Page 33 of Spellbound & Speechless (Witches of Starbrook #2)

Aspen

My dress came together just in time. I finish making it the day before the party, but there are always a few last-minute adjustments. Wearing one of my designs feels like the perfect way to start this new phase of my life.

Today is about Mac and me, but we’re painting a bigger picture than that. My designs being in the spotlight is part of that.

My gown is cream rather than the traditional white dress, because nothing about our wedding is traditional. I wouldn’t want it to be. I’ve been thinking about my wedding since I was small, but it was never conventional.

The lace is made of white gold, and the bust is a corset-style with no straps, perfect for showcasing the glitter on my collarbones.

It suits me with its glitz and glamour, but it fits our backyard wedding just as well.

Pink and gold flowers rest in my hair, which is braided in a crown that wraps around my head.

A single pearl hangs from the white ribbon on my neck, and more pearls dangle from my ears.

Mac is right under the apple tree—my favorite apple tree, and one that has so much meaning for the two of us. I still remember the morning after we first made love, him tackling me under the tree…

And we made love again, and again.

The party is just that—a party, a celebration of our love. There are no vows, and no priestesses. We already received a blessing from Aphrodite, and we don’t need anything more.

I stride through the party with Rowan and my other sisters behind me. They lift the train of my dress as I walk toward my husband, peering around the crowd that’s gathered for me—for us .

Seeing so many familiar faces makes me warm inside.

Seth Bautista is the only one bold enough to stop me. Our neighbor has always been quite talkative, and he hasn’t had a chance to speak with me since I arrived home.

“Aspen!” Seth gasps. “You look so pretty.”

“Thank you,” I say. “I’m happy you could make it. I hope you’ve been enjoying the drinks.”

“Oh, I have been. The pink one is great! It’s giving me a good buzz.”

The pink drink is just strawberry lemonade. No alcohol, no magic. There’s a chance Seth doesn’t realize that, but if it makes him happy, who am I to point it out?

I nod. “Sorry. I can’t linger for long,” I say. “I’m looking for…”

My gaze falls on Mac. He still stands under the apple tree, off to the side, alone. I suppose he is alone in this town, but in time, he’ll be right at home.

I already saw his suit—black, but with a soft pink tie, a perfect match for the flowers in my hair. Seeing him is different now. Him wearing the suit in the boutique was one thing, but now… sunlight shines onto his golden brown hair, and his expression lights up for me—all for me .

I step ahead, and my sisters drop the trail of my dress. I don’t care that the cream fabric is dragging through the grass. All I can think about is being with him.

“She’ll be back,” Laurel says behind me, likely talking to Seth. “Let’s get you a real drink.”

I don’t know if I will be returning at all.

Now that I can see him, all I want to do is wrap myself in Mac’s embrace. The party was a bad idea. I love everyone in attendance, but there’s only one person I want to be with today.

Him. My mate.

Our bond is still so new, and I don’t want to waste a moment of this feeling.

Everyone is staring, but I pay them no mind as I fling myself at Mac. He catches me, as he always does, his powerful hands wrapping around my waist as my lips meet his with desperation.

I’m already ruining my makeup, getting gloss all over his handsome face. I don’t care, and neither does he. He kisses me deeply, as though my entire family isn’t watching, and I tilt my head to the side to accept it.

I hold his face in both hands and know he’s mine . My mate. My husband. My love. He is a gift from Aphrodite that only I can cherish, but the rest are blessed enough to witness us.

When he sets me back down on my feet, I sigh, looking up at him with heavy lids. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” He swallows thickly. “You look even more beautiful than I imagined.” His fingers graze against the ribbing of my corset. “Did you seriously make this?”

“I did.”

“Maybe you should open up a wedding boutique.”

“Mm… that’s not a bad id ea.”

My goddess would certainly approve.

“Enough business talk. Sorry.” He chuckles and holds my face. “We have so much future ahead of us—so fucking much to be excited for.”

“We do.”

“I know witches don’t exchange vows at these things…” He bends lower for only me to hear. “But I want you to know my intentions and how much I love you. I want to keep you safe. That’s why I accepted this mating bond. Because it will keep you safe.”

“I know that. You’ve always kept me safe.”

“I know this is new, and I’m not the type to run headfirst, but you opened my heart more than anyone has. More than anyone could.” His eyes grow misty, but the tears don’t fall. “I think what I’m trying to say is… you’re it for me.”

“And you’re it for me .” I kiss his chin. “I always knew that, for me, there is one true love. Now, I know it’s you . That’s why I’m choosing you here, like this, for everyone to see. I believe in our love.”

“And I believe in you.” When he pulls away, it seems like he’s forcing himself to. “Now… do you want to introduce me to your family and friends? You have a lot of ‘em.”

I nod adamantly, holding his hand and pulling him to the happy party. As expected, everyone stares. I give them a gentle wave as I walk through the crowd, and they disperse to whisper, eat, and drink.

Even without Mac’s family around, there’s plenty for us to do. We drink, I get him to dance, and the introductions… oh, those take the longest. I acquaint him with my cousins, aunts, uncles, and anyone in Starbrook he hasn’t already met.

Most people are excited for us, and while some elders seem confused, I remind myself that many of them had fast marriages as well. They’re probably assuming I’m secretly pregnant, but I’m not—and it’s none of their business either way.

I’m done caring about what other people think of me. Caring that much kept me hiding from my family in a motel instead of being with them like this . I would rather celebrate with them any day.

Mac is cordial through the meetings—until he’s not. It’s not as if he’s rude to anyone, but when we’re walking away from my cousins, he goes completely silent.

His face falls and twists to a look of shock. Fear yanks at me through our mating bond, begging me for attention. I can’t put my finger on why . Did I miss something?

“Mac?” I tug on his sleeve, frowning. “Is it…?”

I am trying to forget about her, but the corrupt witch is the only thing that can ruin our party. It’s impossible to ignore completely.

Mac shakes his head, the shock turning to a nervous smile. “No, no. Nothing like that.” He leads me through the crowd. “C’mon. I have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise?” I walk faster, as fast as my heels will allow. “I like surprises!”

“Don’t get too excited about this one,” he grumbles under his breath.

The surprise is a woman, probably in her late 50s, and it only takes a moment to realize who she is. She must be Mac’s mom; she has the same crystal blue eyes.

My lips part as I look between the two of them.

Mac is supposed to introduce me, but he doesn’t get a chance to say anything before the older woman speaks.

“Sorry, I’m late,” she says. “My flight landed an hour ago, and Mac didn’t offer me a ride.”

I gasp. “Mac! How could you? ”

He rolls his eyes. “Sorry, Ma. I was getting ready for my wedding .”

She sniffs haughtily. “I forgive you.” When she looks at me, there’s no warmth, no friendliness—but there is curiosity. She tilts her head to the side. “And you must be his mate.”

“Um…” I nod. “I’m Aspen. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

“I guess I can say the same.” She looks around. “Nice patch of land you have here.”

“Oh, thank you! It’s been in my family for… well, I’m not exactly sure, but for a long time. At least as late as my maternal grandmother. This was once her home, but…” I shrug, stopping myself from saying more.

“That’s nice.” Her attention turns back to Mac. “Event is going well? No problems?”

“No problems,” he says, sounding like the stuffy man I first met outside the motel. He may actually be more rigid now that his mother is here. “Should go off without a hitch.”

“Good.” She nods and walks away, dismissing herself. “I’ll keep an eye on things. Enjoy yourselves.”

Once she’s gone, I glare at Mac. “You didn’t want to give me a warning?”

He wears a half smile. “I told you it was a surprise.”

“Surprises are supposed to be fun ! Especially on our wedding day.”

“Meeting my mother wasn’t fun for you, huh?”

“No! I mean, it was! It’s just…” I poke his chest. “You are something else, you know that?”

“I know.” He captures my hand in his. “Sorry. I was nervous about her coming… and worried she wouldn’t show up at all. I didn’t want to get your hopes up.”

“I suppose I can understand that.”

“Her coming is a good sign, and I think she likes you. ”

“That’s how she talks to people she likes?”

His lip lifts on one side. “Yeah. It kind of is.”

I’m not in the business of making people like me. Worshipping my goddess killed the people pleaser in me, but… there’s an exception. A new exception. I want Mac’s mom to like me. She’s his only family member here, and I want him to have someone.

“You must tell her she can sleep here tonight. I don’t want her at that motel. She shouldn’t be alone when the corrupt witch is out there.”

“She’s been fighting that witch longer than any of us, but… I will. I’ll tell her.”

“My sisters will make sure she’s accommodated for, so we can still have our night?—”

“Aspen.” He leans in, brushing his nose against mine. “That’s right. This night is our night. Don’t worry about where my mother is staying. She’s a resilient woman.”

“I guess that’s where you got it from.”

“Oh, it is. I got everything from her. I barely remember my dad.”