land, I wish you the future of happiness you both deserve,” Ben said, reading from the book. “I bless your union with the dirt and soil, the loam and flint, and the seeds of life that run through the earth. Chris, do you welcome the spirit of nature and the fire of the core to burn through you?”

“I do,” Chris said.

Ben turned to Jack. “Do you embrace the world of light and walk through the shadows as if it were the rays of the sun?”

Jack thought they were a strange choice of words for a marriage, but the elves had many customs and he supposed this was fitting. “I do.”

Alex stepped forward and held out the box. “Metal runs liquid in heat and stands still in the cold, it can bind and encase but can forge and link. With these rings, you will symbolise a lifetime of growth and change but you will always do so together.”

Chris picked one up and Jack got the hint that he was meant to hold out his hand. “This bit isn’t in the book, we can say a few words, I probably should have warned you.” He grinned. “Jack Webb, I am more blessed than any other to be able to call you mine. I will cherish and protect, love and honour you, and forever be at your side.”

The ring was solid and he saw a series of engravings on the inside but didn’t have the chance to look at them before Chris slid it onto his finger.

Jack took the second ring, which also had engravings but he didn’t recognise them as any specific writing. He needed to come up with something to say, off the cuff yet meaningful, and as he stared at Chris, he knew anything he said would come from the heart and be true. “Chris, you have made me happier than I ever thought possible. I love you more than life itself. I will spend every moment showing you how wonderful you are. I will love, cherish and protect you to my last breath.”

He slid the ring onto Chris’s finger and a single warm pulse echoed through them, he had no concern, it felt right, perfect even.

“There is nothing in the book about sealing the deal with a kiss,” Ben said. “But if our grooms so wish I suggest now would be a good time.”

Chris did not need much encouragement and Jack was pulled forwards and kissed, and he returned the kiss, his heart hammering and soaring. He had never been happier.

* * *

Ben Redbourn knew how to throw a party, be it an all-night rave for several hundred people or an intimate gathering of less than thirty to celebrate a wedding. Jack couldn’t believe the extravagance, and couldn’t wait to see what Ben would do for his own wedding, which he thought would only be a matter of time, the way he and Ashley were acting.

Chris had not long been introduced to solid food and was tasting everything with gusto, including several handfuls of caviar and slabs of smoked salmon. Jack had gently suggested that if they wanted to enjoy their wedding night he might not want to drink all the ambrosia and red wine on offer.

Simon and Robin were here, as were several senior warlocks and other well-connected individuals who Jack wasn’t sure would have cared about his nuptials but then he suspected Ashley’s hand in this as he was far better with the political machinations than he was.

Alex tapped him on the arm. “I have a gift for you both. Come with me.”

He followed Alex into the hall and Alex held out a small cut-glass bottle. “I brewed this from a family recipe of mine. It was created for oiling hinges but it smooths the way of many other things, if you get my drift.”

Jack laughed, warmed by the gift. “You’re giving me elf lube?”

“I could replace it with matching towels.”

Jack smiled and pocketed the bottle from Alex. “Oh, I am very grateful, I just wasn’t expecting it.”

“It is traditional to give homemade gifts to those who have a love match. I thought you could make use of it.” He smirked. “I can make it by the litre if you need. Or teach Chris the recipe.”

“Not me?”

“You’re not an elf.”

Jack was still chuckling to himself as Alex left. He was about to return to the party when someone stepped out of an alcove.

“A moment of your time, Warlock Webb.”

Jack’s head snapped around, he wasn’t expecting to hear him. “Mr Hewel.”

He preferred not to be someone who Sebastian Hewel would want to speak to privately, but knew he couldn’t refuse as there were people who you didn’t piss off, and he was one of them.

Sebastian opened a door into a small reception room and Jack followed him inside. “I have made it my business over the years to make sure I am aware of all the important players. I’ve seen kings and governments come and go, wars and conflicts pass, so it has always been a bit of a surprise to me, that someone as influential as yourself has remained on the sidelines for so long.”

“I’m always busy.”

“Yes, I had noticed.”

