Page 65 of Upon Blooded Lips (Vengeance #1)

NATE

The Seychelles

T essa screeches with laughter before losing her balance on the surfboard and tumbling into the turquoise waters, rising moments later with her hair plastered back and a twinkle in her eyes.

We desperately needed this vacation, a time to recover from everything and put the past to rest.

Losing Mirror Girl devastated her, leaving a gaping wound only time will heal.

For now, all Eric and I can do is show her what it means to live, even if it’s only on this little corner of paradise in the Seychelles.

We’ve explored the rainforests, swam with sea turtles, and explored the underwater coral gardens.

With each day that passes, Tessa becomes more alive, more confident, more adventurous.

Watching her bloom like flower petals opening to the sun gives me life.

Eric too. Getting him away from his computers has been good for him, and seeing him relax and allowing himself to be his authentic self gives me a quiet satisfaction.

We did it. We defeated the enemy, got the girl, and became the family I always dreamed we’d be.

And with most of the world believing we’re dead after the house exploded—thanks to some strategically placed skeletons and Eric tampering with the DNA tests—we’re finally free to live our lives the way we please, without the worry of looking over our shoulders or wondering when the next shoe will drop.

I just need to find the right time to tell Tessa her mother committed suicide.

At least, that’s the story I’m going with.

She wanted Presley to spend the rest of her life suffering, but I refuse to allow a threat to either of them to live.

Call me controlling or manipulative, I don’t care.

Their safety is paramount, and not something I’m willing to risk.

Nobody touches what’s mine.

Dressed in khaki pants and a loose white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, I stand at the bottom of the stairs of the house we rented, rocking on my heels.

Movement captures my attention, and the two people I crave more than air appear above me.

Eric, dressed like me but in a navy shirt, and Tessa wearing a simple white sundress with her hair tied up in an elaborate hairdo with small red tropical flowers entwined in the golden strands.

A knot forms in my throat as they walk down the stairs, and when they reach the bottom, I hold my hands out. They slip theirs into mine, and I lead them outside and along the flower-strewn path, the palm trees swaying overhead.

“Where are we going?” Tessa asks, glancing up at me.

“It’s a surprise.” I squeeze their hands, my chest tight with emotion, and head around the corner to the beach.

The sun is on its descent, not quite low enough to kiss the horizon but enough to blaze a golden trail over the sparkling waters.

Mountains covered in thick verdant vegetation line the background, and the blacktop disappears under soft white sand when we enter the beach.

Eric and Tessa both suck in a breath when they spot the two columns draped in flowers and tulle standing just before the shoreline, framing the view like a picture frame with gentle waves gliding onto the beach.

Eric tugs on me, forcing me to stop, and searches my eyes.

I can’t get any words out, not yet. They’re all jumbled in my mind and locked up in my chest, which feels suspiciously tight.

The corner of his mouth lifts when Tessa lets out a happy noise and drags us toward it.

“We’re doing this?” she asks. “Really?”

“Really,” I manage.

She grins up at me and picks up her pace, making us, for once, keep up with her instead of the other way around.

And when The Duke steps out from behind the pillar, ready to officiate, Tessa lets out a squeal and throws herself at her friend.

When my impatience becomes more than I can bear, I pick her up by her waist and stand her beside me where she belongs.

She gives me a little huff but settles at the look I give her. Good girl.

The Duke clears her throat and begins the traditional speech. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the joining of three souls…”

The words blur together as years of memories play in my mind. Some good, some bad, but each a dot on the roadmap of my life, leading to this moment. They were always meant to be mine: my future, my destiny, my world.

“Nate, are you ready?” The Duke asks.

I nod and take Tessa and Eric’s hands in mine while they join theirs, creating an unbreakable circle.

My thumbs run over the back of their hands as I find the right words.

“Eric, Tessa, I know I don’t always say the words I feel.

But here, on this day, I swear to you I will love you for every second of every day until I take my last breath.

I vow to protect you, honor you, trust you, and to give you the best of myself.

I promise I will always fight for us despite what battles might come, and that my love will remain fierce, all-consuming, and passionate. ”

“Eric?” The Duke says.

His face flushes, but he straightens his shoulders, his gaze bouncing between the two of us.

“I promise to join your laughter with my own, and when you can’t look on the bright side, I will sit with you in the dark.

I promise to walk beside you, hand in hand, as your lover, friend, confidant, and soulmate, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, through whatever life might throw at us.

I vow to love you both in this life and the next. ”

The first tendrils of pinks and oranges paint the sky as the sun dips closer to the horizon. The scent of sea salt and coconut embraces us, the gentle breeze sending the tulle blowing. Several petals drift down around us while Tessa takes a second to ready her vows.

“I never dreamed I would have this day. That someone, let alone two, could see beneath the trauma to the woman hiding within. Tying ourselves together is not only an honor but an immense privilege. To stand beside you, build a life with you, live and love and laugh with you. Know that I don’t take that lightly.

I, too, promise to love you both, always and forever, freely and without hesitation.

I vow to keep our relationship a haven of love, support, and peace, and to keep the precious gift of your hearts safe. ”

My chest swells with love for them, and I silently send a thank you to whoever might be listening for bringing us together.

At The Duke’s nod, I reach into my pocket and pull out the identical rings I had commissioned in a Celtic design with three intertwining strands.

Gold for me, platinum for Eric, diamonds for Tessa.

Eric turns to me, and I hold the ring in place with shaky fingers.

The Duke asks, “Eric, do you take Nate to be your husband?”

“I do.”

“And Nate, do you take Eric to be your husband?”

“I do.” I slip the ring on his finger, sliding it down until it rests in place. His eyes well with tears, and I give him a wobbly smile before repeating the process with Tessa. Then they, together, place my ring on my finger, cementing our vow.

“You now may?—”

I don’t wait for her to finish and slide my hands through my brother’s curls and pull him toward me, our lips pressing together in a kiss that rocks me to my core.

We break apart, our noses touching, something inside me settling into place.

Eric turns and kisses Tessa, the two having their moment before she steps in front of me for ours.

She slides her hand over my chest, resting it above my heart, her eyes filled with love and acceptance. We lean closer as one, our breaths ghosting over our lips before they meet, cementing our vows.

“Okay, kids, break it up. I’m starving,” The Duke says. I growl in reply, but she fingers the whip she carries over her shoulder, and I cut back a scathing retort. I’m sure there will be plenty of opportunities in the future to get back at her.