Page 68 of Tempt the Dragon
And she was. Mel left thatroom with her sisters surrounding her. They moved through the long hallways of the Office until coming to the patio doors. There, she linked her arm with Rosilda’s and smiled at how healthy and strong her mother looked just three months after leaving the rehabilitation facility.
“You look lovely,” Rosilda said and leaned in to kiss her on her cheek. “You look like you’re in love. I’ve waiteda long time to see this look on your face.”
She’d waited so long to feel this way without experiencing any measure of guilt or fear. “I love you, Mama.”
Rosilda smiled and cleared her throat. “Let’s go. That dragon out there is ready to explode waiting for you.”
“I tried to tell her,” Ziva quipped. “Come on, let’s get this show on the road.”
Ziva walked out first, holding her bouquetof roses, peonies and blue calla lilies. Her hair was spiked and dyed a golden blonde this time. Once she’d cleared the patio and walked down the steps to the grassy area, Reese came up beside her, taking her hand in his as they walked the rest of the way down the twenty-foot aisle. Ravyn went next with Steele coming to meet her. Then Shola, who Magnum walked down the aisle because Theo stoodat the altar as Aiken’s best man.
“It’s time,” Rosilda said when she still hadn’t moved.
Everything had turned out so beautifully. It was almost midnight, the time she’d selected because she’d wanted the moon and the stars. The mountain and forest were a perfect backdrop to all the candles and flowers Bleu had made sure were perfectly arranged. There were no chairs for guests because theonly people she and Aiken needed there were their clan.
“I know,” she whispered and took that first step.
She had no idea how much time passed, but before she knew it she’d walked down that aisle, stopping to stand in front of Aiken, who looked like a model in his slick black tuxedo, his hair trimmed close, the golden glow of the candles highlighting his skin tone.
Bleu performed theceremony, chanting words from the ancient Drakon Selection ceremony and combining them with the traditional vows. Aiken placed an eight-karat princess cut diamond on her finger and she gave him a not-so-brilliantly shining gold-twined band. Their family clapped when they kissed, but she breathed. For the first time in her life she really breathed.
The reception was held on the patio with tablescovered in periwinkle linen and Bleu’s best china. More music played after the meal. Aiken loved music and she loved being in his arms dancing to whatever tune soothed his raging soul. This was an instrumental R&B mix he’d had a DJ record for today. He held her close and she leaned into him, inhaling the rustic scent of his cologne, feeling the strength of his beast and loving the way he lookeddeep into her eyes.
“I would’ve chosen you, Mel. Without the Selection process or any such legends, it would’ve always been you for me. Yesterday, today, tomorrow and all the days beyond, it’s always been you.”
Her smile spread wide, her heart so full of love for this man she thought it would burst. “Same,” she whispered, knowing it was a short and sweet response, but meaning it with everyounce of her being. “Yesterday, today, tomorrow and all the days beyond, I feel the same.”