Jack didn’t know what to say, his instincts told him to keep his mouth shut but Sebastian was staring at him and he needed to say something. “I guess I have been lucky with the opportunities I have been afforded.”

“Now you are married to an extraordinary individual. Someone unique. And I mean in the real sense, and not in the way it is bandied around in common parlance.”

“Yes, he is.”

“But then, so are you.”

He didn’t know where Sebastian was going with this. “Hardly. But if you’re concerned about my intent?—”

Sebastian snorted. “Not at all. I have known Chris for a long time, I am merely offering my blessings on your union. There are few who could be considered his equal, who would be worthy of being his spouse, but you are one of them.”

He would have never thought he’d be in this situation and he should be sincere in his response. “Thank you.”

“I think it is me who should be thanking you. Firstly, for your involvement in rescuing Prince Simon and Catlin, but now with Chris. You could have turned your back on him, treated him as an outcast, but you didn’t.”

“I wouldn’t have done that.”

“I don’t suppose you would,” Sebastian said, his smile rueful. “You’ve not been credited for many things because of who you are, and I wanted you to know I owe you. You need only ask, and if it is within my power to grant it then it shall be yours.”

Today just kept getting more bewildering. Nothing would surpass his marriage to Chris, but Jack had never given thought he’d ever be in the position of having Sebastian Hewel owing him something.

“There’s no need.”

“Maybe not today, but if in the future there is something, Ben can contact me.” He smiled. “Now, you have a pretty blond to keep company, I’m sure you’d rather be at his side than chatting with me.”

He took Sebastian’s words as the dismissal they were meant to be. Jack hurried back to Chris, grabbing his hand when he got close enough. “Are you okay?”

There were too many people around to have a conversation about Sebastian, what Jack really wanted was to spirit Chris away and be together. “Yeah, Alex gave us a gift I’m keen to try.”

Jack showed him the bottle. Chris’s eyes narrowed and he suspected it was a look he should get used to seeing, he wouldn’t be someone Jack could hide things from. “How about we make our excuses and retire? The guests are more than capable of entertaining themselves and Ben is an excellent host.”

“I’m more than happy to slip away and put myself at your mercy.” He leaned close so no one could hear him. “There’s something I want to give you, in private.”

Chris grabbed a teaspoon and tapped his glass to get the room’s attention. Jack hadn’t intended to announce their departure, but Chris had other ideas.

“Thank you all for making this such a special occasion,” Chris said. “But now I have to take Jack away and make love to him.”

Ashley laughed and raised his glass. “Three cheers to the happy couple.”

Jack would kill Ashley later but for now, he had better things to be thinking about. He let Chris lead him from the room, accompanied by the rousing cheers of their guests.

To his surprise, Chris was heading to a different part of the hall. “Our bedroom is the other way.”

“Another gift from Ben, in the east wing are suites and he’s given one of them to us until you’re fully recovered enough to leave.” Chris’s grin was positively filthy. “We have a new bed to christen.”

While he wouldn’t have put it past Ben to have thought of the idea, he guessed this might be Karl or Alex’s work. They, and probably Chris, would have checked everything was fine. He would add his own wards, but later, because now he wanted to get naked and have Chris show him who he belonged to.

The suite was as stunning as the rest of Crofton Hall, and he was sure they would make use of the extra space the sitting area gave them but for now, he wanted to see the bedroom.

The central piece was a four-poster bed and Chris was already halfway to it, his wings had been hidden as they took a lot of energy to manifest in this realm, and he was pulling off his robe. He was fucking naked underneath.

“Come one, Jack,” Chris called, as he dived onto the bed. “Get your kit off and bring the elf lube.”

Chris would need to have a little patience, although a part of him thought his gift could wait until after the first round, he wanted to give this to Chris first. “I’m coming.”

He threw the glass bottle to Chris and he caught it, then he began to strip, Chris’s wolf-whistles spurring him on. Once naked, he stood at the side of the bed.

“Stop teasing, get here now.”

He still had a patch of scales on his hip. If he were to remove too many at once, they would release a toxin, so extracting them en masse had never been an option, but he knew he could take the odd one without issue.

He ghosted his fingers over the outcrop and found one that was loose. “I wanted you to have one of my scales.”

Chris crawled to the edge of the bed. “You know I think they are beautiful. I would love one.”

“I thought I could put a preservation charm on it and mount it on a chain.” He tugged, and with a momentary sharp pain, he held out one of the teal scales.

Chris took the scale, holding it as if it were the most precious thing in the world. “I will cherish it forever. I know of a potion that we can use and then we can find an elf jeweller for the chain. A perfect blend, just like us.”

He loved the idea and he pounced, knocking Chris backwards. Chris rolled him over. He moved away only to place the scale on the bedside table and return wearing the biggest grin. “I love you in a suit, but you are simply glorious when you are naked. I need to make you mine.”

“I’m already yours.”

“Then I need to make sure you want to remain so.”

Chris kissed him, stealing away his intended flippant reply. Jack’s body thrummed with delight. He loved that Chris would take the lead, wanted to be worshipped by him, and wanted Chris to show Jack he was desired.

They’d made love at every opportunity since Chris had been declared a free elf, and he couldn’t believe they were so compatible. They’d not known each other long—some would think him mad for what he’d done—but he’d been alive a long time and had spent most of it alone and now he wouldn’t have to be.

“You are so beautiful,” Chris said, pressing kisses around his neck. “I can’t get enough of you and your soft skin.”

“It’s all the baths I take.”

Chris chuckled, and puffs of air tickled Jack’s skin. “We will have a lot of joint baths in our future.”

Jack surrendered himself to Chris—the way he caressed and touched him left Jack breathless and wanting more. He gasped as Chris worked him open, finding the spot inside to tease him to the edge but not allowing him to succumb. Chris had learnt his needs and seemed to be able to read even the subtle of moves or noises. Jack was on the verge of begging when Chris slid his cock inside. The slow burn and distracting kisses made his head swim, and he lost himself in the waves of pleasure as Chris rode him. Sex had been a means to an end, relief and go, but not with Chris, with him, it was as if everything was perfect.

He was so close, the excitement building and a few more delicious thrusts sent him flying. Chris cried out at his completion and Jack was hardly able to breathe. He let Chris pull him into a cuddle, and Chris’s cuddles were the best things in the world. A whisper of magic removed the evidence of their lovemaking and Jack felt as if he were cocooned in happiness.

Jack couldn’t believe how much his life had changed. Although he couldn’t quite bring himself to be grateful that he’d taken heavy spell damage at the hands of a lich, if it hadn’t happened, he would never have met Chris, and Chris would still be a strange thing that lived a jar.

“Your thoughts are loud,” Chris said, nuzzling Jack's hair with his cheek. “What's going on in your noggin?”

“I was thinking how much my life had changed—for the better. At some point, we’re gonna have to talk about what we want to do next. Have you thought about going back to the elf realm?”

“I might want to visit, to get the chance to see and learn more about the people I belong to now I am somewhat different. A lot of things will have changed in two thousand years. But what I really want is to be with you, and I don’t care where that is.”

“I have my place in Warwick, and it would be plenty big enough for the two of us, at least to begin with.”

“It will be strange to live away from Crofton Hall, I’ve been here for a long time.”

Jack thought it had to be daunting for Chris. Everything had changed for him. “I don’t intend to leave the hall too quickly, I do need to see how my magic copes with our bond and I’m not at full strength.”

“I’ve no problem leaving here as long as we do so together. I want to make sure you are well, and I will protect you wherever we are.” Chris kissed the top of his head. “From what I saw, I liked your apartment. It will be nice to have somewhere that’s just ours.”

“We could always buy somewhere new together.” He liked his place in Warwick but if Chris wanted somewhere that could be considered theirs rather than Chris moving in with him, he would be more than happy to move.

“Let’s see. I did want to explore your bath.”

Jack chuckled, life was a funny thing, it could change in a heartbeat, and going forwards as long as he was with Chris, he didn’t care what direction or path he travelled, he snuggled closer, now it was good the time for a nap maybe take Chris back to his apartment to try out his bath as suggested.