Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Anna
The music swells. Everyone stands and turns to look.
I walk next to Cadoc down the aisle. My eyes find Keric immediately, and I can’t look away. His expression goes soft and fierce at the same time. When we reach Keric, Cadoc transfers my hand from his arm to his son’s. He steps back to take his seat beside Maggie, who is already crying.
Keric’s hand engulfs mine. “You’re so beautiful,” he rasps.
“And you’re the scariest and yet still the most handsome orc I’ve ever met.”
He huffs a laugh and some of the tension eases from his shoulders.
The music stops, and everyone sits down. Dane steps forward to officiate, looking dignified and warm in his ceremonial robes. He’s Keric’s uncle, the family elder, and there was never any question of who would perform the ceremony.
“We gather today to witness the bonding of Keric Irontree and Anna Lee,” Dane intones, his deep voice carrying across the hall.
“A human female and an orc male who found each other through chaos and danger and chose each other anyway. This is what it means to become not only biological mates, but also legal partners. Not merely to love, but to choose.”
I squeeze Keric’s hand. He squeezes back.
“Do you, Keric Irontree, take this woman as your Bride? To protect, provide for, and cherish until your last breath?”
Keric’s voice is rough. “I do. She is my Bride. My forever.”
“And do you, Anna Lee, take this orc as your mate? To stand beside him, support him, and love him through all your days?”
“I do.” My voice comes out steady and sure. “I choose this wild orc, today and every day. He’s my home.”
Dane smiles. “The rings.”
We exchange gold bands. I slide a thick one onto Keric’s large green finger, custom-made to fit him. He slides a delicate one onto mine, to nest beside my engagement ring. He looks at the metal on his hand with something like wonder.
“I now declare you husband and wife,” Dane announces. “Keric, you may claim your Bride.”
My new husband pulls me into his arms, lifts me slightly off my feet, and kisses me like we’re not standing in front of everyone we know.
Deep and thorough, even more intense than the kiss he gave me after he proposed.
His tusks scrape gently against my skin.
I grab his horns for balance and feel him groan against my mouth. It’s so damn sexy.
Cheers and whistles erupt around us. Somewhere, Maggie sobs happy tears. I think I hear Drew yell something inappropriate.
We finally break apart, laughing and so happy I might burst. The smartest moment of my life was when I said yes and took Keric’s hand at that bus station.
The reception spills out into the communal space in front of the Lodge.
Long tables of food are set up, twinkling lights are strung between trees, and music and laughter fills the evening air.
The whole commune is here, plus our guests from California and elsewhere.
It’s chaotic and loud and absolutely perfect.
Maggie outdid herself. The food is incredible, the decorations are beautiful, and she’s already three cups of orc ale in and dancing with Cadoc. I can’t stop smiling. My face actually hurts from smiling so much.
“Congratulations, girl,” Ellie throws her arms around me for the hundredth time. “I’m so happy for you. Both of you.”
“Thank you for being here. For everything.”
“Where else would I be?” She pulls back, eyes sparkling. “My best friend married an Irontree. We’re basically family now.”
Garlen appears behind her. “She’s been saying that all day.”
“Because it’s true.”
Zoe runs past, flower girl dress abandoned in favor of more practical attire for running around with the other commune children. “Auntie Anna your cat, Dinah is super cute.”
“Right? She’s the cutest. Do you think she’ll get along with Loki? I’m bringing Dinah with me when we come and visit you guys this summer.”
“Loki will love her.”
I laugh and watch her race off again.
Keric’s hand finds the small of my back, warm and possessive. “Happy?” he asks.
“Oh yes, it’s wonderful having everyone here to celebrate with us.”
He pulls me closer, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Good. Because I’m about to get impatient.”
Impatient is his code word for hot sex. “Not yet. This is our party.”
“I don’t care about the party. They can carry on without us late into the night. I care about getting you alone.”
I shift on my feet, trying to relieve the heat between my thighs because I want the same thing. “Soon,” I promise. “We need to spend more time with all our guests first.”
He grumbles but doesn’t push.
Later, I spot my husband with Jonus near the edge of the gathering. The two cousins talk quietly, cups of ale in hand. Jonus looks... restless. Unsettled in a way I haven’t seen before. He keeps scanning the crowd, looking for something. Or someone.
I wander over. “Everything okay?”
Jonus straightens, forcing a smile. “Of course. Congratulations, Anna. Welcome to the family.”
“Thank you.” I study his face. “You seem distracted.”
“He’s leaving tomorrow,” Keric says quietly. “With a team of orcs at his back.”
My eyebrows rise. “Leaving? Where?”
Jonus exchanges a look with Keric. “There’s a journalist,” he finally says. “A human woman. She’s been investigating some dangerous people, the same ones you’ve tangled with recently, and she’s gotten herself into trouble. I’m going to find her and bring her home.”
The way he says it — bring her home — makes something click.
“Is she...?”
“I don’t know yet.” His jaw tightens. “But I need to find out.”
Keric claps his cousin’s shoulder. “Be careful. Call if you need more backup.”
“I will.” Jonus turns to me. “Take care of him, Anna. He’s been waiting his whole life for someone like you.”
“I will,” I promise.
He disappears into the crowd, and I lean into Keric’s side. “Will he be okay?”
“He’s an Irontree. He’ll be fine.” But I hear the worry underneath.
I make a mental note to ask Ellie what she knows about this journalist later. For now, I file it away and let myself sink back into the celebration.
The music swells. Someone gives a toast. Ellie makes a speech that has me laughing and crying at the same time. We cut portions of a huge chocolate cake and smash bits into each other’s mouths. I toss my bouquet behind me and everyone laughs when Zoe runs up and catches it with one hand.
And through it all, Keric never leaves my side.
Eventually, the sun sets behind the trees and the stars come out and his patience finally snaps. “Enough,” he growls a little too loud. “I’ve been patient, but I need you alone. Now.”
Before I can respond, he sweeps me up into his arms, lifting me like I weigh nothing. His strength never ceases to amaze me.
I squeal, grabbing his shoulders for balance. “Keric,” I laugh. “I can’t believe you’re really doing this.” And yet I guess I shouldn’t considering this is the male who carried me off to a cave to have his way with me.
He doesn’t answer, focused on getting us home.
I wave goodbye to our guests as he carries me away from our own wedding reception. Cheers and whistles follow us into the darkness. Drew yells something about stamina.
I bury my face in his neck and laugh. “You’re impossible.”
“I’m an orc who just married the most beautiful woman in the world. I’m allowed.”
He ignores the parked vehicles and instead carries me the entire way from the center of the commune, where our wedding and reception were held, all the way to the edge of the community, where our cabin stands by itself.
I rest quietly in his arms the entire time, not chilly because I’m snuggled against the warmth of his massive chest.
Meanwhile, I fantasize about what I’m going to do with this man the moment he sets me down.
Keric carries me over the threshold of our cabin.
He sets me down gently, his hands lingering on my waist. We walk inside and I am in awe.
Our small but comfortable cabin has been transformed into a luxurious, romantic setting, like something out of a movie.
Candles flicker on every surface and the fire crackles warmly.
We follow a trail of flower petals scattered down the hallway and into our room. More petals decorate the bed.
“Oh, this was so nice of them to do this for us,” I exclaim.
We stand there for a moment, just looking at each other in the candlelight. Me in my silk wedding dress, him bare-chested and beautiful.
“You are not only my Bride now, but also my human wife, legally mine according to human laws.”
“Mrs. Irontree.” I smile up at him. “How does it sound? I’ve been Anna Lee my whole life, except for that time I was in hiding.
That name came from my parents and I loved them and enjoyed keeping it and being a part of that family with them, especially when I was growing up, but I think I’ve decided to take on your last name now and use it, even professionally.
Is that okay with you, that I’m Anna Irontree from now on? ”
He growls in approval. “You are an Irontree.”
“Wait,” I say. I place my palm on his bare chest, stopping him before he can pull me closer.
I look down at the erection tenting his pants them back up to meet his molten gaze.
“I want to do something first.” I trace the lines of his tribal tattoos with my fingertips.
“Tonight, I want to take care of you first.”
“You don’t have to—”
“I want to.” I drop to my knees. “Let me.”
He goes still, barely breathing. Watching me with dark, hungry eyes.
I run my hands lower to explore the ridges of his abs that move down his stomach. My fingers find his belt. That thick leather belt I’ve been eyeing all day. I take my time undoing the heavy, silver buckle, then I slowly slide the leather through each loop, inch by inch.
His stomach muscles clench under my touch, that gorgeous dip of muscle at his hips flexing as he fights to stay still.
The belt drops to the floor with a heavy thunk